The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-04-28

for the loss OF his limb as that he could
no longer help TO rid his country of its
foes But his convalescenee was as rapid
a. youthful vigor could make it, and in a
few weeks he was able TO bear the jour-
ney hnmeward.
( He had tried to keep from his mother
and father, for time. the news of what
had befallen him; but Alice heard of it
one day and told them. On the day fol-
lowing, the deacon, who had been on the
road nearly all night, was in the Ameri-
can camp inquiring for his boy. He had
left Alice with the poor mother to help
take care of things till he should return.
The father and son met. Its too
bad, were almost the frat word@ David
said. as he held the old mans hand :
Pm sorry, father ] won't be worth
much to you now, but wanted to help
drive them ont"
''It's only leg, David; never mindl
II God spares you now you ought to be
thankf ful, and I shall be satisfied You've
done nobly, David! You'll be worth
more to me now than you ever was be-
fore" The old mans eyes grew moist
and his voice trembIed, but he was proud
of his poor, crippled boy.
Being assured of David'z recovery. the
deacon hastened back to relieve the sns-
pense of those he had left at home.
They would see David again, he said,
though not quite he used to be. He
would have to make wooden leg for
him, but he would get about well enough
then.
"God be thanked" said the mother.
"He will not go away again. God be
thanked"
When David could bear the journey
the deacon again set ont to bring him
home. Ii had been a mild and open
winter almost up to this time, but the
ground was now covered with a good
depth of snow and the old wise heads
were saying: CTS just a. ! expected;
winter never rots in the skyr'
Again Alice came TO help do the
chores. The deacon said she was every
whit as good as a boy, and felt at ease
regarded his cattle and sheep, when
he set out with his great, old-fashioned,
high backed sleigh 10 bring David home.
The mother made him take at least half
a dozen thick blankets and comforters.
and plenty of straw to keep her boy
warm
The deacon always drove at one stai1
old place-chug, chug, ching and he
would hardly have urged his horse to a
greater speed even to have saved David's
life. So the great, heavy bells around
the horses neck resounded at intervals
as regular, and almost as far apart, as
the tolling of a church bell, and on that
still, frosty morning when he set out
might have been heard almost as far
away.
But, though he made no haste, the
deacon lost no time. On the third day,
though not till at least two honrs after
the sun had set, the music Of those bells
was again heard, faint and low at first
coming over the hills. Itwas Alice that
heard it first, and then she and the
mother both listened. as it grew louder
and nearer, till the slow but sure old nag
had brought his precious burden to the
door.
II told you I'd come back, mother!"
said David, cheerIly, as she went for
ward to meet him. Didn't ! tell you
I'd come hack?"
"Davidl Davinw was all she could
say, till she had pressed him in her arms.
and they entered the house.
] will not attempt to repeat what fol-
lowed pecially between Alice and
David-when they had an opportunity
to speak to each other alone. ! will on
ly add that they all lived many years
longer and when the old couple passed
away the grandchildren that David and
Alice had brought them were among
their most sincere monrners.