The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-08-25

brehthc Tue great Tear uppcrmo~t IN
our minds. Miss Anns." too walk
ed up aud down uncasiIy. smiling the
air aud rubbing her nose against any
convenient shoulder As we sat thus.
our lieutenant called in 10 me
Harrison. step here a m mute"
l arose aud went out little un-
steadily.
Parsons was hurt last night. on
guard. aud has asked to see YOU Go
now. there isn't much time. I'm
afraid.
lie turned TO lead the way.
Il may tell themP" asked.
'.No use." he answered shortly. as
Orphee's stricken face appeared la
the DOORWAY.
Well. followed him to the rude
hut selected for our hospital. IL was
lighted by torches. and the surgeons
were busy with the men who had fa.-
len Ia that days fight. In The farlhest
corner of the room lay Parsons. !
knelt down by him and took his hand.
He smiled family. reassur.ngly. and
whispered:
'.lt's not so hard lit was so quick.
You KNOXVILLE a flash, burn. and
tucu ~ duii lihin- Ouif thN lntIt 80
long. Harrison. that thought every
thing very clearly out and I'm sorry.
How could those fellows knowP am
afraid lost my temper. I'm such a
devil OF fellow when lose my tenn.
per-" patheticallly. 'nnd. Harrison.
beg your pard on. old fellow--but Miss
Anna?
His eyes apologized amply for this In
quirv. and 4 went in search of the men
and their charge.
They followed me enrgcrly. and we
unconsciously fell into procession
and moved through the door with
"Miss Anna" in our midst IL must
have been n strange sight. "A halfdozen
men and u goat marching solemniy up
the isle OF the rude cabin. but to the
credit of human nature be IL said. no
body laughed or seemed to observe tho
humorous side OF the situation.
m So Annaw
The voice broke like sob across tho
stiffness. and the faithful friend pressed
close to her masters side. The strong
men who had faced death so unflinch.
ingly all day. quivered and shrank be-
fore this new phase. Orphee looked
longingly into tho ing face as the
white lips murmured Of bygone days of
baby haiids and tender. w,fely kisses.
Miss Anna" the voice began again,
wcakl,. 1.-THE boys all know aud love
her" and then suddenly recolectiug.
he turned his eyes on the manly beard
cd faces around him. and noted their
moist eyes. then with the old frank
smile of appreciation. he muttered:
Dying ton ght dying tonight Sing
IL. Orphee."
The river rushed and sang, the wind
sighed airly through tho sorrowful
pines, but distinct and clear ross the
voice OF Orphee. that sweet, high
tenor. thrilling with tears and palhos.
IL quivered aud fell as IL reached the
chorus, and the dying tonight was
sobbcd out on his knees as he held the
poor. cold hands close TO his breast
The wounded men turned on the rough
floor, the surgeons dcs sted from their
work. aud one little fellow, his breast
shot to pieces. crossed himself involun.
tarily. stirred by the sorrowful sweet
ness.
Again Parsons spoke:
''Be good, boys. TO Miss Anna No
better, truer sweetheart could you
lind. Say with me now, God bless
Miss Anna
And we said it with him.
Amen" he answered solemnly,
and with n spasm OF pain he was lying
there quite still. smiling tendcrly AS OF
old. with Miss Anna" close 10 his
breast
''And Miss Anna? " asked the host
Was shot down tho next morning
in the first charge"
There was silence for few minutes.
and then Harrison raised his glass and
looked wistiully around. La an instant
the glasses were rciilled. and with
reverently bowed heads and hushcd
tones. tile whole room drank to the
memory OF ''Miss Anna. --New
Orleans Times Democrat.