The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-01-31

poor yOutnS weight; Dut there was
something worse than night, cold, pain,
loneliness and the presence of death it
was, not to save that boys life whenshe
could save it.
And she determined to save it,
throughout the long hours of the weary
night She remained as motionless as a
statue of mercy, holding the boys
head in her arms. All others had
returned to Winchester; around her
was the vast moonlit field, over whose
surface the wind sighed mournfully; on
every. hand We're the wounded the
dying and the dead; and yet the brave
kind heartfelt us say this good true
girl; did not shrink from her hard task;
the young heroine did not stir; though
the delicate arm was nearly broken by
| the weight upon it, no tremor of the
nerves indicated the dire pain which
she was suffering with that silent forti-
tude which shames the foolish theory
that women are less brave than men.
In our comfortable homes, by our
cheerful fires we read Of that and cry
Bravo" perhaps; we applaud, but
would we have thus nobly acted? for a
brother, husband or father-doubtless
| but for a stranger? that wounded youth
was perfect stranger to the young
lady; she had never seen his face before
| that evening; it was an angel of mercy,
succoring fellow creature, not sister
or mother facing all things for brother
or son. Do you wish subject for a
great painting, Mr.. Washington, finer
even than that of the Burial of Latane?
l offer it to you.
Hour after hour, the wounded youth
slept on, his regular breathing indicated
clearly that his suffering had abated;
Il blessed and refreshing slumber had de-
seended upon the tortured nerves, the
shattered frame; step by step, from the
very brink of the grave where she had
found him, the poor boy was coming
back to life. The long hours of tile
summer night passed on, like shadowy
birds who slowly flap their huge wings
as they silently sweep by. The moon
went down; the consultations wheeled
through their paths in the heaven; then
the morning star only shone above the
yellow streak of dawn. That cold, pale
light fell on the figures with their po-
sitions unchanged; the youth still sleep
ing TRANQUILITY, the young lady still sup
porting his head. AS the first bright
beams of sunrise fell upon his face he
opened his eyes, gazed dreamily at her,
and q faint smile came to the lips which
Did fears from HE ewes of the noble
GIRL fan ON that pale face. where the
flush Of fever no longer burnedo know
not, but if such tears flowed from the
Kind eyes, an angel might have gather
ed them for a diaaem.
When Miss --, returned to Win
chester, she was weak, exhausted, un-
strung by the nervous excitement no
less than the physical prostration of that
terrible night among the dying and the
dead. The muscles OF her arm were so
contracted by the heavy pressure upon
them hour after hour that for many
days she could not raise her hand, scarce
IL move the member. The pain, ex
posure and excitement seriously affected
her and she was confined for some time
to her bed but on that couch of suffer-
ing she had a blessed consolation. That
consolation was the thought 81 have
saved the life OF Il Confederate soldier,
wounded IN acre ldihg his country y
W men deilefal Early All heaitl ana
happiness a'teha in ms place or exile
tha5 brave, true gentleman, that hardy
soldlef:-when General Early heafd the
honle incident Wnlch we nave essayed
10 feiate' ne exclaimed IN Il burst OF adj
i I,1. uo }n, piess me women OF