Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-04-29

Who can fathom the despair OF the
broken-hearted woman, as she gazeo
upon that lonely grave? A widow,
penniless, friendless!
With rough sympathy, the leader OF
the party informed her of his chiefs
commands to escort her in safety
wherever she wished to go. She shook
her head drearily.
Il have nowhere to go. am o.
Northern woman. No one would take
me in"
Perhaps" suggested the soldier.
you had better come to the camp and
talk to the General"
Acquiescing with the Indifference OF
despair, the woman n her boy rode
off with the men, and were shortly in
the Generals tent. Here, yielding to
the kind questioning of the chief, she
disclosed her sad story.
She was a Pennsylvania by BIRTH
wooed and won by the Virginia farmer
eight years before. All went well I'M
ii! the rebellion broke out. He never
believed in secession" she said, but
when his State went he could not hold
back. He said last night it was bad
to fight against the old flag. Father
and mother are old and poor, but /
know they'd be glad to lave the child
and 'me, If we could only get to lem"
The Generals eyes frightened.
Give me their address, said he>
and l will see that you reach them
safely"
Entering an inner apartment of the
tent he returned in a moment with a
sealed nnyp1ona uyh inh ba n1ona1 i'm
her hand, charging her not to open it
until she reached her destination
Shaking her hand, he turned hastily
away to escape her expressions of graf
itude.
The widow and her child, amply sup
piled with food, started Immediately
on their journey northward, guarded
by a strong detachment of soldiers.
who accompanied them beyond the
lines, and placed them upon the cars
which would convey them to their
journeys end.
Here, tenderly cared for by her par
ents, Mrs. Hunter lay for weeks in the
delirium of fever. At length, however.
reason was restored, and resignation
and thankfulness for mercies remain
ing too the place of rebellious de-
spair.
AS Don as her strength permitted
she recounted to her s~ympathizing "
ents the sorrows that had befallen her
and the kindness she had received
from those whom she had considered
her enemies.
Where is the envelope, mother, that
the General who was so good to us
gave me?"
The mother brought the little pack
age which she had found secured in
her daughters dress, when h fell
~half-fainting at the door, and at the
request of the invalid opened it.
A slip of paper in which were folded
two bank notes, who's amount to the
eyes of aftluence might seem insignifi-
cant, to the impoverished widow beto-
kened food and clothing for many q
day. Inscribed or the paper (Which
has been carefully preserved) was
For Robby Hunter, one of the orphans
of this cruel war. Pray for peace"
No signature was attached. But tho
recording angel wrote the name on his
book in letters of light, and He who
said, "Inasmuch as we la lone it
unto one of the least of these, We have
done it unto me-" will also say, well
done, good and faithful servant: enter
thou into thy reward" Modest and
tender, brave and merciful, concealing
his good deeds beneath the mantle OF
silence, when will the world find an
other like him, our own Grant?
The gallant old soldier has confront
ed his last foe-Death. But, though.
the Great Conqueror" has seized alt
that is mortal of the hero, the immor-
tai soul hat shone from the steadfast
eyes is beyond Deaths power to grasp
Oh, may the prayers of the helpless
and suffering whom he has befriended
have assembled as holy incense to the
great white throne" lifting the shad-
ows of the dark valley through which
the nations beloved hero. weary with
earthly suffering, passed with unfalter-
ing feet, looking forward to the land
of Beulah-beyond.