The Portland daily press., 1864-03-03

answered calmly.
mo, yield him to his country"
HE looked SO brave and manly" said the
friend.
Sand seemed" was added ito comprehend
so clearly the issue at stake. 1t was no murd-
erous thirst for blood; no love of excitement
and change that filled his heart but that true
patriotism which is the inspiration of an hon
orabie mind, to give it courage to meet death
in defence or his country and right. honor,
you my friend in being the mother of such
son."
How strangely pleasurabe were the pulses
that leaped away from the heart of Mrs. Irwin
The praise Of her son was very sweet.
Weeks passed. With what an absorbing
interest did Mrs. Irwin watch the progress of
events. Once, she turned with an instinc-
tive repugnance from all accounts of military
movments and battles but now she had no
taste for anything else. The whole country
was spread out, like a map, in her mind, and
every strategic point, with its camps and SOL
diers, strongly marked. The marshalng of
troops; their movements, strength and posi-
tions, were now familiar things; and her
heart beat high with pleasure at every trfling
success, or yelled itself with shadows when
even the smallest reverse was sustained. With
what an irrepressible impatience did she look
for the regular coming letters from her SON.
and with what proud satisfaction did she
read ever detail of his new life that showed
courage, endurance and selfdenial She felt
that he was a true soldier, and therefore she
felt very, very, proud of him.
Then news came that the regiment in which
her son was serving, had made an advance
upon the enemy's line; that some severe Skin
mishing had taken place and that an engage
ment was imminent. A sudden fear shook the
nerves of Mrs. Irwin. Even as she read of the
Cd bloodv batfIa mi nh ha
and her son be among the dead and dying.
The hours of sleepless suspense that went by,
until the news of a victory was flashed over
the country, we will not venture to describe.
Many were killed and many wounded. With
breatllless eagerness she devoured their
names, as with white lips and starting eyes,
she bent over the brief dispatches What is
this? her sons name, The paper shivered in
her hands. She cannot read the paragraph
Desperately she thurst the sheet down ON the
table to hold it firmly; but mist came over
her eyes; she does not make out the word kill
led or wounded.
lob, God give me strength"
The dimness passes as she reads
"Among the brave men who distinguished
themselves, private John Irwin deserves hon.
orable mention. In desperate assault of the
rebels, the captain of his company received a
severe would, and fell upon the ground He
was few PAGES in advance of his men, and
as he fell two Of the enemy sprang forward to
bayonet him. Irwin seeing this, flung him.
self before the PROSTATE captain, shot one Of
them, and in hand to-hand encounter dis
abled the other. He then bore the wounded
officer from the field During the fight this
young man who is not yet twenty-one years
age conducted himself with the coolest cour-
-age, and In more than one instance rallied his
failing companions He has the stuff of which
officers are made, and the Department should
send him a commission
Mrs. lawn bowed down, with her face
on the table. trembling in every nerve; weak
in glad bewilderment--tearful Then drop
ping upon her knees. with clasped hands and
eyes uplifted she said family.
90, Lord, is he not Thine"
A deep peace fell upon her spirit, and she
remained sometime kneeling. But PRAYER
formed itself into other words.
Il could not stay away from you after
reading the news this morning"
A friend said this as she came in. a little
while afterwards. "Are you not proud wo-
man to-day, Mrs. Irwin?"
al feel glad and humble" was the subdued
answer.
but did he not act nobly9 Who would
have thought that in your quiet retiring boy
there was such daring spirit"
1t does not seem as lift were my son who
has been so brave" said his mother. The
act has apparently removed him to distance.
and set itself up against me. He is not
mine in the sense / have hitherto regarded
him. Higher duties than those off son are
laid upon him; and must give him 10 his
country in degree not understood when he
went forth at his country's call. pray, now,
that God will make him equal to his duty I'M
der all circumstances. To lose him would be
fearful thing but to find him weak coward
in the day of battle, would be more fearful
STILL"
"To hear such words from your lips from
whence comes this new spirit? this new
courage?"
"As our day is. so shall our strength be-.
replied Mrs. Irwin "God gives the spirit of |
endurance and sefsacrifce when we have
need or it; and this is our time of need. do |
not fatter myself with the hope that my heart |
and home will be spared that my boy will |
pass unscathed in the ordeal of battle. But |
come what will, Trust in God and he will |
lay no sorrow upon my heart too heavy to |
bear. If had ten sons. feeling as / do, / |
would give them all for this contest, and send |
them forth in Gods name"
And to thousands of mothers hearts
strength and a spirit of sefsacrifce have /
come in this time of trial. as it came to the |
heart of Mrs. Irwin like her, their sons are in |
the cause and their brave heart giving courage |
and endurance to tens OF thousands of brave |
sons now battling for right and country. II |
is the old spirit OF the Revolution. and by vir-
tue Of its sacred fire our arms preyail.-IAr- |
thurs Magazine.