The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-01-28

Had he. too, been struck by a flying
bullet? He put his hand to his head.
Yes, there was blood and the bridge |
of his nose was gone! But he forgot
the pain momentarily as he heard the
order; "Charge the crest Of the kill"|
pass from mouth to mouth as 1t 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 for th'-stars an'-stripes ~
he shouted In the exuliation Of the mo-
ment, but the effort cost him throbs
.ofpain.
A vehicle full Of belated celebration
lists, hurrying after the procession,
heard his shout. "a drunken soldier"
they said. Weak-Eyed thought an
ammunition wagon was hurrytng To
the front.
His sight cleared q little after the
first daze from his fail. 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 ap-
preached his side. -.
HOnIv a-scrape-comradew he said,
"Never--minj me-IW be-all right
soon. There's work-for you-up
therew He indicated the hill with q
wave Of his hand.
II tell you he's not drunk; he's
sick" The man at his side addressed
someone near at hand.
In pity they tried to raise him to
his feet. Hia legs would not support
him; he collapsed again at the f"ot OF
the tree.
A roll of drums floated across the
valley and into the old mans ears.
|"Hark :" he exclaimed, raising him.
self with heroic effort, ~ hearth
sound o. vict'ry!" Volleys Of musketry
rang out on the air. "Give Ito EN-
boys p he added.
"Chauces ore against him." o voice
was heard to remark q BY. HE
must be taken to 8 pbysician."
Jaw! He's only had . drop too
much T. drink, I tell you" some one
snswered.
Weak-Eyed didn't hear; his whole
mind, his whole being was centered
lin another direction. Back Of Mt.
| lions crest the sun began TO Get, and.
presently, there came the long, low,
solemn roll OF drums-the slow, mel
lancholy, almost human roll.
"Ah! its-all-over" he said, faint.
lly. -.
Only o few women were at bis side
now.
.~'Its-ovor," he gasped, an'-Billy
you'll have t'-gO-with tn rest
into tn trenches-an' under the sod.
But-not-me. They said-I c'd-go
home. I'm wounded. lll-tell her
Billy-when I git-there-that you.
died afighting-and thinking-of her!
An I'Il-give-ber-th' thiDgs-you
sent,-her p%icture-an' th' test'ment'
| You've-got-mine yet-Billy, ! give
l-'em-t'-ye, but-I'll-not need
'em."
He attempted TO rise, but coald not.
Some one held q flask to his lips and
he drank.
The columns swept past where
| Weak-Eyed Jones was prone upon the
grass. Someone stepped out to hail
the passing vehicle. The mayors
carriage approached. IA jolly old
drunk, there !" the occupants remark-
ed, then bowled away up the street
and out OF hearing. Another carriage
swept by without O heed, o load OF
flower girls drew near The driver
was becE oned TO halt, but his attention
was conferred upon bis screaming,
laughing passengers.
The sun was now almost set.
Presently Weak-Eyed Jones feebIy
raised himself upon his emaciated ell
bow and peered with all the power be
could muster through his almost sight
less orbs In the direction OF the blood.
red sun aud moved his lips to speak
"Yes-they're waiting-fer me, Billy.
III ne
said. .
Later, when strange hands gathered
from the wayside all that was moi tai
of the dauntless soldier, . withered
spray OF honeysuckle slipped unheed.
ed from his grasp. In the meantime
the city had resumed the noisy tenor
Of its way, aud Memorial Day and Its
meaning had all but become forgotten.