Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-05-02
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. VA, FRIDAY MAY z 1890

singing brook that wound its silver
ribbon about the foot of the grim old
mountain were planted one day dread
full wide-mouthed connon--with a
horrid threat in each dark throat
blots in the peaceful scene and hun
dred or more Of stern-voiced, gloomy
eyed men, stood behind them wait
ing for the foe, who was coming pres
emily down the road. The sun rose
higher and higher, yelling its face
from what was to come in purple
haze, when tramp, tramp came the
advancing enemy, marching down 10
what each man knew would in all
probability be battle unto death
for in order TO pass it was neces-
sary TO take the battery that held the
narrow road.
Each party reserved its fire by or
der, and only the tread Of feet, the
gleam of fixed bayonets and low
growing Of commands from an officer
here and there betrayed the errand
of these invaders of that quiet spot
But as the two lines OF set, defiant
faces glared into each other some
thing happened. Out from the su-
mach bushes on the side of the road
marched tiny figure, bravely drag
ging after it through the dust a sword.
The big hat with its Haunting feather
had fallen over one blue eve. but the
others glanced joyously from one
body of soldiers 10 the other. He
marched with great dignity between
the two lines and paused about TO
speak when forward ran every man
from both sides and closed upon him.
But oh. no harm was meant, for
the baby form and little face had
awakened iander memories OF such
another at home, as of ones own
happy childhood in every breast, aud
with u common impulse TO snatch
him from his perilous place, each
bounded forward, fearful lest the
other side open fire and shot pierce
that tiny soldiers uniform. But the
crowd of mingled blue and gray-clad
men gave back quickly, when fly
ing figure, with gay turban all array
and checked dress, sailing in its self
created breeze, dashed in its midst.
Gimme that child here cried
Aunt Dicey Historically. "Tu'n
round here, my angel pettikins, an
let yo' nanny see if desc here scamps
done hut my sugar lump
She examined the child carefully
and then, holding him while that
valiant warrior wept loudly and bit
terly, harrangued the soldiers.
"You'se pretty lot, amt yer now?
Comm here gittin' up fuss right TO
spectacle people, till declar' dis yer
baby had ter come ter shame you. Its
low -borned, dat's wat it it's an its
me Aunt Dicey, wat tells you so.
right in yo' impident faces. Clar out
of here now, and jus take dis FUN
me-ef you'd hurt er hair of dis here
bady's head, 'twouldn't a been his
fight no mo-. You'd had me to set
tie with, an tells yer, men, d tore
de las one of you fairly in two, an
dat's de tree wifi de bark on it, Now
I'm gwine take dis chile home TO his
ma, an you jus better pick up your
weppins, an go long an tend to yo'
business. Gimme dat sword here"
And off went the heroic old woman
with her struggling, shrieking charge,
followed by shouts Of ungovernable
laughter, which, however, won no
notice from the disdainful Aunt Dicey.
The soldiers then stood looking
wistfully at each other, and glancing
with eyes filled with dew that took
nothing from their manhood at the
big hat which had fallen off and been
forgotten during the owners late un-
fair contest with his dusky conqueror
and now lay in the dust. Very rever-
emily soldier in gray raised it up
and held it, while another i'll blue
stuck the loosened feather back III
place. The two bands then formed
in silence and with no longer any de-
sire for battle marched away in oppo-
site directions, but ere the orders TO
move were given, white-haired colo
mel stepped forward and raised his
shabby cap. He only said, with one
hand pointing to Heaven, while the
others listened with dropped hands:
Boys, something comes back TO
Inc to-day that | heard long years
ago at my own good mother knee,
something that ends with And lit
tie child shall lead them