Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1866-08-04

trasted with the huge frame OF my stricken
giant, that found great tears wetting my
cheeks, and before | was aware two rolled
down on the strong hands graspng mine
Oh don't martn, he said, cropping to Gnd my
face, don't ye cry, now. 'Tant so bad as
that didn't expect to be a soldier aud
get none of the hard knocks Besides, and
a strange wsn smile came on the pale lips,
1t makes some things easier
did not question him, though the phrase
set me wondering what romance was hid
den in that manly heart; but what 20
mans hand, voice and sympathy could do
to ease bis pain aud cruel sorrow, that /
1 freely offered meeting grateful words and
touching Submissive patience for my reward
Of course with O ward full Of broken
bones, bullet holes, shattered limbs nnd
gaping cuts TO attend 10, Nurse Cruel had
but little time for sentiment over any hero,
However he might appeal 10 her heart, so
after making my blind boy as comfortable
as circumstances would allow, left him,
promising to return as sooR as / could to
his side. 1t wns night before / could
steal moment After seeing that all was
10 order, hot things on the stove, and cool
ones on ice narcotics swallowed and grim
aces reduced by see doses Of jelly, banda
g s moistened, the doc.or's last orders
obeyed, the lights turned down aud the
night attendants turned out, Nurse Cruel
OF last sought her own little snuggery at
the end of the ward, fully prepared for any
summons between l0P aud a NJ, that
the exigences OF those hours might requires
My patient lay very still, but the relsxed
nu cles aud peaceful face told that the first
bitter agony OF blindncss was over. AS be
heard my step, he smiled, and held out his
hand. You must be very tired, he said
geutly, l have heard hour alter hour
strike since you left, tie ward-master has
been here twice, the doctor once, and you
were always reported as very busy.
Not too tired to raise your head and turn
your pillow t o the cool side, said, nor 10
wet the bandagc, and give you this drink
am mixing. s.
Would-would, the words came very re-
uctantly. -'-
What is it? Do not hesitate to tell me-,
l sail. ....a
Only nly--that--mother does not know Jet
end again the fingers clenched, and the
pala lips we're crushed together to keep
back cry of pain aa
/ will write in few minutes, said let
ting my hand fall on his thick curls. You
need only tel me the name and address. i
will add the rest. @ ..a'.
But he had no idea of Sinking duty
because it was painful my brave blind giant.
Tell her he said, keeping his voice steady
and his lips firm, that it was three days
ago, but was not conscious until to-day.
about an hour before l came into this
room. l heard the doctor tell some one
down stairs. Ii aCds rather hard TO bear
there all alone, but God knows best. Tell
her that am willing 10 give my sight if it
will help to end this cruel strife, and-and
you may write please-give my low, to
Sarah, and tell her thai it was for the hest
can see now why we were permitted 70
part so. b d her comfort Sarah for me =
There was much more, patient words o
Christian faith and gentle submission. and
as signed lhe j chm HuFding to the letter
more than one tear had TO be cleared from
my dim eyes.
Two days passed, and my blind man bad
become my solace and rest from the day s
toll He slept but little, aud ! had much
night nursing TO occupy me, but at wha'-
ever hour l cane 10 rest for time in my
! big chair, found his smile awaiting me,
word of cheer to greet ME. In these
quiet chats, Inc still wa'd sleeping near us,
light he grew to talk hm,elf out TO me. and
simple in bis confidence told me his romance
There was nothing new about it, only the
the old story of vain woman's caprice, q
strong mans deep !oge turned back upon
his own great heart. lie never reproached
Sarah, but spoke proudly Of her beauty,
her sweet voice, her winning ways. She
did not want me to 'list, he said, ignoring
her selfshpess, and perhaps it was not right;
but the old mother, who had only me. bsde
me God speed, and the conntry needed all
her sons SO msrm, l had to go, 1t did
not seem to nc matter Of choice bnt Of
duty, and l came ont. Sarah hardly
thought would 60 till she cav ME in the
blue dress, and then she grew angry, and
said il | loved my counlry better than my
promised wife might take it in her stead,
for she would never marry common SOL
der. Perhaps, marin, she did not exactly
mean that, but was ordered OF that very
night SO she had no chance TO take II back.
You see God dealt kindly by us, for now
We are accustomed TO thinking Of separate
lives, and it would have been hard to have
to give her up for this. and he touched the
bandsged brow, my little Sarah.
Al the woman 10 me had been ronsed TO
Indignation over bis tale, but the infinite
tenderness Of bis tone as be spoke the last
three words, stayed tho torrent OF language
on my lips. could not disturb his gentle,
forgiving heart, and only pressed bis hand
in silen, sympathy.
The next morning, while was trying to
persuade refractory boy, of foriy.6ve or
so, that lying in a slropg draft not the best
medicine for rheumatism, my orderly,
touching his cap, informed me that two la
dies were 10 the Office. asking for the nurse
Of ward e. 1t was an every day occur,
rence, so l followed Jim's red shirt and
blue trousers TO the anxious seat in the Of
fee.
A pale. elderly lady. in widows mourn.
i ing, rose as / entered, and girl OF about
nineteen turned o pallid, grief stricken face
10 mine She had large violet eyes, pale
| ooIdsn hair and pretty winning face