Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-04-03

must some OF us expect 1t, you KNOW
"Do you suffer much?"
cat times, sir, very seriously ! feel
so well, only the distress here"-and he
pressed his hand to his side
You will be up soon, hope"
81 trust so, sir; the doctors say it is a
bad wound, but will yield with care. l
only wish | had my mother here. She
has heard Of it, and doubtless started be-
fore this. 1t will seem so comforting to
see her; you don't know how long to
see her."
All! mothers, you are the first thought
Of when the hardy soldier feels the pang
Of pain. 1t is your name he calls, your
form he sees through the mists of dclir-
um, your voice he hears in every gentle
word that is spoken. He knows whose
touch will be the tenderest, through the
sympathy of suffering, he knows who
has borne the most for him; and on the
tented field, the holy name of mother re-
ceiyes fresh baptism Of love and beauty.
81 can imagine how you feel, said
the chaplain, "and l have no doubt but
you will see her soon. Meanwhile, you
know there is a Friend who will be more
to you than mother or father, sister or
brother.
Il realize that, sii," said the young
man, 81 am a professor of religion and
have been for years. When was shot,
and before, ! commended my soul to
Him for life or death 4; but | confess |
have much to live for. am not yet
brought where | am willing to die"
cit may be for the reason that you are
not yet called to die" replied the chap
lain "Jut in life you know it is one I'M
portant thing to be prepared for death" "
After a short prayer the minister and
sick man parted.
ole seems very strong and sanguine,' y
he said, as he met the surgeon again ;
land likely to recover"
"No doubt of it, sir, no doubt" was
the hasty reply Of the surgeon as he pas
scd on.
The hour of midnight had struck from
the great clock in the hall. Slowly and
solemnly it bnelled the departing moment
3 and its echo rolled through the halls, vi
brating on many an ear that would never
/ ltul lllt nOhit VI bllt OIL lhluS hONlh
again. The chaplain still sat up in his
, room writing letters for three or four o
his wounded soldiers, and strange still
ness fell around him as he closed the last
sheet, and sat back with folded hands tc
think. He could not tell why, but do
what and go where he would, the face Of
the young volunteer with whom he had
spoken last haunted him. He arose to
move to the window where the breeze
was cooler, when a knock was heard at
the door, and arapid voice called Chap
! lain - lie hurried to lift the latch. The
surgeon stood there, looking like shad
ow in the dim moonlight that crcpt into
the passage.
Chaplain, sorry to disturb you, and
more sorry to give you an unpleasant du-
ty to perform"
"WhJ, what is it ?" was the quick re-
joinder.
"That fine young fellow whom you
talked with is going"
"What you do not mean"
"Won't live an hour, or two at the
most, tried to tell him but | couldn't
and, finally thought of you. You car
ease it, you know"
\ great shadow fell on the chaplain
, for moment he was stunned and choked
+ and his voice grew husky as he made re
! ply:
/, at is II sad crrand but none the les
o it is my duty. Poor fellow | can't re
&c ali1e it, indeed | cannot. His voice wa
Il so natural. I'll be there presently ; AM
r left alone. he threw himself upon hi
i knees to wrestlo for strength in prayer.
# The atmosphere was filled with low
sighs from the strugglers with pain AM
c disease Going softly up to the couch
t at which he had stood before, the chap.
4 lain gazcd upon the face before him, II
n looked as calm as that of sleeping in
r FAINT, but he did not sleep. Hearing
Y slight noise, his eyes flew open and restc
IS in some surprise on the chaplain.
Il II felt as if must see you again be
C fore RETIRED" said the latter, striving t
l. steady his voice. GLOW do you fee
n now 20
% 80, bcttor, thank you, in fact almo'
if well The pain is gone, and | feel quit
hopeful, ! rather think the surgeon doc
IA though he said nothing "
p, Again that fearful swelling in the chal
st lains throat. How shall he tell him
at his dangcr--how prepare the mind s
J. calmly resting on almost a certainty ? Il
in poor hopeful soul that would never loo
n with earthly eyes upon the mother he S
lougcd for.
et Another moment and the young mG
- appeared to be struck with some pccul
lg arity in the face or movements of Il
8, chaplain, The largo eyes sought h
OF with an intonseness that was painful, Al
ld he strovc to interpret that which ma,
ch the difference between this and his form
III dcmcanor.
he "l our cases weary you, chaplain"
'le said quietly ; "you must be very laithi
al for it is past midnight"
IS II was on the point of going to be
kc when was called on to prepare a dyir
y, man for his last hour" was the fearful |
nd sponsc of the chaplain.
n, Indeed what pooy fellow goes mex
pit reioined the young man, with amount
Sc. inquiry.
oil There was no answer. For the veal
he of worlds the chaplain would not ha
spoken now. That tone so unconscio