Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-02-21


the table, bent down and kissed him. q would
rather have this note from your hands, than the
cosiIiest gift in your power TO make me-
An interior caimne-s. peace and satisfhc-
ton, different in kind from anything Mr.. Hard
np had ever experienced, came down upon his
spirits. That last sentence, from the lips oi
his wife, as she stood with her warm breath
still upon his check, was very grateful to his
feelings precious he felt than silver and
gold.
Il would send it around this evening"" said
Mrs IIar,lup.
Mr.. ITardup folded the note. slipped it into
all envelope, and after directing it, called ser
want, and told him TO deliver it at once.
"IIark! How violently that bell did ring -
They sit cxpectant.
"WLo il it, James,
a girl from Mrs HowelI's.'
"What dies she wanf?"
"Slie saws Mrs Howell has had bad news.
and won't you and Mr.. IIardup come round
there
Bad news? What ki,d of bad news =
Where lrom?'
Its from her son William, the girl says
he that went with the soldiers.
Mrs lIardup turned pale, as she claspcd her
hands together.
What about him. Jamcs?"
lies badly wounded"
"Where?--how? When dill it happen?"
''1hc girl didn't say, nr'am. Shes wait
ing"
Tell her that We will be round immediate
IT,"
The scrvcnt retired.
'Oh, dear! here is real trouble said Mrs
IIarlup, as she arose hastily. Poor Mrs
Howell, And he was her only SON.
Mr.. IIirdup paced the fl nr with rapid feet
during the few minutes occupied by his wife in
hurried change of dress lie was not now
thinking OF his diminished income, nor Of the
mnl.cy losses which the war ha,l oecusioned.-
These things were pushed back as of light I'M
portun@o, compaued with what others wcre
called TO endure and suffer
! They walk, in silence, TO the residence o.
Mrs. Howell, only a few blocks distant. The
white gi,,slly face, that met their eyes on cir
teriag, was vision to haunt the memory for
years.
oh. my son.-my boy,-my poor. poor boy, ,
exclaimed, in mild, sObbing tones, the wretch
ed mother, as they came into her presence.
"What Of him, my fricnd?" asked Mrs
IIardrp.
! Have you not heard! Oh, dear, Oh, my
poor boy. L is arm carried off by cannon
shot? Oh, my SONNY sou. That | should
live to see this day.
! In the calmcr mood that succeeded this par
oxysm of distress, Mrs. Howell communicated
| the intelligence of battle in Western Nir-
gnia, which had just been received. Her son
was in one of the companies engaged and his
nam, appeared in the list of killed and woun.
DID. An arm carried off by u cannon shot
/ dangerous" This, and no more. for the ago
nz d mother.
Il must go 10 him, Mr.. Ilardup must &c
to my son. There was an appealing look ii
the face of Mrs Howell, not misunderstood by
Mr.. Harlup, She was widow, and poor
the widow Of an old iiiend.
at is Il long distance; travel is interrupted
| in that region. and il swarms with armed men
who set at defiance all the Laws of God and
man. You cannot go alone, Mrs. Howell"
Il must go to my wounded and suffering
boy, Mr.. IIardup, if walk through the Who'll,
distance. Don't object. Don't put hindraRce,
in my way; but, in Gods name, help me-" lie
eyes glanced upwards moment
Il cannot go with you Mrs. Howell
Il d. not ask that. can go alone But.
She paused.
You hare not the means in hand to go.
said Mrs Hardup.
Il have not my friend. You know that nj,
income is small. At this moment [ canno
command one-fourth of the sum this journe,
and its purposes will require"
Mrs. Iardup turned towards her husband
when do you wish to start?" asked Mr.
Hardup.
Tonight. The cars leave at ten. 1t
now eight
There is no lindrance, Mrs. Howell. ! Wi
call for you in our carriage at hall past nine
a1d lpply you with everything needed for tn
sad journey" Mr.. IIardIp spoke feelingly
and with no sign of reluctance. The vel
springs Of his better nature were breaking
up.
In her outgushing thankfuness, Mrs. How
ell caught his hand and kissed it. Deep in tn
heart of his sympathetic pain, lIr. Hlrdu
felt thrill Of pleasure.
Write to me-" he said, as he parted wit
Mrs. Howell, a little latter that evening, afte
placing her in the cars. Write to me as 500
! as you reach your son. am anxious to kno,
his exact condition. Aud ifyou ncel my hcl
in anything, don't fail 10 cOAlmanl me-"
That is real trouble said Mrs. Hardup. a
her husband came in, after seeing Mrs. How
ell to the cars and sat down with her in tll
pleasant room, where, surrounded with book:
and every home comfort, they usually spcn
their quiet evenings, Us really unconscious i
their own persons of wars shocks, disaster
and suferings, as if smiling peace walked trar
quiy through every portion of the land
Yes, that is real trouble" Mr.. Hardu
echoed the words.
WAS in for her own safety that Mrs How
ell made this great sacrifics?" resumed his wifi
: WAS her home and all her worldly goods
] actual peril, that she sent her sou TO face IL
> common enemy? She had far less to lose
c this respect than you and |; and loss to gain
the restoration Of peace and order. And yo
D what we have So far given in the cause, is &
S nothing in comparison to her offering. Jus
!, think Of it. Is not tho life of child moi
: precious than silver or gold? am glad 20
d helped her so freely. If it had been our Sol
;, standing in the place Of hers, would though
.s.