The Press., 1913-06-11
Private BanCrOft'S FOray
A STORY FOR MEMORIAL
 DAY
By Captain E. A. rTITcHEL aaaaaaaaaaNaeoeaoaaaaea

By Captain E. A. H1ITCHEL 2
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 One morning In 1863 Jim Bancroft. private in the -th New York volun- teer infantry, was one of long line of pickets In Virginia. It was the month of April, but in that climate the spring was we'll advanced. The pick ! cts stood 100 yards apart, the ground sloping before them, the sun shining on fields of grain of variegated green, just starting from the soil. Here and there was a farmhouse, smoke curling from the chimney. Through the land scape a white turnpike ran southward, but there was no travel on it except here and there a darky driving a mule cart No enemy was in sight, but beyond the slope on ridge edged with timber doubtless men In gray, | which. being realistically interpreted, means butternut, were looking to the ! northward.
 Nevertheless the balmy air, the birds | twittering in the trees, the patches of rising grain and the warm sunshine gave a peaceful hue to the landscape and seemed to invite the picket for a stroll. Moreover, Jim, having had nothing to eat for some time except salt pork and hardtack, an occasional crow or cackles from a barnyard be- low suggested fried chicken and fresh eggs. rs
 "Hi, you man on my right" called Jim, eff you'll cover some of the dis tance between you and the man on my left so that won't be missed I'll make a raid on that barnyard down there and divide the plunder with you and him."
 "All right" replied the man address ed, or rather the boy, for most of those who went out in 1861 were boys. "Im with you, but if you're caught on post you'll get shot for desertion."
 Jim hesitated at this, but he was young, and the young are reckless. Besides, a cackle of hen that had just laid an egg decided him in favor of fresh food against shooting for desertion. He made the proposition to the man on his left. His two flank Ing pickets moved nearer together, and Jim. putting his rifle in the hollow of his arm, started through the long grass and stubble down the declivity.
 The house seemed to be very quiet. But for the smoke emerging from the chimney Jim might have considered that it's occupants had left 1t. He was laying out a course whereby he might circle around under cover and make an assault on the chicken house when a human being appeared on the scene. A girl about seventeen years old came out of a back door and threw the ref use of the mornings meal to the chick ems. She was not dark complexiOned, like most southern girls, but fair, with a rose in each cheek. Her hair was cut square just about her shoulders, and her dress extended no farther than the tops of her boots.
 There was one thing during wartime that had more powerful effect on soldier boy than food delicacies. Aft CT he marched away from home in sight of fluttering handkerchiefs he struck a very different scene. The ceremonies of military life remained. but there was none to admire. He saw men, men, nothing but men, and they were all soldiers. If there were wom- en in the country through which he campaigned they were hostile to him and kept ont of his way. As to look ing on at his dress parades and guard meuntings. they scerned to do so. Therefore the most welcome sight to soldier boy Of the civil war was pret. ty girl.
 Jim had no occasion to be afraid of any one about the place, for there were likely to be only citizens there. and he was armed. At any rate, throwing caution to the winds, he suddenly ap- peared to the girl with one leg over the top rail of a fence inclosing the yard. She saw him and started.
 Morning" said Jim In as soft a voice as he could command.
 The girl bit her lip and put her hand to her breast, signs that she was en- deavoring to control her fright.
 May come down? I'd like to buy a chicken and some eggs," Jim added.
 The request, though 1t came from 8 terrible Yankee with rife, was reas- suring. She plucked up courage.
 "I don't mind." was her shrinking reply.
 Jim swung the other leg over the fence and went down into the barn. yard. The girl tried hard to keep her eyes off him and to keep them on him. the first because she didn't wish to show m interest in him, the second because she had not entirely recovered from her fear of him. Jim never for moment took his eyes away from her, and they were brimfuI of admi- ration. By the time he stood before her and dropped the butt of his rife on the ground sha realized that 1t was she and not the young soldier who was all powerful.
 And what was the predominant Thought that occupied Jim's brain? Not that he might be taken in hy Con fede-a.es. not that if caught of his post h. might be shot by his own comrades, Neither of these considera tions was feathers weight against what possessed him. He looked on that innocent feminine face. those del icately curved lips, and craved a kiss
 There was no more impurity in his desire than in the touch of Cupidss lIpS to those of Psyche. It was ns natural as the mating of the birds singing in the trees above them About the girl was nothing conven- tional. A poor white farmers daugh- ter, she had never been taught the proper steps of eourtship. For her there were no such steps As to the man, he had no need for them. A look was all that was required by either Jim, holding his rife In one hand, with the other clasped her hand. Then man. woman and rife were folded in ln embrace, and Jim kissed her.