The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-16

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, "and he's
busy getting fitted with new uniform"
DIR. Hills laughed and narrowly examin-
ed his polished finger nails.
The father said, "We'll hear from him
In good time, and mind what say, we'll
never get any discreditable news of Joe.
He's not smart, but he's sound and
true"
/ II was 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 a man
In soldier blue. His face was pale and
thin and his right arm was in sling.
"You don't know meT' he said, smil-
Ing. And then Mr.. Hills recognized jim
Smalley, 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 Smaley.
TO the ra!lying' Of the Hills brothers he
gave short, sometimes irrelevant, an
swers. He told them about his wound,
but added that 1t 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 II he Is an
officer, don't your
eyes, yes, see him sometimes"
"Do you think he'll be brigadier gen.
eral before long?" Eben asked, laughing.
"No. guess not" Smalley answered.
"But he's got the title Of hero II ever
man got it. and he'll keep 1t, too. Future
histories will mention how Lieutenant
Hills, when officer after officer was shot
down, steadily kept the men under con.
troll, prevented n retreat, and at last lei
them, bearing the colors himself, and
captured the battery that was doing SO
much harm -,
"Then he'll be captain or something
higher?' Jack exclaimed, eagerly, and
springing from his chair.
mo, he won't be anything" Smalley
said, sadly.
"Because, Mrs. Hills, came to tell
you've thought it wouldsbe better-and
| got furlough-and-1 brought Joe
home with me, and
There was sound of slow moving
wheels at the gate. The father, from
where he sat, looked through the open
door There was a 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.
Sand did he remember us? Did he
send any message?" Mrs. Hills sobbed.
Eyes, he remembered; he mentioned
you especially. He said l 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 ut 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 Me
mortal day comes little children hear 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 it 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,
leaning on the arm of one younger, but
not young, sits by Joe's grave and says:
"Jennie, he was the only one of my
boys l could spare to be hero. He
made our name known for bravery. Ny
neglected Joe! Pm so glad that you
loved him and that he knew 1.-TWO
mans Home Companion.