Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-11

az, +, mprrnur - Our Futhsr aoho art in
Heaven.'
| Was rough, bearded man | had
been au orphan Tor inany d long year but
not too many or too long TO forget tile
simple hearted prayer OF my childhood
the dim vision OF that mothers face over
which the grass bad grown for twenty
chanslng summers. Something tender
sliIred within my heardened heart. 1t
" as 100 dark 10 see the little face, but tile
young lips went on DrokenIy:
And .torgiye us oar trespdsses as 1e
| torgiue those who trespass against US"
It went through me ike knlte-sharp
| er than the sabre cul, keener than the
| ball. God was mercltul to me-and this
| voung child was the channel OF His
mercy.
And forgive as our trespaSses as aoe
forgaUe those aoho trespass against as"
| had never understood the words be
! fore. 1t an angel had spoken it, it conld
scarcely have been more OF revelation
For the first time the thought that might
De mortally wounded, that death might
be nearer than dreamed, struck me with
awe and horror. The text of lorg for
4
pointed unto all men once TO die; and
after death the Judgment"
| Worse and " orse. What measure OF
| mercy could [ expect, if the same was to
Oe melted that had melted unto my en-.
emy2
lie tears welled into my eyes and
| trlckled down my cheeks; the first | had
shed since boyhood. | felt subdued and
strangely moved.
The rain was falling still; but the little
head upon my breast was gone. He had
crept away silently in the darkness. His
unconscious mission was fulfilled be
| would not return at my call.
Then l lifted myself with great effort
The old bitterness was crushed, but not
| altogether dead.
w alter water - moaned Richard
Withers in his agony.
| dragged myself close to him.
God be praised !" | said with solemn
heart; Dick, old boy, enemy no longer
God be praised am able and willing to
help you. Drink and be friends
1t lad been growing lighter and lighter
! in the east, and now it was day. Day
within and without. In the first gray
! glimmer OF dawn we looked into each
| Others's CHASTITY faces for moment, and
| then the canteen was at Richards mouth,
and he drank as the tevered only can
drink. | watched him with moist eyes,
leaning upon my elbow and forge tting the
bandaged shoulder. He grasped me with
both hands.
Blood stained and paliid as it was, his
face was as Ingenious and beautiful as a
child's.
NOW let NE speak," he said, painting.
You have misjuoged me Rufus. 1t was
all mistake; found 1t out after we
parted. | meant 30 have spoken this
morning when grasped your rein, but
but"
His generosity spared me the rest. The
wound my hand had Inflicted was yet
bleeding in bis head but for the blind
passion of the blow, 1t must have been
mortal. Was vengeance SO sweet after
all3 | felt something trckling from my
shoulder. The daylight was gone again
how dark it was!
Forgive NE, Dick" murmured, crop
ing about tor him with my hands.
Then | was blind-then l was as cold
as ice-then | stumbled down an abyss,
and everything was blank.
The crisis is past-he will recover"
said strange voice
Thank God thank God ~ cried IA
miliar one.
l opened my eyes. Where was l how
odd everything was. Rows OF beds
stretching down long, narrow hall, bright
with sunshine; and women, wearing
white caps and peculiar dresses, fitting to
and tro with a noiseless activity, which, in
ny fearful weakness, it tried me to watch.
My hand lay outside the covers; it was
shadowy as skeletons. What had be-
come of my f1esh9 Was | a child or a
man "a body or a spirit? So light and
trail did feel, began to think was
| done with material things altogether, had
been subjected to some refining process,
and but now awakened to a new existence.
I But did they have beds III the other
world ? | was looking iazily at the oppo.
size one, when some Que took my hand
A face was bending over me. | looked
up INTO il with a beating heart. The gol,
| den sunshine was Oh lt-on the fair regu
lar features, the red lips and tie kindly
| blue eyes.
Dick! !" l gasped, where have you
Oeen all !neSe ears!
"W eeks, you mean," said Richard, with
the old smile. But never mind now
| You are better, dear Rutus-you will live
we shall be happy together again"
| Ii was more a wOman's speech than q
mans; but Dick had tender heart.
Where am II" | asked, still hazy.
hat is the matter with me2"
Hospital in the first place." said Rich,
ard. "Typhus in the second. You were
! taken after that night at Fredericksburg.
1t broke upon me at once. l remem-
bered that awful night could never,
never forget it again. Weak as a child, |
covered my face and burst into tears
Richard WIS on his knees by my side at
once.
81 was brute to recall it," be whis.
pered, rem rrseiy do not think of it.
| old boy-you must not excite yourself. II
Is all forgotten and forgiven"
"Iorglve US our trespasses as We for.
give them who trespass against u.s." |
prayed from my inmost heart.
Those words have been in your mouth
night and day, ever since you were tax
Ell, SAID my friend.
lay silent, cogitating.
Eel me one thing, Dick" | asked;
"are We in the North or South ~
North-in Phlladelphia."
Then you are prisoner l said
mournfnIly, recalling his principles.
" Not bit of it,"
What do you mean p
Richard laughed.
81 have seen the error of ny ways. l
have taken the oath OF allegiance. When
yOn sre strong eInnph again wa shall