The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-22

| hand could have given MIN wafer 70 urink' !
but did not raise finger. Vengeance was
sweet. l smiled grimly to myself, and said
down in my secret heart, "Not drop shall
cross his lips, though he perish. Ishall have
my revenge"
"Do you rocoil with horror2 Listen, how
mcrciiul God was to mo.
There was poor little drummer on tho
other side, q merry, manly boy Of twelve or
thirteen, tho pet and plaything Of tho rcgi.
mcnt. There was something Of the German
in him; hc had been with us from tho first,
and was reckoned ono of tho ablcst drum
mers in tho army. But we would never
march to the tap of Charlcy's drum again.
He had got ball in his lungs; and tho ex-
posurc and fatigue together with tho wound
had made him light headed. Poor little
child! he crept close to mo in the darkness
and laid his cheek upon my breast. Maybe
he thought it was his own pillow ut home;
maybe he thought it,poor darling, g,hi'mothcr's
bosom, God alono knows what hc thought
but with his hot arms about my neck. and
his curly head pressed close to my wicked
heart, even then swelling with the bitter
hatred of my enemy. ho began in his deliri.
um to murmur, Z" Our Father ,cho art in
Heaven"
4 was rough, bearded man. ] had been
an orphan for many long year; but not
too many or too long to forget the simple
hearted prayer Of my childhood-tho dim
vision of that mothers face over which the
grass had grown for twenty changing sum-
mers. Something tender stirred within my
hardened heart. It was too dark to 500 the
little face, but tho young lips went on broken.
ly:
"And forgive us our trespasses as zoe for.
giue those ,oho trespdss against Us"
It went through mo like knife-sharper
than tho sabcr cut, kcener than tho ball.
God was merciful to me--and this young
child was tho channel of his mercy.
"Forgipe US our trespdsscs as zoe forgive
those toho trespass againstw"
| had never understood tho words before.
II an angel had spoken 1t could scarcely have
been moro OF revelation. For tho first
timo tho thought that might bo mortally
wounded, that death might be nearer than l
dreamed, struck mo with awe and horror
The text Of n long forgotten sermon was in my
ears: :-"lt is appointed for oil men once to
die; and after death, tho judgment.
Worse and worse. What measure Of
mercy could expect, if tho samc was to bc
mctcd that had metcd unto my enemy?
The tears wclled into my eyes and trickled
down my cheeks; the first had shed since
boyhood. l felt subducd and strangely moved.
Tho rain was falling still but tho little
hoad upon my breast was gone. lilo had
crept away silently in tho darkness. His
unconcious mission was fulfilled he would
not return at my call.
Then I lifted myself with great effort
Tho old bitterness was crushed, but not alto
gcther dead.
"Wator-water :" moancd Richard With
crs in his agony.
dragged myself close to him.
"God bo praiscd!" / said with solemn
heart. 'Dick, old boy, enemy no longer
God bo praised am willing and able to
help. you. Drink and bc friends"
1t had bccn growing lighther and lighter
in the east, and now it was day. Day with
in and without. In tho first gray glimmor
of dawn we looked into each Others CHASTITY
aces for moment, and then the canteen
was at Richards mouth, and he drank as the
fcvored only can drink. watched him
with moist eyes, leaning upon my elbow and
forgetting the bandagcd shoulder. Ho grasp.
cd me with both hands.
Blood.stained and paid as It was. his face
was ingenious and beautiful as q child's.
"Now let mo speak, he said. painting
"You have misjudgod me. Rufus. II was oil
mistake; found 1t out after We parted
I meant to have spoken this morning when
graspcd your rein, but-bus"
His generosity spared mo tho rest. The
wound my hand had inflicted was yet bleed.
ing in his head but for tho blind passion oi
tho blow, 1t must have been mortal. Was
vengeance 20 sweet after all? felt some.
thing warm tricklng from my shoulder
The daylight was gone again-hOw dark it
was!
"Forgivc me, Dick" murmurcd, cropping
about for him with my hands.
Then was blind-thcn l was rs cold as
ice-then stumbled down an abyss, and
everything was blank.
"The crisis is past-he will recover" said
o strange voice.
"Thank God! thank God !" cried q famil.
lar one.
Iopened my eyes. Where was II How
odd everything was. Rows Of beds stretched
down long, narrow hall, bright with sun
shine and women, wearing whito caps and
peculiar dresses, fitting to and fro with q
noisclcss activity, which, in my fearful weak
ness, It tried me to watch. My hand lay out
side tho covers; It was shadowy rs skclo-
toms. What had become Of my acah3 Was
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