Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-19

Der safety. And yet he criticized sharply
official acts and army movements, sneeriRg at
Generals, and condemned as weak or venal,
patriotic men in high places, who were giving
not only their noblest efforts but their very
lives TO the cause. All this yet were his
hands beld back from the work.
Occasionally these things had pressed them
selves on the mind of Kate Maxwell, but she
had put them aside as unvelcome. Now they
were before her in bold relief.
SHE is not against the country He is not
traitor He is sound in principles.'' Such
were the answers that shaped themselves in
her mind.
''lf tor his country, why, in this time Of
peril. does he sit with his hands folded ?'' was
replied. els he afraid to look danger in the
face To endure suffering Ii he loved his
country he would, self forgetting, spring to
her defense as hundreds Of thousands of true
hearted men are doing.''
Moved by this strong thought utteranCe,
Katie arose and stood with her slight form
drawn to its full erectness, her hands clenched
and her eyes flashing.
And, not enough be holds off, ike a cow
ard or an ease loving imbecle, he must assail
With covert sneerS, the acts OF those who
would minister TO the wants of men whose
brave acts shame him Loyal to his country !.
Is that loyalty Do such things help or
harm Do friends hurt and hinder Sound
in principle | am afraid not. BY their
fruits We shall know them. Where his
fruits ?''
Kate stood for little while quivering under
excitement. Then, sitting down, she crouch
ed as one whose thoughts were pressing back
upon the mind like heavy burdens. There
was dull sense of pain at the heart. George
Mason had been dear to her. But the shadow
of a cloud had fallen upon the idol of her
heart. 1t had been gathering like thin, al
most viewless vapor for some time past and
now compacting itself almost in an instant, 1t
was dark enough to hide the sunlight
Gradually the brave, true-heartcd girl--for
she was brave and true hearted-rose into the
serener atmosphere from which she had fallen.
The pain left her heart, though pressure as
weight lay still on her bosom. The smile that
played about her lips as she joined the family
circle, not long afterward, was more tieeting
than usual but no one remarked the sober
cast of her cOuntenance as it died away. Her
skein of blue yarn speedily wound into
ball. and the requisite number of stitches cast
on her needle, and then away went her busy
hngers-nOt buster than her thoughts.
''W hats the matter, Katie l''
The unusual silence of her daughter had at
tracted Mrs. Maxwell's attention, and she had
been, unuoticed by Katie, examining her face.
The maiden started at the question, and
colored just jittle as she lanced up at her
mother.
.sYou look sober, - said her mother.
s'Do ~ and Katie forced herself to smile.
"Yes,'' was the reply.
''Perhaps feel So" Then, after pause,
she added, 81 don't think this kind of work
very favorable to high spirits. / can't help
thinking of Frank and Will. Poor boys Are
they not soldiers %
'sDear brave boys - said the mother with
feeling. sYes they are soldiers-true soldiers,
/ trust.''
'But what a change for them mother
Home life and camp life-could anything be
more different 20
"Life's highest enjoyment is in the mind
Katie. They are doing their duty, and that
consciousness will more than compensate for
loss of ease and bodily comfort. How cheer
iul and bravely they write home to us! No
complainings-no looking back-no towards
fears WHAT thrill went over me as l came
to the closing words of WHY'S last letter:
''For God and my country first; and next for
you, my darling mother % And the words
thrill me over and over again, l think OF
them, with 4 new and deep EMOTION
Katie turned her face little farther away
from her mother, and bent a little lower over
her knitting. Often had the contrast between
the spirit of her brotherS-boys Still-and that
Of George Mason presented itself; now it
stood out before her in sharp relief. AS she
sat working in Slence-tor she did not re-
spond to her mothers last remark-her
thoughts went back in review. She conned
had uttered in her presence, and saw in them
a lukewarmness, if not a downright inditfer
ance, to the great issues at stake, felt before
now perceived distinctly. Her father talked
of scarcely anything but the state of the coun-
try George found many themes OF interest
outside OF this absorbing question. and when
he did converse on matters Of public concern
it was with so little earnestness aud compre-
hensive intelligence that she always expert
enced a feeling of dissatisfaction.
The light tone oil ridicule with which he had
treated Kate's declaration that she was going
to knit stockings for the soldiers, hurt her at
the time, for her mind glow of earn
est enthusiasts, and the pain that followed
quick all her perceptions.
The incident pushed young Mason back from
the very near position in which he had for
some time stood, and gave Katie an opportu-
nifty to look at him with less embarrassment
and more discriminating inspection. Be-
fore, there had been strong sphere of attrac-
tion when she thought of him; now, she was
sensible OF a counteractlng repusion. Lam
guage that seemed to mean little when spoken,
r remem bered now, had mark ed Significance.
1t was observed by both Mr.. and Mrs. Max
well that Katie was unusually absent minded
at tea time. Mr.. Maxwell talked about nation
al affairs, as was his custom, and Katie listen
ed attentively, as was her wont. Among
other things, he said
sin love OF Country-WnlCn inVolVeS an un-
selfish regard for the good of all in the coun-
try-every virtue is included. The man who
is not true patriot cannot be a true citizen
nor a true Christian; for love of country is
that vessel in the natural mind down into
which flows a love of God s kingdom and he
who loves and seeks to establish that which is
highest Gods universal kingdom to the |
earth, helps TO establish all that is lowest. In
times like these, when our national existence
is threatened by a force of giant magnitude !
and infensa nnrnoSe-whan all that We hold |