The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1863-07-03

served what went on about him and, as
he Law high upon his pillows, no picture
or dying statesman or warrior was ever
fuller OF dignity than this Virginia black
smith.
NO uorE.
A most attractive face he had framed
In brown hair and beard, comely.fcatured
aud full of vigor MS yet unsubdued by
pain, thoughtlul, and oilcn beautifully
mild while watching the Affections of
others, as if cnti1ely furgctful Of his own.
His mouth was grave aud firm, with plen-
ty Of will and courage In its lines, but a
smile could make II us sweet ~ any wo-
mans and his eyes were child's eyes,
looking one fairly in the facc,with clear
glanSe, which promised
well iur those who placed their faith in
him. lie seemed to cling 10 life as IL Il
were. rich, in duties aud delights, and he
had learned the secret of content The
only time | saw his oomposurc disturbed
vas when my surgeon brought another
to examine John, who scrutinizcd their
faces with an paxious look, asking the
elder: "Do you think shall pull through
sir !" hope so, my man,' and as the
two passed on, Johns eye still followed
them with, un intcntedness which would
have won clearer answer from them
had they seen IL. A momentary shadow
fitted over his face, then came the usual
serenity, as if in that brief eclipse he had
acknowledged the existence of some hard
and asking nothing, yet hop.
ing all things, lett the issue IN Gods
hand, with that submission which is true
picty.
The next night ms | went my rounds
with DR.. p happened to ask which
II an in the room probably suffered most.
and to my great surprise he glanced at
John.
Every breath he draws is like stab;
for the ball pierced the left lung, broke n
rib, and did no end of damage here aud
there so the poor lad can find neither
forgetlulness nor case because he must
lie on his wounded back OF suilocntc. II
W III be u hard struggle and long one,
FOR he possesses great vitality but even
his temperate life can't save him.
wish IL could"
"You don't mean he must die, doc
tor I"
Bless you, there's not the sl'gh,est
hope for him, and you'd better tell him
so before long-women nave way 90.
ing such things comfortably, so | leave II
TO you lie wont ,"st more 'hun u"y
or two, at furthcst."
- ha..,ii,, ;c ILnd no, lcorncd Tho
wisdom of bottlinp up ones tears for
leisure moments. Such an end seemed
very hard for such n man, when hulra
dozen worn out. worthless bodies round
him were gathering up the remnants of
wasted lives 10 linrer on for years, per-
hans burdens TO others, daily reproachcs
to Themselves. The nrmy needed men
like John. earnest. brave and faithful,
fioh,inp for liberty and Justice with both
heprt and hand n true soldier of the
Lord. IcnIld not give him nm SO soon,
or think with snv pn,ience oi SO excel.
lent A nature robbed of its mlfilmcnt and
hundred into eternity by the rashness
or stupidIy of those at whose hands SO
many lives NAV be required. II was an
ensv Thing for DIR. p--to say, "Tell
him he must die" but cruelty hard
tbing IN do. and Inv no means ms " COM
fortablc" ns he poliiely SUGGESTED. had
NOT the henrt TO do il then. and privately
inJulrcd the hone Tint some chappe for
the beitor migbt ,nke Mace. In spite of
gloomy prophesies. so rendering nv task
sho"i AM si"rLh ei'"
Atter that night, an hour oi cnch even
ing that remained to him was devoted TO
his ease or pleasure lie could not talk
much, Tor breath was precious ana ne
spoke IN Whispers but from occasional
conversations Leaned scraps "i private
history which only noded TO tho anecn1h
and respect j ieit ior hlm' once ne
asked me to write letter, and as l set
tied pen and paper, l snld win an IRE
pressible .glimmer of female curiosity
" Shall 1t be addressed to wife or mother,
John !"
Neither, ma'am; I've got no wife,
and will write to mother myself when
get better. Did you think was married
because of this 2" be asked, touching
PLAIN ring he wore, ana ofteh turned
thoughttnlly on his finger when he lay
alone.
Partly that, but more than a settled
sort OF look you have, look which
young men seldom get until they marry"
:" didn't know that, but I'm not so