Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-03-24
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY,

neither thirst any more; neither shall the
sun light on them nor any heat. For the
Lamb, which is 10 the midst of tho throne
shall feed them, and shall lead them unto
living fountains of waters; and God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes"
Not only was the testament read and
re-read during the seven months of i'm
prisonment, but lent TO others. The day
of exchange, SO earnestly prayed for,
came a. last, and when the wasted form
dragged itself out Of the stockade, the
little volume could not be found. 1t was
in the hand of some fellow prisoner and
cheerfulIy left that it might continue to
comfort him. It's owner, Teached An
napolis, sent a cheerful letter home, and
his father went down as he hoped, to
bring him again TO the old homestead
1t was not so TO be. Starvation and
cruelty had done their work. He had
fought good fight, the time of bis de-
parture was at hand"
Under the hardships Of prison-li(e into
which was crowded the discipline Of q
score of common years, he had ripened
for Heaven. "Father," said he, "sit
down by me, / wait to tell you how /
feel, don't know as it is just right. l
feel so perfectly satisfied with all God
has done. I would not have one thing
changed. ] would like 10 60 home and
see mother again, but If God arranges
otherwise, il is all right, | would have it
Just as he pleases. Tell Eddie, and Allie,
and Millie, to meet me in Heaven. And
tell Mr.. II. to tell all my young friends
in Williston TO be sure and meet me 10
Heaven
The last entry in his journal reads,
"Mustered for pay" ale was being
"mustered for pay" the Captain of his
salvation was even then saying, "Behold
come quickly and my reward is with
me-" Peacefully, even gladly be entered
into rest. Let those who can, imagine
the contrast between AndersonviIle and
Heaven.
During the weeks that he fingered,
business called his father one day to
Washington. In the Washington Depot,
was a group of soldiers. Accosting
them, he found that one Of the number
was a released prisoner from Anderson
Vile. "Did you know Charley Chaplin ?"
be inquired. "Charley ChapiD, guess ]
did" was thequick reply. Explanations
followed, and the soldier expressed bis
surprise that he was yet alive. "Here,"
said he suddenly, opening bis knapsack,
1--WE got testament that belongs to
him. lie lent it to me, and / couldn't
find him to return it. I've read it through
four times, l wish you would give it to
him." And SO the dear little book came
back, to him who had fed upon it, when
starving, and to his friends, in whose
eyes il is a treasure beyond price. 1t
lies upon my table this afternoon, where
the Chaplain wrote in it, four years and
more ago. 1t has on it the scars Of its
service. Its sides and edges are worn
Its back, having failed, had been replaced
by piece of rough leather, once appar'
emily part Of a boot leg, carefully stitched
on. Its pages are wonderfully clean,
testifying the care with which it was used,
and reminding US of one of old, who in
the depths of an experience, not wholly
dissimilar, exclaimed, ~ have esteemed
the words of his mouth, more than my
necessary food"