PUT IT THROUGH. While one traitor thought remains, Hear our brothers in the field, Steel your swords as their's are steeled, Lock the shop and lock the store, For the Birthrights yet unsold, For the Future yet unrolled, Lest our children point with shame, Who gave up a nation's name, Father Abram, hear us cry, "We can follow, we can die." 153 154 Lead ROLL CALL. your children then, and try Here's a work of God half done, Father Abram, that man thrives 'Tis to you the Trust is given! ROLL CALL. BY N. G. SHEPHERD. YORPORAL Green!" the orderly cried; ROLL CALL. "Cyrus Drew! " then a silence fell, 155 There they stood in the failing light, The fern on the hill-sides were splashed with blood, And down in the corn, where the poppies grew, Wore redder stains than the poppies knew; And crimson-dyed as the river's flood. For the foe had crossed from the other side "Herbert Cline!". At the call there came Two stalwart soldiers into the line, Bearing between them this Herbert Cline, Wounded and bleeding, to answer his name. "Ezra Kerr !"—and a voice answered " Here!" "Hiram Kerr!" but no man replied: 156 "PICCIOLA." They were brothers, these two; the sad wind sighed, And a shudder crept through the corn-field near. "Ephraim Deane ! " then a soldier spoke : "Deane carried our regiment's colors," he said, "When our ensign was shot; I left him dead, Just after the enemy wavered and broke. "Close to the roadside his body lies; I paused a moment and gave him to drink; He murmured his mother's name, I think; And Death came with it and closed his eyes." 'T was a victory—yes: but it cost us dear; "PICCIOLA." T was a sergeant old and gray, IT Well singed and bronzed from siege and pillage, Went tramping in an army's wake, Along the turnpike of the village. "PICCIOLA." For days and nights the winding host Had through the little place been marching, And ever loud the rustics cheered, Till ev'ry throat was hoarse and parching. The squire and farmer, maid and dame, They only saw a gallant show Of heroes stalwart under banners, And in the fierce heroic glow 'T was theirs to yield but wild hosannahs. The sergeant heard the shrill hurrahs, But glancing down beside the road "And how is this?" he gruffly said, A moment pausing to regard her; "Why weepest thou, my little chit? And then she only cried the harder. "And how is this, my little chit?" The sturdy trooper straight repeated, 157 |