The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-15

fal strains. A little space, and then,
mounted on mettlesome bay in the rich
housings of q general officer, there rides
the marshal of the parade, followed by
rank after rank of staff officers, all in
the somber dark blue of the service. The
autumn frosts of a vigorous life have
silvered the strands at his temple and
tinged with ruddy glow the cheeks of
that firm and soldierly face, but the
ewes CLEAN clear and clean as ever they
shone a quarter century ago. when he
and Farquhar spurred through the misty
forest aisles about Dinwiddie and led
the cheering troopers TO the charge on
Pickett's crouching line at the Forks.
He knows the fair party on the Guthrie
balcony at a single glance, and touches
the visor of his forage cap as he moves
slowly by, then summons an aid, gives
him a low toned order, and the officer
reins aside to let his comrades pass. then
jogs back down the avenue TO meet the
column. And now necks are craning on
every side, and murmur runs along
the crowded banquette,
A murmur that fain would break fc'lh in a
cheer
but for the solemn occasion of their
coming. Eyes CLEAN and brighten; lips
stir with inartic-,iate greeting: hands,
kerchiefs and hats are waved in voice
less acclaim. Any other time and all
the great city would burst into tuInultu-
Gus cheer, for here rides gray haired
Faruuhar at the head of his staff, and
lust behind them, commanding the
Twelfth, still pallid from his wounds,
but erect and soldierly as ever, the Sc
nior major, dear old Berrien, lowers
his saber in acknowledgment of the sa-
lutte of the aid, bends his ear to listen
to the message, glances quickly at the
balcony into the smiling face of his
wife. meeting Winifred's dark and
glowing eyes, but shakes his head, mo-
tiois to DIR. Holden, who is at his left
rear. and ambles on. Holden mods ap-
preciatiyely IN receipt of what seems
to be a similar message, reins out Of
column, followed by his orderly, dis
mounts at the side street, and presently
is standing by his wife's side, welcomed
most cordially by Miss Guthrie TO the
now crowded balcony.
In column OF platoons stretching from
walk TO walk, clear across the street,
ranks carefully aligned, every mans
head and eyes straight to the front, the
leading troops of the Twelfth are now
climbing steadily by. Hazlett has
glazed out Of .he corners of his eyes at
the lovely picture on the gallery, but,
riding at attention as they are, ard on
duty, he makes no sigr. Randolph and
Ridgeway, heading their platoons, strive
TO do two things at once-look as though
they saw and appreciated the fluttering
greetings of hand and handkerchief and
smiling eyes to their right, and still look
as though they did not see it at all. The
sorrels, the grays have gone by, the bay
troop is passing, and now yonder comes
Gorham over on the other side Of the
street, the nearest he can get 10 his regu-
lation position of four yards to the left
of his leading platoon, and out from the
sheltering screen of tree branches and
in front Of the center of the first sub
division of the blacks, his saber arm
still in its sling, his face pale with con-
fnement and suffering, but tall and stall
wart rides Curly.
"Oh, there's Mr.. Brewster. Mr.. Brew
ster, Oh. why doesn't he look?" cries
Miss Guthrie, as the handkerchiefs be-
gin waving furiously, and fair, eager
faces press forward in the effort TO at
tract his attention-all but Winifred,
who, though bravely smiling like the
rest, is clutching with trembling hands
the back of her mothers chair and
shrinking behind her mothers form. Ii
is impossible for him not to see the flut-
tering signals. He half glances toward
that thronging gallery, and in a second
the light leaps TO his eyes, flush TO his
pallid cheek Instinctively his arm
twitches in the effort Of the hand 10
reach the cap visor, and the instant
twinge of shooting pain brings him to
his senses. He has one brief, fleeting
look, however, at the beaming face he
loves, and he has just time for a half
gesture with the bride hand, little
nod. and then. as on he rides, lac feels
rather than sees that one sweet face
that beamed upon him has suddenly
paled, that one graceful form is now
staggering back into Holden's waiting
and expectant arms. Only two platoons
in the black troop today, for the Others
sleep beneath the wintry sod or still Ian
guish in the hospital ward. Only two
platoons. Brewster heads the first; a
tall, dark eyed, dark mustached ser
geant the second.
There's Sergeant Ellis" cries Mrs.
Berrien, in her pride and pleasure.
And he's shaved off his beard. Did
you ever see him look SO young and
wellg'
But Mrs. Holden, too, has turned, and
does not heed. Her watchful eyes. her
attentive ears, have other work to do.
Obedient 10 her husbands touch. she has
drawn close to his side. Il Is into her
arms and his that, with one quick. gasp.
ing, stifled cry, Nita Guthrie has fallen
as though stricken by bolt from heaven.
1t is by these loving arms the iiIap and
PROSTATE form is quickly borne within
and laid upon the sofa, and Holden
whispers to his devoted wife, 1t is all
clear now"
That night. the long ceremonies of the
day concluded, throng IF fair women
and brave men are gathered in the par.
lors and corridor of the great hotel
Down in the marbled coart below some
Italian musicians are playing soft. sweet
music. Out in the street. under the
glare OF the electric light. fine regi.
ment Of state troops has drawn mp III
long extended line and is standing AT
ease while its officers are bidding fare
well to host of friends upOn the walks
below. Here and above are soldiers Of
ali 'rarcheS Of the service, who with
the mornings sun viii lie scattering Il
their stations again. Some are clustered
III the broad vestiDules and on the Office
floor. Others, the juniors mainly. are
paying their respects TO the wife of the
commanding general and to the ladies
of the Twelfth, for on the morrow they,
too, with the regiment, take flight for
their prairie home.
The hour is late, and several of those
present have just come in from some
what subdued and quiet entertainment
given in their honor at one Of the beau
tiful homes of the city. The solemn na-
ture Of the duty that has called them
hither precludes the possibility Of any
general gathering. but the dinner to
which the BerTiens and others were bid
den has lasted 50 long that Winifred be.
gan to believe it would never end. and
Mrs Parria, has coon oil TOO ,,l,;,,l :.