The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-03
Gbe STORY Geller.
From Arthur's Home Magazine.
HOME PICTURES OF TIE TIMES.
BY VIRGINIA =. TOWNSEND.


ness came into face that was young and
sweet. 'Is it good news, walter7'
A little doubt and sadness came into the
mans face; but ho tried to clear up the ex-
preston as he took the hand which lay on
the book; I'm afraid you won't think II is,
but you will be brave girl, Lottie, and bear
it coungeouslyT
The large, bright eyes, with their hidden
lights and laughter, searched the speakers
face earnestly, then great fear and terror
darkencd all the lights in tho young girls
face: the words broke in kind of choaking
cry from her lips.
'Oh, Walter, you don't mean-you'rc not
going to the war, are your
He did not answer her, he could not with
that look in her face, but she knew what his
eyes said, and with cry which was low,
because II could not bo loud for agony, the
head, with its showers of golden.brown ring
lets, fell down on the brothers knee.
Come now, this won't do, Lottie;' there
was a slight faltering along the words, which
made one feel that their lightncss did not
come from the speakers heart. why you'll
never make q soldiers wife in this world, If
you take on SO, because I'm going away for
three months or 50. It'll be gone before you
can turn round. Look up here now, and
see If you can't call up some courage in that
little chicken heart Of yours'
'Oh, but what you should be shot, Wal.
tcr-what if you should never come back to
US = sobbed the girl.
Don't think of that, my dear child. You
will sec me back hearty and sound at the
end of three months, and won't sho have q
welcome for her soldier-brothcr, and won't
she be little proud of him, too!'
Il can't think about that, Walter the
sobs going in and out Of the words. Il shall
only lie awake nights, and maybe you are
lying sick and alone on some dreadful battle
field, with nobody to bring cup of cold
water to your parched lips; and your white
face turned up to the sky. And shall start
out Of my dreams, and think Of the long and
weary night marches, and the toiling days /;
and my heart will ache till can't bear it,
Walter; and every time there is o battle, I
shall read over tho list of the killed and
wounded with great shiver Oh, Walter,
I can't lot you so to the war y
.Ofcoursc you can't ifyou're going to scare
up those terrible bugbcars to frighten your
imagination. And there never was u soldier
whose knees wouldn't have knocked under
him so that he couldn't have faced the enemy,
il he held up such picture as those you've
been painting for me- l .a
'But you wouldn't have inc q coward,
LottieT I'm young and brave and strong,
but my country needs me now, and should
be ashamed not to bo ready in the hour of
her need and peril. Come. be brave now us
the sister of a soldier should, and tell INC
shall 90 with God bless you -
She looked up, the great tears hanging
down her fair cheeks, and the God bless
you = was faint but steadily spoken.
'And now I've somo good news for you -
open your eyes wide, for you've the honor Of
being the sister of a lieutenant
A look of pleased surprise flushed through
the shadow on Charlotte Thornton's face
'Oh, Walter, is it really soi'
Yes, title and Office are mine now. Isn't
that something to be little proud ovcr'
YES; but ... "a
Il won't have another but You must
wear bright face, and keep achccrful voice,
for mothers sake. l do hate to tell her.
Poor mamma! = sighed the girl. 'Oh,
Walter, remember il anything happens to
you It will break NIL our hearts,
No IFS either; I positively interdict oil Of
them and us I'm going of SO soon, you'll
let mo have my own way about it,
'How soon?' ..... .-I ... ...-
Next "Wednesday or Thursday our regi.
ment goes. Now, Lottic, do you love me- 2
slipping tho palm Of his hand under her chin,
and holding up her face, 50 that ho could
look into the eyes dar.led with tears. q a1
you know that do, Walter, better than
my own life.' -.
well, then, the time has come to prove
your affection. Let me SEQ you brave strong,
happy, until I 60 It will take great bur.
den from my heart, and help sustain mother,
If you do .lr.EH '.t
well, I'll try for your sake, Waller
That's good girl, and like my own dar.
ling sister. Thero'll be lots Of things for
you to DO before Co. rightly judging that
active employment would best direct her
thoughts from the great trial through which
il had been appointed her to pass. -1
'Oh, I'll do anything, Walter; I'll hem
your handkerchiefs, and make your shirts,
and-and, you won't forget your little
Lottie, will you, when you're awsy'-she
couldn't finish tho sentence. ''''''