Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-08-04

another Spanish bullet struck him in
the right arm, and presently he wac
wounded IL the left, Then his day Of
battle was done, and the black hours Of
unconsciousness followed.
When reason returned the sounds Of
battle had ceased, and he wondered
where his comrades were. Were they
all dead3 Would they search for him 7
He was alive, but he knew that death
would come in a few short hours. How
hot the sun beat down. How still ov-
eIything seemed TO him-no whizzing
of bullets in the air, nor shrek Of
screaming shell, nor the yell Of charg-
ing troops-nothing but the silence of
an ocean Of grass. There was the dead
Cuban lying at his feet-a CHASTITY
bunch Of mortality. How big and black
he wasl His eyes were staring at him
like balls of glassl What we're they
staring at him fort The night was COM
ing on apaco-would he have to lie in
the tall grass until the morrow He
could not tell. And then the dark cloud
again settled Ger his senses and it was
hours before the light came into his
soul.
Deaths door is a mirror and the dy-
ing have good memories. When con
%sciousness returned the boys mind
went back to his home. He wondered If
all was well on the old farm, where he
and his mother and brother had lived in
peace until the war with Spain called
him to the front. He had a letter in his
pocket from home-he would read 1t
again. But. alasl he could not reach
his pocket-bo both arms were disabled
aud in tie inky darkness be could not
see.
How long since had be left home
Three monthsl only three plonthsl And
0 he lay dying in his young man
hood. he remembered the morning that
he left his home. The birds were sing
ing aud nature was at her best. The
fields were clothed in green aud the
brook softly murniured over the pebbles
st the bottom. He had donned his new
uniform, and be felt a little sharp pang
OF he left his home. lie remembered 1t
all very well.
"Goodby. Bill" he had said to his
brother. Take good care Of mother.
"Look ont for Spanish bullets and
bring back n machete, said Bill.
I'm off, mother"
"Goodby. my son. Be brave and serve
your country like a man." Then she
embraced and kissed him, and the part
ing was over.
The cid hcuse cat rubbed against MIN
and purred as if to bid him godspeed.
His faithful cid dog followed him down
the lane, but with stern words his mas.
ter drove him back. At the edge of the
town a blue eyed, fair haired girl stood
at the gate. care you really going t.
fight the Spanish, Johnf"
Eyes, Helen, and l have come to SAY
goodby. There was then a hasty kiss
q warm pressure of hands. and thus h'
left home.
Everything was so hushed and darl
now. Was the whole world dead2 Why
was he lying helpless hereS How had il
happened7 Then he remembered-tht
furious charge across the open field, NJ
the hill and over the crest in the face Of
a rain of Spanish bullets. The air hum
med and whistled. From the trenches
and Lighthouses the Mausers spit at
them. Then the blow cam to him. II
was a terrible shock. 1t seemed to lift
him from his feet and double him mp
and pitch him forward; then the pain
full journey TO the rear, two more bullet
wounds, and then Inconsistencies.
Now he was dying in the darkness.
How strange it all wasl That dead Gu
ban-how black he looked. and how his
eyes glaredl There was a tiny hole in
his forehead where life had leaped
through. Some one was crying for wa
ter Wa il himself? He could not tell.
The night was getting cold, and the
heavy dew made the tall grass soggy.
There were no stars to watch him.
Would nobody help him2 Harkl That
was his dog bowling, and how loud il
wasl
How weak and dizzy he felt.
"Goodby, Bill
He could not see. Everything was
growing dim.
Farewell. motherl Helen
And the deep. dank grass waved O
weeping requiem to another brave
Young oul.-Detroit Free Press.