The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-01-08

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ing only my duty, and does not that always meet
the appreciation of God? My convictions Of
duty brought me here, and viii sustain me to
the end But if fall, should hardly expect
you to minister to me. Would you comfort
dying man whom you call rebel ?"
81 don't know as should, if he continued
rebel"
''May God forgive you. The chances Of
war may cause us to meet again" Gracefully
raising his hat, '-til we meet" he said, and
mounting bis horse, he rode away. 81
! Those words of the resolute young officer
rang in her ears like fatality. What could
he mean? He surely was not SO unsoldierly as
to seek personal revenge, Jet the soul of the
young girl, whom scarcely any danger daunted,
was filed with unrest.
For several days all remained in quiet sus-
pense. Vast bodies of cavalry and infantry
were moving to and fro like the surging of en-
ormous pillows. Heavy demands were made
upon the people; and those supplies that were
not willingly granted, were forcibly taken, until
all began to look anxiously for the time and
place when the dreadful blow should fall. At
last it came, and that in the consecrated abodes
Of the dead
0 ahs terrible thunder of artillery! o the
sicl;ening thought that thousands unprotected
human breasts were the targets for those horri-
be missiles of destruction. How can humanity
look on such scenes and live!
The contest was frightful and bravery des-
perate on either side, but at length there was
lull, and the stars and stripes were in the ascen-
dant.
The firing ceased, and the armies slowly re-
/ a.. lotl 4h,
halls consecrated to God, down to .fhe veriest
hoyel, was filed with the wounded and dying,
friend and foe side by side, disappearing, groan-
ing, praying and these are the noble forms
whom but yesterday were in the full glory Of
manhood sgp st
s.Mothers and sisters, with tenderest sympathy
quickly gathered round to perform kind offices,
fearing lest each moment should reveal the
countenance of dear one; and among other
min;stering spirits was found our rash impetu-
Gus sriend-ana as though Providence had di-
rected her, the first person whom she reached
was the rebel officer-shot! Yet he smiled as
she advanced, saying: "You could not refuse
dying man, even rebel"
I 81 have repented OF those cruel words. A
soldier, from the moment he is wounded is no
longer rebel but a man, deserving all the,
kindness Of humanity
''Thank you. could not have stopped to
handy words with you, had you not so power
fully reminded me of my wife. Where on this
wide green earth she is, | cannot tell, for she
/ fled from her home ard could never get trace,
of her afterward. IF she has passed beyond,
trust soon shall 60 to her, for she is mine
still. You are her exnct counterpart, and I
could not force myself to 60 out of your pres
ence, until you told me that neither God nor
yourself would forgive me, for my share in this
''wicked rebellion" But now, lying here in
the very face of death do not regret what
have done for my country" s
The lady was SILENT but at length replied:
81 had a little sister, who closely ressmbled
me, and as we were motherless. my father gave
her to wealthy Southern lady visiting North,
who took fancy to her. Her name was Ella,
and the lady's name, was Nottingham"
'sAfy wife's name, and you are her sister!
That accounts for my strange fascination. But
it is sad meeting. Win you not forgive
brother who has met death in defence Of your
sister!' e 4,si,
| She could not utter a word, but the tears
] fell like ran and she placed her hand on his
head, granting him the coveted petition.
'sThank you. BE kind to Ella and Maggie, if
you can ever see them. Tell them my last
thought was for them" His sentences which
from the first had been indistinct and dscon-
nected, grew more Md more feeble, until she
stood alone before the dead.
| Such sad developments these dark days bringl
Who shall coun. the hearts bleeding, breaking,
because the light Of thu household hath gone
out forever? VIII not d father in heaven soon
say: 81 have seen tharit is enough?"
| How Soon WE FogGEr.-A leaf is torn from
the tree by the rude gale, and borne away to
some desert spot to perish Whomis it from,
amongst its fellows Who is sad that it has
gone Thus it is with hsnnan life. There are
dear friends perhaps who are stricken with grief.
! when loved one is taken; ard for many days
the grave is watered with iearsi Of anguish
But by and by the crystal fountain is drawn
dry; the last drop oozes out; the stern gates Of
forgetfulness fold back upon the exhausted
spring and Time, the blessed healer Of sor-
| rows, walks over the closed sepulchre without
waking single echo by her footsteps
eTKindness is alanguage that even hedumb
brutes can understand. ,.i,r r'e4,