Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-03-25
Wake 10 80 Plain that Can Get
Hold of II.

On the sixteenth day after the battle Of
Gettysburgh, | entered room where a
young wounded colonel was apparently
near to death. As | entered he was rous-
ed from his stupor, and he beckoned me
to his bedside, and threw his feeble arms
around my neck.
"Oh. my father. how glad am TO see
you | was afraid you would NOT come
till il was to late. ! am too feeble 10 say
much, though have great IN any things
to say too you; you must do all the talk
ing. Tell me al about dear mother md
sister"
| soon perceived by the appearance Of
those in the house that there was no hope
entertained of his recovery. But as |
could no longer endure the agony of su~-
pense, al last inquired OF the doctor,
" Doctor, what do you think OF my sons
case
Entirely hopeless"
= but Is mere uUtuIu- tl..la s5n.t ,.,.- -.
done 70 save him
No sir. Everything that human skill
and kindness can do, has been done, Your
son has been brave and very successful
officer has been great flvoritc in the
army ; has won the highest esteem Of all
who have known him, but he now must
die. Immediately after the amputation
the gangrene set in, and defes all efforts
to arrest it,"
3" Well, doctor. how long do You think
he can live
:" Not more than four days lie may
drop away at any hour. We are con-
stantly fearing that an artery will give
way, and then it is all over with the
colonel. What you wish to do in refer
ence to his death you had better do at
once"
Have you, or anyone, told him OF his
real condition
NO. We have left that ;nintul duty
for you to do, as We have been expecting
your arrival for several days"
As | entered the room with the dreaded
messenger Of death pressing On my heart.
the eyes Of my son fastened on mo.
Come, sit by my side, father, Have
you been talking with the doctor about
me
Yes"
What dad he tell you, Doe, he think
| shall recover =
There was s. painful hesitation for
moment
Don't be afraid to tell ne just what he
said"
lie told me You must die.
How long does lac think ! can live -
Not 10 exceed four days, and that YOU
may drop away any hour-that an artery
may slough at any moment, which you
cannot survive"
With great agitation, he exclaimed:
Father, Is that 80 Then | must die
| cannot. must not die Oh, ! am not
prepared to die now Do tell me how |
can get ready Make it 80 plain that can
get hold OF 1t. Tell me, in few words.
If you can, father, for | used to hear
you explain it to others
Twas no time now for tears, but for
calmness rnd light, by which to lead the
soul to Christ, and both were given.
My son, see you are afraid TO die"
~ es, i am"
"Well | suppose You feel guilty :"
YES, that is it. | have been wicked
young man. You know how il is in the
army"
''Oh, yes That is what l want Can /
be father"
Certainly
"Well, now, father, make it SO plain
that | can get hold of it."
az oHCc an lHc1&ttHt, winch occurred
during the school-days of my son, came
to my mind. | had not thought of it be-
fore for several years. Now 1T came
back to me, fresh with its interest, and
just what was wanted to guide the agita-
ted heart of this young inquirer to Jesus.
''Do you remember while at school in
you came home one day, and / hav-
ing occasion to rebuke you, you became
very angry, and abused me with harsh
| language Z"
"Yes, father, was thinking it all over
few days ago, as l thought of your COM
ing to see me, and felt so bad about it
that L wanted to see you, and once more
ask you to forgive me-"
"Do you remember how, after the par
oxysm of your anger had subsidized, you
came in and threw your arms around my
neck, and said, MY dear father, am sor-
ry abused you so. 1t was not your low
ing son that did it. / was very angry.
Won't you forgive meF"
"Yes, remember it very distinctly"
ado you remember what said to you,
as you wept upon my neck /"
Every we'll You said, 4 forgive you
with all my heart and kissed me. shall
never forget those words.
ibid you believe me"
Certainly. I never doubted your
word"
ibid you then feel happy again 2"
eyes, perfectly; and since that time I
have always loved you more than ever
before. shall never forget how It 70
loved mo when you looked upon me- 70