Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-16

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you to go to the war il you felt so ?" Wasn't en-
listing as bad as marrying ?"
"No maam, not as see it for one is helping
my neighbor, tbs other pleasing myself. went
because couldn't help it. | didn't want the
glory or the pay, wanted the right thing done,
and people kept saying the men who were in
earnest ought TO fight. was in earnest the Lord
knows, but held off as long as could, not know
ing which was my duty. Mother saw the case
gave me her ring to keep me steady, and said
goj' SO went"
A short story and simple one, but the man
and the mother were portrayed better than pa
Ses OF fine writing could have done it.
SOLDIERS PRIDE.
"Do you ever regret that you came when you
lie here suffering so much P'
Never, ma'am. | haven't helped great deal,
but I've shown was willing to give my life, and
perhaps I've got to. but don't blame anybody,
aud il it was to do over again, I'd do it. I'm
little sorry wasn't wounded in front. 1t looks
cowardly TO be hit in the back, but ! obeyed or
ders, and It don't matter in the 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 the thought
that troubled me, as be spoke SO hopefully, when
there was no hope, for he suddenly added
"Ths is my first battle-do they think its 60
ing to be my lastp"
Pm afraid they do, john"
1t was the hardest question had ever been
called upon TO answer; doubly hard with those
clear eyes fixed on mine, forcing a truthful an
swer by their own truth. lie seemed little
startled al first, pondered over the fatefu fact
| II 81 Z. - IL,
broad chest and muscular limbs stretched out be-
fore him.
"lm not afraid, but it's difficult to believe all
at once. Im so strong it don't seem possible for
such little wound to kill me"
THE LAST LETTER.
"Shall | write to your mother now ?" asked,
thinking that these sudden tdings might change
all plans and purposes but they did not for the
man received the order Of the Divine Commander
to march with the same unquestiohiug obedience
with which the soldier had received that Of the
human one, doubtless remembering that the first
led him to life the last to DEATH
"No ma'am; to Laurie Just the same; he'll
break it to her best, and III add line 10 her my
self when you get DONE"
So wrote the letter which he dictated, finding
il better than any had sent, for though here and
there q little uDgrammalica or ineegant, each
sentence came 10 me briefly worded, but most ex.
pressive full Of excellent counsel TO the boy, ten
derly bequeathng mother and Lizzie" to bis
care, and bidding him goodbye in words the sad
der for their simplicity. lie added few lines
with steady hand, and, as | sealed it, said, with
patient sort Of sigh, 81 hope the answer will come
IN time for me TO see it !" then, turning away his
face, laid the flowers against his lips, as il to hide
some quiyer Of emotion at the thought Of such a
sundsriDg Of all the dear home ties.
These things had happened two days before.
Now, John was dying and the letter had not
come. had been summoned 10 many death
beds in my life, but to none that made my heart
ache as it did then, since my mother called me to
watch the departure OF a spirit akin TO this, in its
genteness aud patient strength. As | went in
John stretched ou, both hands,
81 knew you'd come guess I'm moving on,
ma'am."
lie was, and SO rapidly that even while he
spoke over his face saw the gray vail falling
that no human hand can lift. | sat down by him,
wiped the drops from his forehead, stirred the air
with the slow wave OF fan, and waited TO help
him die. He stood in sore need OF help, and
could do so little for, as the doctor had fore
told, the strong body rebelled agsins, death, and
fought every inch Of the way forcing him TO draw
each breath with spasm, and csneh bis hands
with an imploring look, as il be asked, 4" How
long must | endure this, and be still For
hours he suffered dumbly, without a moments
respite or a moments murmuring. His limbs
grew cold, his face damp, his lips white, and again
be tore the covering off his breast as il the light
! la.t ,vais,bt ad1ab IN his ar thrnuph II
all, bis eyes never lost tholr perfect serenity, and
the mans soul seemed to sit therein, undaunied
by the ills that vsxed his flesh.
soLDlERLY SYMPATHY.
One by one the men woke, and round the room
appeared 4 circle Of pale faces and watchful eyes,
full of awe and pity for, though sh anger, John
was beloved by oil. Each man there had Won
dered at his patience, respected his piety, ad-
mired bis fortitude, and now hmented his hard
death for the influence Of an upright nature had
made itself deeply felt even in one little week.
Presently the Jonathan who so loved this comely
David came creeping IRON bis bed for a last look
and word. The kind soul was full OF trouble, as
the choke in his voice, the grasp of his hand
betrayed but there were no tears, and the fare
well OF the friends was the more touching for its
breyity.
"0d boy, how are you htered the one.
"Most through, thank Heaven ! " whispered
theother.
Can say or do anything for you any
where's
"Take my things home, and tell them that
did my hest"
al will will +"
Good by, Ned"
4" Good by, John, good by
They kiss each other tenderly as women, and
so parted for poor Ned could not stay to see his
oomrade die. For little while there was no
sound in the room but the drip of water from a
stump or two, aud Johns, distres.ful gasp, as he
slowly breathed is life away, | thought him
nearly gone, and had just laid down the fan, be-
eying its help TO be no longer needed, when sud
denly be rose up 10 his bed, aud cried out with a
bitter cry that broke the silence, sharply startling
every one with its agouized appeal; "FOr Gods
sake give me air y
1t was the only cry pain or death had wrung
from him, the boon he had asked, and none oi
us could grant il, for all the airs that blew were
useless now. Dan flung up the window, the first
led streak Of dawn was warming the gray east
a herald OF the coming sun. John saw it, and
with the love Of light which fingers in US to tie
end, seemed TO read in il sign Of hope Of herd
, for over his whole face there breke that myster
Gus expression, brighter by far than any smile
which often comes to eyes that look :heir last He
: laid himself gently down and stretching out his
Q strong righ, arm, as il to grasp and bring The
: blessed air to his lips in fuller flow, apsed into
Q merciful unconsciousness, which assured US that
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