The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-07-01
HER

dented by a bullet
Did it save your life, grand
father?" he asked. why have you
never told me about 1t before?"
Grandfather Dan took the locket
and turned it slowly over in his
trembling hand. 1T belonged to
Dave" he said, and then sat silently
gazing at the distant hills. Sonny.
too, was quiet, for Dave had been
grandfather's dearly loved brother
and comrade in arms, whom he
could never talk about without great
sorrow Dave had died in Dams
arms, shot in the very first skirmish
the young soldiers had entered.
60 to my strong-boX," said
grandfather. at length, giving Sonny
key, "and bring to me the pack
age in the lower left hand corner,
Sonny fastened to obey and returned
with tiny packet wrapped In
bit of bunting.
"'Tis Dawes secret" said grand
father, that l am going to tell you'
for the locket will belong to you
some -soon-and you shal!
know about It,"
when Dave was shot, as yol
have often heard, !, beside hi H.
caught him in my arms, and man
aged to drag him to shelter, NJ
though l, too, was hurt, You
know all about It, except that | have
never told you about Her. " Sonny
nodded. Dave was always a favor
ite," continued grandfather, and
when we were marching South, the
boys all used to tease him, but not
knowing Just which one of all the
girls we left behind was Dawes
sweetheart, we used to ask him
about 'Her'-just her-not knowing
any name. We all had farewell
letters, but no one knew about
Dawes.
We'll, when Dave lay dying
his voice broke for moment but
he soon went on-"he smiled at re.
in all his pain. and whispered, Her
picture is in the locket. Take ii
home to her, and tell her that |
always loved her" There was an
other silence, while grandfather
gazed at the locket Sonny dared
not interrupt, but he handed the
little package to grandfather who
carefully opened it. In it were three
old, yellow letters, scarcely legible.
Read them, Sonny" said grand
father, and Sonny read.
My Dear Dave" said the first,
you should not have been so wor-
ried about our parting. | shall be
safe and we'll cared for while YOU
are gone. 1t will be rather dull,
with so many of our young men
away, but | shall pay visit to my
cousin in the city for diversion, and
| shall have a new gown to delight
you when you return to your very
loving Laura"
The second was shorter.
Dear David" 1t said, God be
with you-that is what good-by
means. l know that he will pro-
tect you and bring you safe home
again to me. My prayers are ever
with you. Trustingly yours,
Emily"
There was another letter, not so
carefully written, incorrectly spelled,
and unsigned.
Dear" said the third letter, "ths
love of a girl like me can never be
a blessing-but, now that you are
going away, l will confess. l love
you dearly, David. dearly, and |
want you to be happy. If l could
only make you so-but you have
money and education, and | have
neither. Only a great love for you.
David"
Those were all the letters. Sonny
folded them carefully again and
wrapped them in the fag-the fare
well letters of a soldier.
"They tell so little, and so much,"
said grandfather. Emily was the
daughter of our pastor, sweet and
lovely girl. whom everyone honored.
She died, unmarried, two years after
the war was over. Laura was the
village coquette-the prettiest, most
fascinating little lady imaginable,
but she thought always of herself,
as even that bit Of a letter shows.
The other was the saddest of them
ala poor country girl, to whom
David had been kind and courteous
as he always was to all. Indeed, he
had shown no special attention to
any one of the three. And yet, he
loved one of them"
(Which one?" asked Sonny. ITO
which one did the locket belong?"
The boy tried hard in his own mind
to determine which had won the SOL
dier's heart. The old man shook
his head and said nothing. Grand
father" whispered Sonny, won't
you please tell me which one?"
Grandfather sighed. when found
the locket, hit by a bullet, as you
see, the picture was gone ! have
never known which one was Her, I"
no said.