The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-17
Volume Is.

mission.
Il may not be worthy Of one. have not
yet proved my fitness to rule
Your 6tness! It is in your blood
.well. then. seriously, do not rdnt a
commission, because feel sure that can
do more good by going as private, All
cannot be officers, and more men than you
think are holding back because they cannot
They say, 1t Is the lower orders who serve
in the ranks; we will not 6sht unless our
comrads can be gentlemen.' Every one is
waiting for some other. Do you think
there are not men in Boston who will follow
the Gag the more readily IL they march in
company with my fathers SOM
Your father would not have donc-did
not do-what you wish to do
Because he was needed otherwise
His voice was full Of appeal-his tones
grew solemn in earnestness.
Mother, | must 80. can only 30 as
private, for my conviction that that is my
duty is unalterable. If it is a sacrifice, II is
one that must be made. Will not you make
with il mo? lf you kept me back | should
hardly be willing to accept life on such
terms. 1t wonld only bo long misery, with
the ghost o, this untulGlled duty stalking be-
sid me forever. Be brave, mother; brave
and Kind II I should fall in hattie, und lie
beside some Southern stream with my lie.
hooi ebbinc away. let me not have to think,
when your voice and your smile come back
to haunt m,, that wen, away withou, your
blessing"
The heart, the quick, impulsive, womans
heart, through which the eager French blood
throbned, was softsuet
You have conqaerad. Twill not keep
ycu hack from the duty yoUr eyes see -
clearly. You may 30 right. Az any rate,
ii You 60, YOU shall ~ with my blessing
and remember that one at home prsys for
YOU every hour"
That was one struggle and one victory
The soldier had vet another conflict to dare
IA harder one possibly-in tho boudOir of
Clan Gase.
lie went there that night after his enlist
meut had beon registered. She was his b.
tbrothcd wife. and he loved her as u brave
man can love true woman. II may be
that he feared her little, also. II he did,
forgive him, Tor there was nothing else out
of heayen that he did fear. In her case It
was only because she was 50 precious tn him
that no calamity, save loss Of honor, could
have bcen r,,ckoned by the same measure as
loss of her. Somehow he shrInk from tell
ing her his plan, and meeting the look be
lancied her eyes would wear when she heard
liz; and 80 he had unfolded it to her in a
note which sho had received that morning.
He hoped that she would have reconciled
herself to his views before he saw her.
She was beauty Of different type from
his handsome mother; but OF one no les
naughty. She was pure Saxon, with hair
Of dun gold, and blue eyes which could
swim in seas of passionate tenderness. bat
which knew how to flash scorn, or scintillatC
anger. Just the woman for long loving OF
long hating.
Miss Gage met her lover cordially enough
IA wary general does not commence his at
tack till he has reconnoitered the field.
She talked smilingly about the weather
She was going, next week, to Newport
couldn't she persuade him to go9 They
would have merry times.
Il shall have to do with other balls, he
said, little resolutely, determined that she
should beat no longer about the bush OF his
purpose.
She raised her eyebrows slightly.
Saratoga
Virginia, rather
a bad tine to 20 South in summer
Necessity makes all times alike. Did
you get nv noteT'
.what--that plcas,ntry you cent me thin
morning, about enlisting? hid you think
did not know YOU bctter' Fancy Devereul
tridying through the Virginia mud, with
that rolled up bundle, whatever they call it
on his hack
1t is well to fancy it, Clara. 1t will h,
real soon. enlisted tonight
without asking mer
: Forgive me. My life was Gods and m!
country's before it wa. yours. knew N!
I duty. dared not run the risk Of having
INV resolution shaken by your Persuasions.-
I I should not bs worth loving Clara, 1t
{ could shrink from what know ! an calle'
of Heaven to do"
4 Il thought Hcaven's calls were OF a NOR
E peaceful na,ure--to pray or preach to men
I not shoo, them. What docs your nOihe
ayr
, That she viii pray for her absent sold'e
t every hour of the day. Her prayers an
yours will DO my shield.
y Twill not pray for yOO!' The girls lip
{ whitened with anger aud resolution as sn'
P spoke.
9 Not pray for me!'
II No, unless do 80 unwittingly, in tn
s prayer we are taught to Onsr Tor our enc
y mie-. You are my enemy il you CO."
There was nothing weak or irrssolute il