Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-04-20

aN'N e'"NehSi1 wv yOhs INt uit lusb OuCG
: again, dearest and best, that you love me
still and most ofany. God bless you-bless
you. Now don't let go my hand. There,
hold it thus, and she nestles il lovingly in
her brothers hand, who sits constantly by
her, thinking all the time it is the ColoncI's.
All he would not hold it more teuderly, or
wet the parched lips, or hand the cooling
draught, or smooth the pillow, and lull her
into gentle slumber than does that noble
brother. Poor Frank, words cannot tell his
anguish. He feels that with Minnie's death,
his all Of Joy will be taken away. He, too,
grows thin and pale as those weary days
slowly waned away.
But of them further we cannot speak now,
only to say that Frank wondered somewhat
at the Colonel's manner which was greatly
altered, but ascrbed it to his deep grief,
thinking if he was so saddened and felt Min
nie's loss would bea crushing blow, what
must it be to him, who was so soon to claim
her as his bride, and loved her with great
than brothers love- He wondered some
what more to see his eye brighten when
Katie came, for she was often at Minnie's
bedside for hours, and to note the apparent
mutual pleasure, the soft low tones and gen
tie words, the frequent walks home together,
all of which, but for Minnies allusion to the
same, and her sad mournful wanderings,
would have passed by unnotced, or thought
to be common civilities. He did not know
that many of those hours Col. Lincoln was,
as he supposed in his room resting, so as to
be able to resume his watch by the sick
couch, were really given to Katie, and that
all those VOWS once fondly breathed to his
own loved sister, were now being plighted
to another. That they were only waiting
for the green earth to cover her, and little
time more to pass by, and then they would
give publicity to this sinful amour. It is
} well he did not, for he could not have
breathed the same atmosphere with SO dia-
} bolical a traitor. No, he would have stain
: ed his hands in blood He would have rid
the earth Of such vile scoundreism, and
, gone forth into the world a doomed and
wretched man. 1t was fearful thing for
poor Frank, that this dark cloud hung over
his pathway. 1t ere long broke in angry,
wild storm, and like the burning lava thrown
from Ktna's deep forge, crazed him, and
crushed from out his heart every bright
l hope, and made him old and gray long ere
his time, and almost TO curse like Lot
o the day wherein he was born
Contrary to all their expectations, after
It some four weeks of weary watching and
: anxious care, a favorable change in the dis.
r ease seemed to take place, and Minnie
9 came slowly back to consciousness, and life
l and hope were on tiptoe, and glad were the
hearts which saw again the promise of a
: return to health, for their idolized child,
l sister and friend OF COL Lincoln and
> 'Hatie's feelings when this glad news reach
r ed them wo forbear to speak. A strong
S thing is this heart Of ours and we ofttimes
= wonder at its different phases, and curious,
intricate workings, and many peculiarities
S 'Iis certain thing that Col. Lincoln really
, and truly loved Minnie and intended to
fulfill all the engagements he had made
d when they were pledged, but that change
}, which come DER the spirit of his dreams
b when he saw the splendidly, beautiful, dash
y ing katie and that deep, seemingly un-
G comfortable attraction which drew them
: both towards each other, and made them
n feel that they were formed only for each
D other, and that they had never met before
!, in this world their souls elect and that
s they must and did lore as none others could
is, we mustacknowledge, inexpicable We
: cannot fathom such wild wanderings; We
+ dare not enter into such labyrinthian ways
}, Perchance some modern Spirituaist,' o.
S 'Free Loverite, might tell us all the aghu.
" and whereforesi So we'll leave it for any
3 dissolving view they may satisfactorily pre-
t. sent.
A few days otter Minnie began conva
9, losing, she had been helped up and wa,
!, sitting in the big chair ali nicely supported
o by pillows, invalid fashion, when Frank
l. whom she had sent out little time before
o for walk in the fresh air, because she
n said, 'he looked as i'll as she,' came in, anc
/ seating himself beside her, took one of those
Is slender little hands, 'wnite as snow, anC
o looking pleasantly into that sad, pale face
h told her 'how glad he was to see her W
r once more and getting so much better, anC
S, by the way sis don't you know I've beer
l. wondering that your Col.' does not com,
y over. l wrote han some days since hov
much you was improving. Why, Minnie,
what ails you9 Are you feeling worse p
Why you arc faint amt you3 Let me Civ,
lr you some wine; here and she seems s,
n far gone, that in his fright he spills half th
Is contents ofthe camphor or cologne all int
al her face and eyes, and nearly strangles he
'r to death, succeeds in bringing her to again
and at length sits down and commences hi
g story where he left of, and at the mentio
re of the Col, Minnie raises her hand an
ID pleadinglysays Don't oh don't Frank
y Don't whati Heavens what doyou mean
d 'Oh l cannot tell you now. When ar
'r stronger Tell what Minnie ar
& you dreamingP NO, Frank, alas no.
D. Would to heaven were.' why, YOU It'll
is 'chipping-bird,' what are you thinking
i'll Did you not know he was here most Of th
re time you were sick, and watched besid
es you constantly. He and l took turns
at thank us can't youG Oh we are paid
c, thousand times, seeing your bright eye
e, beaming on us again
ut Frank, has Col Lincoln been here sine
d, I've beenill Pand she quivers at the thought
I'd and to speak that name-one dearer tha
k her life almost.
ar tWhy. YES. of course did Won srnno,