The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-05-22
More Precious than Gold.
BY T. s. ARTHUR

"This war y said Mr.. Holmes, with
partly affected. and partly real impatience.
1t will never cease demanding ii will rob
US of everything. Increased taxation, in :
creased prices. lessening incomes. con,ribu-
tons here. and contributions there. Moth
ing will be left Tor US in the eud.''
"If the nations life is saved, the cost
will not be too DEAR was answered .All
that a man hath. will he give for his life.
That That the people have, will they give e saze
tMsome!Isng - little boastful--about Mr..
Holmes. mo say that l have
refused 10 contribute my share How much
do YOU suppose l have given to the Voiun-
teer refreshment saloons, during the past
year -
The person with whom he was conyers-
ing-we have called him Mr. Browning
shook his head, saying, " cant imagine"
"Yoi'd hardly credit the sum. Six
hundred dollars! Yes, six hundred dol
lars! That's what I've given in this airec
ton alone 1t cost Just about hundred
dollars to give meal to one regiment of
thousand men. So, you see. I've fed SIX
thousand brave soldiers on their way
through our city. That is something to-
ward helping the country"
"You have done nobly in this" said
Browning IF all would do as we'll &C.
cording 10 their means"
Yes if all would do as WE'LL" respond
ed Mr. Holmes Blu, all won't do as
well I'm not taking merit to ny self I've
only done my duty. When the State is in
danger. every true citizen will spring to the
rescue"
And Mr.. Holmes leaned back 10 his
chair, the image of dignifed self approval.
"Then there is the bounty fund.-" re-
marked one OF the little group who were
conversing. II there was nothing besides
feeding soldiers. on their way through, this
, would be light matter.
Light as a feather r'' broke in Mr..
Holmes. "Yes, there is the bounty fund.
As vou saw. Well, I've done my part in
that direction also The time was when we
put our names to subscription papers to the
sum of twenties and ffties. and thought it
liberal. But, change has come Ger the
; spirit of our dream. We must go up to the
: hundreds now The public mus, know
what l have contributed to the bounty
fund for the committee are garrulous."
"Yes; saw your name down for Eve
hundred dollars
"As | was saying. We are up to the
hundreds now resumed Mr.. Holmes
/" But am not the one to finch or make
wry faces. / decided on the amount q
once, and sent check to the committee.
, like money as well as any of my nsighbors
!, and I have reason 10 do so. for l workes
hard enough to get it. But what will on
, money be worth if this accursed rebellion
: should prevail? II our country is lost
3 what of the people !
!, True enough. Mr.. Holmss-whai o
3 The people? To save this Government, i
worth the sacrifice OF every dollar we pos
sess,'' with a faint involuntary Sigh.
J. And / sometimes fear" replied th
other, a that it will take the last dollar
q was counting up, only yesterday, what
J had cost me in actual gifts Of money. TO a.
; nothing of losses 10 business and deprecia
's ted values. The sum almost frightene
. me- am not speaking boastingly--I don
take merit to myself. only declare tn
d fact. Hundreds and thousands around %
are doing as much, or more. treasure
IS being poured out like water.
,e And blood r said low, clear voict
r. that nenetraied like sword. The sPeake
r, VA. a woman She had been ss'su
10 listener. -. -,
Ks Yes. and 5loodl answered Mr.. Hoine
ID I, x.. but an echo, faint and failing.
ms which is more precious slas gold. -
The voice vas sull low aud clear. cuttsu
=, aawn To- conviction ike the thrust ~
- .vord. And life. added the spsshes.-
:, Her c.lnness failed. There was thro
=. IN the voice. She arose. with . qsief, =
), n,esssd manner. snd went from the fooG