South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-06-22
More Cruel than War.

More S.lQel than w al
= coTfesooa lent " the Kansas city Tiae, re
wives rtriking poem. OF which this Is the ais-
tory; soutbern prisoner Of war at Camp
Chase. I. oaio, after Pining oE Sickness at the
hosp..s. OF that station for some time, and con
Edins - hil friend aud fellow captive, Colonel
". ;. HsSkius, VI TerGe-see. that he Was hea-
, w OF heart becaass his sfi ,pcei bride in Nash
vile did not write to him, died just before The
arrival o. latter in which the lady eur,ly broke
the engagement. Colonel Hawkins bad been
requested by bis dying comrade TO open any
epistle which sho2ld core for him therea Ter,
and, upon reading the letter 10 question, penn
f. ed the following versifed answer The lines
were inpeiiee,iy givei By the Southern press
ju.t after the war, and deserve revival If only
for the sake Of the corrections REQ aisite to do
justice 10 their sentiment and win for them q
wide appreciation
MY FRIEND.
Your letter, lady, came too la.e.
For Heaven had claimed its own;
All. sudden changs-trom prison bar
Unto the great white throne!
Andyei think he would have stay Ell,
10 i've TOR his diStalD,
Gould lie have read the careless words
Which you have sen, in vain.
So full OF patience did he wait,
Through many weary hour,
That Ger his simple soldier faith
Not even death had power;
And you-did others whisper low
Their homage in your ear,
a. though amongst their shallow lLrong
His spirit hal peer?
L would that you were by me now,
To draw The sheet aside
Aud see how pure the look he wore,
Tie moment when Ac lied.
The sorrow that you gave 10 lin
Hat left its weary trace,
as 'twere the shadow OF tho Cross
Upon his raliid face.
Her love- he said. could Change for me
The winters COLI TO spring;
~, trust OF tickle mailen's love,
Thou art a bitter thing!
For when these valleys, bright in May,
Oace more with blossoms wave,
The northern viu!eis shah blow
Above hi. humble grave.
Your dole OF scanty words had hcen
but One more pan. 10 bear,
For him who kissed unto h. last
Your tress or golden hair;
dld not put II whrrc he said,
For wnen the argels coIs.
| wCr.d lot nave them fud the sim
Oi falsehocd in the tomb.
I've read your letter. AMI know
The wiies that you lave wrought
To win tina. trusting heart o, his,
And gained E-c-ue, thought,
What lavish wealth nen sometimes give
For What /, worthless all
What manly hosoms beat Tor truth
In foliy's false5t thraIl!
You shall no. pity him, for now
Ills sorrow has an end;
I ct would tia. YOU could stand with me
BESIDE my ial.eu friend;
And forgive you fox his sake,
a, he-if he be forgiven
May cen he pleading grace for you
before the court of Heaven.
Tonight the c,li winds whistle by.
As nay vigii keep
Within the prison dead-house, where
Few mourners come 10 weep.
a rude plank cOfiia holds his form;
IeL,deSth cXaits his face,
And would rather see him thus,
Than c!aspcd in your embrace.
Tonight your home may shine with Ii .sht.
And ring with merry song,
AMI you be smiling rs your soul
Hal done no deadly wrong.
Your hand SO fair that none will think
lipenned these word, or pain;
Yodr skin 50 hite-wUuli God your
heart
Were half as free from stain.
10 rather b. my comrale dead
Than you ia life suprcme
For yours tho sinners wtknS dread.
And bis NE martyrs dream;
Whom serve we in this lie, VIC serve
II taat which il 70 come;
Hc cuJso his way, you, yours; lot Col