The Portland daily press., 1864-01-16
MISCELLANY.
Gods Soldier.

do nothing.
She sighed little while afterwards, letting
over her glittering orbs.
Nothing, Alice?"
The shut lids flew open, and the bright eyes
were in the questioner's face.
"What can do9 | am not man"
NO. You are weak, sick girl"
so weak that these poor hands cannot even
knit"
Just so weak, Alice" The voice was bur
dened with tenderness
There are sick soldiers in our hospitals, but
4 cannot even visit them, nor do so small
thing as hold cup OF cold water to ieverish
lips.
mo, you cannot do even this"
u am helpless. l can do nothing. And yet,
would give my life, If that would avail any
thing, for our country. To me, people do not
seem TO be half in earnest-do not seem to
comprehend the peril in which we are involved.
Men talk of business and gain, and women of
dress and pleasure, as if no enemy were at the
gates, mad for our destruction. feel, some
times, as IL must cry out from the windows,
and warn the people OF danger they do not
appear to dread
''If you could infuse your spirit into one who
has the strength to stand up in the face OF our
enemiesw
The sick girl raised her head from among
the cushions in a half surprised way.
MY spirits into another" she said.
"Nes."
slnto whom?n
The answer did not come until the question
had been repeated. The name of Howard
was then spoken.
Howard"
1t was evident that pang had gone through
her heart. Her lips fell quickly, and her face
buried itself among the parlor cushions.
"When our country Is in danger. cad Laws
upon US the duty of offering in its defence even
our most precious things.D
The sick girl lifted her head again. If the
pale face could be paler, it was paler now.
Howard Is brave and patriotic" she said.
II believe it, Alice,
"If / were not SO weak. Aunt Phebe, If the
time were not so near at hand, Three wears.
or for the war. o, never to see him again In
this world, o. Aunt Phebe am NOT strono
enough for thisr'
"Only in the degree that God gives us
strength are we strong enongb for any triair
was gently answered. aYou ask what can
do ?p and the question Is answered. Pour
into another heart. your strong enthusiasm.
vi alize another soul with your intense patri-
otism l have watched YOU closely. Alice.
when Howard has been here. You are NOT
apparently, the same girl then as YOU are
when he Is absent. Yop do NOT tall as strong-
" about the war. and il he has shown any
thing like military ardor. Won arc silent.
Not single stimulous. as far as observed Inv
me, have You offered "a his love az conntry
Is this right ? Are Won DOING vonr biobo.t al.
ty in thus seeking to hold him from the ranks
Of patriofs and dafandars . tb;nl, TJa,1ar5
brave Il know him sound in nrincinle, He
belongs to that class of men who make the
best soldiers And uby Il ba NO, In nc go, .
The answer is with Won. Sneak the n fitting ,l5
word and he will move at once TO the call Of
duty. Into bis manlier strength your warm
life shall flow. ON the battlefield YOUR brave
words will be in bis tbougbts and mato h;n,
evincible What can you do. Alice You can
give man to the army of freedom man
nlled with your own spirit. counting not his
life dear so that his country Is saved.
For while Alice Law silent. with her eyelids
closed and at length she said. lifting her ewes
meekly upward
81 am strong In thy strength. Take all Of
earthly support. win lean IN ,bv erarlast-
ing arm"
over her countananca' "us" VI JOY "eh'
The door had opened. and a youno man had
entered. He was In age not past twenty
three yet he had a firm set mouth an eve OF
strength, and the step of one whose thoughts
were already maturing into distinct life pur-
pose.
II.
was a meaning in his voice beyond Inc mere
expression ofregret.
Alice felt this, and, as she frightened her
hands, answered.
"If were not SO weak-and what then
Howard?n
His mouth grew serious. He looked at her
fer a while, and then his eyes dropped 10 the
floor.
"What then p She pressed him for answer.
Il would go from you for littlewhi
He saw her start But instead of Grief or
pain soft smile lay on her Tins.
Where ?''
He stood up. drawing his form erect.
lam man strong and OF fun statue,
She did not answer him, bnt her ewes were
on his face.
no you understand me, Alices ''s
sat down again, taking the hand he had relip-
pushed moment before.
II think So"
She spoke very evenly.
When our country calls upon US, Alice, God
81 believe it,. she answered.
at has called upon me---has been calling for
months. The summons is In nv ears dav and
night, and. without sin. / can no loncer 70.
main disobedient But how can 90. and Won
so weak and frail? Oh. Alice. II ia moi that
love has diminished, but the call of duty GROWS
more and more trumpet-like every honrs
you speak truly, Howard, was the firmly
given answer. "When our country calls upon
us, God calls. have heard the voice and re-
cognizing 1t as the voice of God. have looked
up, asking, What can / do? /. so weak so
helpless-just ready to be blown away by