The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-05-25

who, l am sure, has no more than myself
forgotten the scene to which l refer.
The women had gathered round the
flag-sergeant, who held the lots in his cap
Ten of them marked 4" To go'-and all
the others containing the fatal words " 10
remain" Ii was moment OF dreadful
suspense; and never have seen the ex-
treme of anxiety so powerfully depicted IN
the countenances of human beings as IN the
features Of each of the soldiers wives who
composed that group. One advanced, and
drew her ticket; il was against her, and
she retreated sobbing. Another; she sue
ceeded, and, giving loud huzza, ran off
to the distant ranks to embrace her hus-
band. A third came forward with besita-
ting step; tears were already chasing each
other down her cheeks, end there was an
unnatural paleness on her interesting and
youthful countenance. She put her small
hand into the sergeant's cap and saw, by
the rise and fall of her bosom, even more
than her looks revealed. She unrolled the
paper, looked upon it, and, with deep
groan, fell back, and tainted. So intense
was the anxiety of every person present,
that she remained unnoticed until all the
tickets had been drawn and the greater
! number of the women had left the spot.
then looked round, and beheld her suppor-
ted by her husband, who was kneeling
upon the ground, gazing upon her face,
and drying her fast-falling tears with his
coarse handkerchief, and now and then pres
sing it to his own manly check.
Captain Loder advanced towards them
Ia Ln
i" that fate has been against ycu but bear
up, and be stouthearted."
81 am so, captain" said the soldier, as
he looked up, and passed his rough hand
across his face "but It's a hard thing to
part from wife, and she so soon to be IA
mother"
"Ob, captain" sobbed the young woman
Gas you are but husband and a father,
do not take him from me have no friend
in the wide world but one, and you will let
him bide with me Oh, take me with him
take me with him-for the love of God,
take me with him, captain !" She fell on
her knees, laid hold of the officers sash,
clasped it firmly between her hands, and
looked up in his face, exclaiming, "Oh,
leave me my only hope, at least till God
has given me another!" and repeated, in
heart.rending accents, "Oh take me with
him take me with him ~
The gallant officer was himself in tears.
He knew that it was impossible to grant the
poor wife's petition without creating much
discomfort in his company and he gazed
upon them with that feeling with which n
good man always regards the suflerings be
oil . pprt
young soldier stepped forward, and stood
before the captain with his hand to his cap,
"And what do you want, my good fel-
low 7" said the officer.
"My names John Carly, please yer
honor; and l belong to the second bat
TALON"
Sand what do you want here %
Only, yer honor" said Carly, scratch
ing his head, {" that poor man and his wife
there are sorrow-hearted at parting, Pm
thinking"
"Well, and what then 7"
Why, yer honor, they say Pm likely
your honor would only let that poor fellow
take my place in Captain Bonds company
and let me take his place in yours, why,
yer honor would make two poor things hap
py, and save the life of one of them, Pm
thinking.
Captain Loder considered for few min
utes, and directing the young lrishman to
remain where he was, proceeded to his
brother officers quarters. He soon made
arrangements for the exchange of the SOL
diers, and returned to the place where he
had left them.
"Wcll, John Carly" said he, "you 90
to Bengat with me T; and you, Henry Jen-
kins, remain at home with your wife"
Thank yer HONOR" said John Carly,
again touching his cap rs he walked off.
Henry jenkins and his wife both rose
from the ground, and rushed into each 9TH
cr's arms. "God bless you, captain "
sand the soldier as he pressed his wife closer
to his bosom. "Oh, bless him forever ~
said the wife "bless him with prosperity
and a happy heart bless his wife, and
bless his children !"---and she again tainted.
The officer, wping tear from his eye,
and exclaiming, May you never want a
friend when am far from you--you, my
good lad, and your amiable and loving
wife " passed on TO his company, while the