The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-03-06

when the hardy soldier feels the pang o1
pain. 1t is your name he calls, your form
he sees through the mists Of dclirium, you,
voice he hears in every gentle word that Is
spoken He knows whose touch will be ths
tenderest through tho sympathy Of suffer
ing, he knows who has borne the most for
him; and on the tented field, the holy name
Of mother receives fresh baptism Of love
and beauty.
1 Il can imagine how you feel said the
chaplain; and have no doubt you will see
her soon. Meanwhile you know there is "a
Friend who will be more to you than mothc,
or father, sister or brother
7 realize that. sir said the young man
I am professor Of religion, and have been
for years. When was shot, aye, and be-
fore, I commended my soul to Him for lie
or death; but confess I have mucI, to live
for. am not yet brought where am per.
fectly willing to die
1T may be for the reason that you are not
yet called to die, replied the chaplain; but
in lifc you know il is tho one important
thing to be prepared for DEATH
After short prayer, the minister and sick
man parted. lie seems very strong and
sang,,ine,' he said. as he met the surgeon
again, and likely to recover
NO doubt Of it, sir. no doubt : was tho
hasty response Of the surgeon as he passed
on!
The honr Of midnight had struck from the
great clock in the hall. Slowly and solemn.
y il kncIlcd the departing moment, and it,
echo rolled through the halls, vibrating on
many an ear that would never hear the
sound Of tho striking hour again. The chap
J lain still sat in his own room writing letters
| for three on four Of his wounded soldiers,
and strange stiffness fell around him as he
closed the last sheet and sat back with fold
cd hands, to think. lie could not tell whv,
but do what and go whore he would, thr
face of the young volunteer with whom he
had spoken last. haunted him. lie arose to
move to the window where the breeze was
cooler. when knock was heard at the door,
and rapid voice called. Chaplain IIc
hurried to lift the latch. The surgeon stood
there, looking like shallow in the dim
moonlight that crcpt into the passage.
| Chaplain. sorry to disturb you, and more
sorry to give you an unpleasant duty to per.
! FORM
why, what is ity was tho quick rcjoin.
der.
That fine young fellow whom you talked
with is going
What? do you mcan'---
| Wont live an hour, or two at the mos.
tried to tell him but I couldn't; and finally
thought Of YOU. Yon can ease it, you
know
| A great shadow fell on the chaplain; for a
moment he was stunned and choked, and
his voice grew husky as he made reply
1T is a sad errand. but none the less my
duty. Poor fellow! can't realize it in.
deed cannot His voice was so strong, his
manner so natural! Ill bc there presently
and left alone, he threw himself upon his
knees to wrestlc for strength in prayer.
The atmosphere was filled with low sighs
from the strugglers with pain and disease
Going softly up to the couch at which he
had stood before. the chaplain gazed upon
the face before him. 1t looked AZ calm as
that Of sleeping infant, but he did not
sleep. Hearing slight noise his eyes few
open and rested in some surprise upon tho
chaplain.
i felt as il ! must see you again before
rested said the latter. striving to steady his
voice. 'lIow do you feel now?
@! better, thank you; in fact almost wcl
The pain is gone, md feel quite hopeful
I rather think the surgeon does, though he
said nothing.
Again that fearful swelling in the chap
lain's throat. How should he tell him o.
his danger how prepare tho mind so calmly
resting on almost q certainty !-the poor
hopeful sou. that would never look with
earthly eyes on the mother he so !onged for
Another moment, and the young man Or
peared to be struck with some peculiauity
in the face and movements Of the chaplain
The large eyes sought his with insentncs,
that was pain, and he strove to interpre
that which made the difference between thi
and his former demesnor.
i Your cares weary you, chaplain he sai,
quietly you must be very faithful, for j
is past midnight
i Il was on the point Of going to bet
when was called to prepare dying ma,
tor his last hour, was the fearful response
j Indeed! what poor fellow goes mex. p
rejoined the young man. with . mournfu
inquiry.
j There was no answer ; for the wealth q
worlds the chaplain would not have spokel
now. That tone 20 unconscious Of danger
, that eye 20 full Of sympathy Still . strang
! silence | What did he mean The sicl
mans inquir;ng glance changed for . mo
, ment to one OF intense terror. He raise
both Ayms-lst them fall heavily upon th
covsrlet ct his side, and in voice totall
altered BY emotion, he gasped.
n Great heaven you mean me-
II Wv 6aar fr;end y said tha chsnla;d ,,r