Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-23

softly.
"In the right side, below the ribs" wa
the reply.
''Is be in dangeri"
10! no; that is, not at present. Th
case may take bad turn, to be sure; bu
it looks very well now. Charles" be ad
ded, addressing the sick man, familiarly
'ihe chaplain is going the rounds; woul'
yon like to see him I"
"Ol certainly" exclaimed the youD!
man, smiling. u am very glad to se
him;" ana be held out his hand, Hi.
voice was strong and ringing, as with th'
highest health, bis clasp was vigorous.
ii am sorry to find you wounded, my
friend" said the chaplain.
10: only the casualty of war; we mus
some of US expect it, you know"
"Do you suffer muchi"
"At times, sir, very severely; feel SC
well, only the distress here, and be press
ed bis hand to his side.
"You will be up soon, I hope"
Il trust so, sir; the doctors say it is 6
bad wound, but will yield with care. !
only wish I had my mother here. She has
heard of it, and doubtless started before
this. It will seem so comfortable to see
her; you don't know how I long for her" !"
Ab! mothers, you are first thought Of
when the hardy soldier feels the pang Of
pain. 1t is yonr name be calls, your form
he sees through the mists of delerium, your
voice be hears in every gentle word that
is spoken. He knows whose touch will
be the tenderest through the sympathy of
suffering, be knows who has borne the most
for him; and on the "tented" field, the ho-
ly name Of mother receives fresh bap-
tism 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 more to you than
mother or father, sister or brother"
u realize that, sir" said the young
man; ~ am professor of religion, and
have been for years. When / Was shot,
aye, and before, I commended my soul to
Him for life or death; but l confess fhare.
much to live for. am not yet brought
where l am perfectly willing to die.
at may be for the reason that you are
not yet called to die" !" replied the chaplain:
shut in life you know it is the one impor-
tant thing to be prepared for death" !
After short payer, the minister and
the sick man parted. "He seems very
strong and sanguine," he said, as he met
the surgeon again. .and likely to recover"
"No doubt of it. sir, no doubt;" was the
hasty response of the surgeon as he pass
ed en-!
The hour of midnigh, had struck from
the great clock in the hall. Slowly and
solemuly it knelled the departing moment,
and its echo rolled through the halls, vi
brat;ng on many an ear that would never
hear the sound of the striking hours again.
The chaplain still sat in his own room
writing letters for three or four of his
wounded soldiers, and 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
90 where be would, the face of of the
young volunteer with whom he had spoken |
last, haunted him. He arose to move to
Lhe window where the breeze was cooler,
when knock was heard at the door, and |
\ rapid voice called, "Chaplain ." He
hurried too lift the latch. The surgeon
'took there, looking like shadow in the
lin moonlight that crept into the passage.
"Chaplain, sorry to disturb you, and
more sorry to give you an unpleasant duty
o perform"
"Why what is it!" was the quick re-
oinder.
THAT fine young fellow whom you
alked with is going"
"Nhat? do you mean
"Won't live an hour, or two at the most
tried to tell him but couldn't; and f.
'ally l thought of you. You can ease it,
,ou know"
A great shadow fell on the chaplain;
or moment be was stunned and choked,
md his voice grew husky as hs made re-
n.y.
SIT is q sad errand, but none the less
ny duty. Poor fellow! 1 can't realize it,
indeed l cannot. His voice was so strong;
lis manner so natural! I'll be thero pres
nily:" and left alone, he threw himself
pom bis knee 10 wrestle for strength in
mayer.
The atmosphere was filled with low
ighs from the strugglers with pain and
isease. Going softly up to the couch at
which he had stood before, the chaplain
,azed upon the face before him. 1t looked
IS calm as that of sleeping infant, but he
i'd not sleep. Hearing slight noise his
yes flew open and rested in some surprise
pon the chaplain.
IL felt as if / must see you again before
rested" said the latter, striving to steady
is voice. aHow do you feel nowl"
20! better, think you; in fact almost
1ell. The pain is gone, and feel quite
opeful. Irather think the surgeon does,
hough he said nothing"
Again that fearful swelling in the chap
aiu's throat. How should be tell him of
is danger-how prepare the mind SO
almly resting on almost certainty ?-the
oor, hopeful soul that would never look
nth earthly eyes on the mother be SO
,nged for. Another moment, and the
ouug man appeared to be struck with
ONE peculiarity in the face Of movements
( the chaplain. The large eyes sought
is with intentness that was pain, and
10 strove to interpret that which made the
Inference between this and bis former de-