The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-06-10
One of Many.

One of Many.
"John Castor, private, killed."
Ii was short record-only q line in
long columns Of other lines; but to q
home in the New Hampshire bills it came
with the power OF great despair, max.
ing all Of life dreary ard sad.
1t was right pleasant homo, with all
beautiful surroundings, 10 which, that
August day, this brief announcement Mt
brought grief and desola,ior-a home
made luminous by love, musical by the
prattle OF sweet-tongued children, and
holy by the voice Of daily prayer-a home
where bright eyes looked lovingly into
lies depths of joy and hope, and brave
hands performed with cheerful industry
lfe's daily work. Vines cluns tenderly
around the low windows; fowers--scar-
let, pink and gold-fringcd the pleasant
walks; and, all day long, from the poplats
al the door, birds sung with jocand airs
in the drowsy ear of summer, dreaming
amidst the glories Of her own nursing.
But il was dark now; there were shad.
Ows on the faces that had been bright ell
the summer through, and there were sobs
and sad plants wailing through the pray.
ers OF the stricken mother Of the fold,
kneeling with the dear wondering ones
around her.
81 am dying, comrade." The voice
was faint, and had moan in it. "I am
dying; put your hand here on nv heart.
Seel it has ceased 10 beat. Dying, ,dying!"
Over the hills and along the vallies,
the battle rolled with noisy grandeur.
Through the thick smoke great flashes
Of fire burst like sudden sunrisings. Blu.
The ear OF the soldier. lying there on the
edge Of the flaming field, was closed to
the battles tumult. In bis ear softer vol.
ces were breathing, on Ms eyes a sweet.
er than battle glory was shining-shin.
ing from far.ol New sIIampshire hills,
where the sun was lying like benedic-
ton.
''Lift me up little" the weak voice
said. ESQ.," and the pale face brighten
Tor moment with an expression OF relief.
Then-"l have home, comrade, in dear
New Hampshire. and wife and three
little ones are waiting for me there. l
had hoped to go 10 them in little while
my time would have been out in Sep
tember. J have dreamed many night,
lying under the stars, Of walking up the
village street, and dnding Tom and Kate
and Susy, waiting for me at the gale. their
little faces all aflame with Joy. Some.
times have seemed to hear them pray
ing for me, comrade-praying with their
little hands folded on their mothers knees
and the dark hours have all been made
bright by that thought, the aight Of that
picture lying near my heart. But all:
that is over now. shsll never sit again
ig my great chair at the tables head, nor
lie with my children around me on the
grass plat, nor under the poplars at the
door"
A spasm checked his speech for a mo.
ment--his heart was bleeding as we'll as
the wound in his side. Presently, as If
God were holding up to him the past, he
went on, dreamiy:
81 remember well, comrade, the day
when Jenny and | we're married. 1t was
in the old church on the village green
you will see it il you 60 there. with
graveyard full OF weather beaten tomb
stones behind it. June was blowing her
sweet breath in at the windows, filling
the place with delicious balm; friends
and neighbors stood around; the white
haired old minister-he had christened
us both when il was still summer with
him-with happy face knit us together;
ond than with q hanad dioi;on ,ast;nc ,,nar
our heads-I remember it as if il were
but yesteIday-we walked homeward, o,
how joyously, along the narrow by path
under the apple trees, whose boughs
seemed TO whisper blessings on us as we
went. Then, remember took Jenny
to my own little home, just on the village
border, and We began iife's work ,ogeth.
er. summer in our hearts, summer over
head, summer under our feet. Then, af-
ter awhile, comrade. boy came to US
a boy with his mothers eyes; and new
song was pu; into our mouths. How
like vineyard, purpling with lucious
fruits, life seemed 10 US thenl How we
watched and loved our boy! How our
hearts opened 10 receive his sisters when
they came, seeming to know that he was
yearning for playmates! We used to think,
Jenny and 1. as we looked into the faces
OF our darliugs.th that God must have missed
three OF his brightest ones after these,
our babes, had wandered down to our
home."
The soldier paused again. tears on his
cheek, his voice tremulous. Then-"Put