The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-04-07
For tho FFse Trader 4,
THas3 RING.
by CLOVER.

by CLOVER.
A Young man who had been married but
two summers was about bidding his wife an
affectionate farewell before leaving for the
union army III Virginia, when she took from
her finger gold ring with her name neatly
engraved upon 1t, and placed it upon his
hand as a memento of her love for him. This
token of love and friendship was not destined
to be easily forgotten by the young man, al
though he was destined to wade through was
ter and blood, as well as fire, in defence OF
his nations honor. Charles said his wife,
CHARLES, although you go from to fight
for your country, and may be 10 fall in It's
defense. remember me when you cast glance
at this ring, and wherever you may happen
to be, whether in the tented field or on the
battle ground, should you turn your eyes on
this ring then remember that | am praying
for your safety and delivery from danger;
farewell" The young couple embraced each
other, aud when Charles had kissed his little
one year old girl, he started for Uncle Sam :
Army.
Charles proved to be a great ia sorlte Of the
"bovsr aud consequently had many friends.
lie was young man Of % summers, tall aud
well proportioned with dark blue eyes and
brown hair, of good disposition, and seemed
to be friend 10 every one around him be-
sides he had such courteous way, that
every one acquainted with him SAID that
Charles would some day be of Use to the
world lie soon came to the camp, enlisted,
aud became soldier to fight the battles OF
our country in vindicatiOa Of her rights.
Ever and anon when he would be in calnp
thinking OF uought save the duties and priya-
tious of soldier, his mind would suddenly
revert to his wife and child which he left tar
away in the Northern part of the State Of
Ohio. and he would sometimes be found
speaking Of "Marv, home and Nellie; while
the tears would trickle down his cheeks and
Sigh escape his lips as if be was thinking
of their condition as contrasted with his OWL.
For he left them with friends, upon a small
farm which he had bought by his hard earn>
iugs with eEough to sustain them for tlGe-
at least This was in the year 81, when al
most every body filed with love Of union
spraug torsarl and asserted that our couatry
should aud must be saved.
On one occasion. Charles in camp after
the hard fought battle OF An;ietam, he re-
ceivel word from home that his wife was in
destitute circumstances, vet he was inf rHed
that the friends would take care Of her and
see that she did not suffer bey4ld help
"B-y5HI he'U'' rung in poor Cha t.ey's ears
long aiterward even at the time ile received
his discharge from the service. He cast his
eyes at the ring on his finger and rcmcmbe:
el the words Of his wife that ''when You cast
q glance at this ring aIn praying for you.
He was - overcome 10y sorrow that he wept
f,r the SAX. of his dear wife and daughter.
Again and again dii he kiss the ting - In
remembrance of his love for her, e. al Of no
avail.
Time passsi on, and he passed through
the war in safety; having bscn ia actual ser,
vice of upwards O.. twenty FIVE battles without
receiving wound cr a scratch from the eHc>
my's guns or swords and on tie day BE- was
mustered out of the service be hd 4 been
volunteer flr four wears and received only
the pay OF q private soldier without ans Ct the
big balutv which La5 been giyea to the
bows" Of tie eleventh hour, some Of whom
never saw battle OF smelt powder. lie
started home with high hopes Of the success
tul greeting lie sbould have when he arrived
at lis maternal b, me. Alas how irU-trated
were his hopes. how vain his lovely anuc.Pa>
tioas and expected joys. His little family were
not 10 be found jLvre around tie Cd fire place
where lie was wont II greet tLcm before the
war. the same dwelling, but is occupants
could not tel. him where Mari and Nellie
could be found, and lie learned their fate in
a short time. Mary could not get .. living
alone of her little farm, paT taxes. etc, and
therefore her little all was sold 10 Ge-rav eA-
peuses incurred and pay of her creditors.
She did not fare as wei. there as for merry,
bat vas forced to leave the place ard seek
employment to support Lersel. ana Nellie.
After q long time the n~iEbJors had heard
that she died OF fever in the City Of New
York, aud that. Nellie soon tyllDwed her
mother TO the tomb.
Wi;h this information, Charles started fsr
tina; city to find some clue If possible to the
death Of his vile and child. While he was
speaking TO 4 clergyman about the same, q
woman oYened The door and entered. She
Looked as if she had grown cd Ihy sorrow,
as her cLeei.s told plainly Of dtsevtion OF
friends. After couyers;ur for . while she
, cast glance q the ring or our hero Gu-
ger and very politely asked him how he came
by it as she once gave one Ike the same to
her husband ere he started for the army, bat
as she had not received any letter from hin
she had supposed him dead.
The story was soon told. Mary and Charles
were once more found to each other. and
Nellie wa, soon with them in the clergyman
house. while a shout Of praise and thanks
giving asccndel to Heaven for their safety
and Meeting. which happiness was br5uch
about by Mary's gold ring.
SERENA, March, 1866.