The National tribune., 1883-08-09

a union with that girl during the past sixteen
years has compensated me a thousand times for
all. Six children, three of a kind, have blessed
our marriage, and happiness and cOntentment
are ours. When the poem was given to my
wife, the officer told her it was composed by
friend, and had not then been published" 1t
is a. follows:
The Prisoners Prayer.
Where the gentle night wind fingers
On her pure young brow.
Soothing with its perfumed fingers
Her lone vigil now,
Hover near, %, guardian angelI
speak to her OF me,
Whisper TO my fair Eyangel
Words OF melody.
When the song-birts make their chorus
In the morning light,
When Gods love forever DER US
BanlsheS the night,
Speak to her sweet words and tender,
Gentle, soft and low.
Say the trials God may send her
All must feel below.
Summer stars in beauty shining
In the blue above,
Round her heart your magic twining.
Whisper OF my love
Whisper words of faith unending.
Words to Soothe her pain,
Der her couch of suffering bending,
Bring her life again.
/ a captive, wan and weary,
Sad and faint with care,
Through the long dark night so dreary,
Breathe Tor her a prayer;
All my grief in patience bearing
Through each weary night,
All my load of anguish wearing
Gould her load be light.
lam gazing on thee, Heaven,
On thy silver stars,
While count the stFokes-eleven--
Through the prison bars.
Does she gaze as /. in sadnessY
Does she think of me-
Fill her soul. o God, with glsdnesst
Warmed and eheered by Thee.
In the court the sentry pacing
Strikes the muffled bell,
And /. fainting at the easement
Catch his cry, Ais well
All orr boys are SILENT sleeping,
Stars burn in the sky,
And my heart its lone watch keeping
Echoes back the cry.
''All is well" With 10Y greet you;
Calmly shine o stars
Soon my soul shall come to meet you,
Spite of prison bars.
Here, Il prisoners fetterS bearing
upon you call
There, an angel, glory wearing,
III outShlne you all.
Comrade D. S. French, company A, Forty
sixth Illinois v. V. l., Bsileyville, H., sends
us veteranizing" song which was very
popular IN the Western army. 1t is as follows:
The Veterans Song.
The first three years have passed away since first
we volunteered,
And, leaving friends and home and all, for Dixie's
Determined to enforce the laws foul traitors had
despised,
For which our fathers fought and bled above all
else we priced.
Chorus.-Then unfurl the glorious banner out upon
the welkin air,
Read the records of the oIden time, and
ali its radiance there,
In the battle 1t shall lead US and our ban
ner ever be,
A beacon light to glory and guide to
victory.
Once more our country calls u.s. with willing hearts
and hand,
For three more years TO re-enlist and join the
We've fought many bloody field, with many
victory won,
But while stain of treason's left our task IS not
Jet done.
Behold .he foe is on the field, defiant as beforsI
We hear tho loud and fendish yells, We hear the
Shall we at such an hour retreat like towards from
the field?
The glorious end is almost gained-is this time
to yield?
A hundred thousand veterans cry, MOI mol We
will remain
Until Our youthful heads are gray every traitor
slain;
we love our friends and all at home-we'd love
TO be there, too
But first our country must be saved; till then,
loved ones. adieu."
And here is song that was very dear to the
grunblerS IN the seryice-and it was not with
out reason that they grumbied:
Fifty Cents Day.
Tune Joe Boscers."
1 am an humble soldier
Far from my friends and home,
Mid scenes of toll and hardships
/ constantly must roam,
With cruel officers over
Me, whom mist obey,
And do just what they tell me
For nifty cents q day!
listed as patriot
freeman and a man,
To do q soldiers duty
As best soldier can;
/ came 10 tight the reUels-
hate this long delay;
j came TO help my country
Not for fifty cents day
now must yield to hardship,
In cold, and storm, and rain;
Perchanee with seanty nations,
Nor even then complain;
The right of seeking comfort
Long since I've signed away,
My life Thu losing slowly
For fifty cents q day!
Who sent the soldiers to the field
To try their willing hand,
With promises 50 plentiful
OF treatment like "a man?
Twas those who III Two days, sir,
Receive larger pay
Than the soldier IN month, sir,
AT fifty cents day
Who promised to the soldier
His wrongs they woIG redress
III tyranny officers
Should dare his rights oppTess2
Alas the sword may sInite him,
BE kicked around he may,
He finds his only redress
Is !iity cents Il day
Who promised to the soldier,
II sickness should appear,
Good doctor. and kInd nurses
Should ready be and near
To aid him in his feebieness
As quick as though his pay
Were many times great aS
His fifty cents day:
Twas those who wear the straps, sir, a
With naughty air of grace,
Who look upon the soldiers
As meath the negro race;
Who think the soldiers duty
Is only TO obey
His Lordship, and content be
With titty cents q day
How oft I've seen the soldier
Near tott'rings to the ground,
Seek vaiuly for assistance
When il could not bc found;
her IN he WAS f4sFl