The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-03-18


curious'y. l saw that she recognized Mr..
Preston, but no smile lit up her young
face.
How is your mother to day?' was
asked.>
Not very well. Won't you walk in ?"
"No, thank you, my dear, l only stopped
to inquire about your mother. Is she able
to sit up?"
"Ycs, sir. She sat up most all day yes
terday, and sewed part of the time. And
she is up again. Won't you CONS mp
May be she'd like to see you"
mot this morning. I'll call around
again. Say that Mr. Preston called. am
glad that she is better. Good bye"
Goodbye, SIR
felt the low, almost choking fu,ter of
the child's voice, away down in my heart.
Ny eyes were dim as turned away. What
did it mean?
| "She has given most of all" said my
companion, as we walked away.
Nv hat has she given:'
| ''FIer husband"
'Is he in the army ~
"He is dead"
"What Dead ~
Killed in battle" I stood still.
Sin 10 tlc?'
Yes Three weeks ago the news came
lie rests with the slain at Newbern"
"Who and what was he 2" Iasked, raj
lying myself, for | felt an overpowering
sense OF weakness.
A sober, industrious mechanic, a coed
on the day after his march with the regi
/ u, L-
| The parting had tried her severely, but she
was brave with it all, and full Of noble
heroi.m. He is strong and courageous.
and will do his duty she said to mc 'and
the country must have such men. | could
not cling to him weakly and in tears, as
some wives did to their husbands, and hold
him back when my heart babe him go. He
is in Gods hands. Men die at home, of
sickness, as we'll as in battle. | trust in
| God Her eyes were full OF tears As she
spoke, and her voice betrayed the fear and
suffering that were in her heart. All, sir,
neither you nor | will ever comprehend
what that humble wife endured in parting
from good husband, on whose strong arm
she had leaned for So many years-in part,
ing from h,m ihus."
He walked OH again, silent for some mo-
ments. How mean and poor seemed my
half.extoTtcd gift say half-extorted, be-
cause there was more of the being seen Of
men than genuine patriotism in the act
to the priceless contribution Of this poor
woman! had signed q check for five hun.
dred dollars-that was all No conscious.
ness Of the draft Of that check followed.
did not rclinquish single pleasure; there
was nothing sacrificed except love Of mon.
ey. But she had given her husband She,
poor, dependent on his life for the support
| Of herself aid her children, said, when his
| country called, Go! And the sacrifice had
been complete.
"The blow must have been Terrible"
said. poor woman! this is indeed sor
row" ....
"Shc staggered and fell," was replied
"For " eN the struggle between life and
death was almost evenly balanced. Then
the reaction came, and the poor, crushed
heart began to gather up its rent fbrcs, and
to stringit quivcring nerves for new efforts
and duties. The strong arm on which she
had leaned for SO many years was broken,
and n, must stand henceforth alone. How
she faltered and staggered with uncertain
steps at first For hours she would sit and
weep. But slowly strength came, and now
you Iemember the child's words, she sat
up most al day yesterday, and sewed part
Of the time A heavy burden has been
laid upon her. and she must walk hence
forth with STOPPING shoulders and weary
feet. Her own hands must earn the food
with which her children are fed, and the
garments with which they are to be clothed.
Her toll and her care are more than twice
doubled; and with them are the widows
sorrows What are my war burdens-wha,
are yours to this? All, sir, there is no room
for complaint-for boasting. With US the
sacrifice is nothing in comparison. 1t is
tho hardest with those who are least
sympathy" <..
AVE must do something for this wo.
man." said I. ''IIer case touches me deep.
ly' .an.. s. ..
Your possessions and mine would lose
more than half their value, were such ca.
lamity rs the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of our coun-
try to fall" was answered "Our enemies
are men in arms, and We must oppose man
with man in battle. While they fight and
die VIC are ut home, and in their blood and
suffering we find safety. Is there honor, is
; there Justice, is there humanity in forget.
ting this service, and leaving the widows
and orphans Of our dead soldiers to bear
unaided their burdens Of want and sorrow
| think not Yes, a>surcdly, We must do
something Cor this woman. She has given
hrr all. and il she has no share henceforth
in our abundance then we are not guiltless
in the sight Of heaven"