The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-01-29


~But you are not called to this work, John, y
, said Mrs. Irwin, the words faltering on her
tongue. "There are strong men enough who
will respond to the Presidents call. can.
not let you go, my son." The wet eyes oI
Mrs. Irwin overfowed.
John laid bis hand firmly on his mothers
shoulder, and looked steadily into her face.
Then he kissed her tenderly. "FOr the
blessings We enjoy, dill not the mothers oi
the Revolution give their sons to the battle
fsld2"
81 cannot bear il, my son! | am not strong
enough for this" And Mrs. Irwin laid her
face on the breast OF her boy and wept shud-
deringly.
"As our day Is, so shall our strength be,
mother Don't You believe this?"
| Il do, john" answered Mrs. Irwin, lifting
her face, AMI through half binding tears,
looking at him wonderingly. Nay, more
than wonderingly; with a rising glow o
pride III her heart. Every woman admires
courage in man; and the true mother love:
| it in her son. A new sentiment was taking
force in the mind Of Mrs. Irwin, and giving
strength for duty and for sacrifice. She
seemed to herself like one undergoing q
quick transformation. New ideas and new
estimate oi things were pressing upon her
and thrusting old forms of thought asidc.--
Il do, my son. she repeated, "but never
thought to see this day"
"rhe day has come upon us,". replied the
young man, land shall We not be equal tc
the demand? lam ready, and you are rea.
| dy also!''
He spoke in quick, inspiring voice, for he
saw strength in the eyes of his mother, and
gathering frmness about her mouth.
Only little while longer was there strife
IN the mind Of Mrs. Irwin; only little
while longer did old predjudicss and foregone
conclusions battle with new convictions; on
ly little while longer ID shrinking natural
Ie ar stand in the way Of duty.
A week lat,r and Mrs Irwin held the
hand OF her son in pirting. How changed
he was In single week, he had seemed
to grow older by years. The firmly knit
mouth; the deep. ealy eyes; the fne!y
erect figure; the already browning face, for
he had been drilling in the open air for days;
the brave, resolute bearing were all wonder
nj tn lhol ha IL af ;af
time. Is it stranga that Mrs. Irwin was
proud Of her soldier boy? She held his
hand in parting
"Do your duty, john" she said, in no
weakness of tone.
II WILL mother"
"Be brave"
al will never turn my back upon the en-
emy." ...
GOD bless you and keep you, my son!".--
Mrs. lrwn's eyes filed now, and her wo.
mans heart trembled in her voice.
II shall be in HIS hands, just the same,
mother
II know it. John; and il death comes to
you
Mrs. Irwin broke down. She could not
finish the sentence.
at will be through His permission. Are
not even the sparrows in His keepng?" said
John, calmly. GLOW much more human
souls"
They parted, Very pale for all OF that
day and the next was Mrs. Irwin. But her
bearing was firm. If her heart was troubled
it was not weak. She was wonder to her,
self
Truly it is So" she would repeat over and
overagain, ia her thought: "as our day is, so
shall our strength be-"
To an intimate friend she said:
II sometimes ask myself II am not dream
ing. Can it be possible that my boy is a sol
dieI, and in the face Of the enemy; and that
he is there with my consent?"
"Would you have him back?" asked a
friend. 'ir
a quick change, as Of surprise, was seen
for moment in the face of Mrs. Irwin; then
she answered, calmly
| mo; yield him to his country"
"lIe looked so brave and manly" said the
friend.
A glow Of pride came into the mothers
face.
"And seemed" was added, ''to comprehend
SO clearly the issue at stake. 1t was no ipur.
derous thirst for blood; no love OF excite.
ment and change that filled his heart; but
that true patriotism which is the inspiration
OF an honorable mind and gives it the cour.
age to meet death in defense Of Country and
Right. honor you, my friend, in being the
mother of such son."
How strangely pleasurabie were the pulses
that leaped away from the heart Of Mrs Ir.
win. This praise Of her son was very sweet
Weeks passed. With what an absorbing
interest did Mrs. Irwin watch the progress
Of events. Once the turned with en- inslino
tive repugnance from all accounts OF militia
ry movements and battles; but now she hac
no taste for nything else. The whole coun
try was spread out, like map. in her mind
and every strategic point, with its camps anG
soldiers strongly marked. The marshallin.
Of troops; their movements, strength and po
sitions. were now familiar things; and hel
heart beat high with pleasure at every tr
fling success, or yeiled itself with shadow,
when even the smallest reverse was sustain
ed. With what an irrepressible imia.ienc,
did she look for the regularly coming letters
from her son; and with what proud salts
faction did she read every detail Of his new
life that showed courage, endurance and self
denial! She fslt that he was true soldier
and therefore she was very, very proud 0