More Than a Uniform

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Silence reigned. Emily's heart pounded as she realized that the horrific sounds of battle had finally given way to the bittersweet morning stillness. The night before had been a nightmare. She had huddled in her cellar clutching a picture of her husband and three sons. She had remembered their tearful farewells two years ago when all four left to fight for the Confederacy. Now it was morning and the sounds of fighting had ceased sometime during her restless night.
Emily rose from her cramped position and ascended the narrow staircase as her curiosity tugged at her heart. She cautiously peered out the kitchen window half frightened at what she might find. Emily burst into tears as she saw blue and gray soldiers alike strewn all around her once lovely town. All kinds of thoughts ran through her mind. “Are my husband or sons laying some where … DEAD? Will life ever go back to normal?” Next, Emily's mind went to all the soldiers outside her house. “I must do do something to help those who still have a little chance of survival, but should I help my enemies? Yes, I must! I would want others to help my family.”
Emily slowly opened her front door and stepped out on the front porch. There on the steps lay a soldier dressed in blue. “Well, I guess he will be my first recipient. Here it goes.”
Emily pulled together all the courage she could.
“Hello, Sir! I am here to help ya. Here take a drink.” The man groaned as he took a tiny sip and lapped back into unconsciousness.
Emily quickly rose. She took off down the street dodging bodies as she went. Some of them where groaning; others laid perfectly still. It was all that she could do to keep from weeping. Emily finally arrived at the towns square where she hoped to find her friend Sar...

... middle of paper ...

...uted back quite startled. When Sarah finally gained her composer, she looked at Emily with shame and sorrow written all over her face.
“Emily,” she said, “I have been wrong. From now on I will help ya with all the soldiers. This is my son who I have not seen for seven years. I was wrong and I am so sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Emily did not know what to think. “Your forgiven, Sarah! Now lets get to work. There is no time to waste.”
Emily and Sarah together took care of Sarah's son's leg. After they got him to Sarah's home, they went over to Emily's house and took care of all those that Emily had taken in. Then as the sunset sent pink and purple across the sky, Emily and Sarah brought some soldiers into Sarah's home. Up until now she refused to let any soldiers to be kept there, but on this night there were blue and gray uniformed men sleeping throughout her home.

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