Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-04-27

prosperous ana happy. lHOuSH pOooCooCo VI Assio Va
this worlds goods, their united labor suffced to graf
ify their simple wants and they always had something
TO spare to those less fortunate than themselves. They
did not hoard away their gains for a " rainy day" as
many others, but deposited them :" where neither
moth nor rust could corrupt nor where thieves could
not enter" Their " contented minds" were to them
"a continual feast" No wonder they realized in a
peculiar manner the goodness of God, for they had
themselves learned
"How many simple ways there are to bless"
Bryan though = poor man, stood high in the esti-
nation of his neighbours, on account of his strict in
tegrity, as well as for his talents, which were OF q SUI
perior order. He married in early life one in every
respect worthy OF him, for few possessed superior at,
fractions to Lizzy L.. Though she was also poor,
William thought that her beauty, Intelligence and
goodness, more than compensated for her want of
wealth.
Ten years of welded happiness had not caused
either to regret the day they were married; indeed
it seemed as if their happiness increased with their
cares. Five blooming children had blessed their
union. Those old enough were attending school, While
the babes at home kept gloom at a distance.
A neat cottage with a small farm adjoining was the
home of this. happy family, and they had adorned
it with "innumerable sweet flowers, which ladsd the
Dir around with their fragrance. William worked On
the farm for the maintenance of his family, and they
were far happier than those who preferred wealth
without contentment. But who can depend upon
happiness in this world. How many things there are
to take away our earthly pleasures, and how miser-
able those whose only treasures lie here.
~
"And must , nu indeed 90 - said Lizzy, her beau
tiful eyes sufi sd with tears.
"Our countr. calls all her sons, and | am no bet
ter than others that | should stay at home you do
not wish your husband to appear = coward, do your
"No, no, go! and may God protect you"
And he went as q private soldier, with his coun-
try's honor and prosperity nearest his heart, ready to
spill his life's blood, if need be, to repel the invader
but it was hard to part from Lizzy and his babes.
And did not a thought that they might come to
ro~& ol1 ~ tho main ~ paripu M iplaaH He
went with the full assurance that they would be cared
for, and he put full confidence in these assurances.
"Go, said the wealthy farmer W" my barns
and storehouses shall be opened to them whenever
they will. Give yourself no uneasiness but go and
serve your country like a man.. And for . season
he was spared the agony of knowing that his wife
and little ones were at home suffering, while his pre-
tended friend W, refused to sell to them because
they could not pay the exorbitant prices he deman-
ded. No wonder that the thought maddened him,
and he vowed vengeance upon the man that was OPP
pressing his family at home, while he was obliged to
stay in the army.
Faithfully had he served his country. In Virgins
and in this his native Old North State, had he suff
cred many p%rivations, and many more was he ready
to suffer for the advancement of the cause; but when
Lizzy's letters, though not complaining, were ia,
from being cheerful, come to him, he seemed to for.
get all but the dear ones at home, and their wrongs
God grant he may not commit . rash act; one tina
will cause them all deeper trouble than they have ye
seen.
III III 0OkhVO hLsh0 SObC&AS OhA - 4AL1 Ud
long been looked upon with covetous eyes by W
Now he thinks it almost within his grasp. He ha
kindly offered to buy it. if it becomes necessary 70
them to sell, and let them live in it during the wa
free of rent. Lizzy writes to her husband to kno,
what to do; begs him not toact rsshly; tells him the
are getting along very well, hopes to see him HON
soon /; not as a - she cannot write the word de
serter in connexion with her noble high minded hus
band. But a tear falls "a she chances at her waste
hand and fears she will never see him more in thi
. world. She tells him, she, as we'll as himself, prefer
suffering and even death to dishonor.
"What care | for honor or dishonor," says NJ
.tamong people who consider humanity q crine."-
- Would he take the home of my wife and babes, f
the money he considers trash, perfectly useless, onl
as it helps him to rob the poor and unfortunate ? Sc
i'll But let him bewarel The day of retributio
will come. The Lion one day will be unclaimed"
y x
And this is only one case out of thousands. Hun
dreds of soldiers families can tell the same tale of su
fering and wrong; how they grow poorer and poore
while the base extortioner stands ready with opens
hand to take the last piece of property for wh
they consider trash, and what they are fast makiI
SO. Ii they are liable to CONSUMPTION, they ha
enough of this to hire them = substitute, while tn,
stay at home for the avowed purpose of q makir
bread for the confederacy," or making something f
the Coniederacy, while they are staying. not on
because they are two cowardly to 60, but want
grow rich, to get all the soldiers property while mon
Es plentv and manV of their suffering families a