Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-02-14
MISCELLA ANY.
The Dying Soldier.
A TRUE STORY.

Tie Chaplain came al last TO cot set
somewhat by itself outs ide the wards.
Here, reclining NJ length. was a young man,
who-e face bore but slight traces of suff,-r-
ing II Was alshed wi.h a hue like that of
siealIhs lise eyes were undimmed. and only
The position OF his slsndS. which gerr thrown
over his heal ard ioeksi ia al no>i siasmod-
ic iieltness, told that lie MAS ia ian. He
was unusually uollr in oonteaanr,. His
brow WAS broad a q fair and The tlick locks
that cluster, back from the temples curl
ed ike tie ringie:s ii 10y He knew not
why, but the chaplain experien ell an IN
n ual and sudden synspathy Cor this young
man. >tsuck down in his b auty: still, he
frii that there was no imE diale danger in
his case.
How is he wounded 2? he asked Of the
surgeon. MS the approached the bed. softly.
In tie right side, below the ribs" was
the reply.
Is he IN danger?"
20 no that is, not at present. The
case may take bad tnrn, TO be sure; but
it looks very well now. Charles," he
added, addressing the sick man. famiiiarly,
"tle Chaplain is going the rounds would
you like to see him p
20! certainlyr' exclaimed the young
man, smiling. Il am very glad TO see him !;
and he held out his hand. His voice was
strong and ringing, as with the highest
health; his clasp was vigorous.
81 am sorry to find you wounded, my
friend" said The chaplain.
40, only The casualty of war; we must
some of US expect it, you know"
Do YOU suffer much ?"
At times, sir, very severely; feel
SO well. only the distress here" and he
pressed his hand to his side.
You will be up, soon, hope"
:" trust SO, sir the doctors say il is
bad wound. but will yield with care. l
only wish had my mother here. She has
heard of it, and, doubtless, started before
this. 1t will seem so comfortable to see
her; you don't know how | long for her"
All mothers. you are first thought of
when the hardy soldier feels the paDg of
pain. 1t is your name he calls, your form
he sees through the mists of delirium, your
voice he hears in every gentle word that is
spoken.-He knows whose touch will be
tenderesi, through The sympathy of suffer
ing; he knows who has borne the most for
him and on the tented field the holy name
of mother receives frrsh baptism Of love
and beauty.
a can imagine how you feel" said the
chaplain land have no doubt you will
see her soon. Meanwhile you know there
is Friend who will be to you more Than
mother, or father, sister, OF troher,"
realize that, sir" said the young man
Il am professor of religion, and have
been for years. When was shot. aye, and
before, ! commended my soul to Him for
life or death but confess / have much
10 live for. am not brought yet where l
am perfectly wiling to die"
at may be for the reason that you are
not yet called to de- replied The chaplain
~bui in life you know it is the one impor-
tant thing to be prepared for DEATH
After a short prayer, the minister and
the sick man parted. lie seems very
st:ong and sanguine," he said, as be met
the surgeon, again, ''and likely TO recover"
" No doubt of it, sir, no doubt !" was
the hasiy reply of the surgeon, as he pass
ed onl
The hour Of midnight had struck from
the great ball. Slowly and solemnly il