The Portland daily press., 1899-09-13


shoulders that to the others expressed
her lack OF faith In Joc's best"
| After ice was gone he was missed by
the home folks because OF the work he
had done and because there was no silent
enc to be ashamed OF. His elder brothers
found 1t continual joke that Joe had
| gone TO be soldier, but declared that it
/ was not bad idea. Some OF the family
ought to 90. From general appearances
the war was likely to last for some time.
There were letters, dutiful and kindly.
l from Joe to his father and mother To his
brothers he sent messages which were
received with broad smiles and such ex-
carnations as who'd "a believed I'll"
"Joe a soldierl'' "Think Of Joe being so
far from homel"
After a time he mentioned slxirmishes
and battles he had been In. Once he was
wounded and wrote from hospital. His
name was In the newspaper lists. After
seeing his name in print, Joe's family
knew that he was no longer a private.
He was mentioned as Lieutenant Joseph
Hills. There was a general pause in the
family conversation. DIR. Hills was the
first one to speak.
We'll, who'd "a believed II OF Joe?''
The mother said, "Since he was the
only one that could be spared, I'm glad
he's doing so WELL" And the father won
dered for a moment. No one had said
that Joe was doing well Of his wounds.
Then 1t dawned upon him that his wife
meant their son was doing well to be pro-
mated. Shortly Joe was back again to
camp and field life, and soon after came
news Of the battle of the Wilderness
news In the public way, but no letter
from Joe.
Probably he's been promoted again."
said merchant Simon Hills. land he's
busy getting fitted with new uniform"
DR.. Hills laughed and narrowly examin-
ed his polished finger nails.
The father said, "we'll hear from him
In good time, md mind what say, we'll
never get any discreditable news of Joe.
He's not smart, but he's sound and
true"
It was a Sunday afternoon, and all the
Hills family were at the farm. The air
was warm enough to feel like spring, and
cool enough to make FIRE In the big fire.
place pleasant, while the outside doors
stood open.
There was a step on the porch. Mr..
Hills arose and met at the door man
In soldier blue. His face was pale and
thin and his right arm was In sling.
You don't know mer he said, smil-
ing. And then Mr.. Hills recognised Jim
Smaliey, who had gone into the army
with Joe. He was warmly welcomed,
but he responded coldly, they thought,
and he was very serious for Jim Smalley.
To the rallying Of the Hills brothers he
gave short, sometimes irrelevant, an
swers. He told them about his wound,
but added that it was not serious.
Then Jack said. well, say, Jim, isn't
our Joe coming out in fine feathers? You
see him once in while, even IL he Is an
oficer, don't your
eyes, yes, see him sometimes"
"Do you think he'll be brigadier gen.
eral before long?" Eben asked, laughing.
mo, I guess not" Smalley answered.
'sBut he's got the title Of hero IL ever q
man got 1t, and he'll keep it, too. Future
histories will mention how Lieutenant
Hills, when officer after officer was shot
down. steadily kept the men under con-
| troll, prevented retreat, and at last led
them, bearing the colors himself, and
captured the battery that was doing so
much harm
"Then he'll be captain or something
higher7" Jack exclaimed, eagerly, and
springing from his chair.
4NOs ne WOu bC ahS t9haAANy
said. sadly.
because, Mrs. Hills, came to tell
you've thought it would be better-and
got furlough-and-I brought Joe
home with me, and
There was a sound of slow moving
wheels at the gate. The father, from
where he sat, looked through the open
! door. There was hearse at the gate,
draped with the stars and stripes.
| Later Smalley told them how Joe had
died of his wounds the night after the
battle; how he, though wounded himself,
had been able to minister to others, AMI
he was with Joe till the last.
"And did he remember us? Did be
send any mcssage?" Mrs. Hills sobbed.
Eyes, he remembered; he mentioned
you especially. He said should tell you
that he was glad it was himself instead
of either one of the other boys; that he
was sure he could be best spared. But
Joe always was modest"
Best spared Mrs. Hills recalled her
own words. He could be spared at the
time he went away, and the others were
| so precious! But never to see him again!
This patient, silent, unappreciated son!
The manner of Joe's death was told
| over his remains, and each year as Nc
morlal day comes little children near the
story OF the young soldier whose grave is
marked by a tall monument and flag.
staff. where the colors are always flying.
After time 1t was forgotten that Joe
had been the stupid laughing stock OF the
family and the neighbors, but an old wo-
man does not forget. Each year, when
the graves Of this and other soldiers are
covered with flowers. the old woman,
Ina afno an, he arx., Of N...k
not young, sits by Joe's grave and says:
Jennie. he was the only one of my
boys l could spare to be a hero. He
made our name known for bravery. My
neglected Joel I'm so glad that You
loved him and that he knew Two
mans Home Companion.