The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-05-05
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The words were barely uttered when
the girl sprang from her seat with a
glad cry and then. in full sight of all
the night-wntchers, bent deliberately
over the cot and gently kissed the boys
smooth forehead.
"Oh. thank God" she exclaimed:
'you are Herbert Lesliel l am Miriam
Ainslic, your friend Freds sister. No
wonder felt so much interest in you'll
Fred has often told me of your mutual
friendship"
This was, naturally, most joyful
surprise to Herbert, and the next day,
when he was allowed to talk freely, he
told Miriam all he himself knew of
Fred's movements and begged for
further information. But she could only
say that her brothers regiment was
now almost constantly fighting and that
She had not heard from him for weeks
Before mailing Herbert's letter
Miriam had inclosed one from herself
giving a more full account of his condi-
ton and assuring his mother that he
should not want for anything: but on
the fifth day thereafter Mrs. Leslie her.
self ailived to take charge of her boy,
and She and Miriam became at once
great friends. Many poor fellow. far
from home and kindred, looked towards
Lcslie's cot with longing eyes as the
two women lowered about him in low
ing ministration; but none of these for
l,rr, ~,
ed, though it was impossible TO supply
what they most pinned for-the tender
care of their very own flesh and blood.
OF all places in which to study the
pathetic side of that ghastly evil, war.
great military hospital, filed with
wounded men, is surely the best.
When Mrs. Leslie first arrived. and
saw her only son stretched hclplcssly
upon his bed, she gave way, in spite of
herself, to u flood of tears; but the
Young soldier was 50 bright and hope
full, SO perfectly content with his lot.
except in SO fur as it kept him ont of
the field, so sure of the speedy triumph
of the union army and, withal. so genu-
incly rcjoiccd ut her presence, that she
soon ceased to feel aught but pride and
joy in her hero and his brave comrades.
for each of whom she had u cheerful
word and that sweet sympathy which
the daughters of America have ever
shown TO her patriotic defenders.
In less than week Herbert was re-
moved to the convalescent ward and
from under Miss Ainslie's care: but it
was astonishing how often in the
course of each day the young lady had
occasion to consult her new-found
friend, his mother, and how much her
visits seemed to aid in the youths re-
covcry. Indeed, this progressed so VERY
rapidly that Herbert feared it was
"too fast to DC wholesome" and he felt
sur" of the fact when, a FORTNIGHT inter
wards, he received an Unlimited fur
Tough aud was Obliged to leave with hi.
mother for New York. But there was
no help for it. Mrs. Leslie was well
able to maintain and care for her son IN
her own home and was too conscicn-
tlous to allow him to occupy, longer
than absolutely necessary. Il place moro
urgently required for another. Both
took leave of sweet Miriam Ainslie
with something more than rerret brt
those were days when the women of
our land had to steel their hearts TO
suffering, and strengthen the hands of
fathers, husbands, brothers. lovers.
sons by their own sublime example OF
endurance.
August :, 1864. an order was published
appointing Maj-Gen. Philip II. Sheri
dan commander of the new middle de-
partment. composed OF the late depart
ments of West Virginia, Washington
and Susquchanna. and Septemb cr ;. our
friend Herbert Leslie, now restored
perfect health. once more left home
with his mothers blessing, to rcioin the
army. But having been all his life nc
customed to horses, and in fact SUI
perb rider, he now made application to
be transferred to the cavalry corps.
which, under Wilson. along with Tor.
ocrts division, had lately been sent nv
Grant to Sheridan, who was then CON
fronting the southern forces under Gen.
Early. This request was readily
granted and Herbert joined in time To
see his first service in this branch nj
Opequan Creek, where, September ~.
Gen. Wilson. in brilliant recounois-
sancc, struck the flank of Kcrshaw,s
division and captured nearly two hun-
drcd men of the Eighth South Carolina
regiment.
IN inns little affair our lately Joined
trooper behaved with conspicuous gal
lantry' and here most singular Incl
dent occurred. The enemy's EIGHTH
south Carolina had been pretty well
broken up and many of it's men, as
stated, made prisoners, when Herbert
saw, at a short distance away. n tall
Young officer standing alone and dc.
Tending himself with desperate cour-
age against the combined attack of
three federal horsemen, whose sum-
mons to surrender he answered only bv
a shout OF defiance, while with his sword
flashing around his head like a circle
OF living light, he had. so far. parried
the blows of his assailants. who I'm.
namely seemed more intent upon dis
aohng than Staying their gallant foe.
Continued next week.