Part 11 (2/2)

”Major, your men?”

”Are soldiers, General.” ”Then, Charge, Major! Do your best: Hold the enemy back, at all cost, Till my guns are placed;--else the army is lost.

You die to save the rest!”

By the shrouded gleam of the western skies, Brave Keenan looked in Pleasonton's eyes For an instant,--clear, and cool, and still; Then, with a smile, he said: ”I will.”

”Cavalry, charge!” Not a man of them shrank.

Their sharp, full cheer, from rank on rank, Rose joyously, with a willing breath, Rose like a greeting hail to death.

Then forward they sprang, and spurred and clashed; Shouted the officers, crimson-sashed; Rode well the men, each brave as his fellow, In their faded coats of the blue and yellow; And above in the air with an instinct true, Like a bird of war their pennon flew.

With clank of scabbards and thunder of steeds, And blades that s.h.i.+ne like sunlit reeds, And strong brown faces bravely pale For fear their proud attempt shall fail, Three hundred Pennsylvanians close On twice ten thousand gallant foes.

Line after line the troopers came To the edge of the wood that was ringed with flame; Rode in and sabered and shot--and fell; Nor came one back his wounds to tell.

And full in the midst rose Keenan, tall In the gloom, like a martyr awaiting his fall, While the circle-stroke of his saber, swung Round his head like a halo there, luminous hung.

Line after line, ay, whole platoons, Struck dead in their saddles, of brave dragoons By the maddened horses were onward borne And into the vortex flung, trampled and torn; As Keenan fought with his men, side by side.

So they rode, till there were no more to ride.

But over them, lying there, shattered and mute, What deep echo rolls?--'Tis a death-salute From the cannon in place; for heroes, you braved Your fate not in vain: the army was saved!

Over them now,--year following year, Over their graves the pine-cones fall, And the whip-poor-will chants his spectre-call; But they stir not again; they raise no cheer: They have ceased. But their glory shall never cease, Nor their light be quenched in the light of peace.

The rush of their charge is resounding still That saved the army at Chancellorsville.

USEFUL PRECEPTS FOR GIRLS.

First catch your lover.

Hold him when you have him.

Don't let go of him to catch every new one that comes along.

Try to get very well acquainted with him before you take him for life.

Unless you intend to support him, find out whether he earns enough to support you.

Don't make up your mind he is an angel. Don't palm yourself off on him for one either.

Don't let him spend his salary on you; that right should be reserved until after marriage.

If you have any conscientious scruples about marrying a man with a mother, say so in time that he may either get rid of her to oblige you, or get rid of you to oblige her, as he thinks best.

If you object to secret societies and tobacco, it is better to come with your objections now than to reserve them for curtain lectures hereafter.

If your adorer happens to fancy a certain shade of hair, don't color bleach yours to oblige him. Remember your hair belongs to you and he doesn't.

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