Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-04-04

"Yes," said Aunt Relief slowly, "conse.
Grafton always implies sacrifice. God asks
something of us to bind the bargain, as it
were, and also, it may be, to prove TO our
selves that he meant it. He does not always
call for immediate payment, but he never
forgets and some day the full meaning of our
voluntary yielding up all dawns upon u.s.
He does not deal with all alike. Some Of
my experiences, no doubt would seem strange
enough to many persons. No, do not
mind telling you, because you do not think
he made everybody after one pattern. As
child was deeply interested in the slaves
so filed with a sense of their forlorn condi-
tion that our boasted independence seemed
burlesque and Fourth of July demonstra-
tions mere travesiy. The cause of the
slave burdened every prayer, Sometimes
seemed to 60 down with them to the very
depths of social misery and degradation.
One day when was unusually urgent in my
pleadings for their uplifting, when the dom
inant faculty of putting myself in the place
of others had brought to me inexpressible
anguish on their behalf, a Voice spoke to me
clearly these words You shall live to see
American slavery abolished.' The burden
was gone-hope filled its place. was thir-
teen then, and although did not cease to
pray for the slave and his oppressor never
again felt the almost unbearable weight of
their woes. l did not for moment doubt
Gods promise to me. pondered it in my
heart and closely watched the political sky
for signs of his coming. Years passed and
there was nothing to cling to save the bare
promise. A fever brought me to the gates
Of death. A council of physicians decided
there was not ray of hope. l smiled in
my heart and silently repeated, You will
live to see American slavery abolished
Long after had grown to womanhood the
clouds of woe gathered and the storm burst
that rent all bonds asunder and threw wide
the door of emancipation. Then it was
God asked for what had unconsciously
given in childhood when l expressed my
willingness to give all my possessions to
help the poor slave. How would | then
imagine that the little child whom l SO
dearly loved was the one thing set apart to
be given in aid of this work That in the
glow of youth, crowned with all the happy
anticipations of early manhood, he would
come to me and say, Il must go; it is ig-
nominy to stay. | am now eighteen. There
will soon be a call for more men. should
feel forever disgraced to be drafted. | must
be volunteer You know the rest those
last hard battles-a wound and then grave.
"Yes," continued Aunt Relief in answer to
my question, 1t was made clear TO me that
this was my sacrifice for those in bondage.
He was the dearest and best of all my pos.
sessions. | was in measure prepared for
all this by dream, or what at the time
seemed to be one. 1t was before R. en-.
listed. There had been battle disastrous
to northern troops and was torn by anxious
aud harassing queries that found no present
solution. | suppose | slept. found my
self in bed in strange place-an old.time
room and furniture. remember distinctly
the blue and white bed.covering of intricate
pattern such as our grandmothers wove.
became conscious of presence. Washing
ton stood beside me, clad in somewhat
worn uniform. He gently placed one hand
on my throbbing head, and said soothingly,
Poor child you are full of trouble in re-
gard to the fate of the country. There will
be long and bloody struggle, but God
reigns; take courage, IL will all come out
right Then he added in tone of mingled
pity and assurance that | can never forget;
But you will be called upon to make
great sacrifice. You can do it freely and
willingly for the sake of your country-for
humanity's sake ? Intuitively saw where
the stroke must fall, yet great calm soothed
heart aud brain as firmly answered, Il
can will That is right; l thought
you would The majestic figure, with its
benign face, moved slowly backward and
faded from view. What had | asked for
humanity and what had God promised
Freedom for the enslaved. Rent heart.
strings, death throes, fire and blood, they
had endured for generations now our time
was come.
Not painlessly doth God recast