The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-05-20

mouth ard he drank as the fevered only can /
drink. I watched him with moist eyes, leaning /
MON NV elbow and forgetting the bandaged
shoulder. He grasped me With both banda
Blood stained and pallid as it vas, his face was
Ingenious and beautiful as a child's.
NOV let me speak, he said, painting you
have misjsdged me, Rufus 1t was all mis-
take; found it out after We parted. me4A,
to have spoken this morning when ! grAsPea
your rein, but-but-"
His generosity spared me the rest Inc
wound nv hand had inflicted Was yet bleeding
in bis head; but for the bfind passion Of the
blow il must have been mortal Was vengeance
so sweet after alls | felt something warm trick
ling from nv shoulder. The daylight va gone
again-hoW dark il was
Forgive me, Dick" | murmyred, cropping
about for him with my hands. Then vas blind
then vas a. cold az ice-then ! stumbled
down az sbsss, and everything was blank.
'The crisis is past-he will recover, said a
strange voice.
Thank Col, thank God l'' cried familiar
one
opened nv ewes Where am r. How odd
svervthing was Rows Of beds stretching down
long narrow hall, bright with sunshine; aud
women wearing white caps and peculiar dresses,
fitting 70 and fro with nOiseless activity, which
in my fearful weakness, il tired me 70 watch.
Nv hand lay outside the covers; it was shado~y
as d skeleton 3 What has become Of my flesh
Was a child or a man. A body or spifits
So light and fiail did feel, | bega TO taink /
was done With material things altogether, and
had been subjected to some refining process, and
but now awakened to a new existence Bui did
they have beds ia the other worlds / was look
ing laziy at the opposite one, when come one
took nv hand A face Was bending over ne.
/ looked 10 into il with a beating heart. The
golden sunshine was on ton the fair regular
features, and the red lips and the kindly blue
eyes
"Dck :" gasped, where have you been all
these yearsy"
Weeks, you mean" said Richard, With the
old smile. But never mind nov. You are
better, dear Rafus-you will live-we shall b.
happy together again"
Il was more a woman's speech than a man,
but Dick had a tender heart.
"Where am T." | a-kcd still hazy v bat il
the matter With me?
".Hosptal in the first place" said Richard
"Typhns in the second. You were taken aite
that night at edeTcksburg"
Ii broke upon me at once. / remembered
that awful night Il could never never forge
Il again. Weak as a child, covered my fac
and burst into tears. Richard was on bis knee
by my side at once
&c l was Drute to recall it," be whispere,
remOrsefuliy; do not think of IL, old boy
you must not excite yourself. 1t is all forgot
ten and forgiven"
Forgive US our trespasses as we forgiv
those who trespass against usl' prayed iron
my Utmost heart.
Those words have been in your mOut
night and day, ever since you were taken.
said my friend
lay silent, cOgitating.
Tell me one thing. Dick | asked d" ar
We in the North or South -
"Norih-in Philadelphia"
Then you are a prisoner | said mourn
fully, recalling his principles.
&c Not a bit Of it,"
What do you mean?'
Richard laughed.
d" have seen the error of ny ways | hav
taken the oath of allegiance. When you ar
strong enough again, We shall hight side b.
side"
And the wound in your heads" asks
with emotion, looking up at his right, hand
some face.
Don't mention it. II healed up long ago.
" And the little drummer
Richard bowed his head upon my hand.
he was found dead upon the field. Heavel
bless him They say b. died praying, with hi
mothers name upon his lips"
Revere him as an angel" | whispered
graphing him by the hand. But for his dyin,
prayer we had yet been enemies'
"Oh. Richard Gods grace is with the sim
pie and pure Of heart"