Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-08-05

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! should die" Then sob choked him
and he could not speak for many mo-
mcnts. "By and by-"If | shouldn't t
come back, Ruthie, don't think of me
as 50 far off that you can't see or hear
me any more, but close by-all around
you. | shall love YOU just the same. Re
member that" {"
Oh, my brother, remember,
cannot write about it-that last hour
with Robbie-for tears blind me so that
| cannot see the page, but | can see his
face. Not even the grave can hide that
from me-
1t was in the second year Of Robbie 5
army life that his discharge came and he
was mustered out 1t was in June. The
world was like a child that wakes from
sleep flushed and radiant. The robin
had finished his nest in the cherry tree,
and had sung to his mate the whole az
ternoon. | had thought so much of
Robbie all day, wishing he could know
about the roses and the robins. Perhaps
he knew more about them than | did.
In some strange way nc seemed near me.
Once his presence seemed so real that |
whispered his name. But the only
answer was trill of jubilant song from
the robin, and it seemed as il his little
throat would burst with melody. Perhaps
he knew,
A boy came up the road with a letter
"A telegram, ma am, he said, look
ing at me in such way that was
frightened.
tore 1t open, and read:
Robert died this morning"
did not cry nor faint groped my
way to the old doorstep, and laid my
head down on the threshold, saying over,
Dead. Dead
Three days after, a letter came from
one of Robbie's comrades. There had
been a sudden charge upon the enemy,
John Earle and Robbie fighting side by
side "lic fell ike a hero, the letter
said, and there were other words OF
praise, that ! cannot read over to this
day without great thrill of exultation.
Oh, my hero
Tell Ruthie to remember what told
her by mothers grave was his last
message. John Earle was wounded, -
ran the last words of the letter "He
was trying to shield Your brother from a
bayonet-stroke and received the blow on
his own arm. He says, Tell her | was
true to my promise-she will understand
and that Robbie died with his hand in
mine" write his words down, and
what they mean YOU will doubtless know
Oh, so well, so well.
Two weeks after the tidings of Rob
bic's death, another message came TO me.
John Earle was dying. In his delirium
he kept calling me If cared to see
him on earth there was no time to lose.
Would | come;
If cared to sec him. Till that letter
came, | never knew how much John
Earle was to me- Ny love for Robbie
had blinded me to the truth.
1t was Sunday morning when |
reached the place where John was He
was not dead they told me in answer TO
my question. l should see him again this
side of Heaven.
An old lilac bush grew near by the
door There was but one late cluster of
blossoms on it, and | thought of Johns
fancy about lilacs and his mothers soul,
and broke it from the bush. A strange
excitement took hold of me as | reached
the door.
Il came to see John Earle" | said to
the soldier who met me.
"You are the Ruth he talks about |
Think he said questioningly. ~ am
Ruth" answered, and he motioned me
to follow
| stood still at the sight of Johns face.
1t made me think of an angel, as it lay
upon the pillow, wan and shadowy, like
that of a ghost. Then saw another
thing. Where Johns strong right arm
had been there was an empty sleeve. He
had lost his arm for Robbie's sake
81 will leave you now," the soldier
said. "He will wake up pretty soon"
He went away, and crept up to
Johns bed and knelt down softly. Oh,
the poor pale, patient face! The sight of
it brought rain of tears. laid the Ii
lacs down upon the pillow and waited.
He stirred. II thought l smelled IL
laos," he said in whisper. Mother,
are YOU here; is it lilac time MOTHER
John" l said, softly, and with a
broken voice, ''John, am here. Don't
you know me-"
Oh, the swift, glad light that broke
over his wasted face The glad look in
his eager, wistful eyes! Can ever for
get it,"
Ruth" That was all, but it was
the most eloquent of anything ever
heard, and then he tried to hold out his
one poor hand to me. took it in mine
and covered it with kisses. Then there
was silence of many minutes that Meth