The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-11-12
COMING HOME.

our father is coming home" said
Mrs. Dunlap, in constrained voice, look
ing up from letter which she had just
taken from an envelope. There was
something unnatural in her manner, and
an unusual paleness in her face.
Three children started from different
parts Of the room, and crowding round
their mother, answered, in many joyful
words, to the unexpected intelligence.
"rm so glad! Pm so glad" shouted
little Andrew, five years old, dancing and
clapping his hands.
Sand I'm so glad," said Alice-grave,
womanly Alice, who had caught the sun
light of just len summers in her golden
hair. She was standing at her mothers
knees and looking into and reading her
face.
"To-morrow we shall see him." Mrs.
Dunlap tried, but vainly, 10 look joyful.
al hope" Alice faltered in her words.
+" | hope, mother, that he isn't" She
checked herself, and the hue of her moth
er's face was reflected in her own" isn't
SICK, or-or-or wounded!
A momentary shiver ran along the
nerves of Mrs. Dunlap, rattling the open
letter in her hand.
"He's been sick, DEAR" she replied,
partly turning away, so that Alice might
not read all that she knew was writing it.
self in her countenance; and, leaving tho
children, she went 20 her own room, and
shutting the door, fastened it. Her face
was white as she re-opened the letter
which she had held, crushed in her hand,
and read it for the second time. 1t was
from an officer of the company in which
her husband held the rank of first lieu
tenant, and stated, briefly, that he had
been wounded in recent battle, and was
on his way home in a government trans
port. AS to the character of the wound
nothing was said.
1t was almost year since Mrs. Dun
lap had parted from her husband-parted
with him in the flush of health, and in
the vigor OF manhood-and what a year
of trial and fear it had been! He had
taken part in many battles, bearing him
self bravely always, and had passed from
the ranks to first lieutenancy; but now,
after years absence, he was coming
home. The long and anxiously looked
for day was at hand. Tomorrow she
was to see him again. Tomorrow All,
when the veil of tomorrow was lifted,
and she stood face to face with the long
absent-what then?
Mrs. Dunlap had borne up all day, as
calmly as possible, for the sake of her
children; but, as the evening closed down,
strength began to fail, and she withdrew
to one of the chambers that she might be
alone, and let the pent-up anguish Of
mind that was almost sufocating her,
have unrestrained utterance in sobs and
weeping. For little while, body and
soul were convulsed. Then the overleap-
ing floods drew back, and she felt calmer
and stronger.
"Motheri" 1t was the voice Of Alice.
Mrs. Dunlap turned and looked into her
child's face, that wore q strange, almost
stern expression.
"What is it, dearf" Mrs. Dunlap con-
trolled her voice.
"Father is woundedp
The mother started and shuddered.-
Then asked, quickly:
"How do you knowl Who told you y
"No one told me; but / feel it, moth.
er. Didn't the letter say that he was
wounded n
Mrs. Dunlap was silent. Alice could
bear the pressure on her feelings no long
er. A strong cry, as Of one in sudden
pain, broke from her lips, and, throwing
herself upon her mother she wept convul
sively.
"Let US hope for the best. To-mor
row we shall see him and know all"