The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-03-17

IN lis protection
In spite of all her peace principles
and horror of war, there flowed in the
mind of Mrs. Irwin such feeling of ad
miration for this out-spoken patriotism
Of her son, that even he read pride and
approval in her humid eyes.
"War is an awful thing, John" said
Mrs. Irwin.
al know it is, mother. But there are
worse things than war and that worse
thing is at our door You under stand
this as we'll as l do. They have thrown
down the gauge Of war, and there is
nothing left for us but to accept the hard
necessity"
But you are not called to this work" "
said Mrs. Irwin, the words faltering on
her tongue. "There are strong men
enough who will respond to the Presi-
dents call I cannot let you go, my
son." The wet eyes of Mrs. Irwin over
flowed.
John laid his hands firmly on his
mothers shoulders, and looked steadily
into her face. Then he kissed her ten
derly. "For the blessings we enjoy, did
not the mothers of the Revolution give
their sons to the battle field %
81 cannot bear it, my son am not
strong enough for this" And Mrs. IT,
win laid her face on the breast OF her
boy and wept shudderingly.
AS our day is, so shall our strength
be, mother. Don't you believe this ?"
q do, john" answered Mrs. Irwin,
lifting her face, and through half-bllnd-
ing tears. looked at him wonderingly
Nay, more than wonderingly with a
rising glow ofpride in her heart. Every
woman admires courage in young man !;
and the true mother loves it in her son.
A new sentiment was taking force in the
mind of Mrs. Irwin. and giving strength
for duty and for sacrifice. She seemed
to herself like one undergoing "a quick
transformation New ideas and new es-
Inmates Of things were pressing upon her,
and thrusting old forms aside.
Il do, my son." she repeated. but /
never thought 10 see this day"
The day has come upon us, replied
the young man, "and shall we not be
equal TO its demand ? am ready, and
you are ready, also !"
He spoke in a quick, inspiring voice,
for he saw strength in the eye of his
mother, and a gathering firm mness about
her mouth.
Only a little while longer was there
strife in the mind of Mrs. Irwin only a
little while longer did old prejudice and
foregone conclusion battle with new con
victions only little while longer did
shrinking natural fear stand in the way
Of duty.
A week later. and Mrs. Irwin held the
hand Of her son in parting. How chang.
ed he was in single week he had
seemed TO grow older by years. The
firmly knit mouth the deep, steady eyes;
the firmly erect figure; the already
browning face, for he had been drilling
in the open air for two days. the brave
resolute bearing, were all wonderful to
look upon as the work Of so brief a time.
Is il strange that Mrs. Irwin was proud
of her soldier boy ? She held his hand
in parting,
Do your duty, john" she said, in
no weakness OF tone.
q will mother"
BE brave
Il will never turn my back upon the
enemy
God bless you and keep you, my
SON" Mrs. Irwin's eyes filed now, and
her woman's heart trembled in her voice.
Il shall be in His hands. just the
same. mother"
know ii. John and il death comes
TO YOU"
Mrs Irwin broke down. She could
not finish the sentence.
II will be through His permission
Are not even the sparrows in His keep.
ing ?" said John calmly. "How much
more human souls"
They parted. Very pale for all oI
that day and the next was Mrs. Irwin
But her bearing was firm. If her heart
was troubled, il was not weak. She was
a wonder TO herself
:" Truly, it is So" she would repea,
over and over and over again, in her
thought: As our day is. so shall our
strength be-
To an intimate friend she said
II sometimes ask myself il | am no.
dreaming. Can it be possible that my
bDy liz n soldier anI IN tba Too, ~ a. q