Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-12-30

| " Nisct tne men, his anger ax,a.,.'
thine, and he whispered to her in soft
caressing tones. Si''
You have followed me tbro,,l
thick and thin, Miss Anna Whs,,
the overflow came and We wara
starving, 1T was you who STRUGGLED Ri.
to us through the water ana az !; :
Was your milk that kept us alive
Everything depended then on vonr
strength. We called our baby aftar
you, anu when the poor little one died
" cut me cruelty, cruelty. | can never
forgive this days work. Be brave
MISS Anna. be brave" ana nuttinn
ms cheek on Miss Annals head az
tears fairly rolled out of his ewes
lie stopped minute, drawing IN hi.
breath IN short. quick, little sobs and
threw out both hands with a forlorn
gesture OF abandonment.
"Ol great God | was so lons,,,
when wife and babies all were daaj
and loved Miss Anna then. 7 Ioss
Iief now as the one relic left me OF
nnat beautiful, vanished mast.
linen the war came and | tried 10
leave you. thinking it would be best
but you followed me, to be ridicuIed
despised and even tortured. All the
conduct o. the last week breaks over
me and see what blind fool have
been" ''''o
Parsons, you are to 90 on nicket
duty tonight" and YOU had better
start now, called in the voice of our
lieutenant. The men, now tboronohlv
ashamed OF themselves, came nearer,
and We're about to offer some heartfelt
words OF apology, but Parsons turned
away, and delivering Miss Annie
over to orphee, said pleadingly:
III anything should happen to me.
you will take care of her Y'f
Orphee's eyes flied with tears as he
pressed the extended hand.
Without another word or look Par
sons strobe out into the dark.
Were brutes, cowardly brutes. /"
said our Virginian disgustedly.
would rather face a million Yam.
KEGS than hear that mans story told
IN that voice again" said another.
mat night was a weary one. We
could not forget the solemn figure, the
dark, patient face, the broken, harsh,
tender voice, and the pines above and
the river far away seemed to mingle
their grief at our cowardice and bru.
taiity. Meanwhile Miss Anna" slept
peacefully on the best blanket OF the
mess, while we lay there sleepless,
thoughtful, unhappy, even the great
err issue of the war momentarily TOR.
gotten.
WITH the dawn came action. The
Yankees were upon us, and we fought
like wildcats. As evening came on, the
tight was suspended, and when our
mess met everybody was there, Miss
Anna" included, except Parsons. We
had made up scheme to beg his for
giveness and to swear to begentlemen,
at least. Each of us had a separate
speech of apology to make expressive
OF shame and contrition. When night
settled down, and Parsons did not
appear, we grew anxious and sat ST.
lently around, not daring to breathe
the great fear uppermostiro our minds,
Miss Anna" too, walked M and
down uneasily, shifting the ali and
rubbing her nose against any convent
ent shoulder. As we sat thus, our
lieutenant called In to me
Harrison, step hera a minute"
| arose and went out little un-
steadily
Parsons was hurt last night, on
guard, and has asked to see you. Go
now, there isn't much time, Fra
afraid
He turned to lead the way.
~ may tell them?" ] ,ked.
mo use" he answered shortly. as
Orphee's stricken face appeared in the
doorway.
Well, followed him TO the rude hut
selected for our hospital. 1t was
lighted by torches, had the surgeons
were busy with the men who had fall
en- in that days fight In the farthest
corner of the room lay Parsons. /
| knelt down by him and took his
hand He smiled family, reassuring-
ly. and whispered:
Its not so hard-it was so quick.
you know-just flash, burn, and
then a dull pain. Only, lay there so
long. Harrison, and / thought every
thing very clearly out, and I'm sorry.
How could those fellows know? am
afraid | lost my temper. I'm such a
devil of fellow when lose my tenn
per-" he said, pathetically, "and Har-
rison. beg your pardon, old fellow
but, Miss Anna?"
His eyes apologized amply for this
inquiry, aud l went in search OF the
men and their charge.
They followed me eagerly, and We
unconsciously fell into procession
and moved through the door with
Miss Anna" in our midst. 1t
half dozen men and goat march
ing solemnly up the aisle OF the rude
cabin, to the credit of human nature
be it said, nobody laughed or seemed
TO observe the humorous side OF the
situation.
Miss Anna"
The voice broke like q sob across
the stiffness, and the faithful friend
pressed close to her masters side. The
strong men who had faced death so
unhinchingly all day quivered and
shrank back before this new phase.
Orphee looked longingly into the dy.
ing face as the white lips murmured
of bygone days, OF baby hands and
tender wifely kisses.
Miss Anna" the voice began
again. weakly, "the boys all know
and love her," and then sudden
ly recollectlng, he turned his
eyes on the manly bearded faces
around him, and noted their moist
eyes, then with the old frank smile OF
appreciation, he muttered: dying
tonight, dying tonight. Sing it, Or
phee." i,
The river rushed and sang, the wind
sighed airIly through the sorrowiul
pines, but distinct and clear rose the
voice OF Orphee, that sweet, high tenor,
thrilling with tears and pathos. 1t
duivered and fell as it reached the
chorus. and the dying tonight" was
sobbed out or his knees as he held The
poor, cold hands close to his breast.
The wounded men turned on the
rough floor, the surgeons deslsted
from their work, and one little fellow,
his breast shot to pieces, crossed him.
self involuntarily, stirred by the sor-
Towful sweetness.
Again Parsons spoke:
"Be good boys, to Miss Anna. No
better, truer sweetheart could you
find. Say with me now, God bless
Miss Anna"
And we said it with him.
amen" he answered solemnly, and
with spasm of pain was lying there
quite still, smiling tenderly, as oil Old,
with Miss Anna" close to his breast.
and Miss Anna?" asked the host.
"Was shot down the next morning
in the first charge"
There was silence for few minutes,
and then Harrison raised his glass,
a..I IorI.ol ,riat f,,ll,, around In an In