The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1902-05-09
PRIVATE
MONSON *
BY LYNN RoDY MEEKINs.


1 WAS in the midst OF the civil
L war llarncr went out 10 take a
last look at the field. \ battle would
certainly be fought the next day. His
own inferences had been corrobOra-
ted 10y hint from the headquarters
to which he was temporarily at
tached
When he first appeared as a war
correspondent. full Of the romance
that his work promised, he waited for
the fights and then threw into his de-
scriptions all the resources Of his
ready pen and prompt vocabulary, but
II would not do. lie soon found that
by the time his copy was ready the
other fellows held the wires and he
was left to receive pleasant messages
from the home Office about his dis
patches being quite good, but some
what ancient, with an occasional re-
minder that the paper he represent
ed was not a monthly publication.
So he learned to gather and arrange
the preliminaries and then to dash in
the details while the cannOns were
booming and the bullets were scoring
their points with human lives in the
great and glorious game of war. Even
with the swiftness that experience
had brought him his lot was far from
happy. lie did not mind hard work
that was a part of the business
but after he had run through one of
the hottest and prettiest skirmshes
he had ever seen, had witnessed won
derful deeds of valor and had taken
his own life into his hands and made
a bold dash across country TO a tele-
graph station only to receive in ac-
knOwledgment of his superb descrip-
tion the message: "Adiectiyes are
cheap and telegraph tolls are not"
his feelings were honestly hurt True
II was that the skirmish was but an
incident in the mighty conflict be-
tween the great sections of a great
country and history has not found
space TO mention it, but IIarner knew
that il was more savage and pictur-
esque than many of the battles to
which pages were given, and he wrote
as he saw.
Then. too, there was the restraint
of his work. When a soldier is fired
at he has the satisfaction of firing
back. but it is never pleasant to have
the other fellow do all the shooting.
As a correspondent Harner was a
L.. 10 rIa
much as any Of the soldiers and
great deal more than some OF them, |
and he simply had to stand it without
the privilege Of returning the compli-
ment.
But he had become used to it all 1
now and the battle of the morrow
must be attended to. He knew the
locations of the commands; he be-
lieved he had the plans of the fight,
and he wanted to get the field Of OPP
erations so clear in his mind that his
account would be as accurate in its
geography as in its other important
particulars. He had permission TO
rove within the lines and he was on
his way to the line.
As be turned into path which would
save him some Of the distance young
soldier overlook him. He was hand
some and young, with the rosy health
Of perfect physical manhood. Harner
viewed him closely and into his mind
came a pity that such hope should be
used as food for gunpowder.
"My name is Monson, of company c,
Eighth volunteers" he said, "and /
want you to do me favor"
Every glad to do anything I can, re-
Piled Harner.
"Your paper goes to our town and
anything that is printed about us will
be read there" he went on. What I
lsk may seem a little strange. but 7
know that you can do it without much
rouble to yourself"
"Well, what is it?"
"In your dispatch about to-morrow's
light, want you to report as dead viii
lam II. Monson. private in company c, I
Who enlisted from Spring Falls"
Harner took more careful look at
he young man, but there was nothing
n his countenance to indicate that he
vas either insane or insincere. But ii
eemed to be jest, and Harner smiled.
How would you like it put?" he
sked.
81 don't understand"
"Of course, you want TO die a hero's
cath. Shall l have you leading your ,
ompany over the enemy's rampar's;
II dashing forth to grasp the flag from
ostile hands; or picking up a burning ,
'omb; or throwing yourself in front ,
( your captain to save his precious
inform from an approaching bullet
r shall It be just a plain case Of dead
the line Of duty with only an empty
napsack and a visiting card to tell the
tory Of life cut down in the bloom Of
outh?"
"You can fix It as you please" said
le young man, solemnly. 81 suppose
on newspaper fellows have to put
iings in TO fill up and as am goingto :
ie it won't make much difference how
happens. But III be satisfied with
ist a line-just say I'm dead. That's
n | ask" !