The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-09-12
* e z !.

III after the second battle OF Bull
HUN, Confederate soldier was
going over the battlefield looking for
articles that soldiers needed. He soon
came to the crest of hill where a
regiment Of newly recruited New York
Zouaves, under the command OF Gov
ernor X. Warren, were almost destroy |
ed the day before by Hoods brigade.
The soldier picked up a fez to keep |
as souvenir, but, noticing prettier |
one on the head of q little Zouave ",
ing few feet distant with handker-
chief covering his face, he advanced
and was In the act Of removing the
coveted relic when low, pleasant
voice under the handkerchief said,
please don't" Recovering from his
momentary fright, he removed the
handkerchief and was greatly sur
prised to see the delicate and refined
features of boy of Is, pale as death
ard evidently dangerously wounded.
The soldier, under orders to march,
had but few minutes left, which he
used as well as he could to relieve the
poor boy-Zouave. he filled his can
teen and gave him drink: Then he
asked him if he could do any more
for him, or II he had any message to
send to anyone.
Nothing at all, thank you," he re-
piled.
The Confederate's heart was touched
by the lads courage. He turned away,
and had gone but few steps when
he heard the boys thin voice calling
him back
j, Excuse me-" he said, but l want
you to accept this as a present." and he
handed him his fine purple fez.
The soldier at first refused to accept
1t, but the little hero said, II viii soon
be dead, and that fez in your hand will
! do me just as well. Please put 1t on
my head and take mine"
Convinced, then, that a refusal to
accept the lads kindly OFFER would
likely hurt his feelings, he accepted it,
and, having bid the wounded and-as
he supposed-dying young zouave a
tender farewell, he was soon with his
company On the mRTcn.
But it was several days before Karl
Nesbit, the Zouave, regained conscious
ness, when he awoks from a refreshing
sleep. He had been dreaming Of his
!. humble home In the North and Of his
mothers glad welcome extended to
! him as he returned laden with honors
, won on the field of battle. Great was
his surprise to find himself lying on
/ a comforta BILE bed in a large, airy and
] well-furnished room. Upon a little
r table near the bedside was a beautiful
] vase of exquisite flowers tinging the
r morning air with their lovely fra
] GRANGE.
Y Where am I? l don't understand
|. this" his weak voice uttered. Then q
gentle step was heard approaching the
q bedside, and, In a moment, a bright
= sweet face, all aglow with sunshine
~ and cheerful kindness, was smiling
, down upon him.
> "Were you speaking" questioned {
:. soft, kindly voice. "Is there anything
h can do for you"
q in a few brief sentences Elsie Somer
u told him of how her mother and 1
a neighboring lady, with a colored ser
!. want, had gone from their homes to thu
~ Bull Run battlefield, about four mile
n, distant, to render assistance and com
4 fort to the wounded and dying; hov
~ they had found him feverish, deliriou
=, and very weak from the loss of blood
al how they had especially been draw
to him on account Of his youthfulness
how they had secured, after much dii
y fculty, the services of a surgeon, VIII
II dressed his wound, a serious one; an
how they had brought him to tn
a. Somers' mansion, where everythin
d. had been done to make him comfor
"a able.
" In a month more Karl, under the e.
ie cellent care and kindly treatment {
~ Mrs. Somers and Elsie, had 30 regain
10 ed his strength as to be able to wal
~, ~ about amid the shady groves Of til
=, charming Virginia plantation.
~ ~. To Elsie, just entering upon her ST.
~ teenth year, but much older in woman
- " wisdom and judgment Karl SCENE
-. like a brother. She was deeply solici
VI GUS about his health and rejoiced
every visible improvement Of his CO..
no dition. And every morning, when tt
% weather would permit, she would tai
VI him out for drive.
a. 1t was a sad occasion, howeve
when, on one beautiful, bright Octob
~ morning, Karl bade Mrs. Somers al
a. Elsie good-by, assuring them that
~ would never forget their kindness. Al
~ something deep down in two YOUTH
u hearts, some undercurrent Of feelin
~ seemed to assure each that they won
w meet again.
u Under q skillful disguise, and BY re
VI son Of his youthful appearance, he
~, ~ perienced no great difficulty in reac
n ing McCleilan's army in the caste
" slope of the Blue Ridge MountaiI
0' But, greatly to his sorrow. the surg@c