Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-03
The Blacksmith's Story.

Well. no. NY wife amt desd. SIR, but I've lost
her all the same
She left me voluntarily. and neither wss 10
blame.
It, rather queer story. and | think you will
hgrce-
er rough on NE.
She was a soldiers widow. He was Killed at
Malvern Hill;
And when married her. she seemed 10 sorrow
for him still
Bnt brought her here 10 Kansas. and never
want TO
A better wife than Mary was, for five bright
wears 10 me.
The change Of scene brought cheeriulness, and
soon a rosy glow
OF haplliness warmed Mary. cheeks. and melt
Ell all their snow;
think She loved Inc sOme-I'm bound 10 think
that OF her. sir.
And a. for mel can't b, gin TO tell how loved
her.
Three years ago the baby came. our humble
home 10 bless;
And then reckon was nigh 10 perfect happi-
ness.
Twas hers-'twa, mipe-; but I've no lam
guagc 10 explain 10 you
How that little girls weak fingers our hearts
together drew!
once We watched ii through a fever, and with
each gasping breath,
Dumb with an awful. wOrdless Woe, we watch
ed for its death
And though I'm not piou, man, our soul, to-
gether there
For Heaven 10 spare our darling went up in
voiceless prayer.
And when the doctor said 'tw would live. our JOY
What words could telli
Clasped In each others arms. our grateful tears
t0lether fell
Sometimes. you see, the shadow fell across our
little nest,
But il only made the sunshine seem doubly
welcome guest.
Work came TO NJ a plenty, and kept the anvil
ringing,
Early and late you'd lind me there ahammering
and singing;
Love neryed my arm to labor, and moved my
tongue TO song,
And though my singing wasn't sweet, II was
almighty strong.
One day a one-arrned stranger stopped TO have
me nail a shoe,
And while was at work We passed eompli-
ment or two.
asked him how be lost his arm. He said twas
shot away
Al Malvern Hill. AT Malvern Hill: Did you
know Robert Mayr'
That's NE I" said he. "You. your / gaspei.
choking with horrid doubt;
III you're man, just follow me We'll Try this
mystery out"
With dizzy steps led him to Mary. God!
Twas true
Then the bitterest pang Of misery unspeakab
knew.
Frozen with deadly horror, she stared with
eyes Of stone,
And from her quiyering lips there broke, one
wild, despsiring moan.
Twas he. the husband Of her youth, now risen
from the dead,
But all too lste-and with thst bitter cry her
senses fed.
What could be done. lie was reported dead.
On his return,
He strove in vain some tidings of his absent wife
to learn.
Twas well that he was innocent, else Fd have
killed him too.
So deed he never would have riz, till Gabriel.
trumpet blew.
1t was agreed that Mary between US sho uld de
eide,
And each by her decision should -acredly abide
No sinner at the judgment-,eat, waiting eterns
doom,
Could Suffer what did while aiting sentence
| in that room.
Rigid and breathless there we stood with nerve
as tense as steel,
When Mary's eyes besought each white fsce, II
piteous appeal.
God, Could not woman's duty be less hardi.
reconciled
Between her lawful husband. and the father o
her child.
All, how my heart was chilled 10 ice when sh
knelf down and said.
Forgive me, John He is nv husband. Here
Alive. not dead"'
! raised her tenderly and tried to tell her sh
was right.
But somehow in my aching breast, the prisone
words stuck tight!
But John, can't leave baby--"What: VIII
and childr' cried /:
Must l yield all All, cruel. Better that
should die.
Think of the long. sad, lonely hOurs waiting i
gloom for me
No wife 10 cheer me with her loye-no babe I
climb my knee.
And yet-you are her mother, and the sscre
mother-loye
Is still the purest, tenderest tie that Heive
ever woye.
Take her, but promise, Mary-for that wi
7 - bring no shame-
L Ny little girl shall bear, and learn to lisp he
fathers name!"
: 1t may be in the life to come, I'll meet my chi
"a and wife;
:. But yonder, by my cottage gate. we parted #
n this life;
One long hand clasp from Mary, and my drea
of love was done!
= One long embrace from baby, and my hapI
ness was gone
~ young couple were married At Cres
~ line nhs1 s;- 80 - A.. -..-