The National tribune., 1881-10-15
NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON, G.

lengths along,
Yet no word from the absent came, though the
strong
Woman-love in her heart seeking news of the strife
Had learned he'd been wounded and len OH the
field
Lying close by the trench where the concealed
That ALL none could tell whether living dead
Was her husband; she widow or wife
She ought mourn him lying in deaths narrow bed
Or a. suffering torments of anguish and pain
Perhaps lying in prson-and longing in vain
For the coming OF whom he flin would embrace.
Ere the finger of death stamped It's seal his face
But grief lives forever. \ time comes at last
When each torn, wounded heart feels its well
past
30 with her As the weeks grew to months then To
Softly times plying eased the pain she had felt;
And although there hours when her fun hearl
would melt
As she thought of the past and the uncertain fate
Of the whom she loved yet she dried her
And her lifes skies quick frightened Twas seldom of
late.
She had named him allCTwo full years had gone by
With their trials and caresand the kind watchul eye
OF the Ruler of All looking down from above
Saw the germ in her heart of new-p planted love
Twas love that had grown from the kindness and care
OF friend who lived her, long anxious share
His whole heart and possessions with one whom he
knew
To be tender and oving-all wOmanly,-yet
He who hoped she the past might forget
Or that she eer could love him with full heart and free;
But he felt if she promised her heart ever true
Would draw nearer his as the waves of LIES
Healed the wounds grief had made; he asked her
day
To be his and she listened: nor sent him away
Ref of hope but with soul full of joyous delight
At the prospect in view All his future seemed bright.
LONG Sba
Her first love. Through times distance her sorrows
looked dim,
And the day had arrived when a strong manly arm
Should be hers support her-to care for her son
The dear child of her bosom and him who had won
Deaths repose the battlefield Bright was the sky
And far brighter the flowers that blOomed; and the
charm
Of a new life dawned on her-beamed forth from her
eye,
AS she stood looking love- all oonfidng beside
The free choice of her heart and he looked his bride
OF the future inpatient at every delay
Until he, as her husband, might bear her away.
Thus with them while unseen the ong-dravn threads
of fate
Had been gathering back from the tomb who, late
Had been nearest and dearest to her. One who fell,
Wounded sore the field and was left there to die
But who, strong in the courage Hope supply
Dragged his poor bleeding form a dwelling at hand
Where kind hearts took him in. Yet unable TO tell
His long he lay in the strange laad
Racked with pain while the fever-ood rushed through
his veins,
Turning into his lfe-whe the foes strength regans
The red field that he pressed meath the bullets dread
weight,
Fate-driven from rifle breathing vengeance and hate.
Weeks rolled with their burdens of sorrow and VICE.
And fast grew into months while meantime and fro
Flowed the current OF life, and he slowly returned
From the shadowy realm where the Death Angels keep
Silent watch DER the souls that are fallen asleep
Still he lived and strength came to him. yet DER his
head
Hung blight than death, which he often ha6
spurned;
He vet lived ~. bic reason had fed
ite was -sl. p tle t--s ? lis comrades in blue;
-.. ali Elsa bra l.7.e " him who knew
tr,a.E ~ pital then
- r----- -- s-aa reason again.
He recovered o glad, happy day when his name
Once seemed familiar; when loves smoaldering
Blazed anew in his bosom. With heart full of Joy
He set out for his home, eager, hopeful, and gay
And he comes now-while in bridal arraS
Stands his wfe-to that ong-cherished spot Up the
street
So well known he is hast ming to her and his bow
Now he enters the garden with quick trembling feet
nd walks up to the poreh-then the door-gives
knock
Passes in and then falls to the floor as if shock
Of the earthquake lightning had him Around
They all gather in wonder; the lost is found
OF his thin wasted features shivered fright
And yet others, in awe, stood nor uttered a word.
But gazed vacantly down where his form lay supine
Till his wife broke the silence her woman's wit fine
Coming first to the rescue, Friends, leave me-" she
cried,
All alone with my husband" Her voice soon as heard
Was obeyed And then kneeng down close by his side
She oft kissed his cold chees-wet them with her
Whispered words of and of hope in his ears
Till at length she felt beat his brave heart Then the
strife
Was well over,-the dead she had won back to life
Long the two sat that night talking the past
He told her his story, and the tears trickled fast
Der her cheeks she listened his long endured
Heard his anguish find (s he thought his first gaze
Saw her bridal. And he, when the sorrowful days
OF her life laid bare to his hearts plying eye
Felt the warm drops of sympathy rise. But cured
Is grief when its cause is removed and their sky,
Which had long been oercouded clearing for aye.
They had lived and had suffered Thenceforth ali the
way
Through life path twas decreed by the Father above
They should walk IN the sunshine of Peace JOY, and
Love.
AN rNCTnENT Of CuIyau