The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-07-01
ltitty lfrngg'S Husband.

/ hh'v 'HsE bU>bhhus
Mercy OH MS. what has harrcnd t
TO your fathciY Run outquick Chal
lie and open the gutc. What is th
matter Johny You aie rs white as
sheet" ...H ...
kitty I'm drafted"
In place of falling TO crying on,
moaning as is the fashion with som
of our women, Kitty Bragg laid he
hand heavily on her husbands shoul
der. ....| .... .
"John I'm ashamed of You. II yol
were child, would give you pooc
shaking. Compose yourself bcror
Charlie comes in | would not hav,
him think his Cather coward!
That is n hard word Kitty"
Z" know it John, but the case de
mands it. / would not lave YOU low
cred IN Your child's sight. Now Johr
Bragg, let YOU and me talk sense; lei
ms reason Oh the matter together
You are a good man, John--a good
husband and good father. You are
"a brave man, too, desl lite your trem-
bling nerves. Who plunged into tho
river just above the rapids, afterpo
Cranes only son? Who flung him
sci before cd Mr.. Morris mad horse
and saved the old mans life? Why,
just John Bragg. / know what ails
you John. You are physically nerve.
Gus at the report Of firearms or the
sight OF blood. You have spent yonr
life poriug over books, and never
tried to overcome the weakness. -
But YOU can overcome it, and must"
This must was said smilingly.
II must, indeed for the die is cast.
aud there is no escape. l do not
thipk it is want of courage, and j am
sure my heart slows with love for my
country. You know, Kitty,I have
given literally of my poor means;
but Whenever i think of going 10 bat
tie, this strange trcmor assails me,
and / am reduced TO the weakness of
a child. j shall lie disglaced, !
know--Don't you wish you had n
hravcr husband, Kitty? / wouldn't
blame you."
But KITTY did not hear, She sat
by the kitchen hearth, leaning her
brown head on the .jamb oil the huge
old fashioned chimney. Her tho is
at last formed themselves into words.
Il verify believe. John, it is thing
YOU cannot help--it is your misior
tune, not your fault Let us sell the
place. Joe Marin will give you five
hundred dollars for it, and then you
can get substitute. We can rent
the little house on the Murry farm,
and then"
"Ncvcr, Kitty. Talk no more, /
would indeed bc a coward then
What! deprive my loved ones OF q
home to save myself from hardships?
Never, never! 1t is not my life ! am
afraid OF. it is just the din Of battle
and the dreadful carnage. ] will go
my dear wife, and you must help me
10 lie brave aud do my duty"
The morning came ut last that the
drafted were to join their regiment.
There was many tear she'd by
wives. mothers and sisters: but Kitty
shed nonc---shc had other work to do.
She stood talking with John Mt the
end Of the platform.
My little Bible is in your KNAPP
sack; John. Read it often. When
ever you feel that trembling coming
over you, John, pray; to God and he
will strengthen you. / know he
will"
20! Kitty how can I ever live
yon?'
This almost upset the brave little
women; but she stilled the quivcring
lip, and smiled through her tears
" hen the order to fall in was given,
John laid his hand on her head and
said tenderly--
God lllcss you Kitty! You are the
nest wife ever poor man had. -
She lifted up her mouth for kiss; but
the white lips were mutc--for the
life of her she could not have spoken,
The train moved of ant Kitty
went home. She shuddered MS she
crossed her doorstep. The clock
licked more lonely than she had ever
heard it, and all seemed like desola-
tion, Kitty sat down in her little
sewing chair and wept like child
Charlie came in, his face all aglow
and lis eyes flashing.
"What! mother crying? Why, j
think it is glorious thing to raise
ones arm for ones country--a thing
10 die ior," he said dreamily."
Eyes my son, it is glorious; but II
IS sad too, / would not call him
back; but ! will be very lonely
After that one burst Of tears, Kitty
was her own brave self again. Time
passed on, and save that Kitty prayed
oftener and was more grave than
her wont, one could see little change
IA her. .r... .g ..l...t ..
Charley went off to school in the
morning, and she was left alone all
lay. Broken calculations often es-
capped her lips--prayers for the safety
and Strengthening of her husband
until at last it became habit
One Saturday as she WAS baking
md churning, as usual her heart was
'ull of prayer for her husband.
80, God strengthen poor john, and
~