The Delta independent., 1901-06-21
The Generals Musket.
BY GIsELLE D'UNGER.

Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Col
/ wonder why am left all alone In
this dingy corner. know am rusty
| and worm-eaten and unfit for use. yet
do believe there Is little life in that
| trigger yet. A good many years have
passed since my brave young master
started for the drill hall where other
young men stood in a straight line and
carried arms, and shouldered arms
and diligently went through the man
ual Of tactics. It was not long before
the summers came and the boys
marched out In their beautiful new
uniforms to the music Of the village
band.
How they cheered us as We went
marching down to fight and the air
was full Of futtering handkerchtefs,
damp with tears, but dried in the soft,
warm wind OF that May morning. The
SONS and the sweet. warm earth sent
its fragrance like benediction on this
little company. whose hearts grew
faint as they thought of unknown ter
rors. but whose eyes and lips looked
and whispered brave words Of love.
duty, patriotism.
In the midst Of the waiting throng
at the station was Miss Mamie Craw-
ford. who stood like the great white
statue that guards the tomb Of her
mother. She had waited evidently
some time in the motley throng. but
she appeared quiet and nerveless, al
though a slight twitching Of the eyes
and lips showed deep emotion.
On came the sons OF Father Abra-
ham to swell the vast army to vaster
proportions. swinging along in even
step. with the rhythm of the band, led
BY gallant Colonel Dillingham;. Az
they neared this point. mothers. sisters
and friends pressed forward to thrust
flowers. packages, letters and lunch
boxes. little last tokens Of their love
and affection. The bright glitter Of
the ofhcer's swords flashed in the sun.
but the soldiers muskets made a.
brave q showing
Heavily the lines advanced and
passed Nancy. who clutched at her
breast as II to stifle the moans she
knew she must not utter until my
young master swung into line before
her.
Thrusting . tiny packet toward him.
she replied:
God bless you, Ned! will pray
for you every hour!"
Through Gods mercy. the order b
halt was then given a. those in front
crowded into the waiting cars. Mus
k~ka
slaught was mad6 by friends and rel
atives for ono more farewell.
Man, darling Nan. It II your pic
ture-so like you and 10 beautiful. II
shall be my talisman!"
mo, NO. Ned! Remember your God
and read your mothers Bible"
Dear mother! You are right" and
he pulled out the worn Testament and
kissed It revsrently.
Med! It II 20 hard" and Mamie
dung her arms about the young sol
dier's neck and wspt bitterly.
Man! In Gods name. be brave!
need all my strength now. We are
orphans and the God Of the Fatherlesa
will watch over me. Be brave. dar-
ling! Be braver'
A tear fell on me and don't thinh
my aim would have been q good one
at that minute. Miss Mamie lifted her
beautiful head and replied:
you are right, dear! We will NO,
be forgotten. I would not make . very
brave wife for soldier. but remem-
Der this. send for me II ever am
needed"
THAT will, dearest God bless you!
The order to march IL being given
now goodbye. and write often. Tell
me all the news and II Tom Meredith
is among you-well. no use to spoil
our goodbye. but let me know. Good
bye! Ono last embraced"
Promptly the order came and my
master shouldered me and marched tc
the train. In few hours we were al
our destination and then knew what
war meant.
One night, my master was alone in