North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-09-10
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THE DYING SOLDIER.

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 suffering. 1t was
flushed with hue like that of health; the
eyes were undmmed, and only the position
of his hands, which were thrown over his
head, and locked in almost spasmodic tight
ne-s, told that he was in pain. He was un-
usually noble in countenance. His brow
was broad and fair, and the thick locks that
clustered back from the temples cured like
the ringlets of by. He knew not why but
the chaplain experienced an unusual and sud-
den sympathy for this young man, struck
down in his beauty still he felt there was
no immediate danger in his case.
How is he wounded ?" he asked of the
surgeon, as the two approached the bed soft
ly.
"ln the right side, below the ribs" was
the reply.
" Is he in d,nger ?"
"Oh, no; that is, not at present. The
case may take bad turn, to be sure; but
it looks very well now. Charles" he added,
addressing the sick man familiarity, "the
chaplain is going the rounds; would you
like to see him 2"
ooh, certainly p exclaimed the yourg
man, smiling. ri an 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.
"I am sorry to find you wounded, my
friend" said the chaplain.
ooh, only the casualty of war We must
some Of US expect it, you KNOW
I" Do you suffer much ?"
{" At times, sir, very severely feel so
well, only the distress here - and he press
ed his hand to his side.
'' You will be up soon, 7 hope"
"T trust So, sir; the doctors say it is a
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 soldiers feel the pang of
pain. 1t is your form he sees through the
mists of delirium, your voice he hears in ev-
cry gentle word that is spoken. He knows
whose touch will be tenderest, through the
sympathy of suffering, he knows who has
borne the most for him; and on the tented
field the holy name of mo ther receives fresh
baptism of love and beauty.
II can imagine how you feel" said the
chaplain, :" and have no doubt you will see
her soon. Meanwhile, you know there is a
friend who will be to you more than mother
or father sister or brother"
"I realize that, SIR" said the young man
81 am professor of religion, and have been
Cor years. When was shot, ay, and before,
commended my soul to Him for life or
death but confess have much to live for.
am not brought yet where | am perfectly
willing to die"
"It may be for the reason that yeu are
not yet called to die," replied the chaplain;
" but in life, you know, it is the one import
ant 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 sur
geon again, and likely to recover"
"No doubt of it, sir" was the hasty re-
ply of the surgeon, as he passed on.
The hour of midnight had struck from the
great hall. Slowly and solemuly it knelled
the departing moment, and its echo rolled
through the halls, vibrating on many an ear
that would never hear the sound of the
striking hours again. The chaplain still sat
nm in his own room writing letters for three