The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-01
BOOK v.
PLOT AND CoUNTERPLoT
Chapter I.

BROTHERS..
IN a strange turmoil was Boston on that
sunny morning. Walked from their beds at
dawn by the sound Of cannon, man, woman
and child; whig, tory or redcoat; all started
up from their beds, staring, listening and
questioning. The firing ceased perhaps it
was but salute. Then 1t began again, not
Tor Chours to slacken, and soon the whole town
was the streets.
As the day Of alarm wore slowly to Its
climax, every vantage point became crowded
with spectators. Only troops under arms
with people engaged in necessary duties, re-
manned In the streets; while the shore and
the wharyes, the housetops and the hllsdes,
the steeples were packed with observers.
Hearts beat fast as the troops crossed the
water. and the long waiting for reinforce
unents bore hard on nerves while slowly, a
mile away in Charlestown, the ranks OF the
7ebels to be filling up. and the
deadly railfenoe was arrayed. And then, as
the troops stood in line for the attack, the
prophecies of tories were loud and confident,
but pale wings watched In silence.
But none, Of all that sneered and feared and
hoped and prayed, mixed such strange emo
tons as Dtckie Elery. He had dressed In
his uniform and left the house: he had met
Oliver who told him something about the
parade ground; Dckie had not heard clearly.
He shook his head and hurried on; he must
see the redoubt He watched from the
wharveS the strange sight of men digging
busily amid flying balls. and fanced that he
impossible. Then he learned that there was
impossible. Then he learnede that there was
70 be attack, and knowing that he could
eee best from Beacon Hill he fastened there.
On the way be pass the cottage, saw Altce's
anxious face at 80 window, and took her
with him.
- Beneath his shiny trappings, as he watched
me marching troops, his heart beat now so
fast that he painted, now so slowly that he
could scarcely breathe at all. The soldiers
IN their advance began to fire: he saw the
sun upon the level barrels, the clouds Of
smoke, and heard the short discharges. One
by one the companies volleyed, cloud after
cloud Of smoke lifted and blew away: stead
fly the troops advanced, and less by rods and
yards grew the space between the forces.
And Dickie. as the fateful moment neared,
felt within himself whrl Of feelings.
What did he think? What was the strange
admiration that looked out of his eyes, not
upon the British troops, but upon the dingy
rebes And what new emotion was this as
the space grew shorter and shorter between
the soldiers and the farmers? He heard one
near him cry aloud in triumph, The Yam
KEGS have fed already!'' and he strained his
ayes at the silent redoubt. Had then the
yebels slipped away in fear? No, he saw
heads above ths parapet. Why should that
give him joy? 49,,
And then he sa that awful sheet of flame.
The curling smoke rolled forth and hid the
the cloud but the cloud remained, and Dckie
could not see beneath it. 1t was all silent.
still there came the crash Of that terrible
Gre Then burst on burst of sound. tempered
by distance yet most dreadful, beat upon the
ear. Onward into the smoke pressed the
succeeding companies; the top Of the hill
had disappeared. the fence was enforled and
lost. What was happening, who had won
Then shattered, Keeling back out Of the
smoke came the disordered troops.
Thank God!' cried Dickie. and he knew
his heart
his manhood The quiet Of his father, which
Frank had in great degree, entered and
controlled him; he stood and watched, the
calmest on the hill. In the succeeding hour
men around him cursed, or raved, or hiG
grim Joy for safety's sake. And women, az
town watched battle, groaned, or wept, OF
tainted. But Dickie, eXpressonless but fol
the fire that cleaned in his eye, and the
movement in his cheek Of the muscles of his
jaw, stood like a rock. protected Alice from
the crush, and said further word.
Alice watched with less emotion than Dickie
she winning Of the field. She was a woman
her agony personal; in her thoughts hel
brother and lover only concerned, ant
there was still the glimnler of hope. Blu
Dicke in his new patriotism took at once
mans larger view. If Frank were dead, the1
he died molly and died blessed But hi
country-a new mistress first loved
could not have seemed fairer or more dea
than now, when Dickie beheld her dying 4
vision rose up, of a land oppressed ant
cursed
Silently they went together down the hill
among a silent crowd. Men carried fantins
women; themselves scarcely able to walk
tottered to the shore to meet the boats tina
already were In motion. No loud-voced tor,
boosted now, nor triumphed in the victory
the sight of the thousand bodies scattered IL
The fields OF CHarloStOwn Dut a. seal vain
glory And keeping close together, as TIVE
who In that crowd sympathized with eacl
others deepest feelings, Dickie and Allie,
waited the arrival of the wounded and tn
dead
mourning procession met them. Befor
It reached them they saw people standing
aside for the foremost coach, and hats re
moved with reverence. The driver curbe,
his horses with strong hand so that> the,
seemed to prance gayly before the stylish
vehicle. But arm hung Imply from /
window. and above 1t they the pallid fac
Of Major Harley. =
He was looking among the crowd, seemin,
too lstess to hold his head erect, yet will
different energy scanning each face as i
searching for a friend. The look of sick
ness vanished; color came to his lips and hi
eyes sparkled he saw Alice. He raise
his arm. 'Stop!" he cried, with som
strength. The driver brought his horses t.
halt
Alice pressed quickly to the coach's sid
and took Harley's hand. It was as cold a
stone. His eyes, as she looked into them
were langued again, and the blood was ebb
ing in his cheeks.
"You are hurt" she cried. "Let Dicki
get In with you and support YOU" j. =
But Dickie, looking over her head, say
huddled forms within the carriage. ''Ther
are others there, Alice he said quickly.
There are three here" said Harley gently
1noH cho1l ho
mo-" she cried. ..'.--' ~ =.
IT am twice shot through the body" b
answered.
LET me look at you a moment, then W
will drive on. .- $685..
He was consderate of her even then. He
eyes filled with tears as she saw death look
ing out Of his, and she knew her words wer
vain when she said: You shall be saved!''
He moved his head in dissent. "Better di
now he said, rather than live to see NOR
OF this war of brothers. Would I had re
signed my commission, as L desired! N
Englishman can gain honor from this. E
lery there is your answer.
II hear answered Dickie, humbly an
stepped back.
The crowd, out Of respect had stood ava!
Harley alone with Alice, looked at her wit
the feeling he had never dared express.
you know I have loved you?" he asked
..God bless you for 1t. she Responded
brokenly.
'.You bless me for it?' he said surprise,
s'Then---" He had raised himself a lit
20 III