The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-02

except myself. Sometimes l feel a:
though all sensbility, all sympathy fol
human suffering, had died out of my
heart. 1t is, perhaps, as well. If we
perceived to the full extent the terrible
reality of things, we would be in hal
paralyzed states, instead of continuing
our useful employments, by which the
common good is served. We cannot
help the suffering, nor heal the wounded,
by our mental pain. But let us see to
it that through lack of pain we fail not
in mnistration to the extent of our abili.
ty.
When | met my wife at dinner time,
her face was paler than when / parted
with her in the morning. l saw that
she had been suffering, while I, intent
for hours upon my work, had half for
gotten my wounded friends, Harley and
his vile one pierced by visible and
the other by an invisible bullet.
Did you see Anna .
Yes
How is she 2
Calm, but hurt very deeply. She
only had the news this morning
Is she going to him .
There has not been time to decide
what is best. Her husbands brother is
here, and will get as much information
by telegraph to day as it is possible to
receive. Tonight or TO morrow he will
leave for the battle field. Anna may 90
with him.
She appeared to be hurt deeply, you
say
Yes,' replied my wife, and was in
most intense pain. Every line in her
face exhibited suffering. One hand was
pressed all the while tightly over her
heart
What did she say 2
Not much. She seemed looking in
TO the distance, and trying to make out
things seen but imperfectly. Ii he were
to die, think it would kill her.
tr.,o IaafLr ~ ei------ s--',--,.
said, my thought recurring 10 our morn
ing conversation.
In the evening, I called with my wife
to see Mrs. Harley. a telegram had
been received, stating that her husbands
wound, though severe, was not consider
ed dangerous. The ball had been ex-
tracted, and he was reported TO be doing
well. She was going TO leave in the
night train with her brother in law, and
would be with her husband in the quick
est time it was possible to make. How
few hours of suffering had changed
her The wound was deep and very
painful.
1t was nearly two months before Har-
ley was sufficiently recovered to be re-
moved from the hospital. His wife had
been permitted to see him every day.
aud to remain in attendance upon him
greater part of the time.
Did you know that Mr.. Harley and
his wife were at home o said |, or com
ing in one day.
No. When did they arrive % was
the answer and inquiry.
This morning. heard it from Har
ley's brother.
How are they 2 asked my wife.
He looks as well as ever, am told,
though still suffering some from his
wound but she is m serable, Mr.. Har-
ley says
A shadow fell over my wiis's face.
and she sighed heavily. l was afraid
Of that she said Il knew she was hurt
badly Flesh wounds close readily, but
spirit wounds are difficult to heal
These invisible bullets are almost sure
to reach some vital part
| met Mr.. Harley, not long afterwsrd,
in company with his wife His ewes
were bright, his lips firm, his cheeks
flushed with health You saw scarcely
n sign of what he had endured. He
talked in brave, soldiery manner, and
was anxious for the time 10 come when
the surgeon would pronounce him in
condition TO join his regiment. His
wound. when referred to, evidently rave
him more pleasure than. pain. 1t was
mark OF distinction "a sign that hs had
offered even life for his country How
different with Mrs Harley 1t touched
you 10 look into her dreamy. absent
eyes, on her patient lips, and exhausted
countenauoe.
She has worn heI self out in nursing
me, said her husband, in answer to a
remark on her appearance. lie looked
AT her tenderly, and with just a shade Of
anxiety in his face Was the truth not
plain TO him Did lie not know she