Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-07-29

South-a charge that was met by the
battered remnant OF the Indiana
brigade. He told of the clashing of
man against man. and tho loss OF the
banner over aud over again-that
banner that went down to the army
with the blessings OF thousand wo.
mon when Corinth fell. And it told
how, when the bowling shouting.
slashing shrieking legions swept the
Northernerj back for moment and
the guns were taken and not a thing
could live in the sea OF triumphant as :
sault Corporal William Bradley had
wrapped his shattered arms about the
nag and rolled with 1t right under the
guns that we're turned against his
brethren.
IL knew you would como back
again. said the hero when the charge
was repulsed and tho battery was re.
captured II knew you would come
back. and saved the flag"
He had. and he wore sergeants
chevron for his heroism But the
hurt would not heal The sulphurous
smoke. the fearful conclusions of
earth and air as he burrowed under
the guns and waited for rescue. the
sword thrusts and bayonet pricks the
white flesh torn by whistling ball. and
the two bones broken by the shattered
shell-all this was tribulation hich
would not pass away. Sergeant
Bradley lay long in the hospital
One night in the ltumn as we sat
W ips
tened to the shrill complaint OF hid
den cicada we were conscious of q
figure making slow progress along the
path by tho roadside 1t was a man
and even in the darkness of night we
could see it was not ia niliar For the
matter OF that the fgtre of man at
all those days was not common
thing. Men were away in the South,
as general rule. But this figure
grew stranger rs it came nearer
Presently the gate swung open and the
watch dog gave challenge. We
silenced him and rose to meet limp
ing, swaying figure in federal blue
he said moth 'ng. and seen ed, with
that grinning insistence of the un-
couth man, to wish we m ght remem.
Der him. We had filled our thought
with Bradley no doubt; but this could
not be he.
1t was however. and when we were
sure OF that we gave him welcome
and hearty cheer. But he was very
weak 1t seemed. after the first
timid acceptance OF our greeting. he
began to fail and TO take less and less
OF interest in the things about him.
We thought he would like to hear
news from town. He had forgotten
all about the town. We hoped a lit
tie later he would enjoy word Of
cheer from the front There was no
army for him now. He lay there SO
white on the pillow his red hair max
ing the wilderness more vivid; his
blue eyes looking so steadily. vet so
listlessly at single point in the
wall; he stirred so slightly at the pass
ing of day and highland then he
closed bis eyes
1t was long before he opened them
again. When he did he saw mother
beside him. She was cooling the
cloth she laid on his forehead.
Il thought | wanted to come
home " he said, and then closed his
eyes again. There was no relevancy
in the remark. No one had spoken
to him. and there had never been a
thought OF this or other place as
home for him. 1t must have been on
his mind all the time. God knows he
was welcome.
But there was youth to support
him. and the blessings of twenty wears
to pour their vigor INTO his veins.
HIS mending was slow but it was sure.
lie walked about the farm at Thanks
giving and returned to duty at Christ
mas He was different man. II
seemed impossible he ever could have
been bound boy. He was dignified
self-reliant He spoke easily and
without embarrassment no matter II
a general was addressed And he was
a lieutenant when the war was done.
No, he didn't die. He lived to re-
member twenty battles and dozen
wounds He lived to make a modest
beginning in business and follow IT to
a comfortable success. lie owns his
home now. and under his broad hat
hides red hair that will never quite
be gray. He stands o-day with his
children at tho graves of the men who
were with him in the army. who were
with him in danger and suffering and
success. lie stands with those chill
dren and tells them the story and the
lesson of the day. Chicago Herald.
Going TO n Fire In Paris.