The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-13


Every breath he draws is like a stab /; for
the ball pierced the left lung, broke rib, and
did no end of damage here and there so the
poor lad can find neither forgetfulness ncr ease,
because he must lie on bis wounded back or suf-
focate. 1t will be hard struggle, and long
one, for he possesses great vitality, but even his
temperate life can't save him. | wish it could.
"You don't mean he must die, doctor ?"
"Bless you, there's not the slightest hope for
him, and you'd better tell him so before long
women have way of doing such things comfort
ably, so leave it to you. He won't last more
than day or two at farthest."
| could have sat down on the spot and cried
heartily, if had not learned the wisdom of bot
Ting up ones tears for leisure moments. Such
an end seemed very hard for such man, when
half dozen worn out, worthless bodies round
him were gathering up the remnants of wasted
lives to linger on for years, perhaps burdens to
others, daily reproaches to themselves. The army
needed men like John, earnest brave and faithful,
fighting for liberty and justice with both heart
and hand, a true soldier of the Lord. l could
not give him up so soon, or think with any pa
tience of so excellent nature robbed OF its full
fllment, and bundered into eternity by the rash
ness or stupidity of those at whose hands so many
| lives may be required. 1t was an easy thing for
| DR.. p to say, Tell him he must die" but
cruelty hard thing to do, and by 10 means as
comfortable as ne politely suggested. had
not the heart to do it then, and privately INDUCED
the hope that some change for the better might
take place, in spite of gloomy prophesies, SO rem
dering my task unnecessary.
A SHORT AND SIMPLE STORY.
After that night, an hour of each evening that
remained to him was devoted to his ease or plea
sure. He could not talk much, for breath was
precious, and he spoke ia whispers, but from oc-
casional conversations cleaned scraps of private
history which only added to the affection and re-
spect felt for him. Once he asked me to write
a letter, and as | settled pen and paper | said
with an irrepressible glmmer of female curiosity
"ShalL it be addressed to wife or mother, John p
"Neither ma'am I've got no wife, and will
write to mother myself when get better. Die
you think was married because of this" he
asked, touching plain ring he wore, and otter
turned thoughtfully on his finger when ne lay
alone.
"Partly that. but more from settled sort o
look you have--a look which young men seldom
have until they marry"
81 didn't know that, but I'm not so very young
ma'am-thirty in May-and have been what yor
|
widow pm the oldest child she has, and i
wouldn't do for me to marry till Lizzy has home
of her own, end Laure's learned his trade; fo
we're not rich, and | must be father to the chill
dren, and husband to the dear old woman, il
can"
" No doubt you are both, John, yet how cam
) you to 60 to the war if you felt so ?" Wasn't en-
listing as bad as marrying ?"
J "No ma'am, not as | see it for one is helpin
my neighbor, the other pleasing myself. | wen
because | couldn't'help it. | didn't want th
glory or the pay, | wanted the right thing done
and people kept saying the men who were
earnest ought to fight. | was in earnest, the Lor
knows, but held off as long as could, not know
ing which was my duty. Mother saw the cast
gave me her ring to keep me steady, and sal
'go;' SO | went"
A short story and a simple one, but the ma
= and the mother were portrayed better than pa
ges of fine writing could have done it.
f SOLDIERS PRIDE.
s ado you ever regret that you came when yo
Il lie here suffering so muchP P"
9 "Never, ma'am. haven't helped great dea
g but I've shown was willing to give my life, an
4 perhaps I've got to. but don't blame anybod
d and if it was to do over again, I'd do it. I'm
5 little sorry wasn't wounded in front. 1t ooE
d cowardly to be hit in the back, but l obeyed O
| ders, and it don't matter in the end l know"
= Poor John it did not matter now, except th
l. shot in front might have spared the long agon
II in store for him. He seemed to read the thougl
/, that troubled me, as he spoke so hopefully whe
o there was no hope, for he suddenly added:
n This is my first battle-do they think it's g.
n ing to be my last P" tt.ssa
y Pm afraid they do, john"
il 1t was the hardest question had ever bee
l. called upon to answer; doubly hard with thos
7, clear eyes fixed on mine, forcing truthful al
# swer by their own truth He seemed littl