The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-13
g Bnt whr shonld carer l think I should

"But why should carer 1 think I should
not. But it is impossible for me to lay aside
my feelings on the subject of my eountrys
welfare. i will go down to my grave with the
feeling that those who so loved their country
that they risked their lives for it are the safer
ones to trust with its control. / cannot see
how those who did not wish the success Of our
country and those who exerted every nerve to
destroy it can be the best persons in whose
hands to place our vast interests.
4" i may be wrong about this, however, and,
therefore will return to my story, believing
that the Lord doeth all things well.
/" Peter and our family at home were sitting
in the parlor. Jennie was wrapping Peters
foot in cloths aud bandages, when the conver-
sation turned on Col. David and Col Anderson.
Jennie had letter from David but day or so
before, which gave us the news of the good
health of himself and James, the doctor. 1t
also informed her that Henry had been as
signed TO duty in the same command with HIM
SELF which made it very pleasant for them.
NV wife, Aunt Sarah, had received a letter
from Mary Anderson day or so before that
brought the gratifying intelligence that the
Colonel was improving rapidly and would be
able soon to return to Allentown and once more
enjoy for a time the quiet of our home. He was
informed that he must not return TO take the
field again for some months. While L had
been at home trying to arrange the difficulty
about the Coonelcy of his regiment, inasmuch
as his discovery and return to Dollnsburg had
not been officially announced, l wrote to the
President the situation, telling him the whole
story and calling his attention to the reports
of the battles in which the Colonel had partlcl
pated. and asking that he give him recognition
by promotion to a Brigadier GeneralshIp.
With this request the President had kindly
complied, and l had his commission i'll my pos
session, which fact ] had kept a profound
secret. Just then Peter said to me:
"'What can be done to arrange matters in
Col. Toms regiment? There is Col Rice who,
when Tom takes command or when the facts
are ascertained, will be reduced to his COM
mand as observation-disclosures and will go back
as Major. This l do not care for, but Col.
Rice is a proud man, and viii dislike this
fear
"'Then he will show himself an unworthy
officer He should be glad that his Colonel is
alive and yield up the command gracefully
There is no other way for him to do said
Peter; that is true
"0ld Ham was sitting off to one side with
little Mary Anderson on his lap. The child
had been listening to what was said about her
father. She spoke to Uncle Ham, as she, with
the rest of the family, had learned to call him,
and asked:
"'When is papa coming home? Is he well
Is mamma well? How will they get homer
and many other questions
Ham said ! doesn't know. Hopes he git
heah all right
THE old fellow seemed rather serious. and
finally he asked Aunt Sarah If dat letta didn't
say muffin bout my ole woman Marta
"'0h, yes said my wife. Uncle Ham, You
must pardon me; / was so engaged talking to
Peter and Uncle Daniel about our sons that
1 really neglected to tell you. 1 will get the
letter and read you what Mary says about your
WIFE
Sh2 IL 1oyt l.or of-n{o o,,l
read to Uncle Ham that Martha was well and
so kind to Col Tom, calling him her boy and
saying the good I4aud had saved him for
some good purpose, and sent her good love to
her good ole Ham
" Ham broke into laugh and said: OATS
it; dat's good. i knowed she say jes' like dat.
/ tell you Aunt Maria she be all right. She
know somethin, tell you size do
" he then entered into disquisition on Aunt
Martha to little Mary, until she seemed TO feel
as much interested in Aunt Martha as did
Uncle Ham,
while we were enjoying the rest of the
evening in conversation we heard noise COM
ing from the children's bedroom. Jennie at
once left US and proceeded to the rOom and
found little Sarah Lyen-David'S youngest
child, then four years old-very sick with a
violent attack of Group. We at once sent for
physician. He came, examined her and pro-
nounced her very ILL., He very soon gave her
relief, that proved to be only temporary. We
watched her during the night. In the morn
ing she had violent fever, and seemed to be
very fighty. Everything WAS done for the
blessed child, but all in vain. That afternoon
she passed away. This was another stroke to
our whole family. Jennie, her mother, was
nearly frantic. This was the first misfortune
of any sort that had happened in Dayid's family.
We were all cast down in grief, as we loved
little Sarah. She being named for my wife, she
had made the child special pet Little Mary
aud Jennie were almost heartbroken by her
death. They cried continually, and could not
be pacified for several days. i telegraphed her
father, but it seems my dispatches, for some un-
known reason, were not delivered for three
| days. When they were he was almost crazed
by the unwelcome news 1t was too late, how
ever. for him to come home. This seemed to
sadden him. He WE never himself any more
during his life. Little Sarah lies in the ceme
terry at Allentown"
Here the old man broke down and wept
bitterly for a time. When he recovered
he SAID:
My friends, it seems to me strange
that | shUnld weep now. NJ Y sorrows are
passed. l am only waiting here below for
| the reward that true devotion must bring in
the other world. There is no recompense for
| it here. at least. have only found that which
comes from the affections of a loving family.
| Oh! why should my family all-all have been
| taken from me as they were2 Who has had
| such a hard fate as miney Yes! yes! when L
como to reflect many have. Yes! when all are
gone-one mauy-that is all; we can lose
| no more. My country, .! my country, it was
for thee they died"
ITO be contiaHed