The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1908-05-27
MASON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA. WEDNESDAY, MAY 81 1908
| REPORTED MISSING AFTER GETTYSBURG
A u,ar Story OF e1afchfng
~ ~ and eVaifin8 q
BY l.. S. MILLS copvhshtI9 1909 BY l. S. Mile
Of eOafchir1S
SOai1fng -
Copyright. 1909. b, L. s. MIIIoa

cd by his fathers death. But his moth
er's heart seemed buried out In the
lonely grave on the hillside with her
husband. and. though she gave Henry
unbounded love. she cared for little
else till Mary came and Henry went.
Then she talked of Henry and found In
Mary 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
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 rosebushes 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 dag: he Is 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 rosebushes. He placed a,
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. 1t seemed the face OF Henry.
but old. SO old. and his hair so gray.
One day there came news of Lees
swift advance northwGrd In July,
= 10. a ~ hnk Tor
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 win2 The sus-
pense was awful to millions OF north
ern people ms they waited with bated
breath for news from the front. Lee
retreatsW 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 n husbands name
and many n sons name and many
lovers name 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
Hcnry'S mother looked down the long
list OF "killed." Not there! Thank
Godl Then the list of wounded"
Not there! Then "missIng"-Henry
Maynard!
"There is hope" said Mary. But
she sat with the paper tightly clasp.
cd All night she sat thus and needed
not the time nor saw the neighbors
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 time she slept and dreamed
OF Henry. He was on the crest OF
hill behind n 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
tillery. 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 mel Ill come
back to your"
Then began the years OF waiting
weary years. In the afternoon when