Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-09-07

young man, "and shall we not be equal to it's
demand2 am mTeadv, and you are ready aso!'
He spoke 10 a quick, inspiring voice, for he
saw strength In the eyes of bis mother, and
gathering 6rmness about her mouth.
Only a little while longer was there strife In
the mind Of Mrs. Irwin; only little longer
did old preudices and foregone conclusions bat.
.le with new convictions; only little while
longer did shrinking natural fear stand in the
way Of duty.
A week later and Mrs. Irwin held the hand
OF her sou iu parting How changed he was!--
In single week, be had seemed to grow older
by years. The firmly knit mouth; the deep
steady eyes; the finely erect figure; the already
browning face, 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
so brief time. Is it strange that Mrs. Irwin
was proud OF soldier boy7 She held his hand
10 parting.
"Do your duty, JohO," she said. in no weak
ness of tone
81 will, mother"
"Be brave"
81 will never turn my back upon the ene-
N.Y."
"God bless you and keep you, my son" -
Mrs. Twins eyes 6lled now, and her woman's
heart trembled in her voice.
"l know it, John; and if death comes to
you"
Mrs. Irwin broke down. She could not finish
the sentence.
at will be through His permission. Are not
even the sparoWs in His keeping2" said John
calmly. "How much more human souls"
They parted. Very pale for all that day and
the next Was Mrs. Irwin. But her bearing was
firm. II her heart was troubled, IL was not weak.
She was q wonder to herself
"Truly IL is so," che would repeat over and
over again, in her thoughts; "as our day is, so
shsll our strength be-"
To an intimate friend she said,
81 sometimes ask myself i'll am not drea ming.
Can it be possible that my boy is a soldier, and
in face of the enemy; and that he is there with
my consent2"
"WOuld you have him backr' asked the
friend.
A quick change, as Of surprise, was seen for
moment in the face of Mrs Irwin; then she
answered calmly
"No; yield him to his country"
"He looked 80 brave and manly" said the
friend.
A glow of pride came into the mothers face.
Sand seemed" was added, "to comprehend
so clearly the issue at stake. Il was no mur-
derous taste Tor blood-no love Of excitement
or change that filled his heart; but that true
patriotism which is the inspiration of an honor
able mind, and gives IL courage to meet death
in defence of Country and Right. honor you,
my friend, in being the mother of such man."
How strangely pleasurable were the pulses
that leaped away from the heart of Mrs Irwin.
This praise of her con was very sweet.
/, Weeks passed. With what an absorbing
interest she watched the progress of events -
Once, she turned with an instructive repugnanct
from all accounts Of military movements ant
battles; but now she had no taste for anything
o else The whole country was spread out like
i map in her mind, and every strategic poin,
|. with its camps and soldiers, strongly marked
The marshslipg of troops, their movements
, strength and positions, were nov familiar GhiDgs
her heart beat high wish pleasure at every trif
ling success, or vailed itself with shadows Whtl
, even the smallest reverse was sustained. Will
q q what an irreprepsible impotence did che looh
!, for the regular coming letters from her son
and with what proud satisfaction did sbe reaC
every detail of his new life that showed courage
endurance and self-denisl! She felt that hi
, was q true soldier, and therefore she was yer!
proud of him.
, The news came that the regiment In whcl
her son was serving had made an advance upo
the enemy's linee; that some severe skirDish
-. ing had taken place, and that an engagement
was imminent. A sudden fear shook tue nerve
q OF Ms. Irwin. Even as she read of the ad
, vance, a bloody battle might be going on, ant
q her con be among the dead or dying. Tn
: hours of sleepless suspense that went BY un1l
4 the news of victory was flashed over the coun
!. try, we will not venture to describe. Man
h were killed and many wounded. With breath
y less esgerness she devoured their names, a
!. with white lips and starting eyes she bent owe
| Al r. Wb.k l. al
:. name! The paper shivers in her HANDS. 81
cannot read the paragraph. Desperately sh
A thrusts the sheet down upon the table to hold
a firmly; but mist comes over her eyes; sh
q does not make out the words. Killed Q
). wounded!
% "Oh, God! give me strength!
q The dimness passes aud she reads: canon
"a the brave men who distinguished themeelve
4 private john Irwin deserves honorable mention
r. In q desperate assault OF the rebels, the Cal
a tain received a severe wound, aud fell upon Il
4 ground, and as he fell, two of the enem
). eprang forward to bayonet him. Irwin, aeeiI
n this, flung bimself before his PROSTATE captail
A shot one of the men, and in hand to-hand O.
counter disabled the other. He then bore Il
wounded officer from the field. During Il
"a whole fight, this young man, who is not twent
a one years of age. conducted himself with Il
,e coolest courage, and in more than one instan
n rallied his failing comrades. He has stuff
. which officers are made, and the Departme
should send him q commission"
"A Mrs. Irwin bowed down with her face upt
a tho table, trembling in every nerve: weak
glad bewilderment-seariul. Then droppir
III uoon her knees, with olasped hands, and ey,
er uplifted, she said, family
80, Lord, is he not ThiDe!"
"a A deep peace fell upon her spirit, and she r
mained some time kneeling. utprayer form,
ia itself into other words.
IN 81 could not stay away from you after rea
.. ing the news this morning" A friend said th
81 as she came 10, q little while afterwsrd. "a
id you not proud woman to-day, Mrs. Irwin?"
es ~ feel glad and humble," was the subdu'
,e answer.
of "Bat did he not act nobly! Who would ha
ye thought that in your quiet, retiring boy, the
q. was such daring SPIRIT"
liza cit does not seem as If Ii were my son "
has been so brave," said the mother At
n. act has apparently removed him to q distsn,
rs, and set itself up az question of right agsii
,is me. He 10 not mine, in the sense have hi,
he erto regarded him. Higher duties than the
of son are laid upon him; and must gi
God will make him equal to his duty under
-aa circumstances. To lose him would be fear
m thing; but to find him weak coward in the q
,ve Of battle, would be more fearful still"
ins "To hear such words from your lips! Fr
whence has come this new spirit7--this U
Il" courage" B GoE 10
her GAS our day is, so shall our strength be-"
tho piled Mrs. Irwin. "God gives the spirit Of
,ot durance and self sacrifice when We have u
Ir. of 1t; and this is our time Of need. do
flAtter myself with the hope shat my heart
,r,a home will be epared that nv boy win pass