The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-03-07

''IN'N
where the sun pointed the way with
streams Of fire. was to take up life
anew. Life! What was there left TO
me in that word? A deserted. despoil-
ed farm alone awaited my coming;
hardly a remembered iace, scarcely a
future hope. The glitter OF a passing
troop of cavalry drew my mind for an
instant to Edith Brennan, but |
crushed the thought Even were she
free, what had now to place at her
proud feet,-I. a penniless, defeated,
homeless man? At a crossroads a
Federal picket halted me, nd ! arous-
ed sufficiently to hanl him the paper
which entitled me to safe passage
through the lines He handed me
back the paper and motioned me 10
pass on. had gone hundred yards
or more when | became aware that
he was calling after me.
Hey, there, you gray.back!" he
shouted, hold on a bit!"
AS | came to pause and glanced
back, wondering If there could be any
thing wrong with my parole. he swung
his cap and pointed.
THAT officer coming yonder wants
to speak with you"
Across the open field at my right,
hidden until then by a slight rise OF
ground, a mounted cavalryman was
riding rapidly toward me. For the
moment his lowered head prevented
recognition, but as he cleared the
ditch and came up smiling, | saw IL
was Cation.
by Jove, Wayne, but this is
lucky!" he exclaimed, springing to
the ground beside me. i've actually
been praying for a week past that
might see you. Holmes, Of your sery.
ice, told me you had pulled through
but everything is in such confusion
that to hunt for you would have been
the proverbial quest after needle
in baystack. You have been
paroled them"
Yes, I'm completely out Of II at
last" | answered, feeling to the full
the deep sympathy expressed by his
face. 1T was bitter pill, but one
which had to be taken"
Il know il. old fellow" and his
hand-grasp on mine frightened warm
ly. IF you have been beaten there
is no disgrace in II, for no other ma
tlon In this world could ever have
accomplished It, Rnt this was a case
of Greek meeting Greek, and we had
the money, the resources, and the
men. But, Wayne, tell you, dc
not believe there is today spark OF
bitterness in the heart of a fighting
Federal soldier"
II know, Cation" | said-and the
words came hard--"your fighting mer
respect us, even as we do them. II
has been a sheer game Of which could
stand the most punishment, and tho
weaker had to go down. | know IL
that, but, nevertheless, it is terrible
ending to so much Of hope. suffering
and sacrifice"
Yes" he admitted soberly, "yol
have given your all. But those whC
survive have wonderful work be
fore them They must lay anew thu
foundations; they are to be the re
builders OF states. You were soini
home"
smiled bitterly at this designation
OF my journeys end.
Yes, II you can so name a few
weed-grown fields and a vacant negr,
cabin. / certainly shall have to la,
the foundation anew most literally"
"Will you not let me aid you?" h
questioned eagerly. II possess som
means. and surely our friendship /
sufficiently established to warrant m
In making the offer. You will not r.
fuse?"
II mNt." answered firmly. Eye
do not value the offer the lesl
Sometime I may even remind you Q
II. but now prefer to dig. az tn