The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1898-02-26
The Missing Papers.
IA TRUE sroEY OF THE WAR. ]

right, although young girls didn't
know anything about such work in
my time"
"Oh, aunt, how dull it must have
bcenl"
We had no time to DC lonely or
dull, my child. When we were no(
spinning and weaving garments for
the negroes, thete were socks TO SPIN
for the soldiersP'
The speaker Of these pleasant
words was Aun,- Pbieny, our dead
fathers sister who lived short dis
tance away. Rarely an evening pass
ed that she did ncs come in ct twi-
light and amuse us by telling us sto-
ries OF war times, the "reminiscences
of her girhood days. She was tall
woman, rather thin, her hair was
light brown, tinged with grey, her
grey eyes were deep-set and scrutin-
lzlng, lit with glow Of contentment
and serenity, as they were now she
made a pretty picture as she sat in
the fire light glow, and related to we
wondering little ones true stories of
the past.
"What shall it be about tonight,
children ?"
"OI, auntie, tell us about your
wedding and how you happened to
marry in war times"
"Seems to me ! have told you that
story before, children"
"No, you hay'nt," said Elsie,
"bnt you have often promised to tell
us when you felt in The mood" Then
leaning coaxingly against her: Il
hope you feel IN the mood tonight,
auntie dear, now don't you ?"
"Well, yes, do. Tonight reminds
me Of the night my soldier came
home. All day the battle had aged
in the valley. From our vne-cover-
cd cottage nestled among the hills
we could see the armies Of the north.
and south waging war against each
other. The wounded were legion,
and the sleepy old town Of Burne
was Il hospital already. Mother and
| were much worried, not knowing
when the battle would be against us.
Leaning against the easement, could
see The bombs bursting IN the valley
below and hear the roar of cannon
and musketry My heart was filled
with grief for the soldiers, whom |
could see were falling IN great mum.
bers. Mother" seld /, Dan tells
mo that the iaverne are fun. Alrs.
Brecklnblidge's house is full, she
says she cannot lake another one.
When the battle is over | shalt take
Dan and 90 to the field, perhaps l
can aud some one in pain"
"Oh, no child, don't go, said my
mother, who was timid woman,
"somethlng might happen to you"
But was headstroug and would
certainly have persisted in going on
that errand of mercy, had it not been
brought 10 me unexE ectedly that
night"
son huntie, who was it?''
"Well | am going to tell you.
Dusk had fallen, gradually the fire
ing Of musketry and cannon had
ceased, and death reigned in the once
green valley, now soaked in the blood
Of the Blue and the Gray. Mother,
the children, and | were seated around
the fire, eating our-frugal meal, when
we were startled by a knock At the
door, When Iopened il u drummerboy
stood without, He was very pale and
the tears were courseing rapidly down
his cheeks. 'What is the matterp
said |. My brother was killed in
battle today SAID the boy. win
you allow me to bring his remains
here until tomorrow / asscnted.
refraining from asking further ques-
'lons. Soon the tramp Of feet were
heard, and presently four soldiers
entered, bearing strgtcher on which
lay the hody Of the dead soldier. Sill
emily | led them to tie spare room,
and they laid the body on it, bowing
their heads for one brief moment,
they left the room. 1t was a soldiers
farewell TO their comrade who had
fallen for the right. Awed by The
presence OF death, | placed a candle
on the table, and was Fastening from
the room, when som thing impelled
me TO turn back, aud lift the hand
kerchef from his face.
Children, 1t was a beautiful living
face, although his eyes were still
closed | fancled could see him
breathing. Selling small mirror /
held it over his face. 4 FAINT mist
gathered, then | dropped the mirror
and flew down stairs, rushing into
the kitchen, l announced 10 the as
tonisheG family that our soldier lived
"Oh nonsense, PhiIeny +" said moth
or, "how can you be 80 silly" But
she hastcned up stairs, despite her
disbelief of my story. After p9iuo
through the same performance tbaf
l had, mother agreed ibat he bad n
l,'I'e llfe left--lf we could keep il
mere So hot water, whiskey, band.
ages, aud cotton we're brought inlo
reqnl9ition and We soon had The orat.
lilcatlon OF hearing him breathe loud
er' ana flnaly opened his eyes, which
~ ,he way, were blue as gentlans.
Was be Confederate, auntie ~
Yes, dear, a1d he was wourded by
oayonet, thrust in his side. III
coald not speak for long time.
When ne did, he asked for his broLh.
er. We ,rnro .,.r,, ~ y. -