Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-15
AESTORY OF THE WAR
The, Romantic PARTING OF John
Compton and Allis:Leg.
fs IL Touching Beyond Description. bat
T. the Reunion Altar the Days OF Batt(sS
Changed the Tears into Srniics-
An Obscure Boys Luck.

An Obscure Boys Luck.
know Of no elegance Of phrase N which
70 couch the simple story sm about 70 tall
writes Ed r. Prltchard, in the Arkanssw
Traveller. In the hands of romsncer the
lew facts OF my little narrative could be
woven into powerful war serial OF many
chapters, but must content myself With
the briefest possible details
1t was bright May morning Ia 1851. and,
notwithstanding that the sun was scarce
yet two hours high, the usually quiet streets
OF the little village OF D. presented o
lively appearance.
In the street ind II front Of tire Presoy.
terrain church, the Only religious edirce in
the place, a crowd OF perhaps nearly Nifty
men had gathered round martial band.
which was playing some war-inspirins tune
that seemed strangely IN contrast with the
quiet and peaceful surroundings. The noise
Of the fife and drums had the effect to
arouse many who otherwise would stiu
have siumbsred IN their beds, and soon
from every direction the villagers came
trooping 70 the scene. Presently, toe the
rattle of wagons coming down the turnpike
Is heard; and little later they cone rolling
Up, filed with men who are greeted with
cheers, as they hastily tumble out and
mingle with their fellows who had elready
arri.cI. The band now ceased playing, and
q tall, well-formed young man, wearing Q
Lieutenant's uniform came out the church,
and raising his voice so as TO be heard. said;
"Fall in, boys, double file, and Wen march
down and escort the pastor up 70 the
church" The preacher arose
and said: "My iesr friends and neighhors,
this is sacred occasion. We have met %
say Godspeed 70 these brave boys, our boys.
our neighbors, our friends, these husbands,
brothers and sons who have volunteered to
go TO the front in defense Of home and coun-
try. Let US look to the God Of battles for
His blessing"
The entire audience arose snd the minister
prayed Then hymn was sung, and then
followed brief but stirring address from the
man who for twenty-five years had been the
pastor of the only church In the village, and
who knew, personally. every man, woman
and child in his audience Under the circurn-
stances, 1t would be needless 10 say that bis
address had a telling effect on his hearers.
When the services had concluded then
came the final farewells. The wagons In
which the men were 10 be taken 10 the near
est railway station, seven miles distant,
were drawn up in the street in front of tho
waiting the time to start. There were hus-
band and wife, parent and child, lover and
sweetheart; and tears flowed freely; even
some of the men, despite their efforts to
bear up, now gave way 10 their emotions,
and wept But in the throug there was one
in whom no one seemed TO take any interest
Silent and unnoticed, he stood apart from
the rest and watched the scene before him.
Nor was he an unmoved spectator; at times
/ his face was clouded with the deepest mel
ancholy, his eyes would I'll witt tears, and,
! with look Of hungering sympathy, ho
1 stood the picture Of lonesome distress and
! suffering. At last, as II he could stand II no
| longer, he turned quickly and started
I toward the wagons. As he did SO o soft
! hand was laid detainingly on his arm, and
win some Allie Lee said: John, noticed
you standing b ere all alone. and hurried
over TO say good bye 20 you"
'sGod bless you, Allie" be replied, a. he
took her hand In his. Pm only poor New
/ York boy, raised almost In tho streets Of
/ that great city, until / was sent out here
/ with many others, when / was lucky enough
TO find place TO stay, can't call II home,
| with Mr. Hill. He didn't think enough Of
me to get up 70 bid me goodb this morn
! ing, but let me tell you John Compton viii
! =
/ spoken TO him to-day"
/ Allie knew his history. She well remem-
| bered the story as her mother had told II To
+ her, how some good people 10 New York
/ had gathered up lot Of street waits In that
( CITY and sent them out West to find homes
I for them among the farmers. Sho had
! known John Compton for a long time, not by
/ any means Intimately, but AS Mr.. Hilrs
/ New York boy'' who often brought horses
/ 70 her father, who was the village black
/ smith, To be snOd Naturally Of q sympa-
thetic disposition. she had taken strong
4 interest in him; 80 n was quite natural that,
on that morning when 50 many dear fFieucS
were engaged IN their fearful lesve-tAking,
she, noticing his lonely condition, should
seek him out and say Kind word TO him
"John." she continued, as Re finished
speaking, 81 have DO brothers IN thdwar
and papa is too old 70 go, but want you 10
I be nv brother; 70 think q me "a n sister, IN
write 70 me as such" here she paused add
in some en- barrassfneut added, that is-if
it Will be any hclp 20 yosi. John"
ssallie." cried John, how can thank you
for your Lindnessi III write 70 you as
brother. and know III be Drawer and r.ake
a better soldier when remember that have
sorne one back home who tazes az interest
"a me and who VIII think Of ne Sometimes
While he had been speaking, Alie Lad
| taken from her neck small GOLD locket
I containing her picture This she now
handed 70 him, saying; fake this. John.
and be sure you write 70 FAC as you haTs
promised "
Hurried gooa-bycs were spoken snd they
rarted 4 bttie later the wagons, tiisd
with uen. were driven rapidly away aud
were soon lost 70 view ia clouds of dust
The other day. hers in Chicago, net
John Compton, who IA low one 81 tue big cat,
tie men Of TeIas He il known rs Colonel
Compton. and the title il not merely honor
sry. either; Tor be earned bis promotion
from the ranks ~ nis personal bravery On
| the field q action. HIS wife ard daughter
| wers with him, the latter . beaziiiz! yoEng
woman. whose name, The Colonel tod r1s,
was ATE Lee Compton 'Hrr mother" bs
added. proudly. IS tse eess ard n0D.est =
women, aad 50 / gave Der full rszns 70 CIR
daughter
| Found 20 Bs Married
4 case ia anIea > Tnuug lazy of Is
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