The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-12-22

CurISlnlaS udy 10 Ulm was MADE more
sacred for the kindliness of that nev-
er to be forgotten sOlace from his su-
periOr officer.
A drizzling rain had set in, and a
halt was made for the purpose OF pro-
tecting the stores. Heavy tarpaulins
were stretched across the wagons, the
ends were securely fastened, and again
the order forward" was shouted from
the lips Of the lieutenant. 1t was
about 10 o'clock in the morning, and
they had passed over about eight
miles Of Indifferent roads. when turn.
ing sharp bend they came upon a
bit of exquisite scenery. The decline
was 50 abrupt and long, they seemed
to be looking through the tops of a
large number OF Royal Palms down
into beautiful valley, basin shaped
A stream of water coursed down the
mountain side opposite to where they
rested and formed into sparkling
river about a quarter Of a mile wide,
reaching serpent like across the basin
and sending its waters in dazzling
fall OF about ten feet into lake. On
the borders of this larger body Of wa
ter, thatched rooted cottages dotted
the landscape. On the side of the
hill they were descending, were the
ruins Of large sugar mill, while the
neglected cane covering an area Of
several thousand acres stood ripe and
ready for the sycle in uneven patches
as far as the view extended. On the
opposite side OF the lake were the re-
mains of several very pretentlous
homes and the Catholic church
Ivy grown, with doors spread wide as
if to say 'enter in and l will give you
rest" Its gold leaf cross shOne fltfuIly
through the mist, with strange re,
membrance of Hin who was crucided
thereon.
But not sign Of life anywhere, and
the lieutenant pondered whether to
descend or turn and take the road
leading round the summit to-whera:
No one there could tell him. Remem-
herring his orders to "pass no houses
without investigation" he ordered
the wagons to descend, slipping and
sliding down the slilny path, the
lieutenant said aloud to his men in
the first wagon:
"We will not uncover, boys. There
is nothing here I'm sure"
Just then it seemed as II the heav-
ems had opened their hood-gates, the
rain poured in torrents. and the lieu
tenant, putting spurs to his horse,
dashed by the wagons to the nearest
hamlet and springing to the ground
he sought shelter beneath its roof
Scarcely had he disappeared when he
came rushing out hatless and beckon-
ing frantically to the first wagon, ran
in again. Again he tore out into the
pouring rain, so ch0ked with emotion
he could scarcely give his order:
'Oh. boys, for Gods sake be quick!
Give me a can Of condensed milk and
an opener. Follow at once with hard
tack, rice, potatoes, anything! every
thing! Some sugar, quick! Dick"
to the home sick boy, "come here"
On a pallet of leaves, lay the enact
ated form OF little girl about nine
years old worn to skeleton, so starv-
ed, she was unable to lift her head.
Beside her, too weak to sit up longer
without support, reclined another girl
apparently two years her senior. In
the arms OF this older girl rested an
infant without a particle Of flesh to
cover its little nude body; too weak to
cry, the pitiful little means that es.
capped from its purpling lips was
heartrending. Cooling and codling the
baby this heroic child of eleven years
had barred her little undeveloped baby
bosom, and was holding the infants
face close, cOaxingly Offering all she
had, with none but the angels to
praise. When the officer entered she
was too nearly starved to betray fear,
and looked with her great bright eyes
that seemed already to reflect some of
the glory Of heaven in their depths. 4
The little one on the cot became an.
mated and tried to raise herself, bu,
finding the task too great, she reach
ed out her tiny hand toward her sister
aud said:
ESQ es el Jesus, ermana?"
Us this Jesus, sister?"
"Yo no sc, W kreo que es el Dcos.
/ Il don't know, l think 1t must bt
G0d)
"Tu to kreO que mama bfene con
Deos?"
i tWill mana come with God9l
"Yo no se."
i II don't know.
! It was during this little conversa'
tion the lieutenant made his trip TO
the wagon and back, bringing with
i him the condensed milk. He had pro.
vided himself with flask OF brandy
for an emergency. OF this he mixed
4 little with water and sugar, which
be fed to each child, a teaspoonful at
4 time. Taking the baby 10 his arms
unmindful Of Its nudity, he fed It
very carefully Of the milk, giving the
ulder children To the care OF the lune-