Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-28
HE WAS DEAD.

ness to stupefy his senses, and for minutes
together he shuff1ed along the track he had
worn in the snow with a quite unconscious
persistence, awakening at the end of his
beat with q nerve-shattering start, and fall
ing asleep again ere he had we'll turned to
retrsce his steps. At last deeper doze
was terminated by his falling at full length
in the snow. He gathered his stiff. cold
limbs together, and imped along shivering,
swearing at the snow which had penetrated
different loopholes of his ragged uniform,
and, slowly melted by contact with his
scarce warmer skin, served at last to keep
him awake. He drew from his pocket a
flask containing a modicum of whisky. 1t
was little enough-he could gratefully have
drunk twice the amount; but, with q self
denial taught by many bitter experiences,
he took only mouthful, and reserved the
rest for future needs. It warmed his starven
blood, and helped the melting snow, now
trickling down his back in steady stream,
to keep him awake.
With a vague idea that new beat
would somewhat relieve the monotony Of
his watch, be struck into another track,
andtrudged resolutely at right angles with
his former course, the two lines of foot
steps, making a gigantic cross upon the
snow. His former lassitude was again be-
ginning to conquer him, when it was sud-
denly dissipated by voice, which rang out
on the stiffness with startling suddenness,
instinct with anguish.
eff you have the heart of-a man in your
breast, for Gods sake, help mep'
Twenty feet from where he stood. Roland
beheld the figure Of man raised feebly on
one elbow above the level of the snow
There was only just light enough to distin-
guish it. He approached him cautiously.
with his rife advanced, and shooting rapid
glances from the PROSTATE figure to every
clump of snow-covered herbage or inequality
of ground which might afford shelter for an
ambuscade.
81 am alone" the man said
He spoke each word upon a separate sob
of pain and weakness. He wore the South
ern uniform, and Roland saw that one arm
and one leg dragged from his body, helpless
and distorted. An old saber cut traversed
his face from the cheek bone to the temple.
He looked the very genius of defeat.
"T am dying" he painted at Roland.
The young man pulled his beard as he
looked down at him, and shrugged his
shoulders with scarce perceptible gesture.
'T know" said the Southerner; 81 don't
grovl at that I've let daylight into a few
of your fellows in my time, and would
again, if / got the chance. Now it's my
LuIls oAu ~ SOlbS w lahc is HOiCbs pub L
want to say something-to write something
to my wife in Charleston. Will you do
that for me? 1t isn't much for one man to
ask of another. don't want to die and
rot in this cursed wilderness without saying
goodby to her"
"You must look sharp, then, said Roland,
kneeling beside him, 'for 1 shah be called
into camp in few minutes"
He took an old letter from his pocket,
and with numbed fingers began to write, at
the wounded mans dictation, on its blank
side
my darling Rose" he began.
Roland started as if stung by a snake, and
bent on a sudden look of questioning anger
on his companions face. The Southerner
looked back at him for a moment with q
look of surprise. Then his face changed
"Jim Vickersp' said Roland
"Roland Pearsel'' cried the other; and
for a moment there was silence between
them.
Last time your name passed my lips,
said Roland, slowly, 81 swore to put bull
let into you on sight.
81 guess you needn't" said Vickers;
'Tve got two already. Not that I'm par