We brimmed her tiny apron o'er; you should have heard her laugh, As each man from his scanty store, shook out a generous half. To kiss the little mouth, stooped down a score of grimy men, Until the sergeant's husky voice said, “Tention, squad!"-and then, We gave her escort, till good-night the pretty waif we bid, And watched her toddle out of sight-or else 'twas tears that hid Her tiny form-nor turned about a man, nor spoke a word Till after a while, afar, hoarse shout upon the wind we heard! We sent it back, and cast sad eyes upon the scene around; A baby's hand had touched the ties that brothers once had bound. That's all- save when the dawn awoke again, the work of hell, And through the sullen clouds of smoke the screaming missiles fell; Our general often rubbed his glass, and marveled much to see Not a single shell that whole day fell in the camp of Battery B. F. H. GASSAWAY. Spell and pronounce:— grimy, tiny, sullen, hoarse, scanty, apron, gunners, salute, lisped, prancing, and brimmed. |