The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-12-23

eyes leaning on my elbow and forgetting
the bsndaged shoulder. He grasped me
with both hands. -a'7!. 7if
Blood stained and pallid as II WIS, his
face was ingenious and beautiful as a
| child's. v'H 6 s."0'.
Now let me speak, he said. painting.
You have misjudged me Rufus. 1t was
all a mistake; found it out after we par
ted. ment to hive spoken this morning
when | grasped your rein, but--but--.
His generosity spared me the rest. IA
The wound my hand had inflicted was
yet bleeding in his head; but for the blind
passion Of the blow it must have been
mortal. Was vengeance so sweet after
all ? felt something warm trinkling
from my shoulder. The daylight was
gone again--how dark it was s
Forgive me. Dick l murmured, crop
ed about for him with my hands. Then !
was blind--then was cold as ice--.then
| tumbled down an abyss, and every
thing was blank.
"The crisis is psst--he will recover"
said strange voice. .r.s.s,# .ft.
Thank God thank God ! cried a
familiar one. }""% 'lS'Q %
opened my eyes. Where am I?
How odd everything was. Rows of
beds streaching down a long narrow hall,
bright with sunsh ne; and women, wear
ing white caps and peculiar dresses fitting
to and fro with noiseles sactlvity, with in
my fearful weakness it tired me to watch
My hand lay outside the covers: it was
as shadowy as skeletons. What had
become OF flesh? Was | child or
man? A body or spirit (? SO light
and frail did feel, began to think I
was done with material things altogether
and had been subjected to some refining
process, and but now awakened to new
e1istance. But did they have beds in
the other world? / was looking lazily
at the opposite one, when some one took
my hand A face was bending oyer.
The golden sunshine was on it--on the
fair regular features. and red lips and the
kindly blue eyes. Mn n Ell ss
Dick? gasped, 'where have you
been all these years?' 81 ad2
Weeks you mean said Richard. with
the one smile But never mind now.
You are better. dear Rufus, you will
live, we shall be happy together again
Where am ~ asked still hazy /
What's the matter with me?'
Hospital, in the first place, said Rich
ard. 'Typhus, in the second, You WAS
taken that night at fredericksburg
1t broke upon me at once, remem-
bered that awful nlght-.-I could never.
never forget it again. Weak as child,
| covered my face and burst into tears.
Richard was on his knees by my side at
once
i was brute to recall it, he whisper
ed remorsefully; do not think of it. now
old boy --you must not excite yourselts
1t is all forgotten and forgiven yib
"Fotgive us our trespasses as we for.
give those who trespass against U.S.
prayed from my inmost heart. 10
Those words have been in your mouth
night and day, ever sinceyos were taken,
said my friend. Il
Ilay sill pt cogitating
Tell me SO thing l asked, are we
in the North or SOUTH
North in Philadelphia II
Then you are prisonsr.' said.
mournlully. recalling his principles.
Not bit Of it,
Richard laughed. n
Il have seen the error of my ways. /
have taken the oath of allegiance. When
you are strong enough, again, we shall
fight side by sde.'
'And the wound in the head?' ! asked,
with emotion, looking up at his brightl
hagdsome face. .a s,..a- II
Don't mention it; it healed up long
ago. pa ~ ~
.And the little drummer?' 81
Richard bowed his head upon my hand
He was found dead upon the fsldsi
Heaven bless him! They said he died