Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-07-12
wounded; the former not seriously
b,t ,,oor Cho rl;o Iorroworcl,,

ment, and now that there was dan
ger of losing him every man was as
much concerned as though he were
a brother.
AT last, however, the doctors said
he could recover, but recommended
him to go home and spend the i'll
terval before he would again be tit
for service.
But here arose a new difficulty
The poor fellow had no home that
he could go to. He was an orphan,
and the only relations he had were
a couple of uncles, who both lived
within the Southern lines.
cpl tell you what you can do,
Charlie" said Ben, one day; 81
can't bear to see you moping in this
hospital any longer. Now, I've
been thinking of going home some
time, to see mother. If l can get
leave of absence for couple OF
months we'll run up there; and il
they won't let me go, why, I'll write
Il letter and send you along by your
self. You'll be welcome, old boy:
never fear. Mothers famous fol
bringing one around when he gets
knocked UNDER"
So the letter was written, and a
few days found them enjoying the
hearty welcome Of Ben's Northern
home.
But instead of the golden-haired
little girl that Ben had pictured to
himself, what was his surprise to
find Ella tall, graceful woman OF
eighteen, who met him with the
sweetest Of smiles, gave him the
softest of little hands, and told him
in the sweetest of voices that he
was welcome.
Charlie was right. This was a
new and rather awkward situation
for bachelor verging close upon
forty; one, too, who had always
feared the girls, and had Stunned
them until they had set him down
as Il "pcrfcctly horrid, crusty, sour,
old bear" "And SO you expected
to find a little girl, that you could
take upon your knee, and fondle and
kiss to your hearts content?" said
kind, motherly Mrs. Granger to
Ben, one day, when Ella was out of
the room.
eyes," said Charlie, from the So
ia, "and you ought to see, Mrs.
Granger, what loads of swcctmeats
and toys he has in his trunk, and l
do believe he also bought her a
doll"
Ben blushcd, blushcd like a school
girl; blushed clear up to the roots
Of his hair, until the crimson tide
could be plainly seen, in spite of the
tan which his Southern campaign
had left upon his handsome face.
But no one could get angry with
merry, light-hcarted, and rafting
Charlie,
Mrs. Granger soon grew to like
him almost as her own child, and
little Ella, as they all called her,
would spend hours by his sofa,
reading to him, in her soft, rich
voice.
With such sweet care, the time
with him went by upon golden
wings, each day finding him little
stronger.
"'Tis but right" said Ben to
himself, as he watched them, day
after day; she reading to him, or
listening to his tales Of the war
"'Tis bn5 right; they are both
young, and will make each other
happy.
But somehow, each day as he saw
them, he could not help wishing he
was not so old, and weather-beaten,
and grizzlcd, and awkward. And,
somehow, each day he seemed to
grow great deal older, and more
Wcathcr.bcatcn, and more grizzled
and awkward.
81 am afraid Ben is not WE'LL"
said Mrs. Granger, one day, after he
had left the table. Gle doesn't
seem to cat much, of latc.'
Poor Ben did not know himself
what was the matter with him; he
only knew that he did not feel right,
as he watched these two, day after
day. OF course, he did not know
that he was in love. People arc oft
en- sick without knowing it.
"You must take good care of
Charlie, MOTHER" said Ben, one
morning at the breakfast table,
uMy leave of absence has expired,
and | must be off to the wars
again"
"No need to tell her." thought he,
as he saw the blush upon Elias
cheek.
A few mornings later the good
byes were said, and he was gone.
Gone, after holding again that
soft, little hand within his own for
moment, and looking again into
the misty depths of the violet eyes,
that had once smiled so sweetly up
on him, fancying he saw there just
the smallest tear of regret.
"Of course, she's sorry to SEQ me
co." said he to himself, a dozen
times that day; 'tsorry as for faith:
er or elder brother. Only this and
nothing MORE"
He did not know-he did not
dream-of the face buried in its
pillow, of the tears that dimmcd
those violet eyes, up in Elias room,
while he was being sped away,
plucking at his sun-brown whiskers
and wishing he was not so old and
grizzled and awkward.
We never know such things as
these. But let us not grnmble at
fate.
But little time did Ben find for
rcpinings, for his regiment was or
dered into active duty almost immc-
diatcly after his return.
Surely he missed his morry, light
hearted Charlie.
Letters from home did not come
very regularly, for the communica-
tions were often cut off, but in each
one that did come his mother spoke
of the Invalid as slowly improving,
and of her and little Elias anxiety
and care for him.