The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-10-05


inquiringly at the slow carriage; past the
cottages on the left, where plying wo-
men with sleeves rolled up, stopped from
their washing to east look of halt SYM
pathy at "Giles Cushman's trouble come
home again. past the double gate and
the old cherry tree, up to the maple by
the garden entrance, up to the huge block
of wood for landing place.
Beside the gate uncle Giles, his white
hair, CHANGING silvery in the sunlight, his
head bowed, lips moving, yet with no
sound.
The doctor, brother in-law and the
driver, lifted the pale young man from
the carriage. and he staggered up to
uncle Giles looking into his face with
earnest, hollow eyes Giles, the gentle
soul. tenderly laid his milling hands
lightly on the boys head, moist eyes
raised to Heaven. while pale lips CULVER
ed the old time blessing ''The God of
Israel bless thee and keep thee ever safe
ly, my lad" Plump, girlish arms stole
around the returned home wanderer' S
neck, while soft, sisterly kisses filled the
hollow of the sunken cheeks. Aunt
Rachel laid the poor tired head against
the snowy handkerchief and soft. gray
silk folded on the peaceful breast, and
sobbed welcome in the peculiar tremb-
bling information of her quaker voice.
Were glad thee's come home again,
my dear boy, God bless thee, and keep
theel"
Old Major jumped and howled into
frantic contortions of delight while
Betty, the mare, thrust her ancient nose
through the orchard bars, winnying a
shrill neigh.
Tears ran plenteously down the mar
face. ''I'm rested and letter already, with
the dear welcome that comes from every.
where"
Not a dry eye was there among them
all the driver, rough man, turned
away with his b IS down the road, cry.
ing like blarsted FOOL" he said.
8 August, with its golden glow, its drow
sy hum of honey drunken bees; and oc.
casional chirping of birds; flies lazily
rising and sinking in the mellow sunlight
and shadow, while up from the garden,
into the sick room came the perfume OF
phlox and pinks; great golden sunhow-
ers nodded their ungraceful heads in
clumsy alteration of the dazzling bright.
ness of their sun-god in the azure above
a bar Of the garish sunshine entered the
room, resting on the then almost trans
parent hand that worked up and down in
he silver and golden bar.
You II see, dear father, if [ live-but
[ won't make any more Of my old boast
ful promises-but tell you I lived the
old days over and over in that horrid pen
at Libby, wounded and starved. I
thought of you and the girls. and dear
aunt Rachel, busy at home, striving to
pay off the mortgage, made for me, culpd
ntea ! and when one of the prisoners,
to pass away the time, told how his old
dad, he said, larruped him and kicked
him out Of the house, for being drunk,
just once and that he'd gone and liste
for spite, concluding with II guess
they II feel mighty bad at home, when
they hear [ N gone, cause boys the gan
grene's got at my wound, and | dom
think, I'm SO starved, [ can stand her
long, now !" He died; and oh, the
sickening fear that came to my soul and
the thought of how gently you had dealt,
SO often. with your crring one, how little
you could regret me when the news
would reach you if should die. | used
to read my soldier testament, and pray
then, real prayer, heart prayer, faith
er.
How pitifully sad was the weak voice.
God only knows my vows and
thoughts then, only most of the time |
was so hungry | couldn't think, and oh,
so awful sick and faint-like sometimes
[ seemed to be in the old kitchen with
the fragrance of the grape blooms and
June roses coming in through the win
dows and the smell of meat and pies
baking, oh how dreadful bung!y it used
to make me. I've been awfully tempt
ed sometimes, when the men got liquor
on the boat coming up. L suppose peo-
pie are never real clear from temptation
in this world but He kept me; it was
never my strength that resisted. [ was
only kind of bruised reed, ready to snap
any minute if | hadn't had Him to cling
to-
Through careful nursing, William
Cushman gradually recovered health, but
never the strength his early youth had
promised.
Jonas Young trusted him once more
IN the tannery, so far as to make him
his book-keeper, with promise of renew
al of partnership after years trial.
Capital contingent to means.
did he stumble ever? nay before
the God whom he trusted did he walk the
remainder of his days and honored and
honorable man.
IF the Son make you free, We shall be
free indeed"
A brilliantly lighted parlor, simmer
ard sheen of flashing lights and jewels,
beautiful forms and beautiful faces. A
handsome woman, young bride, in
whose honor this gay assemblage were