Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-06-04

| his bronzed cheek said: God bless and
| protect you, Philip. | 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 a 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 rs 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 a
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 battered condi.
tion 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 we'll
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 a person ap-
parentiy 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 huggcd
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 Larrahee 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
part. laid on its arms under cover Of
some woods opposite one Of the encmy's
strongest intrenchmcnts. From these
works the Confederate batteries kept up a
most active and deadly tire These guns
must l'c silenced and to do 50 the brigade
Is ordered t. take them at he y.int Of the
bayonct. At the command the tr,4ons
move ont from under the cover and take
Position III full view Of the enemy. The |
lines are formed. orders gwen. and the /
commend moves forward under "A ter /
rlble fire rs steadily as if on parade.
large opening consisting III part Of |
meadow, and then the rough ground If |!
al old potato patch has to be passed i,,- /
fore the hills are reached on which the |
enemy is 50 securely intrenched As the 7
brigade moves through the meadow they
get orders to double quick" AMI with /
cheer upon chcer they steadily push for
ward under a murdrruu- fre When
the edge Of the potato patch l. reached |
Philip. stll carrying the coiurs. stops.
staG;"rs in ms tracks and falls forward.
The lue he>itatcs, wavers. a. though un-
able 10 proceed farther. As Philip sinks
TO the ground, death stamping its seal
upon his noble face, "a colur;lde catches
with one hand the staff. now stained
with the warm III. blood Of its faithful
guardian; then. ber.ding over his almost
Aih+ar., & aHg ,aJG ia3lps IL tones vi inde-
Phil. my dearest Phil
WHAT voice IS that. At its tender and
appealing tone the dying man looked
mo the face Of his comraie--;. look Of
halpincss-a recognition in which soul
speaks to soul, "A li-ht of unutterable joy
for second steals over the shadow Of
death, and in dying whisper murInurs
Martha"
The pause is bat momentary-fr
ful gaps close up and the lines move for
ward with renewed precision and de-
srmination. The colors again proudly
float through the smoae 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 rasks meet death and desolation
The color bearer is first on the heights.
but the next instant the deadly minnie
ball seeks another victim, AMI Martha.
the heroine, the noble successor Of her
brother. falls lifeless 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. 4.
Gazette.