Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-06-15
THE YOUNG SOLDIERS STORY.


sGenerally speaking,' began the youth, sstor-
les have what is called moral to them; and if
you don't know what that means 1 shall not
stop to,tell you
sltmatters very little who or what am' con-
timed he. Il have lain in silk and purple, and
grew up as one born to command. 1 went to
college, and very likely you think was a wild,
harum-scarum devil of fellow--boasting, dri-
wing, hunting, cultivating wine, cards, and so
on. Well, if you think so, you are mistaken
was quiet, studious young man, might add
moral; and it would have been perfectly true
loved books, study, and peace, was a good
scholar, liked the arts, and was a quiet infant
But still had fiery devil in me.
Il fell in love with little doll of girl about
my own age, and for whom would have taken
my heart out of my bosom. 1 could have put
her in my breast to shelter her as one would
little bird and she loved me with such strength
of faith, that had l been Don Juan himself,
there was such lavish trust, that would have
been converted from debauchee into an hon
est man.
sShe is still now as frozen rill-slceping
like the streams of Winter-she will mover wake
againi
s1es, she was lovely little trusting flower,
the daughter of a worthy tradesman, who loved
her as the apple Of his eyei but she was worthy
of a throne, and would have given her one if
could. She is poor now, and so am l..
sOur dream of love was delicious, but very
brief. She eloped with mc-she became my
wife.
my parents heard that had eloped with the
child of tradesman, and threatened the poor
old fellow with ruin and annihilation. 1t
would not have taken much to have broken his
heart, for it was half gone already; but what
was done could not be undone and thought
my father and mother loved me too well TO
thwart me, and that had only to bring her
home to give her another father and mother,
who would love her like her own.
Il meant to have put her back into has bosom,
and said, 'embrace your daughter, but also en-
brace my wife, and you can love her still.' but
that day never came. 1 believed, however.
very firmly in it, and was happy, living in
little Eden of my own, far from the turmoil of
life, and expecting then my little baby hourly.
my parents prevented this. Yes, they him
dered all. We lived in Wales at the period,
and when my baby was born, and she put it in
my bosom, and laid her own sweet little head
beside it, II prayed for her, for both, and low
ed them more and more. Then made up my
mind to return to my fathers home.
sOne day went to my little home, after walk
ing, and l found her gone, both gone! Then
the sleeping devil within me woke up. learn
ed from the people of the house, that stern
man, and proud, pale woman, richly dressed,
drove up in splendid chariot, drawn by four
horses, and carried of-robbed me of my wife
and child. This man-this woman, were my
parents. I travelled night and day, and arriv-
cd al their home in town.
demanded my wife; they called her de-
signing, cunning girl; and they said something
worse of her than could bear, and siIenced
them, and made them turn pale and trembie
/ demanded my child. They denied any
knowledge of either. L cursed both, and left
the house never to return to it again.
need not tell by what means | traced my
Alice through stages of wretchedness and pen
ury, till found both mother and child dying
on a mean pallet in parish work-house.
Il could have called curses from heaven and |
and fires from hell to ayenge this objectionable
what had this pale and tender dove
done to win such an injury? But, when saw
her pale, thin cheeks, and heard her moaning,
and saw her wasted babe on the half starved
breast ofthe woman adored, stillcd my soul; |
shed no tears; heard her utter cry of Joy
and pain, and then the thin helpless hand wand
cred over my head, as l laid it kneeling by her
side in that horrible hole, upon her breast be-
side my child.
sTo lose a parent, to lose a mother one loves
to lose friend one is devoted to--to lose |
dog that has been your companion for long
years, is all painful ;.what was it to this? Was
it for this had sought her 2 Was it thus my
parents had shown their love? Was ii to see
her die that had moved tho heavens and the |
earth to discover her?
sTakemy head in your arms, my dear George |
she said family. sTake my child in your arms |
100. Kiss -me-kiss the baby. You love us. |
10 you nota God bless you! God protect You. |
Do not separate us. Do not forget us. / have |
born much--but loved you so dearly; and | |
orgive every one, as / hope TO be forgiven
The rough soldiers turned away, and one or |
wo wiped their eyes.
Little Alice 1 said, are you going without |
ne 2
Il am only going before you,' she said and |
cit that she was speaking the truth. Il am |