The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-11

was hnAiOAa Tor the time 10 come Wnen
the surgeon would pronounce him in
condition TO join his regiment. His
wound, when referred 20, evidently gave
him more pleasure than pain. II was a
mark Of distinction--a sign that he had
offered even life for his country.
How different with Mrs. Harley 10
touched you 10 look into her dreamy, alb
sent eyes--on her patient lips and eN-
hausted counienance.
She has worn out herself in nursing
mt" said her husband, in answer 10 n re-
mark on her appearance. lilo looked at
her tcnderlv, and with Just a shade Of
anxiety in his face. Was the truth not
plain 20 him 2 Did he not know that she
had been wounded also That two balls
had left the rifle when he was struck,
one Of them reaching TO his distant home,
In three weeks hope to be in the field
again, face 10 face with the enemy"
He spoke with the ardor Of strong
desire, his eyes bright, aud his face in a
glow--wounding, and the pain Of wound
ing all forgotten. But another's eyes be-
came dim as his brightened--anothor's
cheeks paled as his grew warm. saw
the tears shining as Mrs. Harley answer
ed in an unsteady voice:
al am neither brave enough or strong
enough for a soldiers wife,"
She had meant TO say more, as was
plain from her manner but she could not
trust herself
"Oh yes, you are brave enough and
strong enough" replios Mr.. Harley, with
animation.
Not every one could have moved 80
calmly amidst the dreadful scenes Of
camp hospital after battle. / watched
you often and felt proud of yOu
If she had not been wounded also.
my wife began; but Mr.. Harley inter
rupted her with the ejaculation
"Woundcdw in n tone of surprise.
Yes wounded" resumed my wife !;
and, as now appears, nearer 10 the seat
Of vitality than you were. Did you
know that before, Mr.. Harley"
My friend was perpleXed for a while.
He could not get down at once TO my
wifc's meaning.
"When youwcre struck she was struck
also"
ooh, yes
( Light broke in upon Mr.. Harley He
turned quickly towards his wife, and saw
/ in her face what had been unseen before,
the wasting and exhaustion that come
only from deep seated pain. He had
| thought that the paleuess Of her counie-
nance, the weakness that made her step
slow and cautious, only the result of
oyortasked muscles and nerves. But he
knew better now.
I" | didn't think of that" he said, with
visible anxiety, as he gaZed into his
wife's countenance.
Our wounds, so CHASTITY TO the eyes,
often get no deeper than the flesh and
bone. The pain il short, and nature
comes quickly to the work of cure with
all her healing energies. We suffer for a
while and then il is over. We are strong
and ready for the conflict again.
"But" said my wife, "intO the homes
that stand far away from battle-helds
come swift winged messengers that kill
and wound as surely as iron hail. They
strike mothers, wives, sisters-some with
death wounds, all with the anguish, with
vital pain. Alas for these wounded
The healing, If it follows, is never as the
surgeons.say, by first intention, but al
ways slow, and often through abscess
and liberation, The larger number
never entirely recover. They may lin
ger for years, but do not lose the marks
of suffering"
a long silence followed There were
others present, who like Mr.. Harley had
never thought Of this / noticed that fol
the hour we remained together he was
tenderer toward his wife, and more thar
once | saw him looking at her when shC
was not observing him, with a troubled
conntenance. He did not again speak Of
early period at which he expected I,
Join his regiment.
On the day following another list o
the killed and wounded was given 10 th,
public A ] read over the names ant
counted the numbers, my thought cam,
back from the bloody field and suflerin,
hospital. "These are not all, / said
'Alas not all The ball struck twice
thrice --sometimes Oltener, There Il
pain, there IL anguish, there 10 wOuuding
even unto death, in many, many homes
within a thousand miles Of that gOar,
place. Some are alone and neglected
dying on their battlefield, with none d
put even a cup Of water 10 their lips
+ some are with loving friends who fail {,
stop the flow Of blood or bandago ia
shattered limb--sOme cover their wound
hiding them from all eyes, and bear IN
pain in chosen solitude The sum Of al
! this agony, who can give ity
Our wounded II you would Gnl
them ALL you must look beyond the hos
pitfalls They are not every ono bearde,
and in male attire. Thore sat besid
, you in the car, inst now, q woman. YOi
! scarcely noticed her She left at IA
corner below. There was not much nc
in her face; hor steps, as they rested OF
the pavement, were slow. She has beeI
wounded and is dying. Did you motto
Mrs --- in church last Sunday
" Yes; and now ! remember that she wa
pale, and had an altered look One O
our wounded DO you see a face at IA
window p In Che marble from
! house ~ eyes. Il is sad enough; wha
Unlocking eyes" Wounded All. sil
they are everywhere about us. Alreadr
from over q hundred battle. fields am
b slSirmishing grounds, have been sue
nissives as pain and death. They hay
penetrated unguarded homes in the CITY
, town and neighbOrhOOd of our once han
py and peaceful country, wounding th
beloved ones left there in hoped. for AZ
curiiy. For such there is balm IN Gile
ad-liod is their physician.