Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-11-23
A HERO.
BY "BRUcE DOUGLASS.

On the banks OF the Savannah river, IL
the little town OF Wayne bofo. stands q
quaint ivygrown mansion, the former
home of Squire Trip, one of the weslthiesi
slave owners of the South
Many traveller stops to gaze with
admiration, or woncer at its history, for
the old mansion has an air that tells OF
better idays. when the cnivalry OF the
South Yves at its height
Here it was that the squire lived with
his only daughter Jessie, bright, win
some girl OF twenty, whose hand vas
sought by every young man OF the village,
bat none received SO much encouragement
as young Archie Balm, son OF poor cotton
planter, of whom Squire Trip did not
approve.
In spite OF the squire's opposition, the
love deepened IN the heart OF Jessie for
the sturdy farmers son. Finally they
bee lme engaged, but they thought it wise
to postpone the announcement to the
squire until more favorable opportunity
asserted itself.
1t was just at this time that the Con-
federate army suffered that crush pg
defeat at Gettysbu g here was call for
volunteers, and Archie Balm was ole of
The first to enlist, to die, II necessary, for
the cause he believed to be right.
1t was The night before the troops were
to embark that Archie resolved to an
nourcs his engagement with Jessie to the
squire, for he remem bered the squire tad
been somewhat of sofdler in his day. and
that when discharged wore a pair of
shou deristrsp' and was proud Of the fact,
too. So as he old town clock in the tow er
slowly toled the hour OF eight, you mig bit
ave eel A Gu unlatching the gat to
tne path which ed up 30 the grand Old
man ion.
We will leave him here and await his
re, urn outside. At la the door opens
nd he comes out hi hands me face dark
and ciouded; PEI aps his interview with
the squire did not turn out very please nifty.
80 when l return with my shoulder
straps as he has done, may have her, eh?"
he muses.. We'll, Phi do it or die +"
Meanw lille p epa ati)n- go on rapidly
for the depa ture OF tae tro 'pN on tus
morrow. The mex mo ming da~ned clea
add bright; the streets were fl l. with
euro ing turon<' to che .r the boys WIN
were going to fight in the ranks of the
gray.
AT 8 O'Clock the troops were ali Assem-
b ed at the depot, and ,io?d conversing IN
little groups, eurrounded ty relatives an"
friends. Many sac farewell was said, till
At last the train, putting and snort'ns,
pulled in at tn little depot. Archie had
hardly time to say hurried goodbye 10
Jessie, and cheer her by pro ni-e that ht
would loon return, hen the train rtartea
and jumping aboard he WIS soon lost to
view.
Jess returned home with heavy heart
md waited longingly for letter th4t
would bring her news tom her gallant
sodier toy. DAYS, mo tbs aud then year.
slipped by; the roses were slowly fadine
from her cheek and the dark glossy brown
of her hair became sreaked with gay,
and still no word, until at last, one nom
ing, she left this wo Id forever. Som say
he died of a broken heart.
Let us return to Archie. About noon
the next day he arrived at his destination,
which was Calder Creek, and stopping
here for about WEEKS, be got his first
taste OF the hardships OF war. One morn
ing they received orders t. adva c. end
reinforce jackson. Some OF the men wect
jub liant, longing for a change from the
monotony of camp lie; othsrs 10 Ike al
it more seriously, thinking Of the loved
ones left at home.
They had not long to wait, howeve-, for
at sunset thy broke camp, and after
thres- hours march joined the Con federate
forces. The next morning they were
stationed in the trenches on jack on's left
flank, and had barely reached ibis position
when word came that the Yanks wer,
about to charge. All was excitement
along the line; messengers dashed back
and forth, while along the intrenchments
walked their captain, cheering his men
and nerviDg them to conquer or die.
The Union bugler sounded the advance.
On, on, came the steady, unbroken line OF
blue, till at last, when the foe were within
few feet, the word to fire leaped along the
line, a crash OF musketry, waver in the
line OF blue, but on they came.
At this moment Archie lost all fei
loading and firing with the regularity OF
clock work. A giant shell tore the flag
from its staff, aud squad of Yanks
dashed forward to seize it, but Archie
Balm was there before hem, and grasping
the flag close to his breast, returned to the
Confederate lire4.
Az he leaped over the intrenchments, on
his return he was seen to stagger and fat.