Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-03-18
A Military Murder.

Il
deserted by the citizens, but many ON
GERS and soldiers belonging to John-
ston's army might have been seen lounS-
ing on the corners and III the stores.
There was no hum of traffic and no &C
tivity in the business thoroughfafes,
and the only sound that broke the still
ness was an occasional Sullen boom
from Sherman's big guns, twenty miles
away.
In a bookstore en- Whitehall street
several officers made vain effort 10
keep moderately cool. A colonel was
looking over a volume Of "Hardee's
Tactics major was glancing at the
pictures in Life Of Napoleon While
a group of young captains and lieuten-
ants discussed the movements OF Sher-
man and showed how that dreadful
commander could be checkmated.
The solitary clerk in the establish
ment, a youth of 1G, listened open
mouthed to these military heroes and
studied the patterns of gold lace on
their uniforms.
"By the way" said the Major, replac-
ing his book on the shelf, Il suppose
those deserters were shot this morn
ing?"
Eyes, all of them,' replied the Colo
mel; ''there were seven, and they met
their fate bravely."
81 heard said the Major, chat one
was boy Of 49,
HE said that he was under 16, re-
marked the Colonel, "but he was tall
and well grown for his age. He was
bright young rascal, and knew what
he was doing when he deserted"
The boy clerk showed signs of inter-
est and asked several questions.
"Don't worry about it, my lad" said
the Colonel kindly; when you join us
YOU will never desert. You will do your
duty as soldier"
Il hope so,'' the boy answered, but
it is pretty hard to expect boy OF 10
to do mans work in the army, and
shoot him like dog when he f1ickers.
'But he mustn't flicker" laughed one
of the officers. "When he becomes
soldier he must be one in earnest 1t
was pity to shoot the youngster, but
it was military necessity
II suppose so,' said the Colonel
thoughtfully, ''but war is a bad business
all the way through. | heartily wish
that it was over, and I am willing to
give up my share of it's glory for 10
cents on the dollar
''Hello! Not weakening, are you, Colo
nel?" asked the Major.
''You will see," responded the other
with grim smile.
Just then a country wagon rolled rap
idly down the street.
Thenegro driver halted. and the Colo
mel and the Major walked out on the
sidewalk and assisted two ladies to
alight. The younger woman entered the
store with her elder companion leaning
on her arm.
1--WE have travelled long distance"
she said to the clerk, land my aunt is
almost fainting. Please oblige me with
chair and a glass Of water"
The old lady was promptly seated,
but she merely touched her lips to the
water and fell back unconscious A
doctor who was present revived her,
but she closed her eyes and asked per-
mission to rest few moments.
The officers saw that the two were
we'll dressed with refined features, and
their sympathies were aroused.
IF can do anything" said the Colo
mel to the young lady, command me.
1 am Colonel b."
"Thank YOU" replied the girl for she
was hardly out of her teens. ''My aunt
is Mrs. -. Her husband the Captain
was killed in Virginia year ago"
Il knew him." was the Coloners an
swer. "He was a brave soldier"
my aunt" continued the girl, half
choking, ''has son, boy Of 10, who
ran away and joined Johnstons army
a few months ago. He left without
leave and was on his way home to see
us when he was arrested. We heard
that he was to be tried here as q desert
er, and we came to Atlanta to see.''
MY dear young lady," said the Colo
mel, ''read this" And he pointed to a
local article in the evening paper.
The girl read it aloud in a low, clear
voice. 1t described the execution Of
the deserters, and spoke Of the heroic
bearing of the 15-year-old boy.
''Too later moaned the girl. Glow
can break it to my aunt? It will kill
her.
Il am afraid she heard you,'' said the
Major.
They touched the old lady gently and
spoke to her. Both heart and pulse had
ceased to beat, and the careworn fea-
lures bore the unmistakable stamn of
death.
The unfortunate lady had relatives in
the city, and her remains were at once
carried to their home.
''War is horrible thing said the
Colonel few moments after tbis
heartrending scene.
Yes replied young lieutenant
''but the execution of that bow was .