Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-19

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walked slowly and painfully. over the
pleasant fields, which once, under his
skilful culture, had blossomed ike the
rose, he seemed the mere shadow of
the handsome, stalwart young fellow he
had once been. Dick was in the army
the Potomac which, with persistent BRAY
cry in the face of every obstacle and dis
aster, was fighting its way on to Rich
mond; and Horace, all had given up for
| dead.
Taking one rebel stronghold after an
other, performing miracles of yaor, and
suffering unheard-of tells and privations,
Sherman's army had made its trium-
plant march to the sea, and the great
rebellion had received its ath-blow.-
The terrible seven days battles had been
fought; Lee had surrendered, and Rich
mond was ours. Shouts of exultaton
was heard throughout the land and,
greeted by the plaudits of the people
whose liberties they had saved, our sol
der boys came marching in triumph
home. But amid the general joy was
heard low wall of lamentation, the
voice of many Rachel weeping for her
slaughtered children; and, in the mo-
ment of our greatest triumph, we sighed
to think at what fearful ricep the great
victory had been bought.
And from Salisbury, from Anderson.
vile, from Castle Thunder, from many
another foul rebel prison, came with slow
painful steps, and haggard faces. yet an
other army, almost ghost-like in its seem
ing. Its ranks were made up of the
wrecks of fathers, sons and brothers, who
had gone forth in the glow of health,
and the promise of young vigorous man.
hood. But neither with the army of
conquering heroes nor heroic martyrs
came home our Horace.
Dick had passed unscathed through
the sheeted flame and iron hail of many
a battlefield. He returned home to us
in the flush of health, and in the pride
and strength of early manhood, exuting
that he had been in at the death Of tho
rebellion. and among the first to enter
Richmond. With boyish pride be re-
counted his many battles, and handed
his father letter from his colonel, pay
ing high tribute to the young private's
manly virtues and soldierly qualities, and
regretting that he did not get the pro-
motion he had so nobly won.
But you said you would come home
Major General. Why didn't you?''
asked Tommy.
That was easier said than done, my
lad," replied Dick. "But, to tell the
truth, while in the army l never thought
of promotion. ! wanted our soldiers to
beat, but didn't care a fig who got the
honor. OF one thing can boast
always tried to do my duty"
You have done nobly, my boy" said
Uncle Oliver. "I If you were the high
est officer in the land we could not be
more proud of you than we are now.
But sorrow mingles with our JOY at your
safe return" Aud then, at the thought
of Horace, they all wept together.
n x X
Thanksgiving of 1865 was near at
hand. You must keep this Thanks
giving in the old style, to celebrate the
great victory and my safe return" said
Dick. /" Weeping cannot recall the
dead; so for this one day let us try TO
be joyous"
"a Yes. my boy, the day shall be kept
rs of old" replied Uncle Oliver, and bis
wife yielded fearful assent. Yet often,
amidst their busiest preparations, aunt
Ma. gaFet and the girls would leave their
work, and GO away to weep in silence.
And Rose Wheeler moved about like a
spirit, pale and silent, never smiling,
never weeping, but with a look upon
her face that said more plainly than
words that earthly love and JOY and
hope were dead to her.
Never had Thanksgiving day moro
beautiful smiled upon the earth. But
with sad brows and hushed voices the
inmates of the old homestead moved
about to make ready for the expected
guests.
They came, but not all the dear ones
of former years. Cousin Andrew had
fallen at Gettysburg, cousin William in
the battles of the Wilderness.
Let us thank God," said grandfather
Wentworth, = that we had such precious
offerings to lay upon the alter of our
country"
"They died as brave men would
choose to de-" said Harry. his pale, bat
tie Scared face tightening up into strange
beauty.
"'One single hour of glorious life
Is worth an age without name.'"
We gathered around the bountifully.
spread table, and our grand father said
solemnly:
My children, this is the last Thanks
giving shall be with you on EARTH
But my we meet an unbroken family,
and spend an eternal Thanksgiving in
Heaven" Then bowling his head rev,
eIently, he added, " Let us ask God fol-
bis blessing"
Just as the blessing ended, we heard
cry from Rose, but whether of Joy OF
sorrow we could not tell. both were Sc
strangely blend ed. In an instant she
had flown from the table, and was clasped
in the arms of stranger. Who that
stranger was we knew not, he looked so
pale and wan. so little like creature oil
| flesh aud blood But aunt Maruarei