The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-08-23
Just LIN. n,m-A v~ics.burs Inc,a.n.

Just Like Him-A VIcBsburg Incident.
The night scenes were sometimes grand,
indeed; shells discharged from the land bat
teries traced their beautiful, fiery paths high
into the air above the beleaguered city, and
meeting there the missiles ascending on the
same errand from Commodore Porter's feet,
crossed them in brilliant curves, making the
beholder almost forgetful Of the mission on
which the monsters were sent. On one Of
these brilliant nights I came upon a regimen>
tai prayer-meeting under q bluff within short
range Of the ensYpg lffonn our batteries, the
rebel sharpshooters along their lines would
reply by a shower of mimic balls, which eut
the leaves over Chr heads, and occasionally
glanced down to the ground al our feet. BY
order OF the brigade commander. TO prevent
drawing the attention, and perhaps the fire
of the enemy, the hymns were sung in a low.
mufled voice, but loud enough TO stmake
melody in our hearts The meeting was led
by one of the captains OF The regiment
There was something genuine aud manly in
the piety Of the lender, which seemed TO win
the affection and attention OF the soldiers. |
was so much struck with it that | could not
forbear seeking his acquaintance, and. on in
~vita'ion, meeting him the next day. we walked
over to the colonel tent.
I'd y u 1HSNiti NhS. NH WIRE InMFiRGASfT
offered a drink from the ubiquitous bottle.
As the single glass passed round the circle.
nearing me every moment, | qnestionedin my
own mind what terms | should use in declin.
ing; but i was yet more interested to ses what
course my Christian captain would take.
When the captain called upon him. he de-
elined, aud the third time did it SO decidedly
and yet respectfully. as not TO give ~offense.
nor TO be further importuned. said 10 b,m
aftprward-
Captain, do you always do that?"
Yes said he.
'.Do you mean You have never taken any
intoxicating liquor?
"Ies, just that.
"What, not even to correct this Yazoo
water.
"Neyer."
"You must have belonged to the cold water
army in your boyhood..
Yes; bat | learned something better than
that: my mother Taught me this one thing
what is right is right, and coming to Mis-
sisslppi don make any difference. i would
not be right for me to accept an invitation 10
drink at home: | don't believe it's right here
therefore ! DOM drink
A few weeks afterwards, passing IN Tho
Mississippi river, / addressed a Sabbath even.
ing congregation. After the service, a lsdv
came to inquire about her boy-ttfoolishiy.'.
she said, for it WAS not likely that in an army
of 10000 men | had seen her boy; but still she
wanted to ask me If | had met him. She told
me Of her anxiety for his welfare-how she
feared that the bad Influences of the cam,
would lead him astray.
"He promised that he would do we'll
said she, land I've no reason to think he
doesn't do we'll; but if could only see
somebody who could tell RE from actuaf
knowledge how he is dong. it would be such
. relief
She told me his name and regiment. as
sured her that there was hardly ground for
all the fear mothers were exercising for their
absent boys; that very many soldiers were ac-
tnally becoming better men. growing strong
under trial. And then, to illustrate, told
her, without mentioning names. OF my can
tain, Of the prayer-meeting, and of the scene
in the co!onel's tent.
"Oh," said she, that's beautiful-tlat's
beautiful. His mother ought to be proud OF
him.
Yes said !. that she ought-snd you
hre the mother
| never shall forget the JOY that leaned into
her face. and how she sprang across the car
pet, and catching my hand in both hers. wet
II with grateful tears.
: ls that my boys that Will lis ms,
like him: | knew he would do so. He always
vas a good boy; be told me he always would
Dc ana knew he would. '-Seie1M.