The National tribune., 1902-05-01

HE ) CHAPLAIN.
pungent smell of pine smoke came drift
ing by, and the Texan reused himself.
"Iank, the woods is atire" Serg't Leon
ard raised his head. Two hundred yards
away the log breaStworks were burning
fercely, and the fire was creeping in every
direction, fed by the piue-needles that COW
cred the ground. Already the agonfZed
shricks of the wounded gave notice that
they were aware of the dreadful doom
that awaited many of them. Spreading
rapidly, now catching in pine tree with
n terrible roar, and feeding on the pine
needles, the flames rapidly approached
them. The Texan braced himself with a
great effort. "Yank, this is a mighty
tough deal. To die by bullet or bay'net
is what yo' or me might reckon on; but to
be roasted like a prisoner tied to a Co
manche torture-stake is right hard lucki
Yank, it's the last fight for me an you. If
thet little Chaplain was hyar to pray for
veal I'd feel a heap better. Yank, we
amt got 10 minutes mo-. Say yo' prars,
an if yO' kin do it say good word fer
Old Bill Arp, for | sho'ly needs it."
Sergt Leonard could barely move him
self, and his comrade in misery was ut
terly helpless. Closer crept the flames;
the heat was blistering. The Sergeant
prayed, rudely but fervently. As if in
answer to that supplicatiOn, through the
flames and smoke came clear, loud voice:
Sergeant, Oh, Sergeant Where are
you:'' Here! Here, On the rebel side
OF the breastwork. Quick, Chaplain,
quick" Over the blazing breastwork, a
rubber blanket protecting his face, leaped
Chaplain Morris. The flames were al
most touching the PROSTATE men. With
his rubber blanket the Chaplain beat back
the fire. He attempted to raise Leonard,
but. alas, his strength was not equal to
b., 70 eli hn hoo ba
Go, Chaplain, go; you will only perish
with us Write TO my wife-take the adj
dress Of this mango before it is too
late"
Il hope to save both of you yet. Don't
despair" He raised a cry for help, and
the good Methodist voice" rang out like
busle call, In answer to it came a
we're a-comin'. This way, byes; right
over there; over wild yez!' And over the
breastworks leaped Tim MeIany, followed
by half dozen men. They scattered the
burning logs and beat back the flames,
and, rolling the two wounded men into
rubber blankets, quickly rushed them
toward place of safety.
Take him, that Johnny. Don't leave
him." Gasped the Sergeant
"Aisy, Sergeant, dear. Don't worry
We have him all right. Sure, wen not
lave behOind ony Twin thing, to be roasted
| like pertaties in the ashes"
A few days later, in the General Hos
pital ut Fredericksburg Serg't Leonard
and Bill Arp lay side by side, both as
comfortable as their wounds permitted
! The Texans leg had been amputated, but
he allowed that the Yankee Surgeons
had made good job Of it, and that in
time he would be able to ride a boss as
well as the best of them" His admiration
for Chaplain Morris was unbOunded, and
when the Chaplain came, as he frequently
did, bringing little dainties for the wound
ed from the Sanitary and Christian Com.
missions, Bill Arp never failed to remind
him of 1.-THE bead he had on him" in the
Wilderness. and then he would add, 81
reckon if | had drapped yo', | wouldn't
a bin hyar enioyin' all this yere soft
tack" And the Chaplain would say
Lucky for both of us, think"
Chaplain" said Serg't Leonard one
day, Il was one Of those who opposed
you in the regiment. | had no use for q
Chaplain-but | have changed my mind
Say no more about it, my boy" said
the Chaplain, pressing the Sergeant
hand Il, too, have learned much Tn,
intelligence, heroism and self-reliance OF
the enlisted men are = revelation to me
The patience and fOrtitude Of the wound
ed SURPRISES belief When | think how
nnderestlmated those men | am humil
lated: ! was 4 gfeenhorn. raw recruit
bat l am learning. / hope yet to bt
worthy Of the comradeship of my nobI,
regiment"
And Bill Arp, lying there and hearing
i all, chuckled and said: Il knowed it
IEet little parson is sartin game-cocl
breed"
Neither the Sergeant nor Bill Arp evel
returned TO their regiments. In another
year peace came. Many of the Northern
soldiers migrated to the Sunny South.
In Texas one of the large cattle rancho:
g we'll known by a peculiar brand, tn,
Star and Cross'-the Lone Star Of