The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-17
RETROSPECT of an American Mother.

that years ago.. Salu d Slay-h"ho"' NV
worn mother, to whom we were mournfully
talking about the boys enlistment. But
there's a comfort for you. There's something
to die for now this is a war for rights and
liberties that was a cruel war OF conquest
that took our children in 1917.
sInever shall forget the day Charley came
to ask me if he might enlist. 1t was a wet,
gloomy day in early February: 1t had been
raining steadily all the week. This was
Wednesday, and now the wind had refreshed
a little, and the clouds were moving, but it
was heavy and stormy still. 1t was dark by
four o'clock, and | was hurryiug to get my
fine work done before dark, thinking about
him all the time. He had been out of work
six weeks. I had done everything | could
think Of for him had applied everywhere,
and sot the cold shoulder from all our rich
relations. knew he was almost discouraged,
and | didn't dare ask his father to let him
stay at home. All six of the girls were at
home then, and work was dull.
L was trying hard to c%ontriyc some plan
just as the door opened, and he came in. He
sat down with such a tired, discouraged look,
l knew in a minute he hadn't had any luck.
The girls were sewing and singing by one
window and | at the other the children had
not come home yet. | had just put down a
new carpet, and put up a new cooking'stove;
we looked pretty comfortable for the hard
times. Well, he sat there and looked around,
and noticed everything. He was a great
home boy, and thought there was no one so
smart as his mother.
''Whcre did this new carpet come from
mother?' said he.
81 earned it,
"And the stove too?
Eyes, that old affair was fairly burned
out
''You'rc a great woman he said.
II wish | was great enough to get you a
good place. | said.
Have you been to see the Joncses?
"Your father said he'd speak to them
Eyes; they can't do anything for mo-;
said he, kind of choked up q little.
i kept stitching and thinking; and the
girls, poor foolish things, kept singing and
he sat still, watching us. l knew lis heart
was full, but | hadn't guessed what it was
full! of. BY and by, clearing his throat sud.
denly, he said, Mother, [ believe Ill enlist,
if you'll only say so!
"Eulis.! cried the girls, turning pale.
% Charlcy!' was all | could say. The
word fell like death on me. 1t was the first
time be had ever mentioned it.
when he saw how we took it he was full
enough to cry, | could see. He was always
easy touched, and he loved his sisters and his
mother, as | thought, with unusual affection.
give you all a farm and perhaps I'll get pro
motc1 and then when | come back times
vii! be good, and everything will go on
smooth. Say yes, mother, and III be salts.
fed
II could not say yes. We had talked till
long after dark, and all the strcct.lamps were
lit. The girls got up to get tea and present.
IS father came in. lie looked a little out of
hun.cr when he found Charles there. lie al
ways fought his boys mustn't hang about
home much after they had left it. Ii he had
only said one word against it that night Char.
ley might have been saved
Here the mother stopped to force back the
tears and bitter recolIections.
by and by | told him about it, and he
only said, Probably it would be the best
thing he could do"
Such a smart, steady, afectiouate boy as
Charley always had been, | sat and wondered
how he could give him up so easy. Before
he went away that night / had given my con-
sent. That week / cried myself down sick.
The next time he came home he had On his
uniform, and tried to seem very cheerful.
though | could see he had to ieign it all. He
laughed with the girls, and promised to bring
the children home curiosities, and did all he
could to make us think he was contented.
81 had blamed myself all the week, for |
felt that | had lett one thing undonc. So,
after they had all gone to bed, | told him that
if he would only stay | would 90 to the bank
and draw the hundred dollars l had deposited
aud let him have it to use. | had Just begun
to lay up a little. l don't think he knew
anything about it before. But it was no use.
No, mother he said, you have said |
could 90 now nothing shall hinder me-
This was Tuesday. On Thursday they
were all to be on board. He stayed that
night and the next day. We all sewcd, and
got what things We could ready for him, and
promised to send q box after him. But it
was heavy.hearted work with him looking on
tor The last time, | very well knew. Next
day, at lca-lime, | sent one OF the children up
TO his little room to tell him tea was ready,
and she came back and said he wasn't thee.
and The door was locked. | ran up; | found