The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-31

After this they had toiled on. Henr,
growing stronger and moro manly
overcoming gradually the sorrow caus
cd by his fathers death, but his moth
er's heart seemed buried out In th,
lonely grave on the hillside with he
husband, and, though she gave llenr!
unbounded love, she cared for llttl'
else TIL Mary came and Henry went
Then she talked OF Henry and found II
Mary ready listener. SO tho two be
came fast friends with one hope th'
safe return Of Henry,
The weeks went by, and together
they read the papers telling OF the war
Henry, too, wrote sometimes 10 hli
mother, but more often TO Mary. IIl'
letters told Of the weary waiting ant
the seemingly useless marching ant
countermarching. yet he was always
the same brave, loving Henry, Soon
the war would be over, and Mary
would meet him. and they would SIT by
the rosebnshes again.
In her dreams she saw him. her sol.
dler, her boy In blue" amid the roar
and smoke of battle. "They win the
crest: he takes the flag, he is hero.
The dream changed. and she saw him
allght from the train at the village
station. The neighbors had read OF his
brave deeds in the papers and had
come to cheer him Once more the vi
sion changed. and hand In hand thay
sat by the rosebushes He placed II
rose In her hair and, gently kissing her
cheek, whispered:
MARY, we won't part any more"
And, looking to his well beloved
face TO read The love his voice ex.
pressed, II seemed the face OF Henry.
but old. so old, and his hair so gray.
One day there came news OF Lees
swift advance northward In July.
1863. There would be battle Mary
wrote long letter full OF love and
cheer to Henry But no answer came.
In the papers were rumors OF great
battle being fought. 1t was at Get.
tysburg. Would Lee win? The sus-
pense was awful to millions OF north.
ern people ms they waited with bated
breath for news from the front Lee
retreats This was the report that
came on the fourth day, and the drawn
faces relaxed. Then followed columns
Of KILLED" wounded" missing"
Thousands OF homes were plunged in
gloom, for many husbands name
and many sons name and many a
lovers aame was there.
A neighbours boy brought the papers
that evening. Though he came on
swiftly, Mary couldn't wait, but ran
out TO meet him. Together Mary and
Henry's mother looked down the long
list Of "killed." Not there! Thank
God! Then the list OF wounded"
Not there! Then missing Henry
Maynard
There Is hope" said Mary. But
she sat with the paper tightly clasp
ed All night she sat thus and needed
not the time nor saw the pelghbors
who came to comfort her. As the sun
light stole In the east window they
gently lifted her and placed her on the
bed
After a time she slept and dreamed
Of Henry. He was on the crest Of
hill behind a low bank Of earth. Hun
dreds of men were at bis right and
left. Before him, advancing up the
hill, were thousands Of men with gray
uniforms. Then began the roar Of ar
tilery, and the smoke Of battle rolled
over all. and she saw him no more. Yet,
half waking, half sleeping, she seemed |
10 hear him say, as on that day OF
parting: "Watch for me! I'll come
back to you"
Then began the years OF waiting
weary years. In the afternoon when