Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-07-11

Algzagglng over the field, came uponi
gray bearded soldier lying tn IL
grass and fell headlong. strueuta6
madly, but could not rise to my 1est.
lay, my face upon the ground. weap-
ing like woman. Save be lost In
hell, shall never know again the bitter
pang of that moment. ! thought Of
my country. saw its splendid capital
in ruins, its people surrendered 10
| Gods enemies.
The rout of wagons had gone by. I,
could now hear the heavy tramp a
| thousands passing me, the shrill voices
of terror. worked to sitting posture
somehow. The effort nearly smothered
me. A mass Of cavalry was bearing
down upon me. They were coming col
thick 1 saw they would trample ms
into jelly. ! took my hat and covered
my face quickly and then uncovered It
as they came near. They sheered away
as | felt the foam of their nostrils. I
had split them as rock may split the
| torrent. The last of them went over
me, their tails whipping my face.
l shall not soon forget the look Of
their bellies or the smell Of their
tanks. They had no sooner passed
than fell back and rolled half over
like a log. could feel warm flow Of
blood triclsling down my LETT arm. A
shell shot at the retreating army pass
ed high above me. whining as it few.
Then my mind went free Of its trouble.
The rain brought me to as It came
pelting down upon the side Of my face.
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 IL had
no eyes. Away in the distance 1 could
| hear the beating of drum. It rang in
great silence. I have never known
the like of it. could hear the fall and
trickle Of the rain, but it seemed only
| to deepen the silence. felt the wet
grass under my face and hands, Then
l knew it was night and the battlefield
where I had fallen. ] was alive and
might see another day, thank Godl I
felt something move under my feet.
heard whisper at my shoulder.
Thought you were dead long ago"
it said
mo, no." answered; "I'm alive, I
know I'm alive. This is the battle
field"
"'Fraid amt goin' t live" he said.
Got terrible wownd. Wish It Mas
mornin'"
Ozark long?" asked.
"Eor hours" he answered. Dunno
how many
He 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 a loud,
despairing voice.
Then there was bit Of silence, in
which / could hear him Whispering
Of his home and people.
Presently he began to sing:
"Guide me, o thou great JehovaM
Pilgrim through this barren land
| am weak, but thou art mighty
His voice broke and trembled and
sank into silence.
had business Of my own to look aft
er-perhaps had no time to lose-and
I went about it calmly. I had no
strength to move and began to feel the
nearing of my time. The rain was fall
ing faster 1t chilled me to the marrow
as I felt it trickling over my back. /
called to the man who lay beside me-
again and again called to him-but no
answer. Then knew that he was dead
and alone. Long after that tn the far
Il q
rang like trumpet in the still air. It
grew palmer as listened. My own
name! William Brower2 It was ce9-
tainly calling to me, and answered
with feeble cry. In moment
could hear the tramp of some one COM
ing. He was sitting beside me present
ly, whoever it might be. could not
see him for the dark. His tongue went
clucking as if he pitied me.
"Who are your remember asking,
but got no answer.
At first was glad; then began TO
feel mighty horror Of him.
In moment he had picked me up
and was making OF. The jolt Of his
step seemed to be breaking my arms at
the shoulder. AS I groaned he ran.
could see nothing in the darkness, but
he went ahead, never stopping, save
for moment now and then to rest.
wondered where he was taking me and
what it all meant. called again, who
are you?" but he seemed not to hear
me- "My GodP' whispered to myself.
"This is no man-this is Death sever1ns
the soul from the body. The voice was
that Of the good God" Then heard q
man hailing near by.
"Help, help" shouted family.
"Where are you?' came the answer
now farther away. Cant see you."
My mysterious bearer was now run
ming. My heels were dragging upon
the ground; my hands were brushing
the grass tops. groaned with pain
Halt! Who comes thereT picket
called.
1t must be giant, I thought, who
can pick me up and carry me as II I
were no bigger than house cat. That
was what I was thinking when I
swooned.
From then till came to myself In
the little church at Centerville remem-
Der nothing. Grooming men lay all
about me; others stood between them
with lanterns. A woman was bending
over me. felt the gentle touch Of her
hand upon my face and heard her speak
to me SO tenderly cannot think Of IL
even now without thanking God for
good women. chung to her hand,
chung with the energy Of one drowning,