The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-11-04

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answered. "You asked. What can [ do
and the question is answered Pour int
another heart your strong enthusiasm
Vitallze another soul with your intense
patriotism have watched you closely
Alice, when Howard has been here You
are not apparently the same girl then thai
you are when he is absent. You do moi
talk as strongly about the war, and if be
shows anything like military ardor, are
silent Not single stimulus, so far as
observed by me, have you offered to his
love of country. Is this right !? Are you
doing your highest duty, in thus seeking
to hold him back from the ranks of patri-
OTIS and defenders [ think Howard
brave [ know him to be sound in princi-
pie. He belongs to that class of men
who make the best soldiers. And why
is he not in the army? The answer is
with you Speak the fitting word, and
he will move at once to the call of duty.
Into his manlier strength your warm life
shall flow. On the battlefield your brave
words will be In his thought, and make
him invincible What can you do, Alice ?
You can give q man to the army of free
dom--a man filed with your own spirit,
counting not his life dear, so that his
country is saved.
"Leave me to myself, Aunt Phoebe"
said the sick girl. "God will, no doubt,
give me strength but l feel very weak
now"
Aunt Phoebe laid her lips tenderly on
Ahce's forehead, and then went out.
For long time shadowng lashes lay
close upon white cheeks. The pale, thin
mouth was shut 1t was a sad mouth
now. Was there strength enough p
Could the sick girl bear this parting with
her lover "a parting In which there was
so little promise And Deeper still than
this went the pang. She thought of
woundlng and of death. Could she give
that precious one to these ? Send him
away by a word to encounter, in his own
dear person, the terrible things of which
she bad read as Detailing in battle Her
weak heart shuddered. She grew faint
and sick before the images imagination
wrought into almost life like existence.
But this state passed. Other thoughts
flowed into her mind, and changed the
character of its creations. She did not
see the dark things of fear, but the great
success that lay beyond the strife of bat
Ie.heds, And now was revived the old
ardor of patriotism. Up from the valley
of doubt and fear she walked with firm
steps, and eyes fixed on the muuntain.tops
beyond. She had been ready to give all
lor her country-even her own life, if
that poor Offering could have availed any
thing-ail but this Now she was equal
to the last great duty.
II am strong in Thy strength" she
ssld, lifting her eyes meekly upward -
Take all Of earthly sup port. [ will lean
upon thy everlasting arm" ..
The shadowy lashes no longer lay close
down over her white cheeks. The pale,
thin mouth, shut so tightly little while
before, was parted, and the sad expression
gone. The clear eyes looked out upon
the sunny sky and pleasant landscape.
Her heart beat in renewed strength.
ooh, HowardP' What flash of ioy
went over her countenance The door
had opened, and young man entered
lie was IN age not past twenty three yet
he had firm y set mouth, and an eve of
strength, and the step of one whose
thoughts were already maturing into dis
tinct life purposes.
"Dear Alice r' he said and kissed her.
Then taking her little hand, thin and col
orless almost as a snow fake, he held it
very tightly, sitting down, and bending
towards her as she lay among the purple
gazing into her face, and drink
ng in of its sweetness.
"If you were not SO weak, Alice I"
There was meaning in his voice beyond
he mere expression of regret. Alice felt
his, and as she tightened her hand in his
land, answered.
'If [ were not SO weak-what then,
Howard Y'
His mouth grew serious He looked
It her for a little while, and then his eyes
lropped to the floor
"What then 2" She pressed him for
n answer.
II would go from you little while"
He saw her start But instead of grief
II pain, soft smile lay upon her lips.
"Where 2"
He stood up, drawing his form erect.
Il am a man, strong, and of full stat
lre."
She did not answer, but her eyes were
n his face
ado you understand me, Alice ?'' His
voice was just little unsteady. He sat
iown again, taking the hand he had re-
inquished a moment before.
81 think So" She spoke very evenly
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