Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-23

Lie hClSll W pun uo II
light-very light; and shall we grow i'm
patient under the burden? No, no, my
husband! In accepting our share of this
great calamity, let US be thankful that il
is so easy to be borne, and not only thank
full, but ready to help others who are stag
gering in the way, and ready 10 fall
Don't let Mr.. Spring move. Rather let
him live rent free for year. ! would
prefer having our horses and carriages
sold, to seeing that family disturbed
Why, now, that / think of it, John, =
Mrs. Hardrup's voice became earnets, al
most to enthusiasm-'.is it just right for
us to keep our carriage at an expense of
four or five hundred dollars year, when
we might use the money in so many ways
in aid of the Government"
Mrs. Hardrup stopped suddenly. She
felt that she was pressing her husband a
little too closely, and looked for some half
angry or impatient answer. But Mr.. Hard
rup, who had dropped his eyes while his
wife was speaking, continued with them
cast upon the floor. He had two sons
boys of twelve and fourteen years of age,
away from home, at school, and his life
was very much bound up in them. As
his wife spoke of Mrs. Spring and her
sons, he thought of these boys, and he
imagined them older by a few years.
How could he bear to see them subjected
to the discipline, hardships and privation
of the camp, or set up as human targets
TO be shot at? The father shivered in
every nerve.
There was silence for some minutes,
and still Mr.. lIardrup sat, looking at the
questions which had disturbed him, from
a new stand point, and losing every mo-
ment something of the selfish hardness
by which he had been influenced little
while before.
''You will not let Mr.. Spring move?"
said Mrs. Hardrup, in a gentle, but serious
voice, breaking in upon her husbands
distracted state.
He raised his eyes, and looked at her
for few moments; and then, without an
swering, took sheet of paper, and wrote
on it few lines, with his pencil.
"Will that do?" And he pushed the !
writing towards his wife, She read:
PAY what you can: but don't leave the |
house. The man who has three sons in
this war, is entitled to consideration
May you receive them all in safety, when
the strife is over"
THAT will do, john" she replied, as
she rose up hastily, and, passing to the
other side of the table, bent down and
kissed him. "I'd rather have this note
rom your hands, than the costliest gift in
Tour power to make me-"
An interior calmness, peace and salts
action, different in kind from anything
Mr.. Hardrup had ever experienced, came
lown upon his spirits. This last sentence
rom the lips of his wife, as she stood,
With her warm breath still upon his feel
ngs-more precious, he felt, than silver or
,old.
Il would send it around this evening""
aid Mrs. Hardrup.
Mr.. Hardrup folded the note, slipped it
nto an envelope, and, after directing it,
allied a servant, and told him to deliver it ,
( once.
''Hark, How violently that door-bell
id ringl'' .
They sat expectant.
''Who is il comes?''
"A girl from Mrs Howells.'' :
What does she want?" :
''She says Mr. Howell's had bad news. !
nd won't You and Mr.. Hardrup- come
-f5ad news. S. =
"What kind of bad news?''
Where from?'
ats about her son William. the girl :
lys-he that went with the soldiers" {
Mrs. Hardrup turned pale, as she clasp {
d her hands together.
what about him, James,"
''He's badly wounded I
"Where?-how? When did it happen?" .
''The girl didn't say, ma'am. She's I
aiting." :
"Teil her that we will be round imme- :
lately" :
The servant retired. .
''0h, dear, here is real trouble, said Mrs. :
Iardrup, as she rose hastily. Poor Mrs. 7
lowell and he was her only SON."
Mr.. Hardrup paced the floor with rapid :
et, during the few minutes occupied by u
is wife in hurried change of dress. He
as not now thinking of his dim n shed :
lcome nor of money losses which the :
ar had occasioned These things were :.
lshed back as of light importance, COM = =
lred with what others were called to en-
nre and suffer.
They walked in silence, to the residence "
Mrs Howell, only few blocks distant |,
he white, CHASTITY face, that met their T
res on entering, was vision TO haunt the q
emory for years. ,i
''Oh, my SONNY boy.-my poor, poor !,
"" exclaimed, in wild, sobbing tones, Il
lie wretched mother, as they came into :,
er presence.
"What of him, my friend?" asked Mrs. .,
ardrup. -
"Haye you not heard? Oh. dear? Oh, 81
Y poor boyl His arm carried off by a ~
nnon shot Oh, my SONNY son, That :.
should live to see this dayi''
In the calmer mood. that succeeded to :.
is paroxysm of distress, Mrs. Howell :, =,
the intelligence of battle 4, 4,
Western Virginia, which had just been Il
ceived. Her SON was in one of the COM :, :,
mics engaged, and his name appeared ~ ~
the list of killed and wounded. IAN II
M carried off by cannan shot-dan- "
rous." This, and no more, for the ago Il
zed mother. ~
81 must go to him, Mr.. Hardrup, must ~
to my son." n,
There was an appealing look in the face al
Mrs. Howell, not misunderstood by Mr..
ardrup. She was a widow, and poor
e widow of an old friend.
at is long distance; travel is inter I'll
pied in that region, and it swarms with al
med men, who set at defiance all the II
US of God and man. You cannot go al
,ne, Mrs. Howell" til
81 must go to my wounded and suffer- til
2 boy. Mr.. hardrup. if walk through oil
e whole distance, Don't object. Don't st
It hindrances- in my way; but, in Gods al
me, help mel" Her eyes glanced up di
rd for a moment. ca
81 cannot go with you, Mrs Howell" ST
81 do not ask that. can go alone ag
1t --." She paused. dc
You have not the means in hand to go" W.
d Mrs. IIardrup. in
81 have not, my friend. You know m
at my income is small At this moment til
annot command one-fourth of the sum ar
is journey and its purpose will require" ov
Mrs. Hardrup turned towards her hus- m
nd. ar