The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-08
MISCELLANY.


kttty bragg > husDanus
@Mercy on us What has happened to your
father? Run out quick, Charlie, and open
the gate. What is the matter John? You
are as white as sheet"
kitty, I'm drafted"
In place of falling to crying and moaning,
e. Is the fashion with some of our women,
Kitty Bragg laid her hand heavily on her
husbands shoulder.
"John, I'm ashamed of you. If you were
9 child, would give you a good shaking.
Compose YOURSELF before Charlie comes in-I
would not have him think his father was a
cowardr'
"That Is hard word, Kitty"
81 know it, John, but the case demands it.
/ would not have you lowered In our boys
sight Now John Bragg let you and l talk
sense; let us reason the matter together.
You are . good man, John-a husband and
good father. You are a brave man, too, des-
pite your trembling nerves / know what
ails you, John. You are physically nervous
at the report OF firearms or the sight OF
blood. You have spent your life pouring
over books, and never tried TO overcome the
weakness. But you can overcome it and
must"
This "must" was said smilingly.
II must, indeed, for the die is cast and
there Is no escape. do not think it is want
Of courage; and | am sure my heart CLOVIS
for my country. You know Kitty l have
given freely of my poor means but when
ever | think OF going to battle, this strange
tremor assails me, and am reduced to the
weakness of a child. l shall be disgraced,
know. Don't you wish you had drawer
husband, Kitty? wouldn't blame YOU"
But Kitty did not hear. She sat by the
kitchen hearth, leaning her brown hands on
the jamb of the hugh old-fashioned chimney.
Her thoughts at last formed themselves into
the words
81 verify believe, John, it is thing you
cannot help. 1t is not your misfortune, not
your fault. Let us sell the place. Joe Mar
tin will give you five hundred dollars for it,
and then you can get a substitute. We can
rent the little red house on the hurry farm,
and then"
"Never, Kitty! Talk no more; I would, in
deed, be coward then. What deprive my
loved ones of q home to save myself from
hardships? Never, never! 1t is not my life
am afraid Of; 1t is just the din of battle and
the dreadful carnage. / will GO, my dear
wife and you must help me TO be brave and
do my duty"
The morning came at last that the drafted
were to join their regiment.-There were
many q tear shed by wives, mothers and
sisters; but Kitty Bragg she'd none-she had
other work to do-She stood talking with
John at the end OF the platform.
Ny little Bible is in your knapsack, John.
Read it often. Whenever you feel that
trembling coming over you, John, pray; just
pray to God, and he will strengthen you. /
know He will"
aGod bless you, Kitty, you are the best
wife ever poor man had"
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 off, and Kitty went home.
She shuddered as she crossed her doorstep.
The clock licked more lonely than she had
ever heard it, and all seemed like desolation
Kitty sat down in her little sewing chair and
wePt like a child. Charlie came in, his face
all aglow and his eyes flashing.
What mother crying? Why, l think it
Is glorious thing to raise ones arm for ones
country thing to die for" he said, rather
dreamily.
"Yes, my dear son, it is glorious; but it is
sad, too. l would not call him back; but i
will be lonely"
Charlie went off to school in the morning,
and she was left alone all day-Broken ejacu-
lations often escaped Kitty's lips-prayers for
The safety and "strengthing' OF her husband,
until at last il became habit.
One Saturday, as she was baking and churn-
Ing, as usual her heart was full of prayer for
her husband.
20, God. strengthen poor John, and let
him not finch in the day of battle.-Chnrlie,
bring me some more chips for the fire won't
burn"
A neighbor, who was standing on the door
Itep, smiled at the mingling OF prayer and
business.
"Have you heard the news, Kitty?n
The fear that John had deserted or done
cowardly took all her strength
away, and she sank down family on chair.
What is it, Mary?"
"Why, they had riot in camp.-Some OF
the men deserted, and some mutined, and
John-Bless me, Kitty, but your milk's boil
lng over! There | put 1t on the back grid
de-"
what about John, Mary?'
"Why, John was the only one in his COM
pany that stood firm all through.-He was as
brave IS lion, though some Of the half
crazy fellows threatened TO shoot him il he
did not join them. He infunced our boys TO
be quiet and do their duty. He told them it
would only be for a little while; that after
while they would have better camp and
better rations."
Kitty was crying for joy-that the first
news of John should be good
"Jacob said in his letter that he said to
John, after the fuss
SDA--3 AAOW ~Suia you W ~ OiofC nLh
drm when there was SO much confusion, and
those fellows had their bayonets pointed at
you?"
your John replied
Jacob, came here to do my duty, and l
am determined to do SO; and, besides, how
could man 60 back from the right path
with sucha woman as my Kitty at home
praying for me? ?"
This made Kitty's tears flow faster; but
they were joyful tears.
All young men who fear the draft, go and
find wife like Kitty Bragg.