The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-04-27
JOHN monGAN's sUBsTITUTE.


ed Tor MIN. lie was Tall, handsome
fellow--thirty five, perhaps; vigorous of
limb, strong of muscle, with kindly yet
earnest eyes, well-cut features, and an
expression OF fearles integrity. You
would have known him at once for what
he wgs--a good unselfsh, courageous,
honest man, worthy OF winning, capable
Of holding a woman's love.
She who listened for his coming heard
tie slow step upon the gravel, and sprang
from the door to meet him. You could
see, even in that dim light, what albright,
CHEEKY, pretty woman she was, with her
loving eyes-her dark, satin smooth hair;
her red tender lips; aud tie fresh roses
on her cheeks. She went up to her hus-
band. and put her hands on his arm low
ingly.
~ know you have bad news for me,
john"
''Yes, Mary; must go. | was the
third one drafted.
The wife felt her limbs shake, and she
thought at first that she could not stand
All The forces OF her nature seemed Civ
ing way. but she rallied bravely. For
his sake she would be calm and strong,
but she could not speak just then. She
led him into the house, where their chill
dren were-fve of them; the eldest only
ten in July just gone. There was some
thing in their fathers manner which
checked the noisy demonstrations with
which they were wont TO greet him, and
thav l,, f. o,Iant E,esa.
he sat down 10 the great chair by the west
window. He buried his face in his hands
for awhile, and then he lifted it and look
ed round on the little group of his loved
ones. Three girls and two boys, and his
wife, their mother, looking, In spite of
years o. care, as fair, almost as young as
the day he brought her home his new
made bride. His chest heaved with
long and bitter sigh-s sort of sob
of despair. rather--and then he said, as If
he feared even she, bis other self, might
misunderstood him.
"6od knows, it is not for my own sake,
Mary! do not think am afraid to die.
Iwould go with more wilingness--with
joy-if | had not 30 much TO leave. If
1 fall, what will become of you and the
childreny cannot bear to think oil what
you might suffer. with no one to stand
between you and the cares and sorrows OF
the world. Mary, this drafting indiscrim.
inatcly does not seem just. Surely the
single men ought to 20 first"
His wife stole her little hand into his
very gently.
do not think of u.s." she said,
with true woman's self-forgetfulness.
at is not that. We should do well
enough. You need not fear that we
should come to want. But o, John"
And just there she broke down utter
ly, and cried out with burst OF passion
ate tears:
"No, l cannot bear it, You will die!
shall never, never see your face again!
II l could know that you would come
back, even were it manned and helpless,
1 would not murmur; but TO think that
you might die there, and could not help
you--lhat your eyes would seek mine,
your hands grope for mine, and not be
there-O. john shall go mad with hope
SVeS 1ettVds
1t was bis turn to be the comforter
now. lie drew her into the shelter of
his arms; he rested her poor head on his
breast; he whispered tenderly:
"Ail who fight do not die, Mary. God
watches over US there as we'll As here
Some women's husbands must go, poor
child. Something may happen yet that
shall not have to-
bic knew, however, no solitary chance
under the wide heavens by which he could
escape. The words with him were but
the sagaest utterance Of soothing; but she
caught at them eagerly.
"iou could procure y substitute, per.
haps-is that what you mean"
Il would il could he answered, eva.
sively, remembering in his own mind the
difficulty that richer men than he had ex.
perieDced In procuring them in those oui-
ct thinly peopled, agricultural towns. II
am very tired. Mary; can you give me
rome teag"
Cheeed n little BY her new hope, and
anxious, abovs all 10 cheer him and make
him comfortable, the vile got up and
went irso the kitchen. The biscuit for
supper were already made, and IN a few
minutes ten was upon the table. John
Morgan drank cup after cup Of it, with
sn eager, feverish Thirst; but eating with
hrm was a mere feint. When the meal
was over. the children were put to he'd,
all but the two Oldest girls. They stole
Out to the open door, and sat down in the
September moonlight. their arms around
each o'her--feel,ng, with sort of dumb
pain, that's shadoS which they could not
resa&i, had fallen upon the household
iheir mother, meantime, had lighted her
lamp and taken her work-a childs froel
winch she was tnishing--to the little
round table, She would not let this even
ing seem more unlike other evenings than
she could help,
:, coon there came footstep on the gray
~, ~ WAS, THIS lime quick, frut tread
~, -. gus ~ the door made way for the
ne" conner to enter, and he came in and
$1,000 silently Tor moment in the centre
OF the little sitting room.
ne was slender, elegantly moulded
man. You could see at rlarca th.,,
1 more o. bis manhood had never yet been
,tsIed byany tough struggle with fate
! 81 one would not have d9ubea h;s ~
.,ied courage. II shone in his steadv
Diuv eyes sad with outspoken main. II he.
trayed itself ia the curl Of b;r l., 49,
curve of IIg nos,rI ~ ~ "P, e"c