The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-12-31

"I'm not afraid, but it's difficult to
believe all at once. I'm SO strong il
does not seem possible for such little
wound to kill me.
.... THE LAST LETTER.
"Shall | write to your mother now?
| asked, thinking that these sudden
tidings might change all plans and
purposes; but they did not; for the
man received the order Of the Divine
Commander to march, with the same
unquestioning obedience with which
the soldier had received that Of the
human one, doubtless 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 line to her myself when you
get done"
So | wrote the letter which he die
tatcd, finding it better than any had
sent; for, though here and there a
little ungrammatical or inclcgant, each
sentence came to me briefly worded
but most expressive, full Of excellent
counsel to the boy, tenderly bequcath
ing "mothcr and Lizzie to his care
and bidding him good bye in words
the sadder for their simplicity. He
added few lines with steady hand
and as | scaled it, said, with patient
sort Of sigh, II hope the answer will
come in time for me to sec 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 sudden sundcring Of all the dear
home tics.
Those things had happened two days
before. Now, John was dying and the
letter had not come. | had been sum
moned to many death beds in my life
but to mono that made my heart ache
as it did then, since my mother called
me to witness the departure of spirit
akin to this, in its gentlencss and pa.
ticnt strength. AS / went in, John
stretched out both hands
81 knew you'd come. | Igues5 I'm
moving on, ma'am.'
lie was, and so rapidly that even
while he spoke, over his face | saw the
grey veil falling that no human hand
can lift. | sat down by him, wiped
tho drop" from ms lVrvh'aa' st'rfeu
'tho ar ABOUT hlm win thG SOW wave
Of " IAN, ana waited 70 heip nm dle
lie Stood IN sore need ior hGip, ana
couil 40 so niue; ior, as the Ioctoi
hau iofciola} inc SIrohS Dody reOciieS
against death, ana iousht every ihci
FOR inc way, ioEclns nm to draw ohcl
Oreath win " sP"sm, ana cicmch M
hahuS WIN an impIorinS looK, as
nc asked, low long must endure
thls, ana pcSniI FOR ho'lrs nc SUI
ieFeu uumDly, Withouta moment res
plle, ora moment mufmuflhS' I'M
limos grew cold, his TACO damp, MI
i'pS Whlte, ana again ana again NJ
Tore INC covering Oh ms hrcas', Us !
the liShteSt weight added TO hsagony
yet! through 1t all, his eyes n, never los
Ihe,r poilecV serenity, ana inc man
s3Ni seemed to sit therein, qndaunt
ea Dy inc Ills that VeXed MS hoSh
soLDlEnLY SYMPATHY.
One by one tho men woke, an,
round the room appeared u circle o
pale faces and watchful eyes, full o
awe and pity; for, though a stranger
John was beloved by all. Each mar
there had wondered at his patience
respected his picty, admired his forti
tude, and now iamentcd his hard death
for the influence of an upright natur,
had made itself deeply felt even in on,
little week. Presently the Jonathan
who so loved this comeIy David, cam,
creeping from his bed for last lool
and word. The kind soul was full o
trouble, as the choke in his voice, tho
grasp Of his hand, betrayed but thcr,
were no tears, and the farewell of til,
friends was the more touching for it,
brcvity.
cold boy, how arc you?" falteroc
the one.
1" Most through, thank heaven !
whispered the other.
Can say or do anything for yo'
anywheres?" . M
Take my things home and tell then
that | did my best
'." will will !"
"Good-by, Ned"
"Good-by, John, good-by
They kissed each other Or tendorly a a