The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-31

bad wound, but will yield with care. only
wish had my mother here She has heard
of it, and doubtless, started before this. 1t
will seem 80 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 pang of
pain. 1t is your name he calls, your form
he sees through the mists of delirium, your
voice be hears in every gentle word that is
spoken. He knows whose touch will be
the tenderest, through the sympathy of suf-
feriHg, he knows who has borne the most
for him; and on the tented field, the holy
name of mother receives fresh baptism of
love and beauty.
81 can imagine how you feel" said the
chaplain sand have no doubt you will
see her soon. Meanwhile, you know there
is Friend who will be more to you than
mother or father, sister or brother"
81 realize that, SIR" said the young man;
am professor of religion, and have been
for years. When l was shot, ay, and be-
fore, commended my soul to Him for life
or death but confess l have much to live
for. am not yet brought where am per-
fectly willing to die"
I" 1t may be for the reason that you are
not called to die" replied the captain "but
in life, you know, it is the one important
thing to be prepared for DEATH"
After short prayer, the minister and
the sick man parted. He seems very
strong and sanguine," be said as he met the
surgeon again, and likely to recover"
"No doubt of it, sir, no doubt" was
the hasty reply of the surgeon as be passed
on.
The hour of midnight had struck from
the great clock in the hall. Slowly and
solemnly it knelled the departing moments,
and its echo rolled through the halls, vibrats
ing on many an ear that would never hear
the sound of the striking hours again. The
chaplain still sat up in his own room writing
letters for three or four of bis wounded
soldiers, and a strange stiffness fell around
him as he closed the last sheet and sat back
with folded hands, to think. He could not
tell why, but do what and 60 where he
would, the face of the young volunteer with
whom be had spoken last, haunted him. He
arose to move to the window where the
breeze was cooler, when knock was heard
at the door, and rapid voice called, "Chap-
lain 2" He hurried to lift the latch. The
surgeon stood there looking like shadow
in the dim moonlight that crept into the
passage.
Chaplain, sorry to disturb you, and
more sorry to give you an unpleasant duty
to perform"
"Why, what is it ?" was the quick re-
joinder.
"That fine young fellow whom you talked
with is going"
"What? you do not mean
"Won't live an hour, or two at the most.
L tried to tell him, but I couldn't; and
finally l thought of you. You can ease it,
you know"
A great shadow fell on the chaplain; for
a moment he was stunned and chOked, and
his voice grew husky as he made reply
"It is sad errand, but none the less my
duty. Poor fellow can't realzs it, 10.
deed 1 cannot. His voice was so strong !;
his manner so natural! I'll be there pres
ently;" and left alone, he threw himself
upon bis knees to wrestle for strength in
prayer.
The atmosphere was filled with low signs
from the strugglers with pain and disease.
Going softly up to the couch at which he
had stood before, the chaplain gazed upon
the face before him. 1t looked as calm as
that of sleeping infant, but he did not
sleep. Hearing slight noise his eyes flew
open and rested in some surprise upon the
chaplain.
g felt as if I must see you again before
l retired, ~ aid the lsttcr, striving to steady
bis voise. "How do you feel now?'
30! better, thank you in fact almost
well. The pain is gone, and I feel quite
hopeful. rather think the surgeon does,
though he said nothing"
Again that fearful swelling in the chap.
lain's throat. How should he tell him of
his danger-how prepare the mind SO calm.
ly resting on almost certainty ?-the poor,
hopeful soul that would never look with
earthly eyes on the mother he so longed for.
Another moment and the young man APP
peared to be struck with some popularity
in the face or movements of the chaplain.
The large eyes sought his with an intense.
ness that was pain, and he strove to inter-
pref that which made the difference be-
tween this an! bis former demeanor.
Your cases weary you, chaplain" be
said quietly; you must be very faithful,
for it is past midnight"
81 was on the point of going to bed
when l was called to prepare dying man
for his last hour" was the fearful response.
"Indeed what poor fellow goes next ?"
rejoined the young man, with mcurniul in.
quiry.
There was no answer for the wealth of
worlds the chaplain would not have spoken
now. That tone so unconscious of danger!
that eye SO full of sympathy Still a
strange silence! What did he mean The
sick mans irquiring glance changed for a
moment to one of intense terror. He raised
both arms-let them fall heavily upon the
coverlet at his side, and in voice totally
altered by emotion, be gasped:
Great heaven you mean me-"
~