The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-02-12

low.
feet, during the few minutes occupied BY hi
wife iR hurried change Of dress. He wa
not now thinking Of bis diminished income
nor the money losses which the war had oc
casioncd. These things were pushed bac1
as Of light importance, compared with wha
Others were called 70 endure.
They walked, in silence, to the residenc
ofMrs. Howell, only few blocks distant
The white, CHASTITY face, that met their eye
on entering, was vision 70 haunt the mem
ory for years.
"Oh, my son !--my boy my poor, poo
boy r. exclaimed, in wild, sobbing tones
the wretched mother, as they came into he
pressnce.
"Whato Of him, my friend ~ asked Mrs
Hardrup.
"Have you not heard? Oh, dear! Oh
my poor boy His arm carried off by can
non ball / Oh, my son !--my SON! That
should live to see this day y
In the calmer mood, that succeeded L
this paroxysm of distress, Mrs. Howell com
municated the intelligence of . battle II
Western Virginia, which had just been re
ceixed. Her son was in one of the compa
nies engaged, and his name appeared in tn.
list Of killed and wounded. "An arm car
ried offby . cannon shot--danserous." -
This, and no more, for the agonized mother
Il must 60 to him, Mr.. Hardrup l mus
go to my son." There was an appealing
look in the face Of Mrs. Howell, not misun
derstood by Mr.. Hardrup. She was widow
and poor--.the widow Of an old friend. s
"Tt is along distance travel is interrupt
ed in that region. and it swarms with armed
men. who set at dcGance ali the laws Of Goo
and man. You eannot 60 alone, Mrs
Howell" @ s5 ,l l s
81 must 60 to my wounded and suffering
boy, Mr.. Hardrup, If walk through the
whole distance. Don't object Dom, put
hinderances in my way but in God s name
help me :" Her eyes glanced upwards q
moment. sea eb &G
II cannot 60 With you, Mrs. Howell"
Il do not ask that. Il can 60 alone. But
--.' She paused. 4
"You have not the means in hand to 20. y
said Mrs. Ha,drup. ~ sNa q
81 have not, my friend. You know that
my income is small. At this moment can.
not command one-fourth Of the sum this
journey and its purposes will require"
Mrs. Hardrup turned towards her hus.
band. So 81 1873 sji
"When do you wish to start ~ he asked
'ero.night The cars leave at ten. 1t is
now eight" si 49 $50 l Z
.'There Is no hinderance, Mrs. Howell.
win call for you in our carriage, at half past
nine. and supply yon with everything needed
for the sad journey" Mr.. Hardrup spoke
feslingly, and with no sign Of reluctance. =.
The well-springs of his better nature were
broakpg up. l9es s5'aa has = asas
In her outgushing thankfulness, Mrs. How.
ell caught his hand, and kissedit Deep in
the heart Of his sympathetic pain, Mr.. Hard
|rup felta thrill Of pleasure. asl Fte - W
"Write to me, he said, as he parted with
Mrs. Howell, little while later that even
ing, after placing her in the cars. "Write
to me, IS soon as you reach your son. an
anxious to know his exact condition. And
il you need my help in anything, don't fai
to command me-" SffaG 7rts
"That is real trouble,'' said Mrs. Hardfur
IS her husband came in, after seeing Mrs
Howell to the cars, and sat down with her in
the pleasant room, where, surrounded with
books, and every home comfort, they usual.
ly spent their quiet evenings, IS really un,
conscious N their own persons Of wars
shocks, disasters, and suicrings, as If smi
ling peace walked TRANQUILITY through every
portion Of sh. land. baaas efss ia27c'
sYes, that is real trouble" Mr.. Hardrup
echoed the words. 1E8ss4 So hSfi's3i
a"was II for her own safety that Mrs
Howell made this great sacrifice ~ resumed
his wife. "Was her home and all her world
" goods in actual peril, that she sent Out
her SON to face the commop enemy !, SHE
had far less to lose in this respect than you
and ! and less to gain IN the restoration oi
peace and order. And yet, what we have
80 TAR given to the cause, is Is nothing II
comparison to her offering. Just think 81
ie. Isnot thc life ofs child more precions
than silver or gold ? Fit had been our owr
son, standing in the place of hers, would !
thought u the money to be expended in
going r. him, have touched your conscious
ness for moment : Ne, not for moment
And shsll xs not give willingly, and II
thankfulness, that our own home Is spared
to help another III 20 deep soerow - Y
'Yeslyss. Your thoughts but echo mine,'
answered Mr.. Hardrup. "Better help 4
hundred poor mothers to reach their wound
Cd and dying sons, than 20 upon one such
fearful errand Of four own. To.night's ex'
|perienceshas ts,rned my tbopghts in new
direction. God forgive me. that | fretted
over diminished income that i bore, with
- m . rrocn fho l;ohf hcr<3oy, That 10 t>sA