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

| the way of any patriotic end, however humbly
exhibited, leaven of selfshness so vital with
IFS own mean life that it will peryade the
"hoie Character, and give its quality 10 every
action. / hold such men-and they are all
around us-at a distance. / mark them as
born OF base elements. do not mean to trust
them in the futnrc. If were a maiden, and
had lover, and if that lover were not for his
country-outspoke aDd outacting, full of ar-
dor and among the jrst to spring to her de-
fense-I would turn from him. The man who
Is not true to his country-and the indifferent
are not true-will be false to all obligations in
the hour of trial. Trust no man who is not
ready in this hour, to do his utmost.''
Katie listened and her soul was fired. She
drank in fully OF her fathers spirit. That eve
ming as she sat knitting alone in the parlor,
she heard the bell ring, and knew by the
sound whose hand had pulled the wire. Her
fingers grew unsteady, and she began to drop
stitches. So she let the stocking upon which
she was at work fall into her lap. She sat
very still now, Ler heart beating strongly.
The heavy tread of George Mason was in the
hall. Then the door opened, and the young
man entered. She did not rise. In fact, SO
strong was her inward disturbance that she
felt the necessity for remaining externally
quiet as possible, in order to keep from betray-
ing hei actual state of mind.
Good evening"" said Mason, almost gayly,
as he stepped into the room. Then pausing
suddenly, and lifting up both hands in mock
surprise, he exclaimed: "Blue yarn and SOL
diers' stockings! Oh Katie Maxwelli''
Katie did not move nor reply. Her heart
was 6utteriDg when he came IN, but in an in
slant it regained an even beat There was
more in his tones than even in bis words.
The clear, strong eyes were on his face.
cha ha!'' he laughed gayy, now adYapc-
ing until he had come within few feet Of
the maiden. Then she rose and moved back
pace or two, with strange, cold dignity of
manner that surprised her visitor.
'sWhat good actress you would make -
he said, still speaking lightly. for he did not
think her in earnest-'sA Goddess of Liberty
Here is my cane, raise your stockings, and the
representation will be perfect.''
81 am not acting George" She spoke
with an air of severity that sobered him.
'sYou are not?'
ono; 1 cautioned you this morning about
trifing with things that should be held out of
the reign of trifing,'' she answered, steadily.
''lf you are not sufficiently inspired with love
of country to lift an arm in her defence, don It
pray you, hinder, with light words even the
feeble service that weak woman's hands may
render. | am not man, and cannot therefore
fight for liberty and good government; but
what am able to do l am doing, from state
of mind hurt by levity. l am in earnest and
if you are not, it is time that you looked down
stand its springs of action. You are of mans
estate, you are in good health, you are not
trammeled by any legal or social hindrsnces.
Why, then, are you not in the field, George
Masoni l have asked myself an hundred
times this question and can come to no salts
factory answer.
Katie Maxwell stood before the young man
like one inspired. her eyes flashing, her face
IN glow, her lips firmly set, but arched, her
slender form drawn up its full height al
most mperious.
''In the field - he said in astonishment, and
not without confusion of manner.
eyes, in the field In arms for your
country 20
He shrugged his shoulders with an affected
Indifference that was mingled with something
of contempt, saying blindy-for he did not
give himself space to refect-''I;ve no partic-
ular fancy for salt pork, hard tack, and III in
ME bullets.''
sNor 1 for towards - exclaimed Katie,
borne away by her feelings; and she pointed
sternly toward the door.
The young m an went out. AS he shut the
door she sunk into a chair from which she had
arisen, weak and quivering. The blue yarn
stocking did not grow under her hand that
night; but her fingers moved with unwearied
diligence through all the next day, and sol.
diers sock, thick, and soft and warm, was
laid beside her fathers plate when he came to
the evening meal. Very sweet to her were
the approving sentences that fell from his lips,
and they had balm in them for the pain which
had wrought at her heart for many hours.
Only day or two the pain lasted. Then it
died out; and even as it died there were
whispers on the air touching George Mason,
that, as they came to her ears, impelled her
to say,
"Thank God that he Is nothing to me! ~