The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-11-27

deep and firm. She had drawn hersel
a iiItle away from the young mqn, and
was Ii oking at him sterniy. 2 bug
'"Ahl who else has mate an escape?"
81 havep Lu1 oi1f.'l YH
"You?r # 3tt
II asked week in which TO consider
your offer, Mr.. Lotto" EdiIh'siones did
not fslter. "If you had been soldier in
the field, OF on tile eve Of marching 10 the
defense Of your imperilsd country. | wo'd
have yielded this hand without an in,
slanl's Hesitation. But your lack Of
courage or patriotism, / knew net which,
made me- hold back and question your
fitness to be my husband. Now know
you to be unworthy. l might have look
ed past the natural shrinking from the
ha.c and dangerous life of soldier--ex.
cuse ynu on the ground of constitutional
impcdimcnts, if you will call them So
and on this plea accept your failure to
spring 10 the rescue when your country
was assailDd--slll believing in your hon.
or--stilI having faith in your will to do
right, 10 matter how stern the demand
might be when it came clear and unn,is.
taxable l Can understand that there
may be good reasons why one may hold
away from the act of voluntteriug--and
| gave you the benefit Of this assumption,
But when the danger becomes 81 immi
nent that an allotment has to be made for
defense, only the meanest spirits seek 10
eyade their duty. Jobn Lolo, am speak.
ing lainly, for do not mean that you
shall misunders' and ME. Our ways part
to night never 10 Ionch again; and in part.
ing leave with you hard words that may
do You COED Take my advice and give
in your name to the enrolling officer. II
lrsf;ed.. 60 cbeertully and stand up with
brave men for your country's safety
There is worss thing than death-it is
dlsh0norH ..
He attempted, in confused way to
reply; but Edith. who had arisen. waved
her hand, saying:
Leave me, sir! The argument is
closed. Our ways have parted, and they
cahuot meet 'gaib!
1 have passed through a great trial,
aunt, said Edith, in reply to anxious
quest lious. Aunt Grace bad found her.
not long aiterward, in a state Of partial
supelacliou. She had been weeping -
Her face was still very pale, her eyes had
parted with their tender sweetness. her
lips were rlmos, rigid. On returning
fully TO herself she made this answer:
And come out purer and stronger,
trust. Is it so. dear Edith?' replied her
aunt.
'Pur' aud stronger, il walking through
pain to du'y gives purity and strength,
said Edith.
'Trial--pain-- duty. These words in.
clude very stern meanings, Edith. Mr..
Lotto is not h-re.'
Aud viii never be here again. aunt
| have made narrow escape
'How?
The man who lacks honor, courage,
and patriotism is false 10 the hearts
core"
Does Mr.. Loto lack them?
He has Oh his own confession, by o
mean trick evaded the enrolment
You fill me with surprise
i was shocked But strength and
courage came to me. | !ebukod him it
strong, indignant language, and told hin
that iere aid now our ways parted
parted forever. A coward and paltroor
for Il husband. My whole nature rises in
revolt ...
The pale face grew crimson with the
mounting blood, and the dull eye flashed
with k!ndling fires.
'Poltroon is rather course word iol
my Edith's lips, SAID amt Grace.
DO you know its origin? Only yes
terday, | read it in French, and the sig
ni6 aucs being in my mind. | could no
repress the fitting term. When bows anc
arrows we've among the chief weapons o
semi civilized European tribes and nations
it some times happened that mean ant
cowardly fellow would cut of The lore
finger or thumb Of his right hand so u
10 uuf' him for soldiers duty. He wa
then sailed from The act, poltrOou-an'
the word has come into our language Il
express mean souled, cowardly fellow
who resorts 10 any trick or shit TO escap
from an unpleasant or dangerous duty
Aud so under the impulse Of sIIong feel
Eipgs have called this man a poltroon
1t is the fttingeSt word, in all our Ian
guage 10 express my present thoughts
him. Thank God. for a narrow escape
dear aunt. am wounded and bruised i
tie sudden sharp conflict through whic
| have passed--hurt inwardly--but nc
unto death, A little while. and my heRl
shal, beat strong and evenly again.
did not love Mr.. Loto Tor what he wa!
bu, for what imagined him 10 be Eli
doh which l thought TO be of gold, silve
and precious stones, is discovered TO b
Of clay and | sweep it from the pedest'
Loi honor"
Edith laid her face down upon the bt
som of her aunt Her frame was trent
ling IRON excitement. In little viii
tremor ceased, and she grew very still
still and heavy. For nearly half au hov
aunt and niece remained thus witho,
speaking. Then Edith raised herself u
slowly Ahd wearily, and going to her ow
room. shut the door, entering alone, inI
her panic stricken heart, commence
gathering up its rent fbres, and layin
them back in safe places, tenderly. ,h'
nature assisted by time aud repose migI
|, heal them. For such wounds there
always balm.