Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-03-16

| going on.
One day after hard battle the boys
returned to camp. Some were bleed.
Ing, some dying and was afraid my
Andy had shared 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 cut Where were
you during the lght?"
81 hid In the woods'
lie 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; II 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 bo
shot. and again | may be spared II
! don't come back with the rest you
must come and find me. Take this
chain-it has locket on the end with
Amy's picture and lock of her hair
take II to her You'll find n little
Bible In my inside coat pocket; take
1t to father. You may have the ring
on my little finger. BE sure you find
me IL don't come back. You can get
to the folks before letter could, 30
you must go right away The boys
will help you-they said so. Now. |
must go. Goodbye. Kid Perhaps
I'll not see you again"
He was gone. The sultry day came
to 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
ran to the ambulance and clam.
bered to seat beside the driver We
drove to the field In silence. | lump.
ed down and began my search for the
judges son.
Still. cold faces were turned tip TO
my anxious gnze and my heart achcd
when | thought of their loved ones
who were waiting for them Would
Andy be dead? | stumbled over Il
soldier In my haste. A groan came
from him and stopped beside him.
Mother" he feebly moaned. Give
me water" "tta IS
| put my canteen to his parched lips
and he drank eagcl y. lie looked up
Into my face and tried to thank me.
His eyes spoke instead, then the poor
fellow breathed his last
| continued my search and at last
found the one ! was seeking.
one limb had been shot entirely off
and his poor body was rlddled with
bullets. | sank down beside him and
washed the blood OFF his face lie was
dead. OF course bat | called him by
his name. entreatlng him to speak to
me. ! unclasped the chain, removed
the ring from mis- finger, but didn't
find the little Bible where he said II
would be. | found II on the ground
with note pinned TO It's back. He
had been able to finish Il, and only the
words. written In II scrawling, wander
Ing way and smeared with his life
blood, Father and Amy. | have been
called to go. Goodbye, died"
were on II.
watched them bury him; then true
to their word. the men sent me home.
No word could have gotten there MS
soon as | did, 30 knew | would have
10 lell inc news 10 lHe ola Judge ana
Amy.
As | entered the little post ONCE |
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. Ia he alive7"
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 M. IL Andy Scar
rift deadY" some one asked
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 n groan to the
floor
shall never forget that scene. Tho
Judge and Amy were taken home.
went to the Scarritt mansion, but
could not see the Judge. Days after.
ward no sent for me. ! told him all.
The old Judge is an altogether
different man. lie goes around In
dazed sort OF way and say he's half
crazy. Poor old man. reckon he Ia.
He lived for his son and now he's
gone the old gentleman cares for no
one or anything. Farmers Advocate.