Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-05-18


forth 10 save from harm her loved ones.
But that evening, after supper had been
finished, when her household tasks for the
day were ended, aud, wooed by the beauty
of the soft moonlight, mother and two sons
sat out on the piazza, David spoke earuest-
ly, yet az il be feared to wound her: "They
are raising regiment in the town, mother
and must join it. II is duty | owe my
country-l must fulfill it,"
Not one word of dissent parted her lips !;
she had knelt before the mercy seat, and
her trust was in the Lord. 1t was her land
hers could she not give her boy for its
defense SO she said simply: "Ge, David,
and my blessing be with you"
How swiftly the days flew by after his
enlistment-how quickly came the parting
hour, when he stood proudly before her, clad
in his suit of blue. Then one fervent em
brace and he was gone, her tear drops like
jewels glistenipg on his ietty hair.
Affairs went on quietly at the old home
stead. Upon BENJAMIN devolved his broth
er's duties; and during their accomplish
ment, the warm summer faded into autumn,
aud at last her gorgeously tinted coronals
faded before the icy breath of winter, and
the snow lay white on fed and hill.
Letters there came from their soldier-boy,
many and cheerful no complaints, no
forebOdngs. but strong vein of hope and
buoyoncy peryading every page. Strife had
become familiar to him; clangor of iron, roar
OF artillery, sheets OF fame were things of
every day occurrance, and he had escaped
unharmed in hottest battles, where his regi-
ment led the van and charged victoriously
on the columns OF the foe.
Sc the long winter passed, and the foot
steps OF spring might be traced in the
emerald grass The wild flower lifted its
petals to court the sunshine, the trees bios
somed as her mantle touched them, and her
freshness and beauty gladdened all.
One day they received letter from
David; they were on the eve of great bat.
tie. Pray ior us, that victory may lie
oursP he wrote. The letter had been de-
layed on the way;the battle must have taken
place ere this; so they waited, hoping and
fearing, for the news. Benjamin brought
the papers home very quietly that day, and
rs they locked at the heading, Great
Victoryl' their hearts swelled with exulta-
ton But, ohl the rest-for there, in black
and white before them, in the list of killed
in their boys company, they read his name,
David Holmes"
The darkness OF d5soation tell upen that
family circle Dead, . my God!" walled
the mother at last my bowl my bay! II
could have seen him oucel Ged be mercitul..
be meTOiiul!" Wild prayer crushed from
bleeding heart
dead and buried--nofhing more to be
apprehended, the blank truth before the IN
sulling all reasoning.
Neyermore TO welcome him home--gone
io,over! Yet after the first shock Of grief
had passed, they INDUCED in no useless
mrumurs or plants. Gentle memories Of
the loved ard lost were interviewer with
daily duties, and they thought of him as one
who had gsne before, who had passed, in
the blocu OF his early manhood, the dark
river, and was singing the song OF the
redeemed.
So the days wore on, ann again ,he call
rang out Ion men to aid III crushing this
dastSrlly rebellion. To the Old brown farm
uonsta the call doatcd up, and dis ,ime
beujaun resolved TO 60 He tod his
mother se, his dark eyes flashing, bis form
drawn proudly upward; and though proud OF
hts loyalty, she went from him to repre>s
The tears that would start. Could she lose
him also. her only boy2 Would it he selfish
to keep him? Were there not others who
could 20 in his stead? lfhe should die-ah!
there would be another woman heart crush
ed besides hers she felt, al she thought of
his young afiapced wife. Her thoughts
were sad that day, and after household
duties were completed and she sat out on
the shady piazza where the climbing honey
sucklcs ran riot and the roses lavished their
little gate clang to, and saw slender girls
figure coming up the yard. Her face shaded
by the Drim of her gypsy hat, was very
nI m i,nk unna mit h ifs laru hrn
eyes, and cheeks where blush roses seemed
to have lain. Very kindly and tenderly
Mrs Holmes looked upon it, for it was the
face of Hesper Grant, her sons betrothed
wife. r#. g.. ,......., s.
You look heated, Hesper," she said;
you have walked too fast, my dear"
The girl sat down at her feet; her brown
eyes seemed struggling to speak, although
her lips were silent; then she looked away TO
conceal the crimson tide that covered her
when does he start2" mot in months
time, my DEAR" said the elder lady cheer
fully, for she caught sight Of the tears that
suffused the girls eyes and the piteous way
tie red lip quivered. 20, Mrs Holmes!
If be should die, like David2' aud here the
sobs would not ne rapressed, but came fast
and heavy shakipg her frame. Nv hat
eoeld do, iol lalu an orphan, with none
elss TO loye?' '.1e may return to lis un'
harmed, my dear child. Wewill place him
ia Gods haHds sud b!de the issue" Hesper
raised her pale, tear rstalned face. 20, Mrs.
flolGesl you don't know he does not know,
how love him haye trembici often
times to sea how he came ike an idol be-
tween my God and me- ] would die to'
him, | love him 80 dcariy;H she walled with
passionate earnestuess. Yesterday he tod
me he was going; it seemed as if lwould
choke; couldn't ask any questions; l
couldn't trust my voice, and last night, when
| slept, dreamed Of grave, dark and
dank, where some one placed him shrouded
in pail. o, Mrs, Holmes! have losl both
my brothers is this war; how could lose
him? You do not know my feelings"
Not knowl" Did not every pulse OF the
mothers heart throb in sympathy with the
girl? She not know-the one who had
Graded him on her breast directed his chi d
ish feet, watchsdth dawnings OF his msu
hoed, until her soul was indissoubly knit TO
his in the deathless bonds of true, maternal
affection?
Yet she spoke quietly: "There are many
whe return, my dear; he may be among the
number. II not, it is my consolation to
know he has sought and found that better
part which cannot be taken from him-that
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