Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-14
Mutester Daily Spp.
WRITTEN FOR THE DAILY SPY.
THE SOLDIER OR, A TALE OF THE TIMES
BY "HoME VOICE. :"

~, father, do not cease to love me, be
cause he is dear to me. l will never wed
without your blessing"
The fathers heart was touched, and rising
hastily he bid hen go. mo, no, dear father,
tell me first you still will love me-"
Love you, Anna! yes--but never mention
him, sal he, imprinting a kiss upon her
marble brow. With a relieved heart she re
turned turned to her room and gave thanks for this
The flags had been presented, the brave boys
had received the God bless you" from faith
ers, the mothers and sisters had sObbed their
prayers for their safe return, while acquaint.
ances had waved their handkerchiefs in fare
well, as they started for distant camp Capt
Green's manly appearance had won much
praise, and to none did he look more noble
than to his aged grandfather. AS Frank
glanced at his uniform AID sword flashing by
his side, proud feeling throbbed his heart,
which his bright eye betrayed, and then the
thought OF Anna came, and a shade OF sadness
passed Lis flushed face. The order ito move"
brought deaiening cheers, but Franks ear
needed them not; his eye was turned towards
Anna's window, where waved the red, white,
and blue, in her own iair hands
The weeks passed slowly, laden with ankle
ty and fear for the absent and the loved name
remained unspoken in the family of Mr. Cor
don, although all knew the cause of Annals
care-w0rn face. Letters from him served to
tighten her sorIows, but her joyous laugh was
seldom heard. December came the month of
holidays, when affections hand gives gifts and
festive scenes enliven every house. But war
has brought care and anxiety into most house
holds-there is no desire for merrimeut in
these days, when the thoughts are with hus.
bands, sons, and brothers, in distant camps, or
perchance within prison walls. The magic
wires vibrate, and with painful solcitude all
wait the news. 1t reads :-"At Drainsvie
battle Gen. McCall's division victorious
Gen. Ord conducted the affair, and has won
laurels by his bravery ard skill. Loss on the
Union side small"
How many aching hearts and seepless eyes
did those few lines cause in -, and PRAYERS
rose from anxious hearts for the safety of loved
ones, who were doubtless in that scene of
danger. AT the bone OF Frank there were
sad hearts, but the aged man said :-"Dry
your tears Hattie; these precious rights lost
many noble lives long ago. Let us not weep
for the fallen brave" Her mother sighed, but
answered not Her heart chung to her first.
born she knew no love equal to mothers
for son.
Poor Anna! LETT to her grief alone 1t
would be impossible to conceive the tumultuous
emotions that actuated her thoughts. She
would in fancy hear the groans of the dying
and wounded, waited from the battle field, and
again would start as she fancied her name was
spoken in sapulchral tones. A storm ragged
without, and the winds sighed around the
house, as il mourning with the hearts within;
and then, with sudden gusts, would rush with
force among the trees, scattering the branches,
as if frantic with sorrow.
Morning came at last. The newsboy's hur.
ried steps passed, leaving here and there the
papers, which were to give relief or sorrow.
How anxiously was it grasped and how trem.
bliDgly did they read, lest a dear ones name
might be there! With a countenaDce stamped
with anguish did Anna descend to breakfast.
Groans met her ear as she entered glimpse
at her fathers ivid face and closed eyes, and
she was by his side This new trial engrossed
her entire thought as she bathed his throbbing
temples aud begged a word from his lips.
Slowly did they move. and she heard, "They
have killed him o, my God !" Like flash
it came across her mind, at is my Frank !'
and she sank powetless 10 the floor. Faithful
domestics labored over her, but long was it
before she became conscious. The death like
expression of his daughter reused the father
from his grief, and the sorrow of that proud
man would have brought tears to strangers
eye, as, bowed and trembling, he paced the
room, half deriOus, sometimes cur ing and
sometimes praying. Friends and neighbors
came to offer consolation, but the old man
refused to be comforted.
So the slow hours passed, when a dispatch
came, saying, "Safe, Col. Gordon prisoner;
not killed. but wounded.-Frank." As it was
read, how the tears trckled Down the fathers
cheeks, and like shield he clasped his Anna
in his arms and blessed her Frank
Her languid eyes opened the pulse quick
opaI nS Shp heard that linz
and her voice rose in tones of gratitude for
these merces.
Days passed before Anna recovered, and
letters were received, giving an account how
it happened the rebel officer was taken &C.
1t was after the confederate troops were routed
and flying, that he was wounded and left for
dead upon the field. While the Union men
were engaged in removing the wounded and
burying the dead, Capt. Green's eye fell upon
noble form whose dress proved him to be an
officer, and as he took second look the hand
OF the dying man was raised, and a "sign"
was given, which carried Green to his side as
quick as lightning. With haste he unbuttoned
the coat and lifted the head of him upon his
breast whom perhaps his own hand had laid
low and binding up the frightful wounds as
well as possible, he carried him TO the camp.
Weakened by the loss of blood he lay fainting
for hours. Tenderly did Frank care for him.
and oft did the thought come, can it be Ed
ward Gordon A low whisper reaches his
ear and he hears Frank Green" Edward
Golden was as quickly spoken, and their
tears were mingled together.
Not many weeks passed, before Anna, &C
companied by her father, reached Alexandria,
where her wounded brother lay. How CRATE
fully did Mr.. Gordon press the hand of Capt
Green, no longer the "ignoble TOOL" but the
protector of his own son. While Anna trem
bling, now pale and then crimsoned, receives
a kiss from her soldier lover. How anxiously
they waited permission to see "dear Ned"
and what tears Of thabkfulness, as well as sor.
row, fell upon his wasted, care-worn cheeks,
MS he was clasped in the arms of father and
sister! How sorrowully did he speak of his
position in the army, for, said he, looking to
the flag which hung at the side OF the room,
II love that fag-it was the influence of some
friends and the desire of securing property
which led me to accept that position. We
were deceived by the leaders and thousands
feel it now"
Long did they talk of the past, andgpleasant
to the sick man was the hand of love, as 1t
smoolhed his pillow and bathed the fevered
brow. AS his eye rested upon Frank enter
ing, a tear started, and in weak voice he
said, ITO him we owe it all. But for him, l
must have died !" and taking Franks hand,
he added, "rhere is our tie OF brotherhood ex-
listing between us. Another will receive my
sanction :" and looking at Anna, he added
ale has told me all.
Over the couch of the wounded son did the
proud, passionate fathers heart warm with
love and gratitude, and with atrembling voice
he sanctioned the union he had in bitterness
forbidden.