Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-07-02

"But you are not called to this work, John, -"
said Mrs. Irwin, the words faltering on her
tongue. %There are strongmen enough who
will respond to the Presidents call I can
not let you go, my son." The wet eyes Of
Mrs. Irwin overhowed.
John laid his hand firmly on his mothers
shoulder, and looked steadily in her lace
Then he kissed her tenderly. For the bles-
sings we now enjoy, did not the mothers of
the Revelation give their sons to the battle
deldg~
cannot bear it, my sonI lam mot strong
enough for this" And Mrs. Irwin laid her
face on the breast Of her boy and wept shud-
deringly.
"As our day is, so shall our strength be,
mother. Don't you believe this p
"I do, John," answered Mrs. Irwin, lifting
her face, and through half binding tears, look
ing at him wOnderingly. Nay, more than
wOnderingly; with a rising glow of pride in
her heart. Every woman admires courage in
a man; and the true mother loves it in her
son. A new sentiment was taking force in
the mind of Mrs. Irwin, and giving strength
for duty and for sacrifice. She seemed to her
self like one undergoing a quick transforma-
ton. New ideas and new estimate Of things
were pressing upon her, and thrusting old
forms of thought aside. '' do, my son, she
repeated, but I never thought to see this
day"
The day has come upon u.s. replied the
young man, and shall we not be equal to
the demand? am ready, and you are ready
also"
He spoke in a quick inspiring voice, for he
saw strength in the ewes of his mother, and
gathering frmness about her mouth.
Only little while longer was :here strife
in the mind of Mrs. Irwin; only little while
longer did old prejudices and foregone eonclu-
sions battle with new convictions; only lit
tie while longer did shrinking natural fear
stand III the way of duty.
! A week later, and Mrs Irwin held the hand
Of her son in parting. How changed be was !!
In a single week, he had seemed to grow ol-
der by years. The firmly knit mouth the
deep, steady eyes; the finely erect figure;
the already browning lace, for he had been
drilling in the open air for days; the brave,
resolute bearing, were all wonderful to look
upon as the work Of 50 brief a time. Is 1t
strange that Mrs. Irwin was proud Of her
soldier boy2 She held his hand in parting.
"Do your duty, John, she said, in no weak
ness Of tone,
Twill, mother"
Be brave
"I will never turn my back upon the enc
my"
God bless you and keep you my sonr'
Mrs. Irwin's eyes filed now, and her woman's
heart trembled in her voice
al shall be in His hands, just the same,
mother"
"I know it, John; and if death comes to
you"
Mrs. Irwin broke down. She could not
finish the sentence.
" 1t will be through His permission. Are
not even the sparrows in his keeping?" said
John, calmly. " How much more human
souls y
They parted. Very pale for all that day
and the next was Mrs. Irwin. But her bear
ing was firm If her heart was troubled it
was not weak She was wonder to her
self
'Truly it is so, - she would repeat over and
over again, in her thought: as our day is,
so shall our strength be-
To an intimate friend she said
AT sometimes ask myselfif am not dream
ing. Can it be possible that my boy is sold
Ter, and in the lace of the enemy and that he
is there with my consent? ?"
"WOuld you have him back ?" asked a
friend.
A quick change, as Of surprise, was seen
for a moment in the face of Mrs, Irwin; then
she answered, calmly
"No; yield him to his country"
"He looked so brave and manly" said the
friend.
A glow Of pride came into the mothers face.
"And seemed" she added, " to compre-
hend 50 clearly the issue at stake. It was no
murderous thirst for blood; no love ofexcite-
ment and change that filed his heart; but that
true patriotism which is the inspiration Of an
honorable mind, and gives it the courage to
meet death in defense Of Country and Right
l honor you, my friend, in being the mother
Of such a son"
How strangely pleasurable were the pulses
that leaped away from the heart of Mrs. r.
win. This praise Of her son was very sweet.
Weeks passed. With what an absorbing
interest did Mrs. Irwin watch the progress of
events Once she turned with an instructive
repugnance from all accounts of military move
ments and battles; but now she had no taste
for anything else. The whole country was
spread out, like map, in her mind, and every
strategic point, with its camps and soldiers
strongly marked The marshalling of troops !;
their movements, strength and positions, were
now familiar things; and her heart beat high
with pleasure at every trifing success, or veil
ed itself witt, shadows when even the small
est reverse was sustained With what an IT.
repressible impatience did she look for the
regularly coming letters from her son; and
with what a proud satisfaction did she read
-..--, I,,t,;l n bis now life that showed cour-