Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-10-12

s'AIiss Anna" included, except Par
sons. We had made up a scheme TO
beg his forgiveness and to swear
to be gentlemen, 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
silently around, not daring to breathe
the great fear uppermost in our
minds. "Miss Anna" too, walked
up and down uneasily, shifting the
air and rubbing her nose against any
convenient shoulder. As we sat thus
our lieutenant called in to me:
Harrison, step here minute.
arose and went out little UNI
steadily.
"Parsons was hurt last night on
guard, and has asked to see you.
| Go now; there isn't much time I'm
afraid"
He turned to lead the way.
II may tell them?" / said.
''No 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, and the surgeons
We're busy with the men who had ftl-
len in the days fight. In the farthest
corner of the room lay Parsons.
knelt down by him and took his hand.
He smiled family, reassuringly and
| whispered:
Its not so hard-it was so quick,
YOU know-just u flash, a burn, and
| then dull pain. Only lay theresa
long, Harrison, that thought every
thing veryclearly out, and I'm sorry.
How could those fellows knowl l am
afraid lost my temper. I'm such n
devil of fellow when ! lose my tenn
per-" he said pathetically, land Har-
rison, | beg pardon, old fellow-but,
Miss ANIMAL"
His eyes apologized amply for this
inquiry, and went in search of the
men and their charge.
They followed me eagerly, and we
unconsciously fell into n procession
and moved through the door with
''Miss Anna" in our midst. 1t must
have been a strange sight, a half
dozen men and q. goat marching sol
emily 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
situation.
Miss Anna"
The voice broke like n sob across
the stiffness, and the faithful friend
pressed close to her masters side.
The strong men who had faced death
so unfinchingly all day quivered and
shrank before this new phrase. Orp-
hee looked longingly into the dying
, face as the white lips murmured OF
bygone days, of baby hands and ten
, der, wifely kisses.
, Miss Anna" the voice began
again, weakly, "the boys all know
and love her" and then suddenly rec.
ollecting, he turned his eyes on the
manly bearded face around him. and
noted their moist eyes, then with the
, old frank smile of appreciation he
/ muttered: dying tonight, dying
tonight. Sing it, Orphee."
| The river rushed and saTg, tn,
! wind sighed airily through tl5 sor
) rowful pines, but distinct and clear
rose the voice of Orphee, that sweet
high tenor, thrilling with tears anc
pathos. 1t quivered and fell as il
/, reached the chorus, and the "dyina
tonight" was sobbed out on his
, knees as he held the poor, cold hands
, close to his breast. The wounded
men turned on the rough floor, thu
( surgeons desisted from their work
s and one little fellow, his breast shot
: to pieces, crossed himself inyolunta
r rily, stirred by the sorrowful sweet
r ness.
e Again Parsons spoke: IN
! ''Be good. boys, to Miss Anna.
e No better, truer sweetheart coult
you find. Say with me now, Got
s bless Miss Anna.
# And we said it with him.
"Amen," he answered solemnly
n and with q spasm of pain he was ly
s ing there quite still, smiling tenderl.
: as of old, with Miss Anna" close t,
his breast.
v 'And Miss Anna?'" asked the host
|, "Was shot down the next morning
e in the first Charge"
If There was silence for few minute:
n and then Harrison raised his glas
e and looked wistfully around. In a
1t instant the glasses were refilled, an
e with reverently bowed heads an
4 hushed tones the whole room dram
II to the memory of miss Anna" y
re New Orleans Times Democrat.
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