Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-06-24

L
"Strange tales reached us in thetrenches.
Rumors raced up and down that 3O-mlle
line from Switzerland to the sea. We
knew neither the source OF them nor the
truth of them. They came quickly, and
they went quickly, yet somehow | re-
member the very hour when George Ca
sey turned to me with queer look in his
blue eyes, and asked if had seen the
Friend OF the Wounded.
"And then he told ME all he knew.
After many hot engagement man in
white had been seen bending over the
wounded. Snipers sniped athim. Shells
fell all around, nothing had power TO touch
him. He was either heroic beyond all
heroes, or he was something greater still.
This mysterious one, whom the French
called the Comrade in White, seemed TO
be everywhere at once AT Nancy, in the
Argonne, at Scissors and YpreS, every
where men were talking him with hush
| ed voices.
"But some laughed and said the trenches
were telling on mems nerves. |, who
was often reckless enough in my talk, ex-
claimed that for me seeing was believing,
and that didn't expect any help but a
German knife if was found lying out
there wouned.
at was the next day that things got
lively on this bit of the front. Our big
guns roared from sunrise TO sunset, and
began again in the morning. AT noon
we got word to take the trenches in front
OF us. They were 200 yards away, and
We weren't well started till we knew that
the big guns had failed in their work OF
preparation. II needed stout heart to
90 on, but not man wavered. We had
advanced $50 yards when we found it was
no good. Our captain called to us to take
cover, and just then was shot through
both legs.
"By Gods mercy | fell into hole OF
some sort. suppose tainted, for when
opened my eyes | was all alone. The
pain was horrible, but didn't dare 10
move lest the Germans should see me,
for they were only fifty yards away, and
did not expect mercy. ! was glad when
the twilight came. There were men in
my own company who would run any
risk in the darkness if they thought a
cor,roda uoc cfiII alive
"The night fell, and soon | heard step,
not stealtly as expected, but quiet and
firm, as il neither darkness nor death
could check those untroubled feet. so
little did guess what was coming that,
even when saw the gleam OF white in
the darkness, ! thought il was peasant
in white smock, or perhaps woman
deranged Suddenly, with little shiver,
OF Joy or of fear, | don't know which,
guessed that il was the Comrade in White.
And at that very moment the German
rifles began to shoot.
"The bullets could scarcely miss such
target, for he flung out his arms as
though an entreaty, and then drew them
back till he stood like one of those way
side crosses that we saw so often as we
marched through France. And he spoke.
The words sounded familiar, but all re-
member was the beginning 'lfthou hadst
KNOWN and the ending, but they are
hid from thine eyes, And then he stop
ped and gathered me into his arms-me
the biggest man in the regiment-and car
ried me as if had been child.
81 must have tainted again, for woke
TO conciousness in little cave by stream,
and the Comrade in White was washing
my wounds and binding them up. 1t
seems foolish to say it, for | was in terri
BILE pain, but was happier at that mo-
ment than ever remember to have been
in all my life before. | can't explain it,
but it seemed as if all my days had been
waiting for this without knowing it. AS
long as that hand touched me and those
eyes pitied me did not seem TO care
about sickness or health, about life or
death. And while he swiftly removed
every trace of blood and mire felt as if
my whole nature were being washed, as
if all the CRIME and soil of sin were going,
and as if were once more little child.
al suppose slept, for when ! awoke
this feeling was gone. was man and
! wanted to know what could do for my
friend to help him or TO serve him. He
was looking towards the stream and his
hands clasped in prayer; and then saw
that he too had been wounded. could
see as it were a shot wound in his hand,
and as he prayed drop OF blood gathered
and fell to the ground. cried out. |
could not help it, for that wound of his
seemed 10 me more awful thing than
any that bitter war had shown me.
"'You are wounded too, said family.
Perhaps he heard me, perhaps it was
the look on my face, but he answered
gently. This is an old wound, but it has
troubled me of late And then noticed
sorrowfully that the same cruel mark was
on his feet. You will wonder that did
not know sooner. wonder myself.
But it was only when saw his feet that
knew him.
"'The Living Chrit'-l had heard the
chaplain say if few weeks before, but
now knew that He had come to me-to
me who had put Him out of my life in the
not fever or my youth. | was longing 10
speak and 10 thank Him, but no words
come. And then he rose swiftly, and
said, Lie here TO day by the water. will
come for you tomorrow. have worked
for you to do, and you will do it for me-
"ln moment he was gone. And while
wait for him ! write this down that
1 I Eaa