Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-27

| War is the nursery of romance, Though
worked for the greater part of a century, our
revolution is minc not yet so nearly eX-
hau>ted, that every year does not transfer
from oral tradition to the printed record fresh
illustrations of the heroism of our fathers.
! The present is equally rich in materials for
! the future annaliSt and romancer; and for
century to come our manners and customs,
our habits of thought, our dialect, our philos-
oPhy, will be subjects of infinite study aad
disquisition, Within few days an incident
! of the war has come within our knowledge,
which might be expanded by a competent
hand into thrilling volume.
Nine or ten years ago, citizen of one of
the towns in the eastern part of Massachusetts,
was uniustly suspected of Il crime which the
statute cannot easily reach, but which de-
servedly brings upon him guilty of it, the in
| dignation of upright men. There were cir
cumstances which gave color to the suspicion,
and the unfortunate gentleman suffered the
misery of loss of friends, business and rcputa-
ton. His sensitive nature could not face
these trials; and he fell into a condition of
body and mind which alarmed his family. At
length having invested his property where it
could be easily managed by his wife, he sud
denly disappeared, leaving her comfortable
home and the care of two boys, ten and twelve
years old. The first fear that he had sought
violent death was partly dispelled by the Or
derby arrangement of his affairs, and the dis
covery that daguerreotype of the family
group was missing from the paror table. Not
much effort was made to trace the fugitive
| When, afterwards, facts were developed
which established his innocence of the crue
charge, it was found impossible to commune
cate with him; and as the publication of the
story in the columns of several widely circu-
lated journals failed to recall him, he was
generally supposed to he dead.
At the outbreak of the present civil war
his eldest son, now young man, was induced
by friend, captain in western regiment,
to enlist in his company. He carried himself
well through campaigns in Missouri and
Tennessee: and after the capture of
fort Donelson, was rewarded with a
first lieutenants commission. At the
battle of Murfreesboro, he was wound
ed in the left ARM but so slightly that he was
still able to take charge of a squad of wound
| ed prisoners. While performing this duty he
became aware that one of them, middle-aged
man, with a full, heavy beard, was looking at
him with fixed attention. The day after the
! fight, as the officer was passing, the soldier
gave the military salute, and said:-
"a word with you, if you please, sir. You
remind me of an old friend Are you from
New England?"
lam"
''From Massachusetts ?"
Eyes"
"And your nanie?"
The young lieutenant told his name, and
why he came to serve in western regiment.
''Ithought so, said the other, and turning
away he was silent. Although his curiosity
was much excited by the soldiers manner, the
officer forbore to question him, and withdrew
But in the afternoon he took occasion to renew
the conversation, and expressed the interest
awakened in him by the incident of the morn
ing.
81 knew your father said the prisoner.
sis he well"
''We have not seen him for years. We
think he is dead
Then followed such an explanation of the
circumstances of his disappearance as the
young man could give. lie had never known
the precise nature of the charges against his
father but was able to make it quite clear that
his innocence had been established.
Il knew your mother, ALSO" continued the
soldier. Il was in love with her when she
married your father"
Il have letter from her, dated ten days
ago. My brother is Il nine months man at
New Orleans"
After a little deSultory conversation. the
soldier took from under his coat a leathern
wallet, and disclosed a daguerreotype case.
The hasp was gone, and the corners were
rounded by wear.
"Will you oblige me-" he. said, "by look
ing at this alone in your tent?" Agitated
almost beyond CONTROL the young officer took
the case and hurried away. He had seen the
picture before! 1t represented a man and a
woman, sitting side by side, with boy at the
knee of each.
The romantic story moved the commander
of the division to grant the youth furlough;
and both father and son reached home last
week
From Island No 10