Lost Cause by J.R. Ayers Read Free Book Online Page A

priest
said.
    “Sure there is. We kill more of them than
they kill of us and they give up. We win and the war ends.” The
priest shook his head.
    “War is not won by one side defeating the
other. What if the Confederacy won every battle from here on out?
What if Lincoln surrenders tomorrow? Do you think that would stop
the conflict? I say it would not. A new nation would be formed, the
Confederate States of America, and then the government in Richmond
needs money for reconstruction and they raise taxes on cotton and
tobacco and maybe even lobby to tax slave ownership, and before you
know it there’s another rebellion followed by succession. No Jack,
conflict between nations will never end. Not as long as men are
given over to their carnal natures.”
    “You’re some kind of philosopher aren’t you,
Padre?”
    “I read history. Everybody hates this war,
Jack. But not enough to come together and work out their
differences. Greed, that’s the culprit in this war, just like all
wars. Everyone wants something the other has. The north wants cheap
cotton and higher taxes, the south wants autonomy and freedom to
own slaves. The slave issue wouldn’t be an issue at all if the
north wasn’t as industrialized as it is. Anyone who thinks the
northern states wouldn’t gladly support slavery if their economy
depended on cotton and tobacco production is greatly mistaken.”
    “Yep, the rich politicians start the wars and
the peasants like me fight it for them,” Jack said.
    “That’s always been the case, Jack. But why
speak of it so long? This conflict will run its course and then
there will the Indians to fight and then maybe the Spanish. It
never ends. The Devil will see to that.”
    “Well, all I know is I’m tired of it all,”
Jack said.
    The priest uncapped the flask and took a sip.
“Sure you won’t join me?”
    “Why not, I have a bucket handy.”
    They drank brandy and talked about the
causalities and Jack asked about the outcome and the priest said
the regiment had lost forty-one men, twelve killed, twenty-nine
wounded. “Including you Corporal Saylor.”
    “Did the yanks make it across the hills?”
    “Apparently not. It seems it was a
stalemate.”
    “But we took some prisoners. That counts for
something.”
    “We’ll just have to feed them. Rations are
tight as it is.”
    “Yeah, but they won’t be shooting at us
anymore.”
    “Point taken. Are you suffering much, Jack?
How’s your head?”
    “It hurts.”
    “Have some more brandy. Then I’ll leave you
alone to mend.”
    “Have you seen Miss Hayes in your travels,
Padre?”
    “Why yes. She’s a very busy girl.”
    “Tell her I asked about her,” Jack said.
“Tell her I love her.”
    “Love?” the priest said. “That thing you feel
for her is only passion and lust. When you love a woman you want
more from her than just sex.”
    “Guess I don’t know how to love.”
    “You will. Someday. I know you will. Then you
will be truly content.”
    “I’m content enough now I guess.”
    “That’s something you can’t identify unless
you actually experience it.”
    “Well, if I ever stumble across it, you’ll be
the first to know.”
    “Good.”
    “So if I ever really love a woman I’ll be all
content and happy?”
    “I don’t know about that. I’ve never loved a
woman.”
    “What about your mother?”
    “Mothers and sisters don’t count, Jack.”
    He stood to his feet and capped the brandy
flask. “I have to go. Lot’s of wounded to call on.”
    “Thank you for the brandy. And the
conversation,” Jack said.
    “I’ll say prayers for you at evening
Mass.”
    “Good. I certainly need them.”

Chapter 9
     
     
    Marie Hayes arrived a short time later with
clean water, fresh bandages, and a warm smile. “You’re burning up,”
she said touching Jack’s forehand with the back of her hand. “I’d
go crazy lying around in heat like this.”
    “You’re already crazy.”
    “I can leave you know. There are plenty of
sick