Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-12-10
Mechannyown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Dec 10, 1885,

moved his shoe and the fragment of
stocking, and hastily bound up the
wound with strips torn from her cloth
lng. In this way she staunched the
flow of blood and quieted his fears,
though she could not alleviate his pain.
Now, Charley, must go up to Mr..
Persons myself, for u she'll may strike
the house, and then Mary and Robby
will be burned. I'll put you behind
that tree, and you will not be in much
danger
But you'll run, mamma, won't you?'
And the tears trinkled down Char
ley's checks, though he tried very hard
to keep them back. The tree was a
large chestnut, and its generous trunk
afforded pretty ample protection
against the shells, two of which had
struck near by while Mrs. Cages was
binding up the wound. Arriving at
Mr. Persons, she dispatched him in
great haste to the fort, while she with
swift feet, returned to Charley. Becky
and Berry Pierson, aged seventeen and
eighteen, with true girlish heroism, re
turL cd with her Notwithstanding the
bursting shells. On the way they pass
ed several negroes sheltered behind
stumps and stones; and Mrs. Gay es
vainIy begged them to follow her aud
assist in the removal Of the wounded
boy. They found Charley behind the
tree, and he said, oh, mamma. I'm go
glad you've come back He could not
walk at all, and be WAS weak from pain
and loss Of blood. So his mother and
the two girls carried him in their arms
as best they could. Dowp the hill, half
blinded by the smoke and stunned by
,Le awful explosions, slowly moved the
strange procession. They waded the
little stream in the hollow, stopping a
moment to bathe Charley's face and
hands, and carried their butden up the
hill to Mr.. Pierson's house.
BY this time Mr.. Pierson had reach
ed the fort, and tie firing ceased. The
other children were sent for, and in a
few moments the rcgimental surgeon
and hospital steward came gallop!ng
own to express their sorrow at what
had happened and to tender assistance.
The surgeons protiared services We're
most gladly accepted, When he was
ready to examine the wound, the moth
er said:
Now, Charley, it will hurt yon to
have the wound dressed; but it must be
done; and Ycu must try and bear it. 1t
will soon Ge over.
I'll try said Charley, IT you'll be
sure, mamma, and not let my leg be
cut off
She pressed him to her heart, and
assured him with loving words that
there was 10 occasion for so serious an
operation.
Sing to me, mamma. Sing to met
Why, CLarley-I-I-don't believe
| can sing now,' she falterel.
You must, mamma, you must! Please
sing to me ust the same as You always
do and III keep awful still. And he
reached up and put his arms pleadin2ly
around her neck. There was Il silence
in the room as the little sufferer per-
sisted in his strange request. Then the
mother closed her eyes and tried 10
sing. Her voice was tremulous at first,
but by mighty effort she expelled
from h.r mind every thought save the
remembrance Of her love for her
wounded child; and she vas soon able
to sing to him almost as sweetly and
softly as if in her own quiet home The
boys arms gradually relaxed and he
lay back again quietly upon the blood
stained bed, with his head resting half
upon his pillow and half upon his
mothers lap. His eyes were closed,
and his pallid face had lost something
of the roundness and fuiness which
marked it in the morning. The mother
was bending over him with one of his
hands in hers. On the other side of
the bed sat Berty Pierson tanning
Charley's face. At the foot the sur
geon and the steward. Clustered
around the room were half dozen
neighbors looking on with sympathetic,
awe-stricken faces. +
When the mother began to softly sing
the song she knew he loved, there was
a solemn hush in the room, aud every.
eye was filled with tears. Even the
rough, old surgeon, as he cut away the
bloody bandages, was seen to turn away,
his head and hastily draw his sleeve