The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-04-20

remembering that the first led him to life,
the last to death
"No, ma'am, to Laurie, just the same !;
he'll break it to her best, and I'll add a
line to her myself when you get done"
So oIwrote the letter which he dictated,
finding 1t better than any had sent, for,
though here and there little ingram
matical or inelegant, each sentence came
to me briefly worded, but most expressive,
full of excellent counsel to the boy, ten
derry bequeathlng "mother and Lizzie"
to his care, and bidding him good bye in
words the sadder for thei- simplicity. He
added few lines with steady hand, and
as sealed it, said, with a patient sort of
sigh, 81 hope the answer will come in
time for me to see IT. then, turning
away his face, laid the flowers against his
lips, as if to hid6some quiger of emotion
at the thought of such a sundering of all
the dear home ties.
These things had happened two days
before. Now, John was dying and the
letter had not come. had been sum
moned to many death beds in my life, but
to none that made my heart ache as it
did then, since nv mother called NE to
watch the departure of spirit akin to
this, in its gentleDess and patient strength.
As | went in John stretched out both
his hands.
II knew you'd come. I guess I'm
moving on, ma'am."
He was, and SO rapidly that even while
he spoke over his face saw the gray veil
falling that 70 mortal hand can lift. |
sat down by him, wiped the drops from
his forehead stirred the air about him
with the slow wave of a fan, and waited
70 help him die. He stood in sore need
of help, aud | could DO 50 little; for. as
the doctor had foretold, the strong BODY
rebelled against death, and fought every
inch Of the way, forcing him TO draw each
breath with a spasm, and cleDch his hands
with an imPloriug look, as If hesasked,
Chow long must | endure this and be
still - For hours be suffered dumbly
without moments murmuying. His
limbs grew cold, his lips white, and again
aud again he tore the covering off his
breast, as if the iichtest weight added to
his agony; yet, through it all, his eyes
never lost their perfect serenity, and the
mans soul seemed to sit therein, IN
daunted by the Ills that vexed his flesh.
SOLDIERLY SYMPATHY.
One by one the men woke, and around
the room appeared a circle Of pale faces
and watchful eyes, full Of awe and pity ::
for though stranger, John was beloved
By all. Each man there had wondered
at bis patience, respected his piety, ad.
mlred his fortitude, and now lamented
bis hard death for the influence of an
upright nature had made itself deeply felt
even in one week. Presently the iona
than who so loved this comey David
came creeping from his bed for last look
and word. The kind soul was full Of
trouble, as the choke in his voice, the
grasp OF his hand betrayed but there
we're no tears, and the farewell Of the
friends was the more touching for It's
Jrevity.
"Old boy, how are your" faI,ered the
,ne
Most through, thank heaven whis
3ercd the other.
Can l sag or do anything for you
Take my things home, and tell them
hat | did my best"
Il will! l will
"Good bye, Ned"
"Good bye, john, good bye"
They kissed each other tenderlv as
7omen, and SO parted; for poor Ned could Il
ot stay to see his conrade die For a
title while there was DO sound in the
Oom but the sound of water from a stumn
r two, and Johns dIstressfuI gasps as he /
lowly brecthed bis life away. thought /
i'm nearly gone, and had just laid down !
-e fan, believing its help 10 be 20 longer
eeded, when suddenly he rose up in his
ed, and cried out with a bitter crv that 8
roke the silence, sharply startling eyery a
1e WIN us agobI2eo appear For GOd' S
Ike, give ne air - a
1t was the only cry that pain or death c
ad wrung from him, the only boon he |
.ked, and none Of US could grant it, for '
l the airs that blow were useless now. a
Ian flung up the window, the first red
reak of dawn was warming the grey
lst. a herald of the coming sun. John a
w it, and with the love of light, which q
ngers in US to the end, seemed to read d
it sign of hope of help, for over his $
hole face there broke that mysterious !!
zpression, brighter than any smile.
hich often Genes to eyes that look their
st. He laid himself gently down, aud
out his strong right-arm, as if :
grasp and bring the blessed air to his ;;
F,Ilor Aou 1or-ol II