Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-11-26
WHOLE NO. 240S.

fell, pierced with dozen wounds. Then
onward came the serried troops OF horse,
their flaming nostrils hot with angry
pride, rushing upon our columns like
storm, until they wavered, broke and
lhed.'
God save them ? exclaimed the moth
er
| He did for in that terror of confusion,
above the wreck of war and dying groans,
arose the voice of our beloved chief, as
through the ranks of our retreating men,
/ like some commissioned deity from heay-
en-, he flew, angered. but godlike. Twas
la look, word, an action, and the lying
masses gathered and charged like men OF
stone and iron, until the foe retreated,
and we gained that day the field at Mon
mouth, for as night drew DER the scene
its drear and sable mantle, each soldier
slept in arms, and when the morn rose
blushing o'er the SCARED dead, the foe,
with gun and standard had escaped
'Ah, brave, good hearts-oh, blessed
Washington exclaimed Mrs. Holton,
with tears sparkling in her eyes.
That we have wives and sisters con-
tinued Charles, 'homely hearths, though
cheerful ones-mothers who pray for US
and some, perchance, nursing secret
love, whose sweetest visions cheer them
through the battle-these are enough to
make men brave indeed. Then add to
these a tyrannous opposition, and merce-
nary troops, and who so craven as to buy
his life with silence or inaction.'
There was moments pause. Every
one seemed affected with narration OF
Charles, and the parson, raising his eyes
devotionally toward Heaven, then spoke,
with hand clasped and uplifted-
In that sublimer temple, reared by
fame to those patriots who fell, the bleed
ing victims of Expressions car, there must
be hallowed inches for the dead. whose
blood empurples even the very sod that's
green upon their graves. So take you
heart, madame, for though your son be-
loved be parted from you, think what
cause his life was given to and for the
sacrifice myriads Of unborn souls must
stand indebted
The scene was too impressing. All
hearts present were wandering to some
dear remembered one, whose presence
never more should greet them, and ST.
lent and involuntary prayer went up from
that Thanksgiving party so lowly plead
ing at the Throne of Mercy for the love
ed and lost, that its bright portals must
have thrilled with the most harmonious
response.
The Squire, overcome by his emotion,
drew his handkerchief from his pocket,
and walked toward the window, ana peer
ed upon the frosty. starlit air, and all
again was silent, save the almost audible
beating of sad hearts. What a contrast
to the early hilarity of the day
All of a sudden hasty steps were heard
approaching; the Squire looked more
anxiously up the road. Nearer and near
er came the sound, and at length trave-
Ter, approaching ON foot, appeared around
the corner of the barn, fastened to the
the door, and gave three loud and dis
tinct knocks. Strange that sounds so IA
miliar should create such mysterious awe,
as was evident by the Interchange OF
wondering looks, and the scarcely parted
lips old and young. But Rina the cook,
heard the summons, and as quickly as
her aged limbs would carry her, she ran
to answer it, and the stranger was admit
ted. There was an interchange of words
between them when she was heard to ex-
claim
up stairs, up stairs! Oh, Lordy, Lordy!
what am going to happen next, i won
.derP
Up the stairs clattered heavy feet, the
door of the room was suddenly burst open
and in rushed tall, pale, figure, emacla-
ted and care worn, with arms outstretch-
ed, and calling, as he entered-'Father!
oh, mother, you are hereY he sprang for
ward and fell into the arms Of Mrs. Hol-
ton, already extended to receive him.
She but uttered a single exclamstlon-
'My boy, my son !-returned with warmth
his fond embrace, and sank back into her
chair, exhausted and speeehless. Oh.
what a strange, .unearthly pallor over
spread those features. Terror and alarm
were depicted upon the cOuntenences OF
all the very atmosphere OF the room
seemed burdened with oppressive gloom,
and Henry-for he it was, fell at his moth
er's feet, and claspiug both her hands,
called in imploring accents
Mother, dear mother, speak speak -
Is it for this have returned? 0, better
l had died. Oh, breathe and speak Dear
mother, dol .
Alas the luster was already passing from
those eyes, and deep and solemn shad-
oy was stealing over every feature, and only
around the lips fingered smile of such
supernal bliss as the parting spirit alone
C1il give W III NOu SNS BANNN-
What a group-Henry kneeling in front,
with his head in the maternal lap
Charles standing by her right shoulder,
his manly chest heaving with dread emo
ton, one hand clasped upon his forehead
and eyes upturned with the most despair
ing grief; behind the chair, and bent
over the left shoulder, with his warm
cheek laid so close to hers, moaning IN
accents broken hearted. leaned the de-
spairing husband; and in front Of all
with arms outstretching and eyes with
fervent supplication raised, stood the
good pastor of the village.
Henry had not been slain upon the
field of Monmouth but, severely wound
ed, almost beyond the-hope of life, he
had been made prisoner and carried
away by the retreating foe Weeks he
had fingered, unable to be removed, and
months waned away ere he regained suf-
ficient strength to walk, and then,among
other prisoners he was kept till the end
of the war, when he was released and ar
rived home Just in time to be present at
the First and Last Thanksgiving of his
mother.
What We May Be.
No human being can be isolated and