Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-03-13

mother.
i know it. John; and il death comes to
you--'
Mrs. Irwin broke down. She could not
finish the sentence.
1T will be through his permission
Are not even the sparrows in his keeping?'
said John calmly. How much more hui
man souls
They parted. Very pale for all Of that
day and the next was Mrs. Irwin. Bu, her
bearing was firm. II her heart was troub-
led. il was not weak. She was a wonder
to her. elf.
Truly it is so.' she would repeat over
and over again in her thought; AS our
day is. so shall our strength be-
To an intimate frieni she said:
i sometimes ask myself if | am not
dreaming Can it be possible that my
boy is a soldier, and in the face of the en-
envy: and that he is there with my con-
sent?'
Would you have him hsck?' asked the
friend.
A quick change. as OF surprise. was seen
for a moment in the face of Mrs. Irwin;
and then she answered calmly:
! No. yield him to his country
He looked SO brave and manly said
the friend
A glow Of pride came into the mothers
face.
And seemed was added, TO compre-
bend the issues at stake. 1t was no muir
derous thirst for blood: no love of excite
ment and change that filled his heart; but
that true patriotism which is the inspira-
ton Of an honorable mind, and gives it
the courage to meet death in defense OF
Coun nv and Right. l honor you my
friend, in being the mother of such a
| son.
/ How strangely pleasurable were the
pulse that leaped away from the heart of
very sweet.
Weeks passed. With what an absorb
ing interest did Mrs Irwin watch the pro-
gress Of events. Once. she turned with
an instructive repugnance from all accounts
Of military movements aud battles: but
now she had no tase for any thing else
/ The whole country was spread out like a
map in her mind. and every stra,ese.ic
point with its camps and soldiers. strongly
marked. The marshalling Of troops: their
m ovements. strength and positions. were
now familiar things; and her heart beat
high with pleasure at every trifing success,
or yelled itself with sorrow when the small
est reverse was sustained With what an
irrepressible impatience did she look for
the regularly coming letters from her SON;
and with what proud satisfaction did she
read every detail of his new life that show
ed courage. endurance and self-denial.-
She felt that he was q true soldier, and
therefore was very proud of him.
Then came the news that the regiment
in which her son WAS serving had made an
advance upon the enemy's lines; that some
severe skirmishing had taken place. and
that an engagement was imminent, A sud-
den fear shook the nerves of Mrs. Irwin.
Even as she read of the advance bloody
battle might be going on. and her son be
among the dead or dying. The hours of
sleepless suspense that went by until the
news of victory was flashed across over
the country. we will not venture to describe.
Many were killed and wounded. With
GREATNESS engerness she devoured their
names, as with white lips and startling
eyes. she bent over the brief dispatches-
What is this. Her sons name! The pa
per shivers in her hand. She cannot read
the paragraph. Desperate she thrusts the
shee. down upon ts bic to hold it firmly:
a mist comes over her eyes; she does
not make out the words. Killed or
wounded.
oh, God! Give me strength
The dimncss passes and she reads:
Among the brave men who distinguish
ed themselves. private John Irwin deserves
honorable mention. In a desperate as
sault of the rebels the captain Of his COM
pany received severe wound. and fell mp
on the ground. He was few PAGES in
advance of his men and as he fell two of
tie enemy stepped forward to bayonet him.
Irwin seeing this flung himself before his
PROSTATE captain, shot one of the men. and
in hand to hand encounter. disabled the
other. He then bore the wounded officer
from the field. During the whole fight.
the Dung man. who Is not twenty
years of age. conducted himself with the
collest courage, and in more than one in
stance rallied his failing and falling COM
rades. He has the stuff of which officers
are made. and the Department should send
him commission
Mrs. Irwin bowed down with her face up
on the table: trembling in every nerve;
weak-in glad bewilderment-tearfal.-
Then dropping npon her knees with clasp
ed hands. and eyes uplilted. she said faint
! ly:
oh, Lord, is he not thine?'
i A deep peace fell upon her spirit and
she remained for some time kneeling-
But prayer formed itself in no other
words.
| i could not stay away from you after
reading the news this morning. . friend
said that. as she came in little afterward
4 Are yon not proud woman to-day Mrs.
Irwin
i feel glad and humble was the SUBJ
ldued answer.
i But did he not act nobly? Who would
have thought that in your quiet. retiring
boy there was such daring spirit
1t does not seem as if were my son.
who has been so brave, said the mother.