The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-09-17
that fell about him nor marvel,

one of them touched him as he bore
the unconscious boy to a spot of
greater security. Under the grove of
trees not quite in the line of fire he
laid his friend on the smooth grass
that had been untouched by the
storm of war. With his untutored
skill he dressed the wound and sat
looking at the still face and trying to
tug with the fingers of hope against
the weight of despair that filed his
heart.
The boy moved restlessly and
opened his eyes.
"Are we dead?"
"No; unfortunately-we are lone
somely alive. We'd have more COM
pany if we were dead"
"Did we win the battle?''
"Did we win? Boy, am too heart
weary and dazed to know anything
but pain, unless it be thankfulness
that you are alive"
But tell me something = where
are we and where are the others ?
o, see; I am wounded and can't go
on-but you-you must leave me or
you will be taken prisoner or killed"
mot much, old man; here, open
yours smouth and take swig of this"
The sun which had risen SO bright
ly upon our hopes went down sadly
on defeat, and darkness closed
around the grove, and still the man
sat there, watching over the helpless
boy. After long time he saw the
whiteness of the day stealing gradu.
ally through the leaves, lying in
shafts of light across the green car.
pet of grass. He remembered duly
that it was the Fourth of July. He
felt as if the world were dead and nc
one was left but him to keep the
ghostly Independence Day that wa.
climbing over the hills of the east.
Over beyond the western hills the
roll of the old division was being
called and only a thousand voices
made answer. The others had re
sponded to the last roll call. Thui
the dawn of Independence Day
/ gloomed over the defeated army il
1868.
Jim went to the edge of the woods
and looked up and down the white
sand road. He heard the crunch O.
wheels and presently a man whis
ding. The sound seemed to bring
him out of his isolation. He was still
in a world where men could whistle
He stepped out into the road as tn
wagon drew up. The driver stoppe'
his horses suddenly and said in
gruff. but not unfriendly, tone:
"'Mornin."
"Good morning"
"What do you want, comm 'roun'
skeerin' my hosses so early in tn
mornin'?"
"a ride in your wagon and some
thing to eat"
The man took from under tn
wagon seat some pieces of bread an
meat and bottle of coffee.
II keep a perambulatin' house E
, entertainment. Breakfus' fer two e
you wan ter bring friend, al
, trained walters. Furrin language
!, spoke. Guests rekested not ter fe
, the walters. All perkisites blon
ter the boss. All you want now is
. fire ter warm it by an somebody te
perside at the bar, which I'm him."
There was CLINT of honesty in tn
rugged face and frank tone in tn
voice that inspired confidence, an
Jim led the way to where his wount
ed friend lay.
"Purty as picter. I'd like ter Sc
him up on the mantel piece ter loo
: at, but in storm I'd rather tie te
{ you"
He so far yielded to the univers'
dominance of the picturesque as
: kindle the fire and heat the breal
fast for the wounded boy.
9 II alters goes pervided; no telli'
what might turn up"
"You had brought it for yoursel
and now you are giving it away
l. said Jim, who had arrived at staf
: where the claims of his fellowme
!: began again to appeal to him.