Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-02-13
WRITTEN FOR TIE DELAWARE GAzEI1
THE DARKEST HOUR.
BY NELLIE SPARROW.

tempestous storm, where hearts are torn anC
rent assunder, as lightly as huge oaks are tori
up by the passing tornado; and what shall still
its wild, desiracting throbings? All! have
bis last letter; but alas that will only tell me
how dear be is TO me, and how hard it will be
for me to lose him. 1 might look at his no
bic face in the picture I carry next my heart
but that is poor comfort, for when / press
my quivering lips to it there is no response,
no warm lips TO meet my own. But, Oh
God when look at yonder bed and see his
darlings, sleeping all unconscious that be who
worships them may be sleeping in an unknown
grave, may have died with mangled limbs,
with fevered Parched lips and blood shot eyes,
his heart going out to the loved ones he left
at home, breathing his last prayer where no
dear one could hear or soothe bis aching heart
the very thought almost maddens me-"
Here the fair one who thus gave way to her
hearts grief, threw down the pen that traced
these lines, and flying to the bed where FIVE
little golden haired children were sleeping,
bowed down and from the very depths of her
soul poured out all the sorrow to an srer PRES
ent tiicnd- She looked TO be scarcely TWEEN
y-five, so fair and young-b but in her eyes
you could see what great sorrow she carried
| in her heart Her father, wealthy farmer,
had cast her out on the world, to make her own
way, when only fourteen, for having experien-
! eed religion and connecting herself with the
church. Vile wretch will God ever forgive
him for such beinous offence She had by
teaching school in summer and attending
school IN winter, acquired good common ed
ucation, and made many friends, who did all
they could to make her as happy as under the
circumstances she could be. 1t was at the
house of one Of her friends she became ac-
quainted with Charles Forrest She found in
him noble heart, one that could soothe all
ber trials with his gentle words He told her
the world was cold and beartless 10 those who
are left entirely to its mercies-that he would
be a shield to her troubled heart-Le would
call her his own.
And so one bright morn in early spring he
gave her his name and protection. They had
Il happy home. Charles Forrest loved his
wife and children, ard The cold hearted father
whe had SO deeply wounded the heart Of his
daughter, kept aloOf. She never heard his
voice, but could see his bent figure as he daily
passed her home, never casting glance to-
She would have cast herself before him and
asked Him 10 lake back those cruel threats he
made, that he would cowhide the religion cut
Of her if she ever called him father again
but her husband told her TO let him alone. and
he would come TO his senses sooner or later,
and ask her forgiveness. But years had rass-
cd by aud still his cold heart had not relented.
1t was Il bright glorious day in June
Mary Forrest was busy about her comfortable
home, now arranging the furniture Of her lit |
tie sitting-room, now running into the kitchen. |
now into the little garden, in which she took
so much PRIDE to pull bunch of parsley to
season tie chicken soup, now giving the finish
ing touch TO the table she had set for dinner. |
now looking in at the little ones to see that no
ill belell them, Lumming a merry tune the
while
Her five children had all been carefully
aud neatly dressed The oldest was dispatch. |
cd to school; the little ones, pair of bright |
bluc-eyed twin boys, were tucked up in either |
end of an old fashoncd cradle, cooling and
making fists at each other.
Dear little ones,' said Mary Forrest, as
she looked in at them from the kitchen; be |
good, so mother can get papa's dinner ready
by the time he comes. All there he is now
she said she heard the gate give click
and familiar footsteps on the pavement-l
. There he is now. You have come early to-
day dear" she said, US he entered the kitchen
where his wife was busily engaged.
Yes Mary, ! came home early to have
talk with you, and pulling her to a chair be
seated himself beside her, and in tones us
cheerful as he could command said
Mary, the time has come for me to leave |
you-to leave my little darlings that I love so
well-to leave my home and all that is dear t. |
me Of earth. If should be so unfortunate as
to fall, which l pray God, for your sake, and
for those little ones may hot, it will be a |
glorious thought that it was in the defence of
our country, which is now tottcling on the !
very brink Of destruction. Yes, Mary, turn |
not so pale; our country must and shall be |
protccted-the Constitution must and shall be /
preserved-the government under which we |
have lived so happily, must and shall be one
undivided government still, or happiness will |
forever flee from our land. We must not turn |
d deaf ear to our couDtrys call. She has been
our mother, and we must not let her be tram
pied under foot By vile rebellion, which will |
mangle her and destroy her peace forever, un-
less we go willingly 10 her rescue. We must |
give our hearts and hands to her service
We must endure trials, hardsbips and painful |
separation from those we love, or those very
loved ones will have to submit 10 things more
revolving than any thing have mentioned to
YOU
. Charles Forrest expected his wife would
faint, or so into fit of weeping but when
be heard her voice in all its sweetness breath
a fervent Amen be caught her hand and
pressed it closely TO his heart. BY the
night of Cicero" he cried, looking into her
noble face, " Y You are worth all the women in
the world. Well might be willing TO fight
for the protection of one as dear as your no
Bile SELF"
God go with you and bless you, cannot
say stay. As dear as you are to me l cannot
say stay. He will protect you and let you
live to return to those who you love SO well
aed leave"
1t is not necessary to follow them while the
preparation for his departure is going on
He enlisted as a private in the 9th Ohio
God bless him, and shield him from sudden
death.
The sun was just lifting her head upon the
distant hills when little voice aroused Mary
Forrest from her devotions, after writing the
opening words of this little story, and now
her duties for the day would commence. She
had to use the strictest economy in order to
live at all comfortable. She had even rented
her little home and taken an inferior one in
order TO make the surplus money she had left
after paying her cheaper rent, go as far as
possible towards supporting herself and child
rem, for privates pay does not amount to
,n,,,nh NI,nrlnn LII