Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-05-05
A ERther,s Sacrfficp.

III Paris Were three snug little rooms
inhabited by the family Koumille
| They had Only peaked roofs, chimney.
and the blue eky to look out upon, bu
SO pleasant were the rooms within
and so neat, aud tasteful aud sunny
, that there WAS small temptation tC
turn the eyes away from the M
1t was evening, and the family were
assembled at supp =. They Were OBJ
serving fete ana the best gilt china
gltterlng on t.le table, little BOUQUET
Of fresh flowers stood by each glas-,
and n ice cake, surrounded by a
wreath of roat buds, distinguish the
center. Arc un1 the board sat the
jplly, affectionate OLD father, the deli
cate and loving mother, their brave,
handsome boy, and Que other not now
belonging TO the family. but soou to
be cal ed daughter by the parents, and
wife by the son. She was a gontle,
loving young girl, looking with affec-
| tlOrate reepect npon the old folks and
with fond, modest eyes upon her lover.
Son. said the mother, for twenty one
years this night has thou been the De-
| light of my heart. Thou hast glad
dened my every day thou hast lived.
Ahi tnat thou vert but a few years
younger, thAt I might be sure of thee
| longeri
Wife, dost thou not see that Marion
takes thy word as a reproach to her?
said the father Thou would'st have
thy son all for thyself, thou sayost
don't mean that L would moi have
my child Marion for my aughter, she
rep led. No, no! Bless her heart, she
need not blush SO. And she need not
! fear. [ think even my Robinet happy
to be her husband. But the consorip-
ton, father. Our boy is now of age
The old mans Iappy face grew pale
and uneasy
Wife, he said, our boy is affectionate
to rs, true to Marion, and loving to
God. If Heaven is just, he will not
| draw the fatal lot. 81, aven blesses
the good.
Whom God loveth he chasteneth,
said the mother, with a sigh, aud Ma
rion's cheeks grew winter.
Come, do not darken a sunny ~
| by clouds of fear, said the young man.
| night [ can be the happlest fellow
alive. Even if tomorrow [ draw the
wrong number and must go to fight, l
may return to you covered with
honors. Will you not be glad and
proud then?
My sonl my soni have known
many brave boy to join those ranks
dreaming as thou dost; but few como
back to their mothers. On! Robiuet,
thou art my only son and if thou art
killed l shall be childless.
All, wife, said the father, forcing
back his tears, cJu!d'et thon not be al
most happy to be /, widow ? The COLI
scriptiDn spares the only SONS of
wido VS.. If thy uSe!ess old husband
Were gone thond'st keep thy brave
yOung SON
All. an. cried the wife; stop the old
MAJ trugne Put thy .hand on his
mour l., Marion. L cannot bear to near
him IA k 50
Tonight let rs b. happy" said
Robert. I am stot Y t conscrlpt,
and believe shall csc .pe to~morro~;
SO be gone dull CAR Father, shall
cut my birthday cake?
Yes. my boy. said his father. Let
us not borrow trouble. It would kill
me to see thee among the dissolute
so!diery driven to siaughter [ will
not, no, 1 cannot think of it. Yes, cut
thy cake, but do Lot harm those buds.
Marion placed them there ID token Of
how she will round thy life with
pleasure. All, MAJ ion? Each bud for
KISS or klnd word, ell?
Marion wiped her eyes and smiled
b'u9hir gly. Cheerfuiuess was restored
aad the happy family gave themselves
up to enjoyment of each olher. The
secret thought tlat perhaps it was for
the last time making every voice ten
derer.
On the next day the drawing was to
take place Father and son proceeded
~
with white cheek and diIating eye
drew, while the father stood by. his
usually iovial form trembling with
agonIZing apprehension. 1t was
fatal number and with a groan of
despair the old man fell upon his sons
ueck.
On, my boyt he said, [ can not let
thee Goi [ cannot see thee driven to
slaughter Thy mothers beart will
be des0!ate. [ can not, no, God for
give me, can not.
He wrung bis sons hand, and, shak-
ilIg his head at the few brave. conso-
ing words Robinet's trembling lips
uttered, he stopped them short by
kissing him tenderly. He then went
out. with geture forbidding any one
to follow him.
The mother will weep over her son,
said bystander-M Marion's father;
bat an Old man, like an old dog, goes
alone to grieve He, thy poor old
ia her. idol'zes thee. boy All, Kobi
net RoumilIe, there. is apother-a poor
young giri-whose DItterest tears will
be secret ones.
The youth, almost stunned with des-
pair at his fate, retured to tell his
| mother and Marion. They awaited
| ~ Lo oL e Al
| Holy Mary's Image, and praying with
| agonizing fervency.
Robinet entered quietly, and stood
rigid and pale. behind them, his eyes
large, and his nostrils quivering. The
1oother turned and looked at him, then
! fell back in p swoon. Her son raised
| her, and laid Ter upon sofa in slow
recovery. None asked for the words
they could not bear to hear.
All! thy poor father! the mother
murmure,i. I know be is weeping in
secret. II was never SO slow to show
| h- grief. His heart is breaking like
mine. Oh. that had thy father here!
| W. would mourn together.
T:,e-r w ~ a stir below ard a sound
! Of many at"ps coming UP tiir Staircase
! 1t PARSED II the door. Robinet opened
! it. They were bringing home his
| father-dead. He had killed himself
that R0biuet might be exempt from
conscription. He had fallen n sacrifice
to an insane idea of duty. Let us not
| iudge him too harshiy He ment well,
! his brain gave way, he died that his
son might live. God is more merciful
| tnan man
Thus the widow kept her son; but
tine memory of the father was held in q
tender depth of regret, in the forever
saddened hearts of both mother and
son.
J. A. Thompson, a we'll known