Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-08-10
* FEE

~ y the morning of Aug. 81, 1862,
II II after the second battle of Bull
Run, a Confederate soldier was
going over the battlefield looking for
articles that soldiers needed. He soon
came to the crest of a hill where Il
regiment OF newly recruited New York
Iouaves, under the command of Gov
ernOr *. Warren. were almost destroy
ed the day before by Hoods brigade.
The soldier picked up fez to keep
as souvenir. but. noticing a prettier
one on the head of a little Zouave ~
ing few feet distant with a 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 10, pale as death
and evidently dangerously wounded.
The soldier, under orders to march,
had but a few minutes left, which he
used rs well as he could to relieve the
poor boyZouave. He filled his can,
teen and gave him a drink. Then he
asked him if he could do any more
for him, or if 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.
EXCUSE me-" he said "but | want
you to accept this as Il present." and he
handed him his fine purple fez.
The soldier at first refused to accept
1t, but the little hero said, II will soon
be dead. and that fez in your hand will
do me just as well. Please put it 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 march.
But it was several days before Karl
Nesbit, the Zouave. regained conscious
ness, when he awoke from refreshing
sleep. He had been dreaming of his
humble home in the North and Of his
mothers glad welcome extended to
m hn 20 oil lnI
won on the field Of battle Great was
his surprise to find himself lying on
comfortab bic bed in a large, airy and
well-furnshed room. Upon little
table near the bedside was a beautiful
vase of exquisite flowers tinging the
GRANGE.
where am |? l don't understand
this" his weak voice uttered. Then a
gentle step was heard approaching the
bedside, and, in a moment. bright,
sweet face, all aglOw with sunshine
and cheerful kindness, was smiling
down upon him.
Were you speaking?" questioned a
soft, kindly voice. is there anything
can do for you?'
where am II" he asked again. and
In few brief sentences Elsie Somers
told him OF how her mother and a
neighboring lady. with colored SER
want, had gone from their homes to the
Bull Run battlefield, about four miles
distant, to render assistance and com
| fort to the wounded and dying: how
they had found him feverish, dclirious
and very weak from the loss of blood
how they had especially been drawn
to him on account Of his youthfulness:
how they had secured, after much diff
ficulty, the services of a surgeon. who
dressed his wound, a serious one; and
how they had brought him to the
Somers' mansion, where everything
had been done to make him comfort
able
In month more Karl, under the ex-
cellent care and kindly treatment of
Mrs. Somers and Elsie, had so regain
ed his strength as to be able to walk
about amid the shady groves OF the
charming Virginia plantation.
To Elsie, just entering upon her six
teenth year, but much older in woman
ly wisdom and judgment, Karl seemed
| like brother. She was deeply solicit
Gus about his health and rejolced in
every visible Improvement. Of his con-
dition. And every morning, when the
weather would permit, she would take
him out for drive.
1t was a sad occasion, however,
when. on one beautiful, bright October
morning, Karl babe Mrs. Somers and
Elsie good-by, assuring them that he
would never forget their kindness. And
something deep down in two youthful
hearts. some undercurrent Of feeling,
seemed to assure each that they would
meet again.
/ Under skillful disguise, and by rea-
son of his youthful appearance. he ex-
perienced no great difficulty in reach
ing McClellan's army In the eastern
slope Of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
But, greatly to his sorrow, the surgeon