Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-03-24

sr xAvAps vILns aussr.
~A.ah:ssy spirit, T4ias through whom

r "AwakeSs.y spirit ThiAk through whom
Thy liH biooa s.eks =. pa..a. lake.
And then strike home .''-DYRox.
"My sor, l am dying. L have fought
my way through the world and am now
standing upon the edge Of the tomb, and
one step further will end my march in
this life. | never battIed for wealth.
and have no riches TO leave you but all
untarnished name. / have helped 10
win many victories for my country; !
have never turned my back 70 IN enemy,
and die happy. You are my only
care. 10 peace, as in war, l would
have you do Is l have doIe-neve,
finch, and scorn to lie. Reserve your
fire, till You are sure Of your mark, aud
when You strike, strike home!''
The old soldier spoke with oil the firm
ness he could command, but his strength
was waning fast aud life trembling on
the brink Of extinction, like the finsl
spark of dying taper. His parting
with his son was at once affecting and
ennobling. Still he murmured, "Stand
fast, my boy, reserve your fire till you
are sure OF your aim, and when you
strike. strike homev' AID be gasped
out the words, with his last breath, Is
he expired, "Strike home!"
These were his legacy, all he left his
son, except his regimentals, his sword
and pistols, which his hair venerated
too much to part with. But the veteran
had given him long before the heart and
soul to match the spirited words that
fell from his dying lips. His son, only
seventeen years Of age, was by his
decease made an orphan, for his mother
had died three years before her husband,
and Ralph Roman had to make his own
way through the wide and Difficult,
world. 1t is true, he had an uncle, Z
narrow-minded, misery being, who
would grudgingly yield him miserable
subsistence in return for the toll of al
overtasked slave, and regard him as q
burden imposed upon his charity. Ralph
preferred independence, even to life, and
instead of applying to his relative, a.
soon as his sorrow permitted, sought EN-.
ployment Of wealthy mercantile firm
with whose principal his father had been
on terms Of intimacy.
He asked to see Mr.. Alfred F..
"He is engaged this morning." said
the party Of whom he enquired, very
superciiious and elegantly dressed indi
viduaI, who spoke in most imperative
tone. IF you have any business with
him, you had better state it to me, as i,
is utterly impossible for him to give yor
moments attention"
Ralph told his business, but his listen
err shook his head while he was speak
ing, and replied:
Every situation in our gift is filled
up, and we have ten cast iron applicant'
for any vacancy that may occur through
death or other contingency. If you Car
afford to wait the return of the las
comet that passed US, whose elhpsis j.
performed in 2492 years, it may b,
worth your while to take your chances
but not otherwise.
"Can l see Mr.. F."
Ralph's interlocutor, who had intend
ed to astonish him into dumbness with
his style, was angry to find it had mad.
SO little impression, and answered
sharply,
"Have 1 not told you, sir, that he il
engaged, and can see no one but on tn,
most important business /! Your appli
cation is useless, and not of the slight
est consequence to u.s.
! Ralph was going away, utterly dis
heartened, when he recalled his fathers
dying words, still ringing in his ears
"Strke home p and turned back to de-
mand of the person who had so uncere
moniously dismissed him, whether HI
was a partner in the concern"
sit is no matter to you, sir. who
am; l know my business we'll enough
and you had better 60 about yours ~
II am about it, sir, and shall not leave
these premises till l have seen Mr.
p. If you want to be rid of me
tell him at once that Ralph Roman, thu
son of Capt. Roman, deceased, is waiting
to see him."
The clerk, for such he was of course
did not deign to answer, and Ralph sal
down upon huge case, and waited with
exemplary patience. The other pre-
tended not to notice him at all, and te
be wholly absorbed in doing nothing
but was evidently ill at ease At las
he popped his head into an Office parti
toned off from the extensive store, ane
announced to some one inside that {
boy, who called himself Ralph Roman
wished to see him.
"Teli him | am too busy this morning
to see any ono" was the response frou
inside.
! The clerk shu. the door instantly
aud exclaimed in triumph, 81 told yo,
SO; now | hope we shall be rid of you.
But the door was re-opened q mo
ment after, and an old gentleman's heat
{ thrust out.
Whose boy is this? not Captain Ro
mans son 2" enquired the merchant.
Eyes, sir"
"My desr boy, l beg your pardon.
was not in town at the time of vou1
, fathers death, or should have attend
ed his funeral. You arc his only son
, are you mott"
81 am, sir"
;, "You are the very image Of his boy
hood. IL there anything l can do 70
your
:. Ralph stated the object of his visit.
e SOUR employees are rather too mn