The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-28
TONY LEROE-A TALE OF THf
C0NFEDER.tCY.

Tony Leroy Ho back Has no the
face to come sneakinB back after all
the trouble is ever?" ~ sneer curlcd
the speakers lips. Ills companion
smiled.
What can you expect Of green
boy, anyhow, Muson?" he asked light
~.
Tho two mon wcrc just inside tho
camp, and after II few more similar
words they passed on. But tho SEN
tincl. who had been unobserved by
them. had heard every word of the
conversation, and as he walked his
lonely beat, no unused bitterly.
so that is why ths$ treat me as
they do" he thought and I am a
green boy"
RMS was Tony Leroy, good hearted
lad who had run away from home TO
join the Second South Carolina Volun-
teers short time before. Now he WAS
ono of the many boys who wore the
gray, A few days after his enlistment
tho Second went forward to Join the
main guard of Lees army. About II
week after going into camp. Tony
was suddenly taken i'll. and procured
"a leave of absence. When he returned,
his reception by the men was very
cool. He knew there had been Il little
skirmishlns, nothing 10 speak of, but
not until he heard the preceding con-
received with his customary grcetlnge.
Ills blood boiled, and when tho guard
came to relieve him he walked of
without u word
The cleur notes of assembly" rang
out quick ana sharp On the still air.
and in response to Its call men In gray
were seen hurrying IN every dircc-
ton for there was going to be light
ing.
Advance" sang the bugle once
more. and tho long, gray ranks moved
forward with the cnissons numbering
along In the rear. They halted at last.
and brcastwOrks wcro thrown UP.
Then the cannon was placed, and the
stars and Bars" let out it's folds to
tho breeze, and men fell in limo and
waited for the coming Zoo They did
not lUve long TO wait log in a short
time the Union ranks came charging
up the slope. Volley upon vollcy was
sent forth and received, aad men on
both sides fell fast. but as soon al
ono OF the boys In gray went down.
another stepped forward to take his
place. and darkness fell upon them.
Bombs were belched forth by tho can
non on each side, which burst In the
air and fell carrying death and de-
struction with Thorn. Toney. who had
been In the rear. now found himself
we'll up in front. and Mason was be-
side him. He had not spoken to
Mason since that night when on picket
duty he had overheard his CONVERSE
ton with II fellow soldier, but now.
in the friendly shelter of the coming
night, with shots flying around them.
Mason came closer.
I'VE haven't been friends lately.
Tony" lie said.
mo" replied Tony.
I'm sorry for what | said" went on
Mason. will you shake hands,"
Their hands met in a warm clasp.
There was IL few moments silence, and
thon Tony said ma husky voice:
Mason. l don't want you TO think
I'm getting frightened or anything
like that. but If anythins should hap
pen TO me--and ii might you know
pointing TO the dead ana dying around
them. won't you go to sec her--by
mother. and let her know how II hap
pened? Il think I've done my duty"
Mason quickly gave his word But
if it should be me" he said-"Oh,
Tony I've got IL wife back in Alabama
and baby. Youll find her, won't
your"
a tear dimmed the Fash of Tonys
rifle ns no bent forward for another
cartridge, and there. with bullets fly
Ing around Thorn and shells bursting
overhead. the two men promised.
battlefield or the day before. The
wounded have been taken away ana
tho dead buried. and tho field Is as It
was before the battle, except for hero
and there pool of blood, q few sover-
ed limbs with bright Jewel glcam
Ing upon The hand OF 'somr. End
countless bits of sheii, spent bullets
and the like.
And what of Tony Leroy? Lying
side by side in long, long trench
he and Mason are sleeping the last
long sleep. from which they shall
wake no more. Their promises are
buried with them. and neither will be
carried out until the loved ones for
whom they Were meant have passed
away and the bugio calls to another
Composed by
HARRY e. CHADWICK.
Care William Chadwick,