The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-08-28

ohi thC thCy WdtICu
the slow hours went by-N aited till
the order came, and they went down
| into the valley of death. What they
did on that fatal field of Gettysburg
is inscribed on the page of history.
In the beginning of the retreat
Jack Shivers was wounded. The over
whelming force of the enemy were
closing in from every point.
''He is dead" thought the man. He
scarce noticed the shower of balls
that fell about him nor marveled
over the apparent miracle that not
one of them touched him as he bore
the uncons cious 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 filled his
heart.
The boy moved restlessly and
opened his eyes.
"Are we dead?"
mo; unfortuna tely-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; / am wounded and can't go
on-but you-you must leave me or
you will be taken prisoner or killed"
Not much, old man; here, open
your mouth and take a 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 no
one was left but him to keep the
ghostly independence Day that was
climbing over the hills of the east.
Over beyond the western hills the
roll of the old division was being
called and only n thousand voices
made answer. The others had re-
sponded to the last roll call. Thus
the dawn of Independence Day
gloomed over the defeated army in
1863
Jim went to the edge of the woods
and looked up and down the white
sand road. He heard the crunch of
wheels and presently man whis-
t1ing. 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 the
wagon drew up The driver stopped
his horses suddenly and said in
gruff. but not unfriendly, tone:
"'Mornin."
"Good morning"
"What do you want, comm round
skeerin' my hosses so early in the
mornin'?"
ga ride in your wagon and some
thing to eat"
The man took from under the
wagon seat some pieces of bread and
meat and bottle of coffee.
81 keep a perambulatin' house er
entertainment Breakfus' fer two ef
you wan ter bring friend, an
trained walters. Furrin languages
spoke Guests rekested not ter fee
the walters. All perkisites blong
ter the boss. All you want now is
fire ter warm it by an somebody ter
perside at the bar, which I'm him."
There was a CLINT of honesty in the
rugged face and frank tone in the
voice that inspired confidence, and
Jim led the way to where his wound
ed friend lay.
"Purty as picter. I'd like ter set
him up on the mantel piece ter look
at, but in a storm I'd rather tie ter
you"
He SO far yielded to the universal
dominance of the picturesque as to
kindle the fire and heat the break
fast for the wounded boy.
Il alters goes perVueu' no loIin
what might turn up.
"You had brought it for yourself,
and now you are giving it away"
said Jim, who had arrived at stage
where the claims of his fellowmeE
began again to appeal to him.
That's nothin'. Anybody along
the road'll give me lunch. Most OF
'em expect ride in my wagon some
time. 1t alters makes folks gen 'rous
hearted to you fer you ter have
sump'n they wants"