The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-16

He vas in that battle answered the
girl: and for a ONE silence fell upon
the group.
ReVerently, with uncovered head, the
major viewed the body of his old enemy
as it lay under its humble canopy, with
the shadows from the campfires playing
across the emaCiated face.
Long and earnestly he strove with the
pride of the helpless, lonely daughter
SO far from home and friends, and
thought of his own, who had slept for
many years in the village cemetery.
Major Anderson had pronounced ora
tons, had presided at mass-meetings
and had represented the county in the
legislature for year but now his elo-
quence dWelt upon another theme, and
the people of Mound Valley listened TO
the pathetic simplicity of his story.
They felt with him, that to a brave SOL
der all honor was due though he had
fought under another flag, and every
opposing voice was hushed.
On Memorial Day the steady roll of
the farm wagons told of the incoming
crowds. The great fla6 swung out
acrOs Main street. In the cemetery the
committees were adjusting the last
wreaths in the speakers pavilion. The
rows of soldier graves were neat and in
order. The busy major stood in his
own family lot, looking through dim
eyes upon the mounds hat represented
the griefs of his life. When he left it.
the wOrkmen had finished preparing it
for another whose body lay in his par
lOr and whose daughter had found a
refuge in his home.
The hearse already too at the gate
when he ~returned to his house. The
housekeeper had laid out his scarf, sowrd
and an old battle flag was across the
parlor sofa. Rachel Lee started as he
entered, and he drew back in surprise.
4 battered old sword and a faded scarf
fell to the floor at her feet as she hasti-
~ put her hands behind her.
The astonished old warrior lifted the
sword and held it toward her, but still
she did not move.
Shall l place it beside your father?'
he asked in much embarrassment.
If you will she said. attempting
to step aside, and disclosing the latter
ed folds of a worn Confederate flag
trailing behind her on the floor.
The major started, and an old light
flashed in his blue eyes. He heard once
more the rebel yell, and saw men falling
on every side, Hot blood rushed to his
| face and he took one loaa step forward.
Then. catching tina eyes of Rachel, he
stopped hi thu ty1o oR ttNee minutes
[as he stood before Tie atrl. he fought
and Won the gHsatest. battle of his life.
I Haoa1e4 Rec s4ood ffes aepursd bravely,
[ never fSfnofihlg rH1deRp hks4sze.
My father washed to He wrapped in
/ this old flag. It and his sword are all
We had left she said simply.
y soft mist came between him and the
dark Y e of the girl. Then the old
warrior bent and draped the rebel flag
over the still form, placing the sword
at its side and closing the casket.
Impulsively, h girl snatched the
stars and stripes from the sofa and
threw them over the coffin, kneeling in
a passion of tears beside it.
Through the streets of the Kansas
village, in the Memorial Day procession,
under the great flag, the brave Confed-
crate major went to his burial, Martial
music, floral offerings, and the volley
fired across the graves, were his alike
with the Union soldiers.