Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-06-29

b, him impossible. On the other hand,
could he remain inactive at home and
see the land he venerated conquered
by an enemy? No. His duty lay plain
before him. He was confident of the
consent of his parents. They would
not bid him stay There was
no question of their patriotism. They
would yield everything, even their
only son, for the preservation of the
union. But the girl? He would lay
the matter before her, and as she de-
cided so it should be, The interview
between the two need not be detailed.
There were tears and heart throbs and
lamentations; but she was loyal to the
core and babe him go forth and fight
for the union. She gave him up free
ly. Then he pleaded for an speedy
marriage. She would not consent.
There was no obstacle, he urged. Their
parents would consent, and he would
feel content with whatever might
happen II she were his own No. She
was obdurate. Go to the front, she
said, do Your duty as soldier, and
when the struggle is ended and the
victory won ana you still live, come
home to me and will be your wife.
You know | love you. also love my
country and give you up to her, Do not
doubt me. | will faithfully await your
return. Go and help defend the union.
"a week from that day he was on
the way to the front. He went as a
private but gained his shoulder strap
afterward Then came the battle of
Bull Run with disaster to the federal
side. The young soldier was baptized
in the fire of battle there and fought
gallantly. His term of enlistment ex-
pired and he returned home, but not
to remain. Again he urged the girl
he loved to marry him. She was i'm
exorable in her resolution and no en-
treaties could move her. Go back to
the front she said, and do not re-
turn until the rebellion has been
crushed This finally settled the mat
ter. He Immediately commenced re-
cruiting and in ten days his company
had been mustered in and was on the
way to Washington. He was first
lieutenant. Then followed in success
sion many stirring events in which
the young soldier participated with
the army of the Potomac. He served
first in the infantry, being afterward
transferred to the cavalry, where he
earned his promotion as major. In all
the hard-fought battles in which he
was engaged he had escaped without
a wound; but Cedar Creek was his
Waterloo and there he lost leg
"Then followed long days, weeks
and months of pain and suffering for
the major in hospitals, first at Win
chester and then at Washington,
whittier he was removed when able to
travel after the amputation of the
limb. The weary hours of the sick
man were made partially endurable,
however, by cheerful letters from par
ents and sweetheart at home. This
was about his only solace, and the ar
rival of tender missives from his prom
lScu WIG StINtu db Uhlh 10 his
wounds The time went on and the
invalid was growing better daily,
when the letters from home began to
decrease in number and finally ceased.
A week passed and no letter came to
the sufferer in the hospital What
did it mean? The invalid began to
worry. He could not rest His con.
slant cry was for news from home
/ The surgeons warned him that serious
results would follow if he continued tc
fret. His wound was scarcely healed
yet, and any undue excitement might
bring on fever. But nothing nurse
or surgeon could say would pac
ify him, and the doctors pre-
diction came about. Brain fever
| seized the wounded man and for 8