The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-06
ORIGINAL.
Written for the Press.
TRUE 0BILITY
BY IDA PERLEY.

the departure of the -th Maine Regiment for
the war fields of Virginia. Gay bsnners-mute,
but eloquent emblems of loyalty, proudly
foated In the breeze; and beneath them march
ed and counter-marched many noble, manly
form to the music of the bugle and drum.
Priceless offerings were they upon the altar
ofliberty, these fine, brave men who, leaving
all they had hitherto held dearest, wenth forth
to battlefront for kings and idols,-not for
emolument and power,-not for the purpose
of wrestling nation from its rightful owners,
but that our flag should wave over free
and undivided country that they and their
forefathers had long called their own. But a
crisis had come and with it the time for action.
The enemy were at the very gates of the CAPT
toll; and not only was the republic endanger-
ed. but the very life of the President had been
menaced By those whom he had never wrong
ed BY word or act of oppression. But the war
trumpet had sounded from the South; the
North put on its armor Oh resistance, and
strong men grew stronger with the impulse of
determination to conquer or die! And thus
1t was on that bright sunny morning with the
gallant regiment who had resolved to do their
part In the cause of freedom.
A little back from the road stood the dwell
ing of Judge Weston, guardian-uncle of Mary
Fales; and when the sun began TO peep over
the forest trees, she stood in the purple shad-
ow of the morning glories by the side of her
soldier-loyer. She was very pale and the soft
dark eyes uplifted to the face of her compan-
ion, were humid with unshed tears.
"You will write often? SO often that shall
have no chance to think or fear that / am
quite forgotten" "Oh, Harry! as If could
forget you, the only friend have in this wide
world" was the passionate reply. mot the
only FRIEND, Mary. Surely, you must be mis-
taken"
"Oh, you do not understand me. nor my po-
sition here. Perhaps have met many whom
! liked aud respected, but there is no one here
that can love, save yourself, dear Harry"
she added, naively. And would not have
It otherwise Mary. You see that love makes
men selfish aud exacting sometimes; but
need not ask you to be faithful to me. know
that you will be, darling; and If your uncle is
again urgent for you TO give your hand to his
old friend, tell him frankly that it is already
promised to me, and if my lie is spared, l
shall yet win promotion, and then he can bat
remember his promise. Do you know why he
should make that condition to our union
Mary?" Yes, know was the low reply
"but with myself, who can see in my hero all
that is good and noble, mere title,could make
no difference. Be his rank whatever il may,
he Is my hero still; and 1 am very proud OF
him.
Dear little fatterer." And the young man
drew her closely to his heart and kissed her
tenderly. Il will earnestly strive TO be wor-
thy ofsuch pure, unselflsh affection. But l
must leave you now. Mary, praying that Heav-
en- will bless and keep you, darling, till we meet
again. Once more, farewellp'
He was gone; and when little later the
regiment went by with waving banners, and
bayoness flashing in the sunlight; she parted
the morning-glories. and returned his salute
with smile full of love and trust Lingering
there till the sound Of the buge and drnm di-
ed away in the distance, she entered the house,
and went up to her room to pray for her sol
dier-lover, and his safe return.
Night had fallen cold and gloomy on the
blood-stained field of Antietam. The winds
sighed and mourned like requiem for the
brave men slain in that terrible strife. Here
and there the darkness was relieved by the
cleaning Of lanterns borne by men who had
come TO look after and care for the poor suffer
ers who might need their services. A little TO
the right where the dead and dying covered
the ground, stood an ambulance into which
two had been carefully laid by the good sama-
ritans who found them among heap of the
slain. "Mortally woundedl'' was their sad
verdict. But there was no time to be lost
and the ambulance moved slowly on its way
10 the hospital.
"Do you think he viii live, DR.. ?" enquired
the nurse, as they stood by the bed of their
patient.
"Yes; Col. Graham will do very well, but
for his fiiend, there is no hops," was the low
reply, as he turned to the next bed on which
lay tossing In the delirium of fever our brave
soldier-loger, Harry Sanford. Oh, it was pitt
ful to hear him call for one too far away to
hear or help him when he needed her SO much
But his Colonel who had learned to respect
and love him, was soon able to leave his bed
that he might minister to his friend as no 9TH
er could there. Aud he it was who wrote to
Mary, and with the tenderness of brother
told the sad story,-one of many that has car
ried desolation TO unnumbered hearts aud
homes. he il was who received her more dead
than alive at the door OF the hospital, and who
gently led her to the side Of him who was her
all-her world and to find him thusl "Oh,
Mary, Mary. will you let me die here all alone
Could you not stay with me one short hour ?"
1t was the touching plant OF Gethsemene's
Lord, and it thrilled the hearts of all who heard
1t.
Il am here, dear Harry will never leave
nor forsake you again."
Oh, the magic power of love Who can
withstand It? What is life worth, without its
sweet influence! The sick man opened his
eyes, aud when they fell upon her whom he
loved so well, he smiled, and With a quick i'm |
pulsive movement drew her closely to his |
breast. murmuring fond words that she alone
could hear. From that time till night he seem
ed to rally, but ere the day closed those around
him saw that strange, mysterious shadow that |
Is agony 20 see upon the face Of one we love- |
Pale as marble, but outwardly calm and self |
possessed, Mary stood by the bedside with one |
hand clasped in his, while with the other she !
softly brushed back the clustering hair from |
his brow, now moist and cold with the dew OF |
death. Col. Graham came to her side ami kind |
~ offered to relieve her; but she only shook
her head, and said gently, II am not weary"
Harry heard it all, and said slowly, bnt dis
tnctiy-"No; the angels never weary in their |
kind ministrations TO mortals, know you |
VIII never forget me, Mary; but if you can
learn 10 love one who Is worthy. be To him 4