The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-08-07
BIDDEFORD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,
A SOLDIERS PRIDE.

| "Neyer, ma am. maven I hclpcu great
deal, but I've shown was willing to give my
life, and perhaps I'vo got to. But i don't
blame anybody, and If it was to do over
again, I'd do it. I'm littlo sorry I wasn't
wounded in front. 1t looks cowardly to DO
hit in the back, but obcycd, and it don't
matter in tho end, | know"
Poor John it did not matter now. except
that shot in front might have spared the
long agony in store for him. He seemed to
read tho thought that troubled me, US he
spoke so hopefully. when there was no hope,
for he suddenly added
"This is my first battlc-do they think it's
to bc my last?'
"I'm afraid they do john"
1t was tho hardest question had ever been
called upon to answer; doubly hard with
those clear eyes fixed ON mino, forcing q
truthful answer by their own truth. lie
seemed little startled at first. pondcred over
tho fatelul fact n moment, then shook his
head with. q glance at tho broad chest and
muscular limbs stretched out before him.
"l'm not afraid, but it's difficult to believe
all at oncc. I'm so strong 1t don't seem pos
siblo for such little wound to kill me-"
TIE LAST LETTER.
"Shall writc to your mother now?" |
asked, thinking that these sudden tidinss
might change these plans and purposes; but
they did not; for the man received tho order
of tho Divine Commander to march with the
same unquestioning obedience with which
the soldier had received that Of tho human
ono, doubtless remembering that the first led
him to llc, tho last to death.
"No ma am to Laurie just tho samo ho'll
break it to her best, and I'll add line to her
myself when you get DONE"
SO wrote tho letter which he dictated,
finding II better than any had scnt for,
though here and there u little ungrammatical
or inolcg,nt, each sentence came to mo brcI-
ly wordcd, but most expressive, full of excel.
lent counsel to tho boy, tcndcrly bequeath-
ing smother and Lizzin" to his care, and
bidding him good bye in words tho saddcr
for their simplicity. lic added few lines
with steady hand, and as sealed it, said.
with patient sort of sigh, 81 hope the an
swcr will como in time for me to SEQ it"
then turning away his face, laid the flowers
against his lips as il to hide some quiycr of
emotion at tho thought of such sundcring
Of all tho dear home ties.
These things had happened two days before.
Now, John was dying and tho letter had not
come. had been summoned to many death
beds in my lifo, but to mono that made my
heart ache rs it did then, since my mother
called me to watch the departure of II spirit
akin to this, in its gentlcncss and patient
strength. As went in John stretched out
both hands.
al knew you'd come! Iguess I'm NOV
Ho was, and 80 npidiy that cyen while ho
spoke, over his face | saw the grey veil FALL
ing, that no human hand can lift. ] sat
down by him, wiped the drops from his fore
head, stirred the air with the slow wave Of n
fan, and waited to help him die. He stood
in soro need of help, and could do 30 little ,
for, us the doctor had ioretold, the strong
body rcbelled against death and fought every
inch of the way forcing him to draw each
breath with u spasm, and clench his hands
with an imploring look, as il he asked, elbow
long must endure this, and be stllT"-For
hours he suffered dumbly, withouta moments 8
respite or moments murmuring. His limbs
grew cold, his iaco damp, his lips white, and
again hc tore the covering of his breast, rs
if tho lishtcst weight added to his anguish /;
yet. through it all, his eyes never lost their
perfect serenity, and the mans soul seemed to
sit therein, undauntcd by tho ills that ycxcd
his flesh.
soLDIERLY SYMPATHY.
Ono by ono the mon woke. and round the
room appeared circle of pale faces and
watchfui eyes, full of awe and pity; for
though stranger, John was beloved by all.
Each man thorc had wondered at his patience,
respected his picty, admired his iorttudo. and
now lamentcd his hard death for the inllu.
cncc of an upright nature had made itself
deeply felt even in one little week. The kind
soul was full of trouble, us tho choke in his
voice, tho grasp Of his hand betrayed; but
there were no tears, and tho farewell of the
friends was tho more touching for its brcvity.
"Old boy, how arc you?" laltercd tho one.
"Most through, thank Heaven" whis-
pcred the other.
Scan ! say or do anything for you any
wheres2"
"Takc my things home, and tell them that
did my best"
81 will will"
"Good by, Ned"
"Good by, John, good by!"
They kiss each other tenderly as women,
and so parted for poor Ned could no, stay
to SEQ his comrade die. For little while
there was no sound in tho room but tho drip
of water from stump or two, and Johns
dstrcssful gasps rs no slowly brcathcd his
life away. | thought him nearly gone, and
had just laid down tho fan, believing It's help
to bo no longer needed, when suddenly no
rose up in his bed, and cried out with bit
ter cry that broke the silence, sharply start
ling overy ono with its agonizod appeal: "For
Gods sake give mo air !"
1t was tho only cry pain or death had
wrung from him, tho only boon no had ask.
od, and none of us could grant it, for oil the
airs that blew were useless now. Dan flung
up the window. the first rcd streak Of dawn
was warming tho gray cast, herald Of tho
coming sun. John saw it, and with the love
of light which fingers in us to tho end, SEEM
cd to read in il q sign Of hope Of Heaven,
for over his whole face there broke that
IN ystcrious expression, brighter by far than
any smile which often comes to eyes that look
their last. llo laid himself gently down and
stretching out his strong right arm. rs II to
grasp and bring tho blessed air to his lips in
fuller flow, lapscd into merciful unconsci.
ousness, which assured us that for him suf.
cring was forever past.
As VIC stood looking at him, tho ward mas
ter handed mo letter, saying it had been
forgotten tho night before. IL was Johns
letter, come just an hour too late to gladden.
tho cycs that had looked and longcd Tor it no
carcrly-yot no had it; for after | had cut
some brown locks for his mother, and taken