Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-05-25
Aistella s.
The Brothers Sacrifice.

"IIere is permit from the general" " " All
right; I'm glad the poor fellow has some cont
fort before he dies"
"Dies ?"
Eyes, he is sentenced, and will be shot
tomorrow, but don't tell him it's against the
rules it brings down fellows courage"
.' Sentenced to death p
eyes for desertion, there's no mercy"
"Oh John my brother, what have you
done p so saying, Charley followed the guard
and passed into the cell in the guard house,
where his brother Charles WIS lying under
sentence of death.
His crime was qualified as desertion ; when
his brother had heard of it he had hurried
from his home to learn the truth for John
was devoted, innocent, and enthusiastic
soldier. lie had left young wife and an in
fant at the first call for troops, and had been
in the service ever since That John should
desert was impossible. There bad been some
terrible mistake. But Charles never thought
that the charge against his brother could not
be disproved, never thought that the proceed
ings of the court-martial would come to so
speedy termination.
Condemned to die Charles, as he followed
the soldier on guard, went back in imagna-
ton to the quiet home, where his mother
prayed for them both, watching beside the
bed of poor, gentle Ellen, who now must die
without ever again seing her husband, the
only love of her life, who had been her hus.
band, but for year Aud he, Charles, mus
he return TO his home with this ncws-,mus
he bring despair where there was already
much sorrow. Oh John. john. what have
YOU done?' So saying Charles Morris en-
tered the cell, and pausing an istant, blinded
by the darkness, he at last perceived hi
brother, and rushing forward, threw his arm
around him.
"Oh John, can this be true ?-you yo'
a dcserter?
No and yes. Charley. But tell me, doe
my Ellen live 2"
q" Yes she still lives"
"But shall never see her again. Oh
John, John, could die with resignation if
could but see her once again, if once l eoul
tell her how loved h.r, how had enslrine
the pure image in my heart, how she was a
to me on earth, and now she would be all t
me in heaven, where we must meet again "
"Oh! John, with these thoughts in you
heart, how could you do what you hav
done p
81 will tell you. Charley. asked for
furlough had been faithful servant
nv country, coming at her first call nev'
in three years had been home, and you wro
ME that my Ellen was sick-is she SICK 7
eyes"
mot better p
). "No-'
"Dyingr
"Go on with your story, my dearest brot
er."
"Well, when this news came on, my hea
vearned for home, panied to see those de
faces once again. / thought on them by d
and dreamed of them by night, until 1t b
came madness, and unable to resist the owe
whelming feelings of my heart, | asked Tor
furlough; ] was entitled to it, but was
fused and then, then Charley, maddened
!, the injustice, yearning for my Ellen, l o
at at night left the camp and went on my wa
needless of all consequences"
"And then you was arrested and tn
- you was brought here and
And then was brought before cou
A martial, Charley, found guilty, judged VIII
out mercy. and soon, no doubt shall
til sentenced to the extreme penalty of my erin
VII I can meet death without fear. Great Hei
= on have not braved it thousand times
- the country that condemns me? Ii only
m an instant could see my Ellen, my boy
m nv moor mother, but to die thus
m "John," said Charley, " l have no ties
. earth compared to those which bind you.
me take your place. We are not unlike
. I can contrive to conceal my identify fr
those around us, who, after all, do not
:. special interest in u.s."
% Take my place, Charley7 What Is
you offer me--happiness? come what ma!
and death by my comrades hands will be
: doom-but,i # see once more my Ellen' l
resigned to all"
Tou shall see her, for I tell you l