The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-04-06

SAiAR. He ulu uOb use care TO avoid
trees and branches, and his forgotten
feet We're const family knocking against
stones or getting entangled in briars.
he was aware that these battalions
with their connections were woven red
and starting into the gentle fabric of
softened greens and browns. Itlool1ed
to be a wrong place for battlefield.
! The skirmishers in advance fascinated
him. Their shots into thickets and at
distant and prominent trees spoke to
him Of tragedies, hidden, mysterious,
solemn.
During this march, the ardor which
the youth had acquired when out of
view OF the field rapidly faded to moth
ing. His curiosity was quite easily sat
lstied. It an intense scene had caught
him with its wild swing as he came to
the top of the bank he might have gone
roaring on. This advance upon nature
was too calm. He had opportunity to
reflect. He had time in which to won
der about himself and to attempt to
probe his sensations. II.
Absurd ideas took hold upon him.
He thought that he did not relish the
landscape. It threatened him. A cold
ness swept over his back, and it is true
that his trousers felt to him that they
| were no fit for his legs at all. .... :
A house standing placidly in distant
fields had an ominous look. The shad.
ows Of the woods were formidable. He
was certain that in this vista there
lurhed fierce-eyed hosts. The swift
thought came to him that the generals
did not know what they were about.
1t was all trap. Suddenly those close
forests would bristle with rifle barrels.
lron-like brigades would appear in the
rear. They were all going to be sacri-
feed. The generals were stupids. The
enemy would presently swallow the
whole command. He glared about
him, expecting to see the stealthy ap-
proach Of his death. IL"
He thought that he must break from
the ranks and harangue his comrades
They must not all be killed like
pigs. And he was sure it would come
to pass unless they were informed of
these dangers. The generals were
idiots to send them marching into a.
regular pen. There was but one pair
OF eyes in the corps. He would step
forth and make a speech. .Shrill and
passionate words came to his lips.
The line, broken into moving frag-
ments by the ground, went calmly on
through fields and woods. The youth
looked at the men nearest him and
saw, for the most part, expressions of
deep interest as if they were investi-
eating something that had fascinated
them. One or two stepped with over
valiant airs as if they were already
plunged into war. Others walked as
upon thin ice. The greater part of the
INFESTED men appeared quiet and alb
sorbed. They were going to look at
war, the red animal, war, the blood
swollen god. And they were deeply
engrossed in this march.
AS he looked, the youth gripped his
outcry at his throat. He saw that
even If the men were lettering with
fear, they would laugh at his warming.
They would jeer him, and if practicable
pelt him with missiles. Admitting that
he might be wrong, a frenzied decla-
nation of the kind would turn him into
a worm.
He assumed, then, the demeanor of
one who knows that he is doomed,
alone, to unwritten responsibilities.
He Jagged, with tragic chances at the
sky.
CHAPTER w.
. The brigade was halted in the fringe
of grove. The men crouched among
the trees and pointed their restless
guns out at the fields. They tried to
look beyond the smoke.
Out of this haze they could see run
ming men. Some shouted information
and gestured as they hurried.
The men of the new regiment watched
and listened eagerly, while their
tongues ran on in the gossip of the
battle. They mouthed rumors that
had flown like birds out of the I'M
known.
''rhey say Percy has been driven in
with great loss.''
"Yes, Garrett went to the hospital.
He said he was sick. That smart lieu
tenant is commanding G company.
The boys say they won't be under Car
rott no more if they all have to de-
sert. They always knew he was az
'Dern this being in reserve, anyhow.
didn't come here to be in reserve,
-
''Hannises' batt'ry is taken"
1T amt, either. I saw Hannises'
batt'ry off on the left not more than
fifteen minutes ago."
SWELL"
The general he says he is going to
take the whole command of tn Three
Hundred and Fourth when we go into
action, and then he says we'll do such
fighting as never another one regiment
done"
Bill wasn't scared, either. No, sir.
1t wasn't that. Bill amt a Citing
scared easy. He was just mad, that's
what he was. When that fellow trod
on his hand he up and said he was
willing to give his hand to his country,
but he be dumbed if he was going to
have every dumb bushwhacker in the
country walking around on it, So he
went to the hospital disregardless of
the fight. Three fingers was crunched.
The dern doctor wanted to amputate
ON ~ n l.