The National tribune., 1882-01-21

when, the next spring, rejoined my regiment, l
found him with it hale and hearty as ever. 1
noticed however that hi. boyish look, the jovial
expression, had given place to one worn only by
those who are continually living in the presence
under the shadow, as it were-of some great
and yet unknown, though anticipated catastro-
phe. He welcomed me warmly, and we speedily
dropped into our old habits and manner of pass
ing away the time.
During the Wilderness battles we were side by
side, and on two different occasions received
slight flesh wounds, not sufficient, however, to
send either of us to hospital. In the trenches
before Petersburg, when the rebellion began to
crumble, he was taken sick; and was glad of it.
For his sake hoped he might continue an invalid
for season, at least until the rebel stronghold
had been reduced Just prior to the rebel night
attack when they broke through our lines, he
returned to the regiment and we were engaged
in that affair together.
When Petersburg was evacuated, took courage
and, one day, as we were following In pursuit OF
the foe, said in halfserious manner, well,
old boy, you will have to hurry up that third
CALL or it won't get here until the war is over"
| was sorry the next moment for having spoken
so lightly; for he grew pale, and tremor ran
through his form as though he We're taken with
sudden chill. His only reply, made In a
subdued, half listless manner, was, There's
time enough yet. Wait"
I endeavored to cheer him, but to all my
endeavors he would only persist in reiterating
his belief Sometimes [ came near getting out
of patience with him because of what considered
his obstinacy; but when I looked and saw that
he was growing thin, that his mind was sorely
troubled, my affection for him overwhelmed all
other thoughts, and thereafter sometimes, as
believe, unconsciously,) took every precaution
in my power to shield him FROM danger.
At last the war was over; and with our
comrades we gathered in Washington to pass
before the Nations eyes in grand review before
departing to the peaceful homes we had left four
long years before for bloody fields of danger and
sufferings to all and death to many.
After the display was over our regiment
recrossed the Potomac and went into camp,
awaiting muster-out.
On the second evening We were sitting upon a
little knoll Just back of our encampment, from
whence we could see the cleaning lights of the
city, talking of home. had just remarked that
less than week and we would be with our
loved ones, when Tom grasped my arm so harshly
as to cause me to cry out with pain, and I felt
his hand trembling with the intensity Of his
clutch.
Its come Jack, for the last time" he Whis-
pered, and then, as we listened, [ heard the same
voice, only more plaintive and importunate, utter
the same words for the third time, ooh! Tom
come to me-"
must confess 1 was more than startled. And
as for Tom, he arose and began to stagger like
drunken man in the direction of our tent We
had traversed about half the distance, following
close behind, when the sharp report of a fire-arm
rang out upon the still night air. l heard the
sound of the bullet and saw Tom fall prone upon
the earth Lifting him up in my arms, per-
ceived, by the pale moonlight, where the ball
had entered, near the temple He murmured
family the name Of his beloved, and before l
could bear him to camp was dead Killed by an
accidental shot from the musket of some careless
soldier, whom, was unable to ascertain. His
premonition had been verified.
Now comes the strangest part of all. The next
day the regiment started North for disarmament.
The first news greeting me on my arrival home
was that of the sudden death of Toms sweet
heart Her health had been delicate for several
weeks previous but not, however, sufficiently
so as to cause her friends any alarm On the
31st of May, in the evening, and as her relatives
gave the time in the very hour that Tom and I
were sitting conversing just previous to his
death, she was sitting in an easy chair by the
window. Her mother sat opposite, and the rest
of the family were in different parts of the room
attending to various duties. Suddenly she
placed her hand to her bosom, and gave one low.
moaning cry, "Oh, Tom, come to me-" and died.
Her physician said it was heart disease
These are the plain facts, feebly told doubtless,
but none the less true for that reason I have
never been able to solve the problem presented
by the strange phenomenon. If any one can sue
cessfully grapple with it, shall be glad to hear
their explanation. Until then must consider
it as having been either remarkable coincidence
or premontion from above Which of the
two if either shall never, for myself be able to
determine.
OLD BUT GOOD.
Daniel Webster had IN anecdOte of old Father
Searle, the minister of his boyhood, which is too
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