Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-15

Sin the morning."
"Poor Charley, who will tell him?"
groaned the Colonel when the lady's voice
ceased.
'Ycu are his best friend,' she answered.
s'I think no one else could do it SO gently"
81 can'6," he replied, shaking bis hand
81 would rather face battery. Why, you
don't know, you can't think how his very
life seems bound up 10 her; aud now
Thsy buried her next morning; six OF PIC
ton's friends carried his dead love to her
grave and then came sadly b; OK, each ques-
tiouing who would bear the idiDgs to the
gallant sabreuF far away with the old bfi-
gade.
That night the order CAM TO join tue
main command, and by daylight the troops
were miles away. As they reached tins
vicinity of the appointed rendezvous dss
ultory firing warned them of an approach
ing conflict. Presently they formed them
selves in The midst of the command, drawn
I'D If, a piece Of woods overlooking . elepine
field, which on the opposite side rose 30
sharp eminence, on the brow of which vas
posted Federal battery.
Farther to the right the firing had be-
come sharper, and econ the roll Of musketry
swept all along the line.
sT say, Barclay" called Col. Terry as
that officer passed him, Shave you seen Pic
ton yeti" And as Barclay shook his head,
added, ''tell the boys not to let him know
yet. Wait till this is over.''
s'All right; I'll tell then," answered Bar
clay, as he rode away.
"I'he old general will be wanting that
battery the first thing they know" said one
of the men, as q shell exploded over their
heads "They had better keep it quiet"
''Thar, what cid l tell you?" he added,
biting off huge piece Of '1ong green;"
thar goes the Mississippi boys now."
As he spoke a tawny column moved out
of the woods and swept gallantly across the
field. But aa they reached the center a
murderous round of grape and canister tore
through their ranks and the column broke
in confusion. Three times their leader raj
lied them to the charge, and three times
they were shattered by the CALLING fire.
"TeH you what, boys" called cut the
private who he'd before spoken, ''thar's fun
comm nowl That's Gang's brgle. The 'old
regiment want some of the pieP'"
He stopped and felt his saddle girth as he
spoke, Strengthened himself and waited
for the command, for be was tone of the
boys" The next moment there was ring
ing cheer from the ranks as Gen. Forest
rode up.
s'Boys," he exclaimed, pointing with
sword, sI want that battery captured. One
regiment has tried, and couldn't take it.
Now I want you boys to do better than that.
am going to lead you, and want you all
to follow mas'
Another cheer was the answer, as The men
fell into ranks.
"Chargep' and down the slope rode the
gallant s'old regiment" never faltering as
the grape shot swept through the serried
ranks, closing each gap as 1t was made by
the deadly fire; on, on, following the head
of the tall figure at the head of the column,
till they rode right over the death dealing
guns, ''sab'ring the gunners there," and
the woods gave back the ringing echoes of
the famous ''rebel yell' as the victory was
won.
Won! Yes, but at fearful cost. That
fatal slope was d,enched with the blood of
the Southland's bravest sons.
After that charge Col. Terry found him
self face to face with Charley Picton. "My
God, how can tell him?" muttered the
Colonel to himself as the gallant young fel-
low rode toward him, holding out his hand.
s'It takes the odd regiment to do up
things in stylep' he said, grasping the Col
onel's hand. ''ssy, Terry. did ou see Miss
Alice? Colonel has just got back from
-
visit to some friends at c."
But rs be spoke be suddenly puthis hand
to his SIDE 81 am shot,, he gasped, faint
ly. 1t was true. A stray bullet had struck
him in the side, and Col. Terry caught him
as he reeled in his saddle and rode with
him to the field hospital.
When the surgeon examined the wOnDd
he shook his head duubtfully.
81 know nurse worth twenty DOCTORS"
whispered Picton with a smile. Terry,
can't you fetch her to me?"
through the night the Colonel stayed
with him. Once be wskened ard repeated
the question ne asked just before he was
shot.
81 saw her, yes," said the Colonel huski-
ly. 'She sent you some flowers "
The blue eyes lighted up with tender
glow, and Picton held ont bis haud.
Silently Col. Terry took from his breast
pocket the withered flowers, spray of Ivy
and half opened white rose, and laid them
in the outstretched hand.
The gOunded man slept. Bur in a cou-
pie of hours he awoke, much worse, and
the surgeon in his rounds told the bronzed
watcher that the end was very near.
s'Terryp' and the Colonel bent his head
to catch the faint accents. ''I'm dying, I
wouldn't mind d-only-poor Alice! Tell her
gently please-she loves me, you know
and I, oh, Terry!is is hard to leave her. Ny
poor darling'
For moment the Colonel could not an
swer. Then, choking back sob, he said,
slowly and distinctly:
''Charley, Alice is waiting for you. You
are not leaving her, but going to her,"
A bewi ldered, troubled look came into
the wstful blue eyes.
"Don't you understand me, CharleyP
She is dead. We buried her there in c..
l couldn't tell you before, dear old boy. But
now you will be with her before you haze
time to grieve after her. She died with your
name on her lips--mnrmuring OF meeting
you in the morning."
He understood now, ard smila of relief
fitted across bis pale lips. "Dear girl" be
murmured, II am SO glad she will not have
this grief to bsar."
Then he slept again, and the hours pass
ed ON until the eastern sky frightened with
the solemn gray light.
"Terryl" The word was hn5 the faiatsss
whisper, but the watcher instantly bent his
head to listen.
| oIt is morning." came the faint, gasping
accents, ard again the white lids dropped
over tho blue eyes. Fiye-ten minutes
passed. Then Col. Terry lifted the dead
hands and crossed them over the pulselesa
breast, revereBtly covered the sill, white
face and turned away.
The two friends had met oucs more --s'in
the morning" of fadeless day Courier
| Journal.
| Fer mild tonic, gentle laxative and in.
vigorant take SIN mons Liver Regulator.