The Jackson daily standard. (Jackson [Ohio]) 1873-188?, 1874-09-16

hearted, whole-souled boys are unsuspi-
cious of evil; before they are aware
they are tempted and have yielded. 1t
was so with Charlie. The enemy guns
did not touch him, he lost not a limb In
his country's service, but he lost his self
control, he learned to drink It would
have been better for Charlie had he laid
down his life then and there-the glory
of the soldier dying at his post would at
least have been his All there are men
living to-day whose souls bear the scars
of the army, whose bodies.came out of the
conflict unscathed: there were noble
men sacrificed in that war of the nation
of which the pen of the chronicler has
made no account-men whose lives since
then have brought more tears to mothers 5
eyes than ever their deaths could have
done
In an evil moment Charlie robbed the
mail. How he came to do it he could
not tell; not one would believe him
guilty of the act till the crime had been
fully charged upon him. Only few let
rers had been distracted, and the con-
tents fully restored; it was evident, too,
that the offence had been committed
under the influence of drink-but the sin
! was objectionable, and the sentence was
] passed Dismissed from the army +
All, only a soldier realizes the full dis
! grace of that terrible punishment; to be
| denied the privilege of fighting for his
| country flag? Degraded and in despair
| Charlie left the ranksl Where did he
| go? Home Not hel The news of his
| offence had spread itself far and wide
| where Charles name was known, there
| was it dishonored Where shall | 60 r
asked stricken Charlie of himself. To
which the Lord gave reply, laying him
| on a hospital bed Weeks he lay there
wasting never.once losing consciousness,
praying to die, praying to die, praying as
Charlie had never prayed before. Reach
ing up to God, though failing to pray
Alright, he was at last drawn into the
presence of the Invi5ible One, and as the
hand of the Master rested upon him he
felt His healing power in his soul and
/ saw the light of Gods countenance
shining down upon him. Very differ
emily Charley prayed just then, He laid
! the whole sad case before his God, he
told Him of his sorrow that had come
into his life, his utter helplessness told
Him all. and promised-he no longer
prayed TO die-to lead a nobler, better
purer life-to forget the bad and cling to
the good.
Even Charles flesh seemed purified
when he arose from that sick bed and
went out into Gne WOfIQ.N Inc Dflgnl
joyous look had left his face, but his
countenance was one which spoke to you
ofpeace, which was pleasant to look upon
and the effect of the terrible sorrow wa.
not otherwise manifest 1t was quiet
little place Charlie wandered to on his
recovery, but work came to him, he was
industrious, he became attached to the
people, took up his abode there and call
ed it home. A year or two passed away
Society was kind to Charlie, and he
made many friends. His old hearty
laugh came back to him, and left happy
light upon his face
But comrade of his in the army
CHANGED that way one day, and ere nigh
came, Charles name had been so drag
ged before the public, so blackened anc
DETAINED, he felt himself cast out from
their presence; !; admitting the past to b,
true. but declaring himself, and his lif,
since then, honest and upright, Charli,
said goodbye to this quiet little place
and left it with no kind words to follow
him
-. ITO be continued a