The Crittenden record. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1904-1907, 1905-09-22

peltlng down upon the Side or my race.
| wondered what It might be, for /
knew not where had come. lifted
my head and looked to see new
dawn, possibly the city Of God Itself.
1t was dark--so dark felt as II had
no eyes. Away In the distance ! could
hear the beating Of drum. 1t rang In
a great silence. have never known
the like of 1t. | could hear the fall and
trickle Of the rain, but 1t seemed only
TO deepen the silence. ! felt the wet
grass under my face and hands. Then
knew II was night and the battlefield
where ! had fallen. / was alive and
might see another day, thank God!
felt something move under my feet. /
heard n whisper at my shoulder.
Thought you were dead long ago.
It said.
NO, no." answered; "I'm alive;
know I'm alive. This is the battle
field"
"Fraid amt goln' t live" he said.
"Got terrible wownd. Wish II was
mOrnln'."
ozark longr' | asked.
For hours" he answered. "Dunno
how many"
lie began TO groan and utter short
prayers.
"Oh. my soul waiteth for the Lord
more than they that watch for the
morning. heard him cry In loud,
despalring voice.
Then there was u bit Of silence, In
which could bear him whispering
OF his home and people.
Presently he began to singi
Guide me, o thou great JShovah'
Pilgrim through this barren land.
1 am weak, but thou art mighty
His voice broke and trembied and
sank into silence.
had business Of my own to.book aft
er-perhaps had no time to Iose-and
went about II calmly. ! had no
strength to move and began TO feel the
nearing Of my time. The rain was fall
ing faster II chilled me to the marrow
as | felt Il trickling over my back.
called TO the man who lay beside me
again and again called TO him-but nc
answer. Then knew that he was dead
and alone. Long after that In the fnI
distance l heard voice calling. II
rang like a trumpet In the still air. II
grew palmer as listened. Ny owl
name! William Broweri II was Ger
talnly calling 20 me, and / answered
with a feeble cry. In n moment
could hear the tramp Of some one com
ing. lie was sitting beside me present
Is. whoever II might he. could no
see him for the dark. His tongue wen
clucking as II he pltied me.
who are your | remember asking
but got no answer.
AT first was glad: then began q
feel mighty horror Of him.
In a moment be had picked me VI
and was making of. The Jolt Of hi
step seemed 10 be breaking my arms a
the shoulder. AZ | groaned he ran.
could see nothing In the darkness, bu
he went ahead, never stopping. saw
for a moment now and then TO rest.
wondered where he wns taking me an
what II all meant. called again, "Wb
are youf" but he seemed not 10 hea
me. My God!'' l whispered TO myself
This Is no man-this lsDeath SEVERN
the soul from the body The voice wa
that Of the good God" Then heard
, man halllng near by.
, Help. help. | shouted family.
Where are your came the answe
now farther AWAY. Cant see YOU
My mysterious bearer was now rni
ming. MY heels wec dragging upo
, the ground: my hands were brushin
> the grass tops. gruanci with pain.
, HALT Who comes there a pick
4 called.
, Il must bc n giant. thought. wi
/, can pick me M and carry me rs II
. were no bigger than house cat TIL
a was what was thinking when
o swooncl
From then tlll | came to myself
y the little church nj Ccntcrvlllc ! rcmcr
\ Ter nothing. Groaning men lay
a about me: others stood between the
\ with lanterns. A woman was bcndii
over me. felt the gentle touch Of b
hand upon my face and hcani her spci
I, 20 me 50 tcndcrly | cannot think OF
, even now without thanking God {
: good women. | chung to her han
: chung with the energy Of one drownin
/ while suffered the merciful tortu
y OF the probe, the knife and the need
~ And when Il was all overland the Ia
4 tern lights grew pale in the dawn &
n asleep.
. Hut enough Of blood and horror. W
: Is no holiday, my merry people W
/ know not the mighty blessing II peat
~ Counting the cust. let us have war