Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-02
CHlCKAMAUGA.
Iy Captain F. A. MITOHEL.
lCopyrikht 1904 BY American Press Associa'
tion.
CHAPTER XXI.

escaped Of Caroline Fitz Hugh and the
dismiisal Of Colonel Maynard from the
servicf all happened in such quick sue
cessiof that Jakey Slack was not aware
of whit was taking place until after it
was al over. It must DO confessed that
Mayn4r 4rd had not treated his most de-
voted adheront with the consideration
no me titcd. But it is the way OF people
who NJ fe rising to eminence to gradual
ly lea!o off familiarity with those for.
merlylm ,st intimate with them.
MAYNARD had treated Jakey with
mock difference, but had not thought OF
leanii upon him for advice or strength.
much llcs comfort, and during the rag
ing of the fire through which he had
passed Jakey Slack had been as far from
his mind ~ IL hehad not existed.
Oni evening as retreat" was sound.
ing-lt was the evening Of tho colonel q
deposition from his rank and command
-Jakty walked into his tent May
nard'j head was bowed down on his
camp cot. Hearing some one enter. he
looked up and saw his old friend. Had
Jakey been another boy. when he saw
the h]ggard look, the strongly marked
lines df suffering in the face before him,
no wdhld have shown some mark OF the
effectfuch sight had upon him. Not
so Jatcy. There was no expression Ell
ther III surprise or grief upon his unex.
pressike countenance. But the sight OF
JakeT standing there to remind him
that, Enough whole army condemned
him. there was one in it who never
couldjbo brought TO think him guilty OF
any crime had different effect ON the
late commander He reached out his
hand, took that Of Jakey, and. drawing
the bly toward him, folded him in his
arms.I Thus do those who have been de-
prive@ Of their greatness go back for
sympathy to those from whom they have
far;hlst departed.
Maynard held the boy against his
brcast while he gave way to convulsive
s6bs iuch rs arc unusual in man and
only }omo when some mental struggle
undeI au intense grief is relaxed and
suife,tng permitted to get control. Nei'
ther dpoke. Jakey's presence reminded
Mayr|rd the more keenly OF those he
loved His mind had been upon his wife
and ,bild. Jakey's coming brought also
Sour5s image and the trials and tri'
umpHs which no and Jakey and Souri,
had bnco Nassed together, and trials
and triumphs borne in company weld
hearth. or all who loved him only Ja-
KEY Was there, and on him alone could
he rel " for comfort
Atilast Jakoy withdrew himself from
his ftiend's s embrace. He had permitted
him 10 indulge his grief for few min
utcs, and this he considered quite long
enough.
General. he began. He had always
called his chief general, l." coutendinR
that Ihe was general since he COM
man,ied brigade.
mo more Of that. Jakey. / an only
Maynard now-Mark Maynard. Mark
is a Iood enough name for me-"
"SEaal. that don't make no differ.
You bns got tn same body n arms n
legs IN all thet Hev y done tn fust
thing TO ter do'''
"That's that. Jakey?"
"Tell Mrs. Maynard
".hkey, l can't"
"Hcckon she'll hev ter know it some
timeI'
There's going to be battle. Nc
courl can keep me from shouldering q
musijet or welding saber. I'll go into
the fight that's coming and never come
out ,If it, Then shell not need to know
it."
~ What makes y think ther's goin teI
be alfght?"
n would not have the intuitions of q
soldfr If l did not. "
"t' hain't General Rosey."
"Sor do / need to be General Rosey
to divine what's coming Do you sup
poselI knew any more about war with
eagl{s on my shoulders than in pri'
vateIs uniform? II there were some su'
peridr being to look into the heads OF
the hen composing this army and read
Just khe rank in accordance with fitness,
manF star would leave the shoulder
whete it now rests to alight ON that OF
somI obscure private.
"Eaal, Of We fight 'em, won't We
whib 'em:"
J,Ikey noticed that, with the change
Of His friends mind from his grief te
war; there was an immediate improve
ment from the terrible depression upon
him he asked the question for the
purll lose of keeping Maynard's attention
fixed for a time on war rather than fol
information.
"Whip 'em? Why, Jakey, we're scat
tered all over creation. He dipped his
finger in tin cup full Of water and be
gam to draw rude map on the top OF
an ektemporized table, consisting OF
sauire board nailed ON stake driven
in tbe ground.
81 Here's the Chickamauga flowing
bet|een these two ridges, Missionary
andl the Pigeon mountains, from souti
to nbrth into the Tennessee. Critten
denis corps is mere at Lee and Gordon
mill. Thomas corps has just passed
Through Stevens gap down here, ten ol
n dozen miles from Crittenden, while