Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-04-02
now. there isn't much time, I'm
afraid"
He turned and led the way.
81 may tell them?' / asked.

HO"s 0hSic lSH muCn Jlunes III
afraid"
He turned and led the way.
81 may tell them?" l asked.
"No use," he answered shortly, as
Orphee's stricken face appeared in
the doorway.
Well, l followed him TO the rude
hut selected for our hospital. 1t was
lighted by torches. and the surgeons
were busy with the men who had fall
en- in that days fight. In the farth-
est corner of the room lay Parsons.
knelt down by him and took his
hand. He smiled family, reassur-
ingly, and whispered:
"It's not so hard-it was so quick,
you know-just a flash, a burn, and
then dull pain. Only lay there
so long, Harrison, that | thought ev-
erything clearly out, and I'm sorry.
How could those fellows know? / am
afraid | lost my temper. I'm such a
devil of a fellow when / lose my tenn
per-" he said emphatically, "and,
Harrison, | beg your pardon, old fell
low-but, Miss Anna?"
His eyes apologized amply for the
inquiry and | went in search of the
men and their charge.
They followed me eagerly. and we
unconsciously fell into a procession
and moved through the door with
Miss Anna in our midst. 1t must
have been strange sight, half
dozen men and a goat marching sol
emnly up the aisle of the rude cabin,
but to the credit of human nature be
it said, nobody laughed or seemed to
observe the humorous side of the sit
uation.
"Miss Anna!'
The voice broke like a 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, qulv-
cred and shrank before this new
phase. Orphee looked longingly into
the dying face as the white lips muir
INJURED 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 suddenly
recollecting, 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, to-
night. Sing it Orphee."
The river rushed and sang, the
wind sighed airily through the sor-
rowful pines, but distant and clear
rose the voice of Orphee, that sweet,
high tenor, thrilling with tears and
pathos. 1t quivered and fell as 1t
reached the chorus, ,and the"dying to-
night was sobbed out on his knees
rs he held the poor, cold hands close
20 his breast. The wounded men
,urned on the rough floor, the sur
yeOns desisted from their work, and
,ne little fellow, his breast shot to
pieces, crossed himself involuntarily,
stirred by the sorrowful sweetness.
Again Parsons spoke:
"Be good, boys, to Miss Anna.
No better, truer sweetheart could you
ind. Say with me now, God bless
Hiss Anna"
And we said it with him.
"Amen," he answered solemnly,
nd with spasm of pain he was ly-
ng there quite still, smiling tenderly
s of old, with Miss Anna close to
is breast.
"And Miss Anna?" asked the host.
"Was shot down the next morning
n the first charge"
There was silence for few min
tes, and then Harrison raised his
lass and looked wistfully around.
n an instant the glasses were refilled,
nd with reverently bowed heads and
ushed tones, the whole room drank /
D the memory of "Miss Anna"