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

can go, and you so weak, so trail Oh
Alice, it is not that love has diminished
} but the call of duty grows more and more
trumpet-like every hour"
"You speak truly, Howard was the
firmly-given answer "When our coun-
try calls upon US, God calls. [ have
heard the voice, and recognizing it as the
voice of God, have looked up, asking,
what can | do? I SO weak, so helpless
just ready to be blown away by breath
mot able to minister even to my own
needs. Oh, have trembled in every
nerve with excess of desire to respond y
"Let me take of your spirit, darling !"
said the young man bending down to her
until his breath was upon her cheeks
"Let me lift from your weak shoulders
the burden of active duty. aud lay IL upon
my own. Strengthen me with your love !!
Say to me, Go forth, and offer the service
of two hearts. [ am ready to bear your
gage of honor to the battlefield as true
and loyal knight"
No fear came upon her heart God was
giving her strength for the hour Her
face grew warm, and the shrunken flesh,
in6iIed by stronger pulsations, seemed to
round with the fulness of health
go FORTH she answered, land may
God give you courage and endurance p
The sick girl laid her head upon the
bosom of her lover aud in the enthusiasm
of the hour was happy.
But did not her steps falter as she
moved along this new path of duty =? No
Her love OF country was genuine, and the
ardor that flowed from this love no evan
escent heat. For herself, she knew that
her steps were daily descending to the
river of death. and THAI in very short
time she would be amidst the encompas,
sing waves. Over the river faith she saw
the land of immortals and she shining
ones on the bank ready to receive her
soul. She had conquered the human
weakness that would hold her beloved to
her side,and In sanity strength given him
to his country in the hour of need
How brave he looked in his uniform
how strong-how manly Pride twined
itself with her love. Never a word of
weakness never a look of pain-never
hindering tear. But always an inspiring
strength. She hardly seemed to him a
frail, dying woman, but beautiful spirit,
pointing the way through danger to duty
The time of parting came Alice bad
not dared trust herself to think of this
hour. Would she have strength for the
trial? Strength of spirit? Yes. But
the heart would beat faster aud stronger
with human emotions and the frall body
might not bear the strain.
Goods love and Gods strength 60 with
you, Howard p She tried to be calm and
brave "Be true soldierl | shall be
near you-always near you. Howard p
He kissed her over and over again.
Drew her wildly to his heart Gave ber
long look of impassioned love Then.
without utterance tore himself from the
room.
A messenger reached him an hour after
wards, as he was marching to the place of
mbarkation, his regiment having been
ordered to the Capital. The nature of
this summons was such that he obtained
leave to remain behind, and join his reg- |
ment on the next day
The erdeal of parting had been toe Sc
we're for Alice The strength that came
to her was unnatural, an excitement that
consumed. When the scene was passed.
she became SO weak and tremulous, that
she could no longer sit among the cush,
lons In her great m-chair, but had to be
lifted to the bed, where she lay with shut
eyes, and breath so low that Aunt Phoebe, +
as she stood over her, was sometimes in
doubt whether the chest moved or not
Half an hour she thus lay. Then her
lips moved, and as Aunt Phoebe bent
down her ear she caught the whispered
name of Howard. 1t was then that she
dispatched the messenger, who was Just
IN time to reach the young soldier before
his departure.
"AliceF' The voice went down 70 the
region of consciousness. Slowly the lids
lpraised themselves, and there was light ,
and Joy in the eyes that hooked into her
overs face.
"Oh, Howard p
"You know me, Alice ?"
She smiled sweetly, but feebly; and
ner eyelids began to d.oop as if they were
heavy with sleep.
"Alice!' he called, tenderly, "Alice p .
She looked at him again.
"Do you know me, Alice ?''
eyes,"
"Who am 2"
Her eyes, now fixed, and haeoming
CLASSY, were looking steadily into his eyes.
"God's soldier w
As the words left her lips, a brief smile i
played over them. Then the eyelids Tell