The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-08
TRUE. AND FAITHFUL, AND VALIANT FOR
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. 8, 1864.
KITTY BRACES HUSBAND.

"Mercy on US What has happened TO your
fatheri Run out quick, Charlie, and open the
gate. What Is the matter, Johnf You are as
white rs q sheet" ... ..r. ,rr.
"Kitty, I'm drafted :"
In place Of falling to crying and moaning. as
Is the fashion with some Of our women, KITTY
Bragg laid her hand heavily on her husband
shoulder.
"Johu, Tn ashamed of you Ifyou were
child, would give You good shaking. Com,
pose yourself before Charlie comes in-l would
not have him think his father was coward y
"That Is a hard word, Kitty" ;.
81 know 1t, John, but the ease demands II.
I would not have you lowered In our boys
sight. Now, John Bragg, let you and me talk
sense /; let US reason the matter together. You
are good man. John-s good husband and
good father. You are brave man, too, des-
to the river, just above the rapids. after poor
widow Carne's only son! Who flung himself
before old Mr.. Morris's mad horses, and saved
the old mans lifef Why, just John Bragg. /
know what ails you, John. You arc physi-
cally nervous ut the report Of firearms or the
sight Of blood. You have spent your life por-
ing over hooks, and never tried to overcome
the weakness. But you can overcome it, and
must" -
This "must" was said smilingly.
"I must, indeed, for the die Is cast, and there
| Is no escape. do not think II Is want OF cour.
age; and am sure my heart glows with love
for my country. You know, Kitty, | have
given freely of my poor means; but whenever
think Of going into battle, this strange tire.
NOR assails me, and am reduced to the weak
ness of child. shall be disgraced, know.
Don't you wish you had Drawer husband,
Kittyl I wouldn't blame YOU"
But Kitty did not hear. She sat by the
kitchen hearth, leaning her brown head on the
lamb of the huge old-fishioned chimney. Her
thoughts at last formed themselves into the
words
"I verify believe. John, II Is n thing you can.
not hep-it is your misfortune, not your fault.
Let us sell the place. Joe Martin will give you
five hundred dollars for It, and then you can
get substitute. We can rent the little red
house on the Murray farm, and then"
"Never' Kitty Talk NO more, would in
deed. be coward then. What deprive my
loved ones Of home to save myself from hard
ships! Never. never! II Is not my life am
afraid of; II Is Just the din Of battle and the
dreadful carnage. will 60, my dear wife, and
you must help me to be braveand do my duty >,
The morning came Mt last that the drafted
men were to Join their regiment. There was
many tear shed by wives, mothers and sisters ;
but Kitty Bragg shed none-she had other
work to do. She stood talking with John ut
the end Of the platform.
"My little bible Is in your knapsack. John.
Read Il often. Whenever you feel that trem-
bling coming over you, John, pray; just pray
He will"
you"
This almost upset the brave little woman I;
but she stilled the quivering lip. and smiled
through her tears. When the order to fall in
was given John laid his hand on her head, and
"dod bles; you. Kitty you are the best wife
She lifted up her mouth for kiss; but the
white lips were mute-for the life OF her she
could not have spoken.
The train moved of. and Kitty went home.
She shuddered rs she crossed her doorstep
The clock ticked more lonely than she had ever
heard 1t, and all seemed like desolation. Kitty
sat down In her little sewing chair and wept
like child. Charlie came ih, his face all aglow
and his eyes flashing.
glorious thing to raise ones arm for ones
country thing to die for" he said, rather
"Yes. my dear son, It Is glorious; but II Is
sad, too. I would not call him back; bat
will be very lonely"
After that one burst Of tears, Kitty was her
own calm self again. Time passed on, aud
save that Kitty prayed ohener. and was more
grave than her wont, one could see little change
In her. .# ...
Charlie went of to school In the morning,
and she was left alone all day. Broken ejacu.
lations often escaped her lips prayers for the
safety and "strengthing" of her husband until
ut last II became habit.
| One Saturday, rs she was baking and churn-
ing, rs usual her heart was full of prayer for
her husband.
"Oh God strcnghen poor John. and let
him not hiuch in the day VI battle. Charlie,
bring ne some more chips; for this fire won't
burn"
A ncichbor, who was standing on the door
step, smiled at the minSling prayer and busi.
ness.
"Have you heard the news. Kittyi"
The fear that John had deserted or done
something cowardly took all her strength away,
and she sank down family on chair.
"What is it, Nary"
"why, they had q riot In camp. Some oi
the men deserted and some mutinied, and
John Bless inc, Kitty, but your lmilk's all
boiling overt There, put It ON the back grid
de-"
"what about John. Nary"
"Why, John was the only ono in his compa-
ny that stood firm all through. lie was rs
brave rs "a lion, though some Of the half crazy
fellows threatened TO shoot him IL he did not
Join them. He Influenced our boys to be quiet
and do their duty. He told them 1t would only
be for little while that after u while they
would have better camp and better rations
You know some OF our boys were pretty wild,
Kitty and they might have got into trouble.
MY Joseph said he shouldn't wonder IL your
John came home yet with gold straps on his
shoulders. His being so brave, and having so
much influence over the men. pleased his colonel
very much. Amt You glad, Kittyr"
Kitty was crying for JOY that the FIRST news
of John should be good.
"Jaoob said in his letter that he said to John
after the fuss ..rai.a.. f...
..John, how could you be so bravo and frm
when there was so much confusion, and those
fellows had their bayonets pointed ut you!
"Y0ur John replied r..l,
"'Jacob, come here to do my duty, and |
Am determined to do 1t /, and, besides, how
could man 60 back from the right path with
such a woman - my Kitty at homo praying
for me!'"
Al, vo,,nr men who fear the draft, 60 and
find a wife like Kitty Bragg.
'or Arterpas Ward, one Of whose peculiari-
ties an 4 lecturer is that he touches upon almost
every conceivable subject except the subject OF
his lecture, Is delivering lecture on "Ghosts, :"
which he concludes with capital hit at the
disunionists North and South. 1.-THE last sub