Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-06-16
ne judged that others had Jared worse

mothers darling suffering there Many
of my comrades, lads of eighteen or
twenty, who had never seen night
from home until they Joined the army.
spoiled pets of fortune, manly enough at
heart, but children in years and consiiu-
ton, who had been used to have every
little ache and scratch .ompassioned with
an almost extsavagant sympathy--there
crushed md dying, huddled together
some where they had weakly crawled up
on their hand and knees--and never a
womans voice to whisper gentle consola-
ton. 1t was pitchy dark. and cold
miserable rain was falling upon US, the
very heavens weeping over our miscries
Then through the darkness and drizzliag
rain, through the groans and prayers of
the fallen men about me. I heard fami-
liar voice close to my side:
'Wate. water. water, l am diving
with thirst--ifit be but swallow? For
Gods sake give me some wat.r'
recoiled with disnnay. 1t was the
voice Of my enemy the voice of Richard
Withers. They were once very dear to
Inc, those mellow tones once the plea
santest music cared to hear Do you
think they so softened me now You are
'nistaken | am candid about it. My
blood boiled in my veins when powerless
10 withdraw from his detested neighbor-
hood. There was water in my canteen
had filled it before the last ball came.
By stretching my hand could give him
drink, but ! did not raise finger
Vengeance was sweet l smiled gfinily to
myself, and said down in my secret heart
Not drop shall cross his lips through
he perish l shall have my revenge
DO you rc,il with horror? Listen
how melciiul God WAS to me
There was poor little drumer boy oil
The other side, merry, manly boy of
twelve or thirteen, the pet and plaything
of the regiment. There was something
Of the German in him n; he had been with
US from The first, and was rcckoncd one
nf the best drummers in the army. Bui
VIC will never march to the tap OF Char
ieys drum again. lie had got ball in
his lungs, and the exposure and fatigue.
together with the wound had made him
light-hcaded. Poor little child he crept
close to me in the darkness aud laid his
check upon my breast May be he thought
II was Ills own pillow ut home may be
lie thought IL, poor darling his mcther 5
BOSOM. Uod Oily KNOWS what he thought,
but with his hot arm about my neck, anu
nis curly head pressed close to my wick
ed heart, even then swelling with bitter
hatred OF my enemy, he began to murmur
IN his dellriuin, Our father who art iu
Heaven
was rough bearded man, had been
an orphan for many II long year; but not
too many or too long to forget the simple
hearted prayer OF my childhood-thc dim
vision of that mother face over which
the grass had grown for twenty changing
sulnuers. Something lenurr stirred with
III my hardened heart 1t was too dark
20 see the little face, but the young lips
went On brokenly:
Aud forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trepass against U.S.
1t went through me ike kuife-
sharper than the sabre cut, kecuer than
the u..ii. uod Was mercnul to me, anu
,n.s young clillu was the chauncl vi his
mclcy.
Forgive our trespasses as we forgive
.thosc "ho trespass aSalnst Us.
hdu nevci Understood The words be-
io,e.-li AN angel nad spoken 1t coulu
scarcely have Dceh more oI a revelation
FOR the hrst time the thought that might
be inor.ally wounded that death might be
nearer than | dreamed OF, struck me with
awe and borrow. The text Of long for
gotten sermon was in my ears; it is ap-
pointed for all men to die and after death
the jud dgment
Worse and worse. What measure 0:
mercy could | except, if the ttla same gas
mcted oui tina, iiad n.eted unto mys en-
emy. The tears swellcd into my eyes.
and trickled down my checks; the first |
had shed since my boyhood l felt sub
dued and strangely moved.
The rain was falling still. but the little
head upon my breast was gone. lie
crept away silently in the darkness. His
unconscious mission was ful6llcd, he
would not return at my call.
Then l lifted myself with great effort.
The old bitterness was crushed. but not
altogether dead.
'Water-Water! moaned Richard
Withers in his agony.
l dragged myself closer to him.
God be praised" said with solemn
heart. Dick. old boy. enemy no longer.
God be praised! | am willing aud able
to heiB y9p. Drink and be friends
1t had been growing tighter and lighter
in the east and now it was day. Day
within and day without. In the first
gray glimmer of dawn we looked into
each others ghastly faces for moment,
and then the canteen was at Richards :
mouth and he drank as the only fevered
can drink. / watched him with moist I,
eyes, leaning upon NV elbow and foroet- !