Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-05-12

n afterward nrched with his comrades
a from the city. As those brave men pass
ed through therowded thoroughfare hats
were lifted ad kerchiefs waved, and
2 bright eyes gre dewy. Some amongst
the band had seet farewells from wo-
F.; mans lips to beer them; many the
fond embraces of mother, wife and child
ran. Johr Rodmn had but the memory
of his constant Es's prayer for him.
J He needed nothinglse.
Those were hot nd bloody days that
followed; but throgh h e m Private
r John Rodman bore trrvely--so bravely
that the fact was noud and spoken Of
At last he saved his 'olone's life at the
risk of his own, and Private John Rod
man was no more, Or Sergeant John
Rodman took his plae.
After that, brave Geds and promotions
followed hand in had; and now and
then John Rodman bped that Eva might
sometimes read his name. His form
grew erect once moe; bis eye bright ;
his old looks returned; and still braver
soldier never trod the field. He was
captain now. A gntleman and officer
by rank. In those @o long years of bat
tie he bad suffered much by wounds pri-
vations and anxiety Yet he thanked
God with every bre,th for having saved
him and made him What he was.
One burning July lay dawned upon a
fearful battle-hand b hand, tooth and
nail, Southern chivaly and Yankee grit.
Blood ran like water. Brave men were
appalled, some turnd towards and fled
not John RodmaE His bright eye
and naughty face, hi cheerful cry, his
own daring, encouraged his men, and
older soldiers marked him and applaud
ed
A woman's feeble pen can scarcely
paint the battlefield mine will not at
tempt it. Enough tiat | tell you that
the bravest deed of tlst great day was
done by Captain John ROdman. And
that, when night came, he lay senseless
and pallid as corpse upon cot in the
long tent hospital, while on the wings of
the press sped over half the world tidings
of that day and of his part in it.
Out of death,like trance John Rod
man awoke, and the moon was shining
down on him, and near a shaded lamp Il
woman sat at work. A hospital nurse,
of course, and he closed bis eyes again
His mind was active once more, and he
remembered all--the fight, and his wound,
and fall. He felt the stump of "A bandagtd
limb, and knew his soldiers life was
over. A few tears arose in his closed
eyes, and great sigh heaved his bosom.
Then he heard the nurse arise and draw
near and bend over him; and, opening
those tear,fled eyes, he saw through the
midst, the face of Eva Fay.
as it a dream ?" he said. sob, Eva,
can it be possible that you are here p
Aud she cried:
"Thank Heaven, he knows me. 1t is
no dream, dear John"
She sat with her hand in his and her
cheek against his own. For a while
John was happy, then sad again.
Eva spoke to cheer him.
"Do you wonder how l came here 2"
"Yes, angel
"Ah | have kept a watch over you
ever since | first read your name. | am
very proud of you John. Do you know
they have made you a colonel?
"Ah!' His heart arose and sank in
one moment. "a poor colonel, Eva-a
crippled man who will scarcely lift sword
again. Oh, Eva"
"My poor, poor darling"
II did not think of this. l did so hope
to come to you in strength and health to
offer you fame and fortune. dare not
now say, will you have poor maimed
soldier I? 1t would be wronging you"
Eva bent over him.
ut would be of no use, john"
81 do not blame you, Eva" And he
bid his face.
"None at all john" said Eva; "for,
darling, the day came here we believed
you dying; and that l might stay and
nurse you to the last, Itold the Chaplain
that we were betrothed, and he married
us. "Don't you remember, John! You
said, Il will"
John clasped her in his arms.
81 remember" he said, shut thought /,
il was a dream, have had so many,
Eva. And it is tr1e, quite true
"As Heaven. darling"