The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-06-06

another Spanish bullet struck him in
the right arm, and presently he wac
wounded in the left. Then his day Of
battle was done, and the black hours Of
followed.
When reason returned the sounds of
battle had ceased, and he wondered
where his comrades were. Were they
all deads Would they search for him
He was alive. but he knew that death
would come in few short hours. How
hot the sun beat down. How still ev-
erything 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 were they
staring at him for9 The night was COM
ing on apace-would he have to lie in
the tall grass until the morrow? He
could not tell. And then the dark cloud
again settled DER his senses and it was
hours before the light came into his
soul.
Deaths door is mirror and the dy- |
ing have good memories. When con-
seriousness 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 letter in his
pocket from home-he would read it
again But, alasl he could not reach
his pocket-bo arms were disabled
and in the inky darkness he could not
see.
How long since had he left home ?
Three monthsl only three monthsl And
now he lay dying in his young man.
hood. He remembered the morning that
he left his home. The birds were sing
ing and nature was at her best. The
fields were clothed in green and the
brook softly murmured over the pebbles
at the bottom. He had donned his new
uniform, and he felt little sharp pang
as he left his home. He rememb ered it
all very we'll.
"Goodby, Bill. he had said to his
brother. ''Take good care of mother"
s'Look out for Spanish bullets and
bring back machete. " said Bill.
s.1'm of, MOTHER
''Goodby. my son. Be brave and serve
your country like man." Then she
embraced and kissed him. and the part
ing was over.
The old house cat rubbed against him
and purred as if to bid him godspeed.
His faithful old dog followed him down
the lane, but with stern words his mas
ter drove him back. At the edge of the
town blue eyed. fair haired girl stood
at the gate. care you really going to
fight the Spanish. John7''
eyes. Helen, and have come to say
goodby." There was then hasty kiss
warm pressure of hands, and thus he
left home.
Everything was so hushed and dark
now. Was the whole world dead7 Why
was he lying helpless heres How had it
happened3 Then he remembered-the
furious charge across the open field. up
the hill and over the crest in the face of
q rain Of Spanish bullets. The air hum
med and whistled From the trenches
and blockhouses the Mausers spit at
them Then the blow came to him. 1t
was terrible shock. It seemed to lift
him from his feet and double him up
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 tiny hole in
his forehead where life had leaped
through. Some one was crying for wa
ter. Was it himself7 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 him7 Harkl That
was his dog bowling, and how loud it
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 a
weeping requiem to another brave
young soul. Detroit Free Press.