Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-05

was no hope for he suddenly added;
This is my first battle; do they think
it's going to bc my last'"
I'm afraid they do John"
1t was the hardest question | had ever
been called upon to answer; doubly hard
with those clear eyes fixed on mine. fore
ing truthful answer by their own truth
He seemed little startled at first. pom
derod over the fsteful fact moment,
then shook his head, with glance at the
muscular chest and broad limbs stretched
out before him:
I'm not afraid. but it's difficult to be
lieve all at once. I'm so strong !; don't
seem possible for such little wound to
Kill me-"
Merr MercutioS dying words glanced
through my memory rs he spoke, IT'S
not so deep as well, nor so wide rs n
church door, but It's enough" And John
would have said the same could he have
seen the ominous black holes between his
shoulders; he never had, but seeing the
ghas,ly sights about him. could not be-
lieye his own wound more fatal than these
for all the suffering IL caused him.
"Shall write To your mother now?" |
asked, thinking that these sudden tidinSs
might change all plans and purposes.
But they did not; for the man received
the order Of the Divine Commander to
march with the same unquestioning ODE.
dience with which the soldier had rcceiy E
cd that OF the human one; doubtless re-
membering that the first led him TO life,
and the last 10 death.
"No. ma'am, To Jack just the same /;
! he'll break ii 10 her best and Ill ada 4
limo to her myself when you get done"
So wrote the letter which he dictated.
finding it better than any had sent; for
though here and there little ungram-
ma,ical or inelegant, each sentence came
TO me briefly worded, hut most expressive
full OF excellent counsel To the boy, ten
derlv bequcathing "mother and Lizzie
to his care. and bidding him good bye in
word, the sadder for their simplicity. lie
added few words with steady hand, and
a. sealed it, said with a patient sort oil
sigh. Il hope the answer will come IN
time for me 10 see it :" then turning away
his face. laid the flowers against his lips
AS il 10 hide some culver Of emotion Mt
the thought of such sudden sunderins
of all the dear home ties. These things
had happened two days before; now John
was diving. and the letter had not come.
! had been summoned to many deathbeds
I in NV life, but none that made my heart
ache as it did then. since my mother call
ed me to watch the departure OF a spirit
akin 10 this in its gcntleness and patient
strength. As | went in John stretched
ont both hands.
a. knew you'd come, guess I'm NOV
ing on ma'am."
lie was; and so rapidly that, even
while he spoke, over his face | saw the
gray veil falling that no human hand can
lift. | sat down by him, wiped the drops
from his forehead. stirred the air abou:
| him with the slow wave OF q fan, and
waited 10 help him die. He stood i'll sore
need oi help-and ] could do so little ;
| for. as The doctor had foretold, the strong
body rebellcd against death. and fought
every inch of the way, forcing him to
draw each breath with spasm and clinch
his hands with IN implo.ing look, as ii he
asked: How long must endure and
be still?n For hours he suffered dumbly,
without moments respite or a moments
murmuring his limbs grew cold, his face
damp. his lips white, and again and again
he tore the covering from of his breast,
as if the lightcst weight added to his ago
ny; yet, through it all. his eyes never
lost their perfect serenity, and the mans
soul seemed to sit therein, undaunted by
the ills that vexed his flesh.
One by one the men awoke. and round
the room appeared circle of pale faces
and watchful eyes, full of awe and pity
for though stranger, John was beloved
by all. Each man there wondered at his
patience, admired his fortitude, and now
lamented his hard death; for the influ-
ence of an upright nature had made itself
deeply felt. even in one little week.
Presently, the Jonathan who SO loved
this comely David, came creeping from
his bed for last word and look. The
kind soul was full of trouble, rs the choke
in his voice, the grasp OF his hand, be-
tlayed; but there were no tears, and the
farewell of the friends was the more touch
ing for its brevity.
"Old boy, how are you," faltered The
one.