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

l.
send him upon, and the manner in which
he was to leave, deathly palor for a
moment overspread Philips face.
The colonel stopped. DO you hest
tateT' said he This is to be voluntary
on your part; you are not obliged to go
if you do not wish to 10 So
"No-no," Philip replied, Il wish to
go-it is my E-.ire 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. / 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
onel's quarters. AS he did so the old
veteran grasped him warmly by the
hand, and while a tear trickled down
his bronzed cheek said: "God bless and
protect you, Philip. 1 hope to be the
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
innuendoes are as great load for low
ing heart to carry as the deepest sorrow.
Martha, alarmed at first in not hearing
from Philip as 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
pany, that was all that was known.
Whether he had deserted, whether he
was alive or dead, no one seemed able to
tell. But Martha believed him to be
alive, although she could not fathom the
mystery. She moved about as in
trance, and seemed oblivious to all her
surroundings.
Soon after this the little boat, once the
constant companion of these two loving
hearts, was found in a battered condi-
ton on the rocky shore of the bay some
distance from the village. Its mistress
was not to be found. The villagers said
she had at last given away to her grief
and sought consolation and rest in the
deep waters that knew her SO well.
X
The army had now moved forward
and was in close proximity to the enemy.
Among those who stole into the Union
lines after this advance was person APP
parently a farmer He proceeded at
once to the headquarters of Philips regi-
ment, and the colonel, so the sentinel on
duty there afterward declared, threw
his arms around his neck and Rugged
him with joy. They were soon in the
presence of the general, and although it
is not known what happened at the in
terview it was evidently of an important
nature.
The next day Philip Larrabee report
ed to the captain of his company for
duty and once more took charge of the
colors.
The thunder of battle once more re-
sounded through the peaceful hills and
valleys of the Shenandoah. The bri-
gade, of which Philips regiment formed
a part, laid on its arms under cover of
some woods opposite one Of the enemy's
strongest intrenchments. From these
works the Confederate batteries kept up
most active and deadly fire. These guns
must be silenced, and to do so the brigade
is ordered to take them at the point of the
bayoret. At the command the troops
move out from under the cover and take
position in full view of the enemy. The
lines are formed, orders given, and the
command moves forward under a ter
rible fire as steadily as if on parade.
A large opening consisting in part of
meadow, and then the rough ground of
Il toll, hoc T., no 1>o
fore the hills are reached ON which the
enemy is so securely intrenched. AS the
brigade moves through the meadow they
get orders to double quick" and with
cheer upon cheer they steadily push for
ward under d murderous fire. When
the edge of the potato patch is reached
Philip, still carrying the colors, stops,
staggers in his tracks and falls forward.
The line hesitates, waivers, as though I'M
able to proceed farther. AS Philip sinks
to the ground, death stamping its seal
upon his noble face, comrade catches
with one hand the staff, now stained
with the warm life blood of its faithful
guardian; then, bending over his almost
lifeiess form, eXclaims in tones of indie
scribable anguish and tenderness:
Phil. my dearest Phllr'
What voice is that? At its tender and
appealing tone the dying man looked
into the face of his colnrade-a look of
happiness-a recognition in which soul
speaks to soul, o light of unutterable joy
for second steals over the shadow of
death, and in a dying whisper murmurs
"Martha.''
The pause is but momentary-fright-
full gaps close up and the lines move for
ward with renewed precision and de-
termination. The colors again proudly
float through the smoke of battle With
| eyes fastened upon its torn and blood
stained folds, now being borne toward
| the enemy far in advance, the men clear
the potato patch and charge with re-
| doubled efforts up the hill from which
| their ranks meet death and desolation
| The color bearer is first on the heights,
but the next instant the deadly minnie
ball seeks another victim, and Martha.
| the heroine, the noble successor of her
brother, falls ifeless inside the enemy's
works. Her spirit takes its flight with
that of Philips, and both will awake to
the reveille in another world.-G. A. R.
| Gazette.