Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1908-05-30
FROsrBURG, MD. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1908
! REPORTED MISSING AFTER GETTYSBURG
A eVar Story Of tVafcbin5
| q ~ and SOaifing u
| BY L. S. MILLS Copyright l.

ed by ms latller 5 death. But ms moth
erS heart seemed buried out in the
lonely grave on the hillside with her
husband, and, though she gave Henry
unboundcd love, she cared for little
else till Mary came ANA Henry went,
Then she talked of Henry and found in
Mary Il ready listener so the two be
came fast friends with one hope the
safe return Of Henry.
The weeks went by, and together
they read the papers telling of the war.
Henry, too, wrote sometimes to his
mother, but more often to Mary. His
letters told of the weary waiting and
the seemingly useless marching and
countcrmarchng, 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 roScbuShcS again.
In her dreams she saw him. her sol
dier, her boy in blue" amid the roar
and smoke of battle. "They win the
crest; he takes the flag; he is Il hero"
The dream changed, and she saw him
alight 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 they
sat by the roscbuShcs. He placed a
check, whispered;
MARY, we went part any more"
And, looking to his we'll beloved
face to read The love his voice eX-
pressed, it seemed the face Of Henry,
but old, so o.d. and his hair so gray.
One day there came news of Lees
swift advance nOrthWard in July,
1868. There would be Il battle. Mary
wrote a long letter full of love and
cheer to Henry. But no answer came.
In the papers were rumorS of a great
battle being fought. 1t was at Get
tySburg. Would Lee win? The SuS-
pcnSe was awful to millions of north
ern people as they waited with batcd
breath for news from the front. Lee
rctrcatS!' This was the report that
came on the fourth day, and the drawn
faces relaxed. Then followed columns
of "kilIcd." "woundcI," "missing."
Thousands of homes were plunged in
gloom. for many Il husbands name
and many sons name and many
lovers name was there.
a ncighbor's boy brought the papers
that evening. Though he came on
swiftly, Mary couldn't wait, but ran
out to meet him. Together Mary and
Uenry's mother looked down the long
list of "kIivd." 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 nciGhborS
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 ana dreamed
of Henry. He was on the crest of Il
hill behind Il low bank of earth Hun
dredS of men were at his right and
left. Before him, advancing up the
hill, were thousands of men with gray
uniforms. Then began the roar of ar
tilIcry, and the smoke of battle rolled
over all, and she saw him no more. Yet,
half waking, half sleeping, she seemed
to hear him say, as on that day of
parting: "Watch for me! I'll come
back to YOU
Then began the years of waitin%-
weary wears In the afternoon Whrl