"Start the band to playing the 'Dead March in
Saul,'" thought I, "because this is the beginning of a funeral
procession in which I am to play the leading part." I walked as slowly
as I could and not appear lagging, but I arrived at my crematory all too
soon. I rapped on the door and in tones that made me shiver was bidden
by the old man to come in. The colonel was standing in the middle of
his parlor, wrapped in a gaudy dressing gown, and in his hand he held my
mangled bulletin. Right at that minute I wished I had never heard a
telegraph instrument click.
"Corporal," said the colonel, "what time did you receive this bulletin?"
"About six-fifteen, sir, immediately after reveille," I replied with a
face as expressionless as a mummy's.
"Why did you not bring it to me direct as you have heretofore done?"
"Well, sir, I didn't think you were awake yet, and I did not want to
disturb you."
"Have you any later news, corporal?"
"No sir, none, but I haven't been back to the office since, sir." Gee!
but that room was becoming warm!
"Are you certain as to the truth of this awful report?"
"It is probably as authentic as a great many stories that are started
during times like these--that is all I know of it, sir.
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