Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-06-16

'Io1 have misjudgcd me. Rufus. TWAS
all mistake: l found it out after we par
ted. l meant to have spoken this morn
ing when grasped your rein, but
but
His generosity spared Inc the rest.
The wound my hand had inflicted was
yet bleeding in his head; but for the
blind passion of the blow it must have
been mortal. Was vengeance SO sweet
after all? l felt something warm trick
ling from my shoulder. The daylight
had gone again-how dark it was!
Forgive me, Dick > l murmured
cropping about for him with my hands.
Then l was blind-then l was cold rs
ice--then | tunbled down an abyss, and
everything was blank.
The crisis is past--he will recover, ;
said strange voice.
Thank God. thank God" cried IA
miliar one.
l opened my eyes Where am L?
How odd everything was. Rows of beds
stretching down along narrow hall. bright
with sunshine, and women wearing white
caps and peculiar dresses fitting to and
fro with noiseless activity, which in my
fearful weakness it tired me to watch.
My hand lay outside the covers: it was as
shadowy as skeletons. What had be-
come of my flesh? Was I child or a
man? A body of spirit? l was done
with material things altogether and had
been subjected to some refining process
and but now awakcd to new existence
But did they have beds in the other
world! was looking lazily at the oppo-
site one. when some one took my hand
A face was bending over. looked up
with beating heart. TIE golden sun
shine was on it-on the fair, regular fca-
lures, and the lips and kindly blue eyes.
Dick" | gasped, where have you been
all these years.
Weeks, you mean said Richard
with the old smile. But never mind
now. You are better dear Rufus-you
will livc-we shall be happy together
again
1t was more woman's voice. than a
mans. but Dick had tender heart.
Where am 1? l asked still hazy.
What's the matter with mc2'
Hospital, in the first place. said Rich
ard. Typhus, in the second. You were
taken after that night at fredericksburg
1t broke upon me at once. I rcmem-
bered that awful night could never.
never forget it again. Weak as a child
I covered my face and burst into tears.
Richard was on his knees by my side at
once.
1 was brute to recall it, he whisper
ed remorsefully; do not think of it, old
boy-you must not excite yourself. 1t
is all forgotten and forgiven
Forgive us our trcspasses as we for
give those who trcspass against us?' l
prayed from my inmost heart
Those words have been in your mouth
day and night, ever since you were taken,
said my friend
| lay silent cogitating
Tell me one thing I asked, are we
in the North or South
'North-in Philadelphia
Then you are prisoner I said
mournfully, recalling his principles.
Not bit Of it
What do you mean?'
Richard laughed.
i have seen the errors Of my ways. L
have taken the oath of fallcgiance. When
you are stong enough again We shall
light side by side
And the wound in your head?' l
asked. with emotion, looking up at his
bright handsome face.
Don't mention it; it healed long ago.
And the drummer
Richard bowed his head upon my hand.
lie was found dead upon the field.
Heaven bless him! They ssd he died
praying with his mothers name upon his
lips.
'Aevcre him as an angel l whisper
cd, grasping him by the hand. 'Bu: for
his dying prayer we had yet been enc