The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-11-16
Its not all my fault he answered,

Its not all my fault, he answered, a
| little petulantly. Il fought we'll
enough for the Union, and stood the
marches and prisons and wounds as
we'll as the best of the old soldiers, for
five years. was only twenty when
I was discharged with honorable men,
ton. But the army is bad school
for boys. learned good deal then
that has pulled me down since, and /
might have gone to the dogs long ago
had not blessed little woman loved
me and married me, I worked hard
for her and in few years had little
home and was getting on in the world
Then my old army comrade got in a
tight place. We marched together and
fought side-by side all through the
war: once he saved my life, and L
loved him next to my little woman.
Il helped him out all right; but it
put mortgage on our home. If he'd
"a lived it would have been all straight
but he was dead man in less than
two mouths, aud that poor widow
was left with just her two little hands
and the roof over head to keep them
half dozen young ones in from the
cold world. l wasn't the man to turn
them into the street little vito and l
could better afford to lose our home,
and was glad that we could, for he
was my comrade aud friend, you
know.
Hard times and sickness marched
together upon ns afterwards, and it
was pretty tough fight, but / never
showed the white feather as long as
my little woman was with me. When
she died that was the end of me rs .
man. / fell back into the army habits,
drank and loafed. Work slipped
away from me. Respectable acquaint.
ances turned cold shoulder. l didn't
care. hsd no heart, nor courage
Once happened to think IF the little
woman can see you she'll be sorry
That was what started me away from
my loafing companions to look for
work and make little fight to be
man ; but it's rough world when q
fellow is adrift in it.
His sisters tears had been falling
silently while he talked. When he
paused she said with sad reproachful-
ness: Js M
But o, Robert. how could you,
with our parents sturdy blood in
your veins, ever stoop to beg Or
steal p
Il am not thief he returned with
a quick flush; 'and as for begging
we'll, when one has q hungry wolf
gnawing inside, he don't much care
what he does. And when everyone
takes you for scamp you soon come
to feel ike one. and don't care, either.'
Mrs. Ford could make no reply
Perhaps this great sorrow coming di.
rectly upon her heart had opened it to
a larger charity, a broader sympathy.
There were loving care and fender
for the poor wanderer after
this but the tide of life set strongly
outward and these had come too late
TO change its course.
After the first day of their meeting
the brothers mind wandered. He
fought over again the bloody battles
through weary marches,and
The terrible prison life. Sometimes he
,any in rollicking voice the Union
dear old songs that had
,heered many poor soldier on his
weary march, or in his monOtonous |
:amp-life. He was always conscious
hat Mrs. Ford was the woman who
had turned him from her door, but
never again did he know her as his
lister. 1t was very strange and sad,
md panied her cruelty.
1T is part of my punishment she
aid. drearily. MY brother asked for
bread and l gave him stonel'
1 did not answer, but 1 thought if
here is anv substance in what is
aught us from te Bible, then are we
rot all children of one Father, and ev-
.ry man our brother?
The sister aud l were watching
Ilone with the patient v hen the end
:ame. lie had been lying in stupor
III the afternoon. Suddenly, as the
light was fading out of the western
he started up and tossed his
.rms over his head, then his voice
.ang out in a snatch of that old song
Tramp. tramp. tramp. the boys are marching
hccr up, comrades. VIC will come.
Tramp-tramp-" 4t4.f
Ills voice was loud at first, but
growing fainter with each word, died
.waw in a gasp.
On earth, at least, his tramps were
Ill over.
THE OLDEST BIBLE MANUSCRIPTS.
The two most ancient manuscripts |
of the Bible known are the Codex
of the Imperial Library at