Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-03-23

MlI AGIN HNGAl was UNAAE NUln Oul IL
seemed. At last he had to leave her,
and the last she saw of him was when
he rushed past the guard to the plat
form Of the fast going train and waved
his cap as a last goodbye.
Weeks passed into months, and still
the terrible fighting went on Il for
got to tell you ran away and It was
too late to send me back | showed my
face. The boys made pet of me
and I was happy for | was with
Andy)
| was nearly scared out of my wits
and always hid when a fight was
going on.
One day after hard battle the boys
returned to camp. Some we're bleed
ing. some dying, and was afraid my
Andy had shared a worse fate, but
my heart leaped with Joy when | saw
him coming towards me. His head
was bound and his face haggard and
drawn with pain.
Are you hurt?" ] asked anxious
ly.
Not bad. Only a cut. Where were
you during the fight?'
'T hid in the woods"
He laughed but not the free. merry
laugh that used to ring out so Joy
ously.
One morning they were preparing
for battle. and | was helping Andy
with his things.
Look here, Kid. If get killed you
must go back to father and little Amy.
Tell them | died thinking of them.
on the field of battle. There, don't
cry. You know | am liable to be
shot, and again ] may be spared. If
I don't come back with the rest you
must come and find me. Take this
chain-it has a locket on the end with
Amy's picture and lock of her hair
take It to her. You1 find little
Bible in my inside coat pocket; take
II to father. You may have the ring
on my little finger. Be sire you find
me if don't come back. You can get
TO the folks before letter could so
you must go right away The boys
will help you-they said so. Now,
must 60 Goodbye, Kid. Perhaps
I'll not see you again"
He was gone. The sultry day came
to a close. The weary men came
back, all that was left, but no Andy.
looked in vain for him.
One of the boys told me he was left
on the field. Was he dead? He didn't
know
1 ran to the ambulance and clam
bered to a seat beside the driver. We
drove to the field in silence. l jump
ed down and began my search for the
judges son.
STILL cold faces were turned up to
my anxious gaze and my heart ached
when | thought of their loved ones
who were waiting for them. Would
Andy be dead? l stumbled over
soldier in my haste. groan came
from him and | stopped beside him.
Mother" he feebly moaned. Give
me water"
put my canteen to his parched lips
and he drank eagerly. He looked up
into my face and tried to thank me.
His eyes spoke instead, then the poor
fellow breathed his last.
l continued my search and at last
found the one | was seeking.
One limb had been shot entirely off
and his poor body was riddled with
bullets. | sank down beside him and
washed the blood off his face. He was
dead of course, but | called him by
his name, entreating him to speak to
me. | unclasped the chain, removed
the ring from mis- finger, but didn't
find the little Bible where he said it
would be. | found it on the ground
with a note pinned to its back. He
had been able to finish it, and only the
words, written in a scrawling, wander
ing way and smeared with his life
blood, Father and Amy, / have been
called to go. Goodbye l died"
were on it.
watched them bury him. then true
to their word, the men sent me home.
No word could have gotten there as
soon as l did, so knew | would have
to tell the news to the old judge and
Amy.
AS I entered the little post office |
saw the judge and Amy coming from
the window. Amy saw me first and
ran towards me-
''Have you news from Andrew +?
Tell me quick. Is he alive?"
The Judge came up to us and hard
| ly knew him. He looked ten years
older and his face was pale as death.
"Ah! You have come back; but
where's my SOM" he asked, hoarsely.
He read what | would say in my
| face and staggered against the wall.
! A crowd gathered around us and
saw Mrs. Gleason supporting her
/ daughter.
'Tell us, boy, tell u.s. Is Andy Scar
| ritt dead?" some one asked.
l pulled the chain and Bible out of
my pocket. and gave the note to the
! Judge. He grabbed and read the few
words, then fell with groan to the
floor.
shall never forget that scene. The
Judge and Amy we're taken home;
went to the Scarritt mansion, but
could not see the Judge. Days after.
ward he sent for me. l told him all.
The old Judge is an altogether
different man. He goes around in a
dazed sort OF way and say he's halt
crazy. Poor old man. reckon he is
He lived for his son and now he's
gone the old gentleman cares for no
one or anything. Advocate