Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-07-01

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"I'm not afraid, but it's difficult to be-
lieve all at once. I'm SO strong it does
not seem possible for such a little wound
to kill me-"
THE LAST LETTER.
"Shall I write to your mother, now?"
1 asked, thinking that these sudden IL
dings might change all plans and purpos-
es; but they did not; for the man re-
ceived the order of the Divine Comman-
der to march, with the same unquestion-
ing obedience with which the soldier had
received that of the human one, doubt
less remembering That the first led him
to life, the last to death.
"No, ma am; to Laurie just the same;
he'll break it to her best, and I'll add a
line to her myself, when you get done"
So I wrote the letter which he dicta-
ted, finding it better than any had sent;
for, though here and there a little ungra-I
matical. and inelegant, sentence came
to me briefly worded, but most express
sive, full of excellent counsel to the boy,
tenderly bequeathing smother and Liz
zie" to his care, and bidding him good
bye in words the sadder for their sim
plicity. He added few lines with steady
hand, and as I sealed it, said, with a pa
tient sort of sigh, "I hope the answer
viii come inAtime for-me to see. it." Then,
turning away his face, laid the flowers
against his lips, as if to hide some quiver
of emotion, at the thought of such sud-
den sundering of all the dear home ties.
Those things had happened two days
before. Now, John was dying, and the
letter had not come. I had been sum
moned to many death-beds in my life,
but to none that made my heart ache as
it did then, since my mother called me to
watch the departure of a spirit akin to
this, in its gentleness and patient strength.
As I went in, John stretched out both
hands.
ri knew you'd coth5i I guess I'm mo-
wing on, ma'am."
He was, and so rapidly that even while
he espoke, over his face 1 saw the grey
veil falling that no human hand can lift.
I sat down by him, wiped the drops from
his forehead, stirred the air about him
with the slow wave of a fan, and waited
to help him die He stood in sore need
for help, and I could do so little; for, as
the doctor had fortold, the strong body
against death, and fought every
inch of the way, forcing him to draw
each breath with spasm, and clench his
hands with an imploring look, as if he
asked, GLOW long must endure this,
and be still?" For hours he suffered
dumbly, without a moments respite or
murmering. His limbs grew
cold, his face damp, his lips white, and
again and again he tore the covering off
his breast, as if the lightest weight added
to his agony; yet, through it all, his eyes
never lost their perfect serenity, and the
mans soul seemed to sit therein, undaun-
ted by the ills that vexed his flesh.
soLDIERLY SYMPATHY.
One by one the men woke, and round
the room appeared circle of pale faces
and watchful eyes, full of awe and pity !
for, though stranger, John was beloved
by all. Each man there had wondered
at his patience, respected his piety, ad-
mired his fortitude, and now lamented
his hard death for the influence of an
upright nature had made itself deeply
felt even in one little week. Presently
the Jonathan who so loved this comely
David, came creeping from his bed for
last look and word. The kind soul was
full of trouble, as the choke in his voice,
the grasp of his hand, betrayed; but
there were no tears, and the farewell of
the friends was the more touching for its
brevity.
"Old boy, how are you?" faItered the
one.
Most through, thank heaven" whis-
pered the other.
"Can I say or do anything for you
?"
"Take my things home, and tell them
that 1 did my best"
a will! I willr'
Goodbye, Ned"
Goodbye, John, good-byer r'
They kissed each other tenderly as
women, and so parted for poor Ned
could not stay to see his comrade die.
For little while there was no sound in
the room but the dripping of water from
a pump or too, and Johns distressful
gasps as he slowly breathed his life away.
1 though him nearly gone, and had laid
down the fan, believing its help no Ion
ger needed, when suddenly he rose up in
his bed, and cried out with bitter cry
that broke the silence, sharply startling
every one with its agOnizcd appeal. "FOr
Gods sake give me air n
1t was the only cry pain OR death had
wrung from him, the only boon he had