The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1882-06-29

sNSo NNf"iNNN JNyo hhNi VI Oiu uupIJ
hours. There is a pitoous consola-
ton in IL, like tue mournful solace oil
those who, having lost some being
near aud dear to them, plant tho dear
grave with flowers. II is this in
ward self which is all his own that
the prison leisure leads the specula-
tive captive daily to aualyze.
After voyage OF momory over the
ocean Of the past, he returns to the
sad present with n better heart, aud
endeavors, from the nowly kiudled
stars which have arisen above the VA
pory horizon of his prison life, to
cast tho horoscropo OF wiser future.
have spoken of mild kind OF
insanity which precedes death caused
by starvation aud brooding melan
choly, in which the mind wonders
from roal to imaginary scenes.
Several men of my company, were
instances Of this kind. At an early
date of their imprisonment one of
them lost his canteen, which was with
him, as commonly was tho case
throughout the prison, tho only yes-
sci he had TO carry wator. His
blanket was also lost. and he was left
destitute Of all shelter and of every
comfort except that which was farm
ishcd him by companions who were
sufferers in common with himself,
aud not overstocked with necessurios
and comforts, Gradually, as be
wasted away, his mind wandered,
and in Imagination lie was the pos
SCISSOR Of these luxurios which the
Imagination will fasten upon when
the body feels tho kcenest pangs OF
hunger. With simple sincerity he
would frequently speak of somo lux.
ury which he imagined lie had par
taken of. Suddenly gleam of in =
telligence would overspread his face;
he would speak Of tho prison. and
say
"rhis is drcadrul place for the
hoys--is it not | don't enjoy my
self whom | havo anything good to
eat, there arc so many around me
who look hungry aud then gazing
in my face. said, in tho sadest mod
ulations / ever heard in human voice,
You look hungry doctor" aud thou,
sinking his voice to q whisper, add
cd. 10 dear I'm so hungry myself
I do not know what TO do
"Poor, poor fellowl he soon died
a lingering death from tho effects OF
starvation antl exposure. In tho lu-
cid moments that preceded death, he
said, as stood over his poor famine.
piuch formed, "I'm dreadful cold
and hungry, Doctor" Ho again ro-
lapsed into state of wondering,
with the names Of Mary" aud "Mo-
ther" on his lips and tho last faint
action of life, when he no longer
could speak, was to point his finger
to his pailld, gasping lips, in mute
entreaty for food.
In tho name of God, is there no
retribution Tor such murderers 7
A boy fourteen years old was a
drummer in my company. a fine lad,
with as big heart in his small body
as ever throbbed in the breast Of n
man. Ho was O silent boy, who
rarely manifested any outward emo-
tion, and spoke but seldom, but, as
his comrades expressed it, "kept up
great deal of thinking" He was
liked by every one with whom no be-
come acquainted. l observed noth-
ing unusual in his conduct or mans
ner to denote insanity, until one af =
terpoon, about sundown, one of his
comrades noticed the absence OF a
ring commonly worn on his little
finger, and inquired where it was,
when was out just now" he
said, my sister came and took it
and gave it to On angel"
The next day, as the sun went
down, its last rays fingered, it seemo
ed to me, caressingly upon the dear,
pallid face Of the dead boy. q.
His pain and sorrow were ended,
aud heartless men no longer could
torture him with hunger aud cruel-
ty. Shame on such devils in the
guise Of human beings. ~
But while the minds OF many be-
came unsettled with idiocy or insan-
ity, there were other instances where
vivid consciousness and clearness
Of mental vision were retained TO
the very verge Of that country from
whence no traveller returns,