Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-10-27
With Interest
Accrued
By WILLIAM MCLEOD RAINE


1T WAS the night OF the battle. A
| young man one might better say a
boy. crawled YEARLY TO the rail fence
against which two armies had charged
and recharged in their efforts to dis
lodge each other earlier In the day. The
lad pulled himself with difficulty to the
top rail. rested there a minute in the
shine OF the moon. then slipped into
the shadow Of the woods beyond.
He went painfully with drag to one
Of his legs that told Of wound once
In the woods. he came on little huddle
Of dead men where a screaming shell
had exploded and worked havoc He
passed the grim sight without the least
emotion. for in the past "a hours his ca
pacity for feeling had been strained to
the limit
For some miles he followed a cow
path through the woods. which took a
gradual rise that led towards the hills.
The forest opened to a large clearing.
near the front Of which was a big. ramb-
ling southern house From the windows
a cheerful light cut into the gloom Of
the night The young man looked at 1t
wistfully. envying those within the
good cheer and comfort they we're en-
joying. He was cold and stlff, and the
throbbiug pain Of his wound had sapped
not little al his nerve. He knew OF a
homestead up in Illinois where the
lights we're shining at that moment,
where his mother and his younger
brothers sat about the fireplace. and re-
membered the father and the son who
had answered their country's call 10
arms A great wave OF inconsistencies
swept over the lad. and he leaned against
tree and gave way TO his self-pity
II must have been some minutes later
that there came to him an intangible
sense of another presence He slowed
his head round. then swung his body
with pistol In hand But the weapon
was quite unnecessary for defense since
those who gazed al him were only
girl and a child clinging 10 her hand
The girl was perhaps is, and the other
lad OF about nine. They looked at him
with grave concern. taking in with big
eyes the young mans haggard face and
disheveled appearance
Then after a silence you Yank ?"
asked the child
Yes" returned the man in the blue
uniform.
Amt you feelin' peart, Yank,"
The young man summoned rather a
wan smile. Not very I'm about tuck !
cred out"
you we're in the hight You're wound |
cd" cried the girl. with eyes dilated
MY wound isn't much, but It has
grown stiff"
You must have Il attended to- You |
must come to the house" she cried i'm
pulsively He stared: but she waited |
for no answer Can you walk" she
demanded
II was several seconds before he spoke
II guess I'll not go to the house"
mot come to the house? Why. Of
course, you will II you can't walk. I'll
send the boys for you"
Her quick insistence. her sweet south
ern intonatlon, were both charming to
him, but he did not care to risk rebuff
by her people.
''You forget I'm Yank"
"No. don't When you are well I'll
hate you. because hate all Yanks. But
now you're sick reckon | don't hate
any sick people"
"But your people," he suggested
az reckon my people have got hearts"
she said. Indignantly.
Come along. Yank." said the boy.
my names Willie Moseby. Hers is
Rowena. What's yours?"
Robert Shively" returned the Yank,
limping along with them toward the
house
Rowena noted for a minute the diff
hculty with which he walked.
you might lean on me" she urged.
presently.
and so. with a hand on the shoulder |
Of the friendly enemy. Shiyely limped |
% the house OF Capt. Moseby. Of the
Third Arkansas confederate volunteers
It's possible that Mrs Moseby was not
sxactly delighted at first to have a
wounded Yankee foisted on her hospi-
.Ality by her impulsive daughter but
her motherly heart soon warmed to his
She would not hear Of his
eaving next Gay. but with southern
rarmth insisted on his remaining till he !
vas quite rested and recovered. The !
var had denuded them Of many OF the
,omforts Of life. but the best they had
hey lavished on him In order to avoid
he chance Of detection. they ntted out