The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-05-28
THE TWO COLOR BEARERS

Philip Larrabee came of good stock.
He was descended on his fathers side
from one of those hardy seamen who first
sailed under the now historic flag Of our
country. In the memorable naval fight
off Portland between the Yankee craft
Enterprise and the British brig Boxer,
Philips ancestor bore u gallant and con-
spicuous part. 1t was into his arms the
youthful Commander Burroughs fell, re-
fusing to be carried below; he, who
when the sword Of the vanquished enemy
was presented to him, clasped his hands
and exclaimed: Il am satisfied. | die
contented."
On the other side of the family tree
the fires of patriotism burnt equally as
bright.
Time and time again had Philip, when
Lad. begged his father to tell him the
story of that memorable fight on the vii
lagc green at Lexington, where his grand
father sealed with his life's blood his de-
votjon to Il just and noble cause.
The life of Philip Larrabee, like that of
his father, seemed destined to he an
eventful one, but one OF those fatal cpl
denies which periodically sweep through
a community left Philip and his sister
Martha, some three years his senior,
alone to struggle against a cold and I'M
sympathetic world.
Philip and his sister had widowed
aunt who lived on the outskirts of one of
those villages that SO picturesquely sit
on the rugged coast of the old Bay State,
overlooking the blue waters that con-
tinually kiss its shore. Ii the humble
abode of this good woman, who in every
way tried to heal their griefs and fit
them for the stern realities of life, the
two orphan children found a home and
loving heart Having natural taste
for the water, Philip soon became expert
in the sailing of little craft.
Martha, under his tuition, in time
could handle a boat almost as well, and
often she would. while Philip was away,
be seen at the helm managing it with
the ease and grace of her brother.
Philips eighteenth birthday had come
and gone, and he had now developed into
sturdy, well formed young man. One
evening he came home from the village
quite late-an occurrence unusual for
him, for he rarely missed sitting down
to the evening meal with his aunt and
sister.
Il wonder where Phil can be-" said
Martha. Here it is after 7 o'clock and
no sign of him yet"
But in this she was mistaken, fol
CHANGING out of the window she saw
Philip rapidly coming up the road, open
the gate, and running up the neat gravel
walk leading to the house, burst into the
room before her aunt had replied to heI
question.
why. Phil! What is the matter
Has anything dreadful happened at the
village exclaimed Martha.
'.Yes-yes, everything has happened
Fort Sumter has been fired upon-the
president has called for troops, and
have enlisted"
As Philip said this he clasped Martha
in his strong arms, and before she could
recover from her alnaZement at the start
ling news, he pressed a warm and loving
kiss upon her lips and continued:
Don't discourage me from going
Martha-please don't. feel rs though
father and mother would rise up in theil
graves and point their fingers at me il
scorn if refused to respond to our coun
try's appeal. would disgrace the blood
that flows through our veins if 1 now
failed to do my duty"
Philip looked down into his sisters
face. \ bright smile greeted his glance
and as she tried to keep back the tears
she said:
Phil, if you had done otherwise be
heve should have hated you as much as
/ now love YOU"
The next twelve months were most
eventful ones in the life of Philip LARA.
bee. With feelings of pride and joy, but
mingled with fear and anguish, Martha
followed, through the accounts in the
papers and letters from Philip the move
ments and deeds of his regiment-es-
pecially SO when after one of those des-
perate engagements that occurred in the
earlier period of the war she read of
Philips promotion to sergeant and color
bearer. He had seized the reyimental
flag from the hands of him who relin-
quished it only IN death. and had bravely
carried it through the rest of that san.
culinary day till victory at last perched
upon its tattered folds
Philips regiment, thinned by death
and disease to less than one-half of its
original number, now enjoyed a briei
season of rest.
In comfortable quarters, consisting Of
log huts built from the neighboring for
est, they peacefully and quietly passed
the winter months in the beautiful val
ley of the Shenandoah. Spring drew
near, and as it approached active prep
aratlons for the coming campaign wer,
begun. During the commencement O
these preparations Philip one day re
ceived orders to report to the colonel O
his regiment.
He found the colonel standing in from
of the rough fireplace in his little quar-
tiers, apparently in deep thought an
awaiting his coming. Phillip, said he
turning and gazing steadily into his ey
as though he would read his limos
thoughts, ''the general has requested Q
me man, one that know to be brave
discreet and to be depended upon ur
der the most trying circumstances. II
desires him for a service which will no
only require nerve and courage, but vii
at times place him in positions of tb
most desperate and dangerous character
know no one in the regiment whom
could SO trustingly rely upon as yourself
DO you care TO volunteer
Without a moments hesitancy Phil
calmly replied, Colonel. am ready q
all times to serve my country in any CO
pacity duty requires"