The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-12-04
FOR HIS COUNTRY.

forward INTO Ine mluSC OF ucaulY DaL-
tie, and they wondered how Rachel
could lot him 60.
Edward was twcnty-eight years of
age; n strong, healthy. intelligent,
handsome man; q halter by trade, with
steady work, and sure of good wages
} His wife, Rachel, was two years
that her husband was rs q man.
Before her marriage she had been
the life of tho social circle in which
sho moved; no gathering for hcalthful
amusement could be thought perfect
that had not her for ono of its directors.
And their marriage did not remove
them from society.
OF course, they found not so much
time to devote to lighter affairs; but
tho moro wcighty affairs-espccially
everything that had to do with the re-
ligious society with which they wor-
shpped-novcr suffered because of
their absence.
Their union had been blessed with
two children-a boy and n girl-Eddic,
aged five, and little Ella, aged three
fwo beautiful, bright-facedSp golden
haired, laughtcr-loving children, be-
loved by all.
The war had been going on q year
when Edward Dorranco had fully como
TO the conclusion that ho ought to go.
He was q man of deep and strong con-
victions, and whom his mind had been
once made up. nothing less than n
stroke of Providence could turn him
from il.
Rachel" he said to his wife, as
they sat alone late in the evening,
suppose should live to be an old
man, what shall 1 tell my children,
and my grandchildren, when they gather
around, and ask me to tell them tho
story of n battle? If l should tell
them that | stayed ut home, while
others did the fighting, what should l
rot ask. They would shrink away,
shamcfaced and pitiful; and can fancy
their saying to themselves: Poor
grandpa! l won't ask him what made
him afraid Darling, think how |
have talked during the past year; how
l have urged others to enlist; and how
have proclaimed the sacrcdncss of
our cause. And now, my precious,
am offered company, if l will go.
Charles Weston, and George Ambrose,
and WHlter Jacobs are going-all mar
ricd, and two of them have children.
Rachel, what say youP"
First, Edward, tell mo your own
deepest wish"
Can yoHaseriously ask? I think I
should never hold up my head again if
1 should hold back"
~iAchel swallowed the big lump in
her throat; she kept back the rising
tears, and finally, with her arms
around his neck, and her head pillowcd
upon his bosom, she hoarscly whis.
pered:
'Dariing. will not be II coward
Go, and may tho God of battles be
mcrciful."
In just ono week from that time Ed
ward Dorrance was in full uniform,
with his captains commission in his
pocket
People gazed in surprise. 1t seemed
to them strange and unnatural. He
was so necessary to the life of the viii
lagc, and his littlo family was such %
picture of comfort and happiness
What need was thercp There were
enough without him. How could Rachel
endure itP
How they piticd her! how they piticd
her! But he was going, and Rachel
sNScd when she last held his hand and
oheerily bado him Godspccd.
They saw all that, but they did not
see hor afterwards, alone in the cham
Der, upon her bonded knees by her bed
side, sobbing and praying, and weep
ing, as though her heart was breaking.
Ah, they would have pitied her then
had thoy seen, and they would have
pitied with cause.
But she rose bravcly after time,
and when the first ordeal was passed
yhn ,nl lo,, L. H. I
sought relief from painful thought by
mingling in society, and giving her aid
wherever it could be of benefit as of
old.
At length camo word of u battle in
which she know her husbands rcgi-
mont was engaged. She FASTENED for
the newspaper, eager for the true in
telligence. That harm had bcfallcn
Edward did not enter her mind.
She found tie paper and carried it
understand and possessed understand
ing enough to bo anxious for ncws Of
papa.
'Oh, Eddie! Eddie! Papa is n ma
jor! There has been great battle,
Listen: Captain Edward Dorrance, by
his own personal bravery, and marvel
lous daring, saved Hungerman's Diyi-
sion from rout, and so, in fact, saved
the day for u.s. And hero is tho last
line: He was made major on tho
field Alas! how many bravo mon
foll."
But papa is safeP"
Yes, papa is safe"
s%"9h, am so glad! DO you think.
mS Nina, that he will be safe alwaysP"
What pang shot through her heart
as tho eager boy asked the childish
question. She could not answer.
The weeks and the months passed
on and other battles were fought; and