The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-31
The ADVERTISERS
DAILY SHORT STORY

IL fired the souls of thousands of Union
soldiers to battle and to victory. The
march of many feet was heard; the CLINT
Of polished bayonets seen. The stars and
stripes stood straight to the breeze as
like cfock-work that human phalanx
moved to obey.
Was that the foe there, entrenched Mt
the base of the hill. calmly waiting with
muskets primeJ and ready? But never
man did he see falter. Onward they
flying. into the fray aud into the face
of death. Then, when the first volley
had been met and passed. they we're over
the breastworks and upon the foe. lie
felt an absence about him then. He
looked for Billy. Billy was gone! A
bullet had carried him down at the first
onslaught he concluded. Then he saw
the men in the trenches waver for
feeble stand. That was all: then they
fled. The. Federal troops forgetting their
orders In the enthusiasm of the moment.
were as quickly over the ramparts and
after thom-through woods, over logs.
past gulchos. and into the face of a muir
derous musketry from above!
Presently Weak Eyed rceled ard fell
from the marching column striking his
head as he fell Grasping shade tree
by the side of the thoroughfare he slow
~ raised himself to his~knees. He had,
too been struck by flying bullet? He
put his hand to his head. Yes, there was
gone. But he forgot the pain momen-
farily as he heard the order: t'Charge
the crest of the hili!'' pass from mouth
to mouth as it came from Grant. His
pulses leapt His blood fairly bounded
at the words. He tried to rise and obey.
but he could neither see nor walk.
''Hurrah fer th-stars an'-stripes!'
he shouted in the exultation of the mo-
ment but the effort cost him throbs of
pain.
vehicle full of belated celebration
lists, hurrying after the procession. heard
his shout. "A drunken soldier" they
said. Weak-Eyed thought an ammuni-
tion wagon was hurrying to the front.
His sight cleared little after the first
daze from his fall. In the distance he
saw clouds of dust arising. The smoke
OF the battle" he thought. The music
was still playing clearer and louder
than ever. indicating the enthusiasm Of
battle: Someone approached his side.
Only aTseraps-comrade" he said.
soon. There's work-fer you-up there
He indicated the hill with wave Of
his hand
Il tell you he's not drunk; he's sick"
The man at his side addressed some one
near at hand
In pity they tried to raise him to his
feet. His legs would not support him;
he collapsed again at the foot of the
tree
A roll of drums footed across tho val
10y and into the old mans, ears. 'Hark!'
nc exclaimed raising himself with heroic
effort. II hearth sound o victry!
Give tito 'em-boys!' he added.
Chances are against him voice
was heard 20 remark nearby. He must
ne taken to a physician
'Aw, He's only had a drop too much
t. drink. I tell you some one answered,
Weak Eyed didn't hear; his whole mind,
his whole being was Centered in another
direction. Back to Mt. lions crest the
~ MT xf hnr
came the long, low, solemn roll of the
drums-the slow, melancholy, almost hui
man roll.
"Ah. its-all--over" he said, family
discover" he gasped. "an'-Billy-
youli have t-go-with III rest-into tn
trenches-an' under TIL sod. But-not-
me They sai1-I c'd-go home. I'm
wounded. Tll-tell her-Bllly-when | git
-there-that you--died a-fightin'-an IL
thinkin'-o-her. An Ill--giVe-her-th'
things-you sent.-her picture-an TIL
testament You've-got-mine yet-Billy,
l give-em-t-we, but-In-not need
EN-"
He attempted to rise. but could not.
Some one held a flask to his lips and he
drank
The procession meantime wendell down
the hill again.
The first columns swept past where
Weak Eyed Jones was prone upon the
grass Some one stepped out to haii
some passing vehicle, The mayors car ar
rage dppTOdcnGu . July piu VA uA'h'
there" the occupants remarked. then
bowled away up the street and out of
hearing. Another carriage swept past
without a heed. a load of flower girls
| drew near. The driver was beckoned to
halt. but his attention was centered upon
| his screaming, laughing passengers.
The sun was now almost set.
| Presently Weak-Eyed Jones feebly
| raised himself upon his emaciated ell
| bows. peered with all the power he could
| muster through his almost sightless orbs
in the direction Of the blood red sun and
moved his lips TO speak;
"Yes-theyre waitin'-fer me- Billy. 1
| wish-you-was-a-goi n'-too!" he said.
| Later. when strange hands gathered
| from the wayside all that was mortal
| of the dauntess soldier, withered
| from his nerveieSs grasp. In the mean
| time the city i&d resumed the NOISY
tenor Of its way. and Memorial Day and
it's meaning had all but become forgot