Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-22

aWnlnnS his coming. "Ph11p, sad ne,
tuning and gazing steadily into his eye
o. though he would read his innlo.t
thoughts, "the general has requested Of
me man, one that know TO be brave,
discreet and to DE depended upon I'M
der the most trying circumstance. lie
desires him for service which will not
oaly require nerve and courage, but will
OF times place him in positions Of the
most desperate and dangerous character.
know no one in the regiment whom |
could so trustingy rely upon us yourself.
Do you care to volunteer
Without moments hesitancy Philip
calmly replied, Colonel, / am ready at
all times to serve my country in any ca
pacity duty requires"
A. the colonel proceeded to unfold to
him the mission tho general wished to
send him upon, and the manner in which
he was to leave, deathly pallor for a
moment overspread Philips face.
The colonel stopped. do you hest
tatc?" said he. This is to be voluntary
On your part: you are not obliged TO go
if you do not wish to DO So"
"No-no,' Philip replied, 81 wish to
got is my desire to do so, but | was
thinking for a moment of Martha, my
sister, and of the pain she would suffer
when she hears of my being missing |
am ready, colonel. l will try and do
my duty, but if anything should happen
to me see that no stain is allowed to
rest on my name"
/ 1t WAS late when Philip left the col
oncls quarters. AS he did 50 the old
veteran grasped him warmly by the
/ hand, and while a tear trickled down
| his bronzed check said: "Ctod bless and
protect you, Philip. | hope to be tho
first to welcome you back.
The next morning Philip Larrabee,
for the first time since his enrolment as
:. soldier, failed to answer his name at
the roll call Doubt, uncertainty and
innuendocs are as great a load for q low
ing heart to carry as the deepest sorrow.
Martha, alarmed at first in not hearing
from Philip rs usual, felt her heart sink
within her when she learned that he was
reported as missing. Everything relat-
ing to his strange disappearance was Of
the most vague and unsatisfactory char
acter. He was missing from his com
nany, that was all that was known.
Whether he had deserted, whether he
was alive or dead, no one seemed able tC
tell. Hut Martha believed him to he
alive, although she could not fathom the
mystery. She moved about as in q
trance, and seemed oblivious to all hcr
surroundings.
Soon after this the little boat, once The
constant companion Of these two loving
hearts, was found in battered conii
ton on the rocky shore Of the bay some
distance from the village. Is rnistres.
was not to be found. The villagers saij
she had at last given away to her erie
and sought consolation and rest il tn,
deep waters that knew her 50 well.
The army had now moved forward
and was in close proximity to the enemy
Among those who stole into the Uniol
lines after this advance was a person ap
parenuy farmer. lie proceeded u
once to the headquarters Of Philips regi
rcnt, and the colonel, so the sentinel OF
duty there afterward declared, thrcy
lis arms around his neck and hugge'
, him with Joy. They were soon in tn
presence Of IL. general, and although i
is not kao;ru what happened at the in
teryicw it was evidently of an importan
nature.
The next day Philip Larrabeo report
cd to the captain OF his company 70
duty and once moro took charge Of til
r colars.
Tho thunder of battle once more Tt
sounded through the peaceful hills an
valleys Of tie Shenandoah. The br
, gade, Of which Philips regiment forme
a part, laid On its arms under cover C
some woods opposite one of the enemy
? strongest intrenchmcntS. From thes
, works the Confederate batteries kept UP
most active AMI deadly fire. These gun
mast be silcnced, and to do so the brigal
, Is ordered to take them at the point of th
I bayonet. At the command tie trcoI
move out from under the cover aod taA
, position il full view 81 the enemy III
/ lines arc formed, orders given, add IL
CumIuRnd moves forward under te'
, rUlo li-a as steadily as if on parade
y large opening consisting III part {
meadow, and then the rough ground {
! an old potato patch has TO be passed b
= fore the hills are reached on which IL
, enemy is so securely intrenched. As Il
brigade moves through the meadow the
! get orders TO double quick" and wit
v cheer upon cheer they steadily push TO
ward under murderous fire. Whe
: the edge of the potato patch is reache
Philip, still carrying the colors, stop
: staggers in his tracks and falls forwar,
The line hesitates, waivers, Us though III
= able to proceed farther AS Philip sinl
: to the ground death stamping its Sc
upon his noble face, a conrade catch
+ with one hand the staff, now sthnt
To- with the warm life blood Of its faithtl
T guardian; then, bending over his almo
n lifele5s form, eyclaims in tones Of ind
a scribable anguish and tenderness:
= "Phil! my dearest Phil!'
= What voice is that! At its tender al
/ appealing tone tho dying man lookf
a into the face Of his comrade-a look
f hapJiness-a recognition in which so
r speaks to soul, light Of unutterahle j
y -. l. 4