The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-21

biuo sho oASeos HoSNoss yNs a'~S, '~@-~ ~--~
OF your health, you know
A gay nod was their only answer, and
they knew not that the quick jerk he gave
his cap was only to dash away tear that,
in spite of his forttude, blinded his eye as
he gave them his last glance. g.-
. .s
Lonely and desolate seemed the old farm
house without Johns cheerful voice and live
ly step, but Mary would not give way to
grief. Contrasting her lot with that OF hum
dreds whose husbands and fathers had en-
listed, she knew she had much to comfort
her in his absence, and proud was she to
think Of him in all his noble manlincss
among the finest fellows Of the regiment,
and she doubted not that his bravery and
hardihood would stand the scverest test
'Yes,' she often said to herself, Il have
right to feel that am the grandest, proud.
est lady in the North, what greater honor
can any one desire than to be a soldiers wife,
in times like these?'
And grandmother Mosier would ponder
what kept the girls spirits up, and how she
could trip around so gaily,-all the other
women in the neighborhood, whose friends
had joined the army, were going about among
themselves, passing the time in dolefal CON-
miscration of each other. and in bitter speech
es at the cause of this sad state of things
But the old lady said nothing. Not so con.
tented to see Mrs. Raynes thus cheerful and
pleasant, was her next ncighbor, whose son,
wild adventuresome youth, had gone in
the same company with John. Poor Mrs.
Elite was one Of thoss anxious, worrying
class of people, who cumber themselves with
unnecessary burdens, Us Timothy Titcomb
calls them, and so she took upon herself, be-
sides all the'worry and uneasiness she could
possibly gather about her son, great deal
which she imagined Mrs. Raynes unfeclingly
thrust aside; and whenever shc could find
occasion-which was quite frcqucntly-she
arraigned the submissive little wife before
the bar Of her judgment to answer for her
smiles and pleasant words.
In a few weeks Mary received letter from
John saying that the regiment was under
orders TO join the Burnside expedition. He
had written, and she had replied several
times, but this, he said, was the last she must
expect for month. They were to take
ships and proceed South he knew not their
destination but there was to be hot work and
he believed victory would be theirs-thc
blessing of Heaven would surely follow their
good General.
Now, indeed, did Mrs. Elite 'enjoy the
dolefuls,' as grandmother significantly termed
the yeheuence Of her sorrow, the old lady.
nevertheless, endeavoring to comfort the anx.
iety Of her neighbor by every ray of hope
that the prospect afforded. Mary had ex-
hausted every source of encouragement for
the same purpose, only to be considered
hard hearted, and so gave up the task, keep
ing contented by employing herself busily in
preparing warm garments for the sick and
wounded soldiers who were lying in suffer
ing condition in so many hospitals. Thisshe
d,S h0.;aos ,,,snd;r, 70 tho duties of the
family, while Mrs Flitc, by her discomfort
80, onI, had M ,;mo nor disnosi,;on for this
.I..;,,iI, ond r.,r;o,;, wo,t b,, no,loc,od
I~,-.,,. ar -. ,w, h,r.,ho,d Crrd.
-, h..,,,. ,..a,,. IT,, l,;,,o,
-. -. g.. ,ho ,oo, s,,iow,, cow,
w 81. .,.o,,.. 80,
80 49,. - r. vo,n,J, ,on1,. >. .ho -.
"s , ,.N,..,. " s..s. a.~ s,L.-r.
,V'"''u ''' 'e O''>-. -. = -. - -, .
,n,' " -. -, -. .a-.,.d
"' r,.,.',. -.
'no IO,0'u',o"' " ~. "' ~ W
the Lakes In tue iaS'' nrr
'Sure, friend, yon cant tell me anything
worse than I've gone through she said one
day to Mrs. Elite. Il never expected to live
to see this, but it's all right else it wouldn't
have happened Our old iolk' got safely
through anu VIC 0f'A,'a "o".''' ''A''
eouhu--NO AV 49, 81 :. -, -.
pu' We "V'V' 'O''' N ~ ""'' u0"N " c..
heip Oh stronger at" ."a" o' " %
'noSe ui.au'' ' M w " o. -
same heiPer how' ne's"'''' " "o nO'n
doubt how u Will come out HS 'er'o''