The Iola register., 1889-05-31

| see-1 haven't mentioned it vet but al
through my army life was keeping track
of young soldier whose fiery zeal in the
great cause kept him at the front and in the
thickest OF the fight 1t was my own boy
and all l had in the world-Lord, how
loved him!' His lower jaw dropped, and
he gazed blankly FOR a moment at a spot on
the ground, then he went on:
Il couldn't nor wouldn't tell my boy he
should not fight for the old flag He was
| Just turned of twenty-one and was old
enough to enlist, but l had no end OF
maneuvering trying to keep in the same
line of action he did. His mother was gone
years before, so she never worried over the
| risks he run.
We'll, the last battle he ever was in, or ]
either, was the terrible one of Cold Harbor,
early in the summer of "a We were under
Hancock, and did all any OF our men could
do-that was, obeyed orders When you
consider, lads, that our loss in killed,
wounded and missing after the battle was
over thirteen thousand men, you'll never
| doubt again that some of us knew what an
engagement means
We'll saw my boy fall during the
battle, and they all told me he was killed
and for a long time-yes, for years-I be-
very seriously whether such was really the
fact As said before, came with an OBJ
ject to-day; knew there would be a great
many soldiers about, and / more than halt
expect to see tall young fellow, with an
eye as keen as an eagles fine features, and
a military air"
Just then a middle-aged gentleman
sauntered into the arbor, and the old soldier
| at once accosted him:
"Ah. good-morning. Mr.. Fosdick, Glad
| to see you" His voice took on the half
| beseeching tone they had noticed before as
he continued: You know I'm an old q. s
", one of the rank and file merely, but
| am here to-day with an object as usual; ]
shouldn't be surprised if at any moment
was to see fine. manly young fellow, with
an eagle eye and military carriage, come
striding along-ah, there's our ministe,
from Crofton; must go interview him
bid you good-day, good-day, my sons!'
With martial air the old man gathered
himself up and departed, while Frank and
Eugene looked inquiringly at the gentle
man addressed as Mr. Fosdick"
Excuse me-" said Frank, but do you
| know that old soldiers"
"Oh, yesr' replied Mr. Fosdick a look OF
pity succeeding the smile with which he be-
gan to make reply; ''he was one of our
| fighters during the war, but he lost an only
son whom for years he knew and realized
| had been killed-at Cold Harbor. l think
But within the last year or two his mind
| has failed, and he imagines that 1t was q
mistake as to his sons having fallen, and so
he is continu lily searching and inqulring
for him It's awfully sad" he added, look
ing away beyond the arbor. ''but he always
fancies him still young man Just as he
saw him last, but doesn't realize he would
be getting grizzly" like the rest Of us OF
his age, were he still living.
Captain Simms, as every body calls him
although he disowns all titles belongs at
the Soldiers Home in Crofton, but is al
lowed more liberty than is usual He
doubtless walked the six miles between
there and here this morning, but was so
filed with his object of finding his son as
hardly to notice the long tramp. WE'LL
wish you good morning"
The strong man left the arboI, and the
young fellows remaining in it looked quiet
ly into each others faces Frank was the
first to speak.
II tell you. Gene. that's war, cold. cruel
war! Isn't it mournful though! Ifeel as
though I'd like TO go and implore that old
veteran TO forgive my senseless words of
an hour ago"
"Oh, You didn't realize any thing of the
facts" said Eugene. kindly. ''and I'm sure
didn't either; it seemed only like forgot
ten tragedy of the long past; but now
we've been brought face to face with the
real thing. and it's good lesson for US; we
ought to feel that that struggle has left its
scars and wounds"
"Ah. that's the worst Of :" replied
Frank, sadly; lit has left scars and bruises
that never win heal while certain ives Last