Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-11-14
NEW SERIES, VOL. Is, NO. "a.

given his COnHucnCc, ana he COulu not easily
do this. His was nature that shrank
instinctively from strangers. But having
trusted me once he felt frcer to speak.
have often thought since that he wished
particularly to send message to his afiianced
wife. For his family, he said: bid hel
(meaning myself tell them l died in peace
with regard to my future existence.
believe l shall be happy"
LITTLE FRANKIE BRAGG.
Many whose letters now hold in my
possession, as tokens of sympathy with my
iabors, will remember little frankie Bragg
the BOY of fifteen, who fought valiantly in
the ranks at Doncson- one of the bravest
of Birgis's sharpshooters, and whose answer
to my question in regard to joining the
army was 50 well worthy OF record. lie
replied to my question thus: II joined
Mrs. $, because was so young and strong,
anG because life would be worth nothing
to me unless offered it to my country"
How often have thought of that noble
child's reply when have seen strong, able
bodied men turning away from their duty,
reluctant to even admit they were called
upon, and contrasted his patriotism with
theirs.
Poor little frankie! Far away from
every kindred soul his blanched lips plead
ing but for one boon in his last hour
saw him die i can never forget the plead
ing gaze of the violet eyes, the broad brow
from which ringlets of light brown hair
were swept 10y strange fingers hathed in the
dcath-dew, the blue lips giving out their
pitiful wall for 'some one to care for him,
some one to love him. in his last hours
came to his side, and lac claspcd my
hand in his own, fast growing cold and
stiff. "Oh. Mrs. S-l am going to die and
there is no one to love me :" he said, sob
bingly. Il did not think | was going to
die till now, but it can't last long if my
sisters were only here; but oh, have no
friends near me now, and it is so hard -
Frankie | said, choking down the sobs
could scarcely suppress, Il know it is
hard to be away from your relatives, but
you are not friendlcss. am your friend,
Miss Smith and the kind doctor are your
friends, and we will all take care of YOU.
More than this, God is Your friend, and He
i nearer to you now than either Of us can
get. Trust Him, my boy, lie will help
yOu.'
\ faint smile struggled over the pale,
suffering features. "Oh, 60 you think he
will = he asked. Then as he held my
hants closer, he turned his face more fully
toward me and said wis;tuly, My mother
taught me to pray when was very little
boy, and | never forgot it. | have always
said my prayers every day, and tried not
to be bad. Do you think God heard me
always Z"
YES, most assuredly. Did hc not promise
in his good book from which your mother
taught yol, that He would always hear the
prayers of His children Ask and We shall
receive Don't you remember this ! One Of
the worst things we can do is to doubt
Gods truth. He has promised, and He
will fulfil. Don't you feel so, Frankie T.
He hcsitated, and then answered slowly,
Yes, | do believe it. | am not afraid to
die, but want somebody to love me-
The old cry fDr lovc-thc strong yraning
for the sympathy Of kindred hearts. 1t
would not be put kown, and lis last hour
Was bitter with unsatisticd longings.
frankie, | love YOU, poor little boy;
you shall not be left all alone. Is not this
some comfort to you p | asked
do you love me VIII you stay with
me and not leave me Z" lie replied eagerly,
"Oh, don't leave me ~
II will not be comfortcd,' | said Il
will stay as long as YOU wish" and, stoop-
ing, | kissed the pale forehead as if it had
been that of my own child or brother. \
glad light flashed over his face and he
cried out suddenly: oh kis, me again
That is given like my sister Dear Mrs.
S-kiss me again Miss Smith. won't YOU
kiss me too! don't think it will be as
hard to die if you will both love me"
Miss Smith bent over him to fulfil his
request, the tears raining over her honest
face. Then | sat down and drew his poor
little head against my breast. lie was but
Il child, reader dying in strange land,
amongst strangers and pleading Nuinly for
the loved ones. Could do anything else
But why ask Such an action needs no
explanation or apology. No woman with
a heart to feel or pity could do otherwise.
1t did not last long. With his face
nestled against me, and his large blue eyes
fixed in perfect consciousness upon me 10
the last moment, lie breathcd out his young
life in the greatest agony and pain. lie
suffered terribly, and it was with feeling
of rcliei that saw the last spark fade, and
the flame of existence go out This child in
years, with a mans thought and courage.
was at rest; and breathing a silent prayer
for those far away who were waiting and
for news of the boy brother. COM
posed the cold limbs and closed the beauti-
iu eyes for their eternal slumbcr. He was
buried in the hospital cemetery, and loving
Of his transmitted the sad news to
his friends. This task was spared me.
GOING TO THE FIELD.
My duties continued here till the battle of
Shiloh, then | left Miss Smith in charge and
went to the field in search of my husband
OF that trip and its incidents | will speak
another time. In closing this will state
that Miss Smith soon received some valuable
assistance in the persons Of some northern
ladies, who came down the river to join their
husbands, and remained for some time at
faducah. | left, therefore, with less rcluc-
lance, telling enlightened to know that loyal
hearts were beating over my friends. None
but secession women were there when first
entered the town. When | finally went
away more than dozen abnred willingly
Tor the alleyiation Of the great suffering that
surrounded thcm.
EMANCIPATION IL EAST TENNEssEE--
BRowNLow's PAPER.-Thc Cincinnati Ga
n l..