The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-02-20
THE WING SOLDIER
4 TRUE STORY.

The chaplain came at last to cot, set
somewhat by itself outside the wards
Here, reclining at length, was young
man, whose face bore slight traces of suf-
fering. 1t was flushed with hue like
unto health the eyes were undimmed,
and only the position of his hands, which
were thrown over his head and locked in
almost spasmodic tightness, told that he
was in pain. He was unusually noble in
countenance. HIS brow was broad and
fair, and the thick locks that clustered
back from the temples, curled like the
ringlets of boy. He knew not why, but
the chaplain experienced an unusual and
sudden sympathy for this young man,
struck down in his beauty; still he felt
that there was no immediate danger in
his case.
"How is he wounded 2" he asked of
the surgeon, as the two approached the
bed, softly.
"In the, right side, below the ribs" was
the reply.
90! no that is, not at present. The
case may take bad turn, to be sure =
but it looks very we'll now Charles" he
added, addressing the sick man, familiar
Iy, "the chaplain is going the rounds,
would you like to see him ?'
40! certainly" exclaimed the young
man, smiling. 81 am very glad to see
him" aud he held out his hand. His
voice was strong aad ringing, as With the
highest health, his clasp was vigorous.
81 am sorry TO find you wounded, my
friend" said the chaplain.
80 only the casualty Of war; we
must some of US expect it, you know"
"Do you suffer much ?'
DAT times, sir, very severely; l feel so
well, only the distress here" and he pres
sed his hand to his side.
"You will be up soon. hope
'I trust so, sir the doctors say it is
bad wound, but will yield with care. l
only wish I had my mother here. She
has heard of it, and, doubtless, started be-
fore this. It viii seem so comfortable to
see her; you don't know how l long for
her"
All F.! mothers, you are first thought of
when the hardy soldier feels the pang of
pain. It is your name he calls your
form he sees through tie mists of deliri-
um, your voice he hears in every gentle
word that is spoken. He knows whose
touch will be tenderest, through the sym
pathy Of suffering, he knows who has
borne the most for him and on the ten
ted Geld, the holy name OF mother receives
a fresh baptism of love and beauty
"I can imagine how you feel" said the
chaplain, "and [ have no doubt you viii
see her soon. Meanwhile you know there
Is a Friend who viii be to you more than
mother or father. sister or brother"
81 realize that, sir" said the young
man. ''I am professor of religion, and
have been for years. When ] was shot,
ave. and before, [ commended my soul to
Him for life or death but [ confess [
have much to live for. / am not brought
vet where | am perfectly wiling to die
at may be for the reason that you are
not vet called to die, replied the chap
lain, "but in life you know ii is the one
important thing to be prepared for death
After a short prayer, the minister and
the sick man parted. "He seems very
strong and sanguine," he said, as he met
the surgeon again, "and likely to recoV-
er"
"No doubt of it, sir, no doubt" was
he hasty reply of the surgeon, as he pas
sed on.
The hour of midnight had struck from