Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-02-19
[For the vindicator.l
A Picture for the War.

A Picture for the War.
''Our Father who art in heaven ,hallowed
be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will
be done on earth as it is in heaven; give
us this Cay our daily bread forgive us our
sins as we forgive those who sin against US !;
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us
fom evil. for thine is the kingdom. power
and glory forever, Amen" Thus little
Willie whispered his evening prayer kneel-
ing before his mother, with tiny hands
asped and dreamy eyes raised toward the
star spaugled sky. They were sitting by
the window aud the soft moonlight was
thing them in it's golden beauty, while
the evening wind laden with the perfume
Of fresh flowers. toyed with Willie's white
robes and lifted the dark hair from tho fsir
b W OF his moth 1t was a sweet pic
lure, that beautiful happy mother over
whose face scarce shadow of sorrow hal
ever passed. and her innocent child with
soft brown hair in waves over noble brow
marked for its lily whitencss, and his whole
face made more lovely by those sad blue
eyes with their dropping lsshes. Aud now
he is Graded IN her arms and his head is
pillowcd on her breast, while he listens to
he story Of our Saviour's death and the lit
tie bosom heaves ana the eyes ell with tears
when tho mother in low. tremulous vote
repeats s',usc snnl narrowing words "Fa-
Their. Father. why hast thou lors,k me p
but soon hnpp. smile chases away those
tears as his mother tells him of the Sa-
viour's glorious resurrection and his home
Of light aud joy. and that If he loves that
dear Kedrencr he too will share that home
aud sing sweet songs Of praise by the side
Of the River Of lie With golden crown
npon his head and L,rp within his hand
attuned to the sweetest melody But now
his eyes grow more dreamy and the long
lashes sweep lower until they rest on the
rosy hued cheek aud the slow rise and fall
of the linen covered breast tell that Willie.
is sle'r Ping; the mother sheds happy tears
yer her darling. and prayer ascend.
from her h art to heaven, asking at her
child may be eyer thus happy. All /! little
sc per thou could st only e but thy boat
has b .cn lauu. he'd on n trouble sea and tenn
pests must rise. but tho the Storm clouds low
or n the thunder is h card an swcring to the
lightning glare. yet il you will keep thy
mothers words which she uttered to nigh,
as an anchor for thy sonl you will be able t.
pass safely Ger the tossing pillows anc
glide calmly into t! e haven Mt last. Bu
sleep 4 let ! now or DER th sky Of thy
lie is to rise cloud from whose bosom q
hunderbolt will be hurled against thee and
the bsing who gave thee life.
X =
Eighteen years hnye tsssed with theil
sunshine aud shadow and the babe who
lisped his prayer at his mothers knee is q
tall youth with the tlioughtfulness Of man:
hood gathering Ger his brow; aud we'll il
may for Ger his once happy land shadow
has fallen. ''thick darkness that may be
felt" while waves Of blood are sttkiDe
mountain high. aud the cry of the widow
and the orphan mingled with the deep toned
roar Of the cannon. His eye flashes with
threatening light as he buckles on his
sword and on his heart written as indellibly
as if carved in marble are the words LIB.
erty, or death" Go forth young warrior
with thy cheek untlenched, aud thy arm
ner,cd for tls sonfiet. and Weld not to the
foe until the throbbiugs Of thy heart grow
less and less; and those hands which thou
hast 80 often twined around thy mother are
stiffening as the tide of life flows back for
the last tirl.g ~ the citadel of life; those
lips so often PRESSED to hers are growing
cold aud strive in vain to whisper that
sweet word mother but once more; and
those eyes with their sad look grow dim,
dim ulnll the most of death gathers over
them and shuts OUT their light forever. but
God pity shst rucf ft'osher! she whom We last
saw bending happily over the slumbers Of
her child c .me now to bid him farewell and
send him where the messengers Of death
would be flying thickly around him. Her
hair which curlcd in dark masses around her
snow white brow is now like boar frost up
on The hills, across her brow are lines
drawn by sorrows hand. In the burning
depths Of her eyes you can see her suffer
ings, but che sheds no tear, she utters nj
cry In calmr clear voice tho her herr
is breaking she speaks that cruel WORD
goodby and proudly ssys-'Go to tho bat.
tie held'my son and there die sooner than
permit the heel Of the oppressor to rest OF
your country or the brand Of cowardice or
your name. Henceforth you belong te
your country, but. if in her service you
should be shorn of your strength. remem'
Der that your remaining life tho its saOds
are few would be more precious to me thar
diadem"
Farewell my noble mother, may the Goo
Of heaven protect and bless you as I know
hc will for giving my life If it is needed fol