Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-08-24
mislfllnnecus.
TEE soLDrEa's BOY.

There are thousand little incidents Of domestic af
hiciou concerned with the present Mexican war; that
will never be recorded BY The pen Of the historian,
even woven into the fabric Of the legendary writer,
who shall attempt 10 portray some OF the mlnuter lin
tcments ID story or in song. Yet such in very
truth part OF lis history and though future times
may never read their record, YET are they written as
with pen Of iron the hearts OF the widow and the
orphan. In every shout OF triumph that has walked
the echoes OF our whole broad Union, the news of
each successive battle won has come 10 our ears on
the Southern breeze, wall OF sorrow has mingled
mournluiy with It's rejoicIngs rising from the lone
w heariast0nes OF the widow and the latheress Poor
solace 10 them, that the husband and the father had
died soldiers death, IN the foremost rank, with his
back to the field and his Zee, 10 the ioe Poor soaee
even though the glorious banner OF the and stripes
had been his winding sheet and shroud. for 10 such
torn and bleeding hearts the paans Of glory have 90
music; such hearts the wreahs Of fame. however
laurted fade and wllher into Dothagness, or become
but the gloomy decorations fdespaif.
Last May as | wandering through the pleasant
county or Oaendaga, New YORK stopped al litc
tavern IN the good old farming town Of Calnillus, 10
enquire Of q qnandom college friend 10 whose fate
fell some interest. Before the house a half dozen
boys were playing game of ball--the boys delight
in The merry sptng time all the world over. As ga
zed upon them saw a broad built boy whose &C
cents had already discovered smacked strongly OF
The "Hater Land') in the excitement If the game.
strike delicate y0ungster not half his size IN mo
menl the embryo Duchnian lay spFawing IN the dust
with that light form standing over Dim. with elench-
ed fist and flashing eye, AZ length The boy arose
from the ground and skulked OIL The game was bro-
ken up, and the Young conquefcf-e2tRe up TO The
porch in which was sitting ----~
nv hat IS your name, my boy Z" SAID /.
1 Joseph S-.o
DO you like to fight Joseph7"
''Yes, when teilow strikes me, Edo. My father
is soldier and he WON'T stand fellows striking am
more Than wonldn
! AIS yonr father with the army, Joseph!"
"Yes down IN Mexico--bUt hel be home mex,
Spring, when they get through fighting.
Joseph was fine looking, intelligent boy Of ten--
ifull OF life and anirnaton--wH calm 'resoate look
ia his clear gray eve thai did indeed give evidence Of
soldiers blood burning in his veins. conversed
with him for some time, when he left me with glad
leap and the cry There's my noter--ge0d byesir.V
He joined lady on the opposite side Of the street
aud both vanished into elegant house near by.
Six months have passed since them and that brighi,
eyed boy was forgotten the apse o. time and every
day incidents, rather his memory slnmbered with a
thousand other memories, which only some strong.
connecting link OF ASSOCIATION can again call up 10 vi
/ yid remembrance leSteftay as was peruslnn the
news of Mexico noticed among lie names Of the gal
lant Amen lean officers whose life blood was poured
out before the walls Of Mexico, the name Of Capt f.
X s., Of Camlius, N Y As | read the reci-
tai OF his chvalrons bearing amid the rain of balls and
the storm OF swords and Of bis gallant death in the
foremost Of the batte, then-there came up in the
memory that ood'eyed boy the village play ground
oil that quiet hale town. Yet he caiAe not to eye of
memory wuh thai erect carriage and that clear eye
which were his the conqueror of the playground.
All no. his form was bowed with grief, and bis bright
eye was dmmed wlih tears. His father "was 10 re-
turn IN the Spring time, when the fighting would
be over" Alas he came 10 the sad Autumn time,
and for bim there is 10 returning Spring. He came
no. with the martial step, and the battle eye but
stretched full length upon the soldiers bier, and
with an eye forever closed. No more for him the bat
lies roar No more the fierce charge, and the clash
of steel on steel And after the lighting is over, no
more for him the quiet home, the fond embrace Of
wife, or the sweet music Of the childrea's voices