Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-06
THE SOLDIERS PRAYER.


troublous times that tried mems souls and
broke worncn's hearts, that slip Of a girl Of
about . years stood On the platform at tho
depot In one Of the suburban towns Of Cleve-
land and watched the waiting train with il
cpachIoad Of soldiers on their way to the
front The pale fScc II the wee woman
was 50 full Of admiration, and sad with Q
pathetic longing in IT as well, that more than
one boy in blue remarked it. Finally one,
with laughing inpertinenee, called out;
Hello, little maid, is your sweetheart OF 10
the ware You are all my sweethearts,"
answered the child Come in and say good
by to US
The child ran forward. and, clanbering up
the steps, went into the car. The soldier
who had accusted the little maid was the
counterpart Of hundreds who went out to
battle In those days, and who sleep the last
long sleep under the southern stars: full OF
viyor and life, a little fast" perhaps, but
sweet and honorable a, the core. AS he
talked with the child, watched the color
come and 60, and caught the glance Of the
big grey eyes darkened early with the
shadow Of great sacrifice. he became I'm
usually interested.
She was hopelessly plain mite, the only
rcdcening thing about her being the big.
luminous eyes and long, glossy braids Of soft,
brown hair The soldiers hand was toying
half uncousciously with one Of these plaits
when he asked what she would be willing to
give a soldier who was going out perhaps
never to return. There was real sincerity
in the reply: Anything" Some spirit OF
mischief must have entered the man, for
lifting the braid that lay shining over his
wrist he asked: VIII you give me thisT
The answer came very quickly; Yes
Taking from his POCKET one of those house
wives FURNISHED ic boys by loving friends,
he took out the scissors and clipped of the
braid close TO her head, while the men stand
ing around them exclaimed at his wantonness
and sharnetl him ii no light manner When
the hair lay cooled on his knee and the child
was looking sinilingly up INTO his lace, he
reached into his haversack, brought out Q
bottle, and, taking of the metal cap that
answered for cup US well. he poured out
some of the liquor, and raising it, cried out,
gayly Here's to my little sweetheart"
Quick as fash the slender fingers clasped
his wrist, and the shame and wonder that
c!ild face expressed will never be forgotten
by those around oh! soldier" and the
sweet voice rang with passion Of entreaty,
please, please don't do that"
There was perfect silence over the group in
q moment. Something in the slap Of that
little hand On his, and the wistful pleading in
the startled CLEAN of the gray eyes lifted 50
earnestly, touched tho soldier, and a strange
expression grew slowly in the handsome, SOL
dicrly face. while the eager voice Of the wee
maiden sounded clearly through the car: Il
gave you just what you asked for; o, won't
yoa co something for ineff A moments hes
it1tion. then he answered. Yes, little woman
will" have wondered many a time and
oft in the years that lie between then and
row Ia any of those gathered there felt that
poin. WIS reached in that mans life when
to sl.c. a choose, at the bidding Of little
cA-!1, vhich path he would tread Then
WI II sign the pledge with mef' shout
ye,-' - from the boys in blue, shes got
r,l, Nlarlie; sign it, sign it." came from all
urc2ni Will You write one. girlef' said
C,-r.ia, taking cut a blank book with port
all .IGsiand and pen in the side Carefully,
"a b., round letters, the child wrote the only
p.c..,e that occurred TO her.
~ viii never drink anything that will
l,ia,-a re drunk as long as live
Eec,nin; to think the latter clause made
/. ye.y strong the soldier took the pen. and.
n q erm. scholarly hand wrote Charles
D." underneath the childIshly written
ratrc Of the little girl.
"
looking soldier. bearing the rank Of colonel,
| had paced back and forth several times, and
row pausing before the open window, called
| CT what's going On in there, boysr
'Eo:,c in and see, colonel Charlie has
sig,.2d a temperance pledge" While the
colonel walked through the car he heard the
stc,y from hnlf n dozen different voices
| Hi hand lay ccressingly on the head Of the
| Lie girl and q strange expression of almost
nHeclion shonc il his face Gs he read the
e.el-,, Taking 10 pen he wrote I'm wit
rcss,n ecd beneath : cc:::c that is written in
the history Of this un.ion-a named loved
cEl rovercd CD the che Of our nartyred presi-
dent, James y. Garfield
Taking the hard c. the child in his own, he
raid: Boys. lis IS the daughter of Chaplain
W, Of tho Seventh lie is summoned to
the front to-Ccrrow. and was anxiously
looking fer littls Mary moment ago. Char
lie. Eaow some ore in Pennsylvania who
will be cled to hear Of thia" Every soldier
touched lis cap as they walled through the
car end tie escort delivered little Mnry to
her father. end told tie story Of the missing
braid, while tie chaplain held her close in his
crms and lis lips pressed her forehead more
than DECO during the recital Col Garfield
closed lis story by saying; He is young
man with o bright future. his only fault being
this hnbit, and, es he IS honorable to nicely,
he will never break his word. You have
Gown good seed. chaplain
With the remaining braid in his breast
pocket Chaplain W had been many
weary nonths at tie front. and tae conflict
still grew hotter end more bitter. During
one Of those painfully depressing times it was
evident traitor had place in our councils,
fer every important move was made known
to the enemy Gen. Rosecrans issued the
order that spies were to be tried and shot
without delay. Excitement ran high and a
epy had email chance for his life Chaplain
W was summoned ore morning to visit
the guard Ecuse, ct the request of prisoner
who had been brought in during the night
end condemned IL spy at early morning
roll call He had Teen discovered skulking
around camp, lrd when taken had asked to
be reported a. headquarters Immediately.
; Upon learning that Gen. Rosecrans was
twenty miles away he seemed disturbed and
disquieted, but only insisted on reaching him
by some way or means. And finally begged
for the chaplain's presence
Chaplain W went as requested, and
found the prisoner man Of splendid ply
, sique, with face bearing unmistaknbls
marks Of thought end cultivation Being
Questioned, the pTlstutE salu l Uiil n L ulOI
soldicr am scouting, but not for the rebs
have information that must 60 to Gen
Geary immediately. thought | had struck
headquarters, that's how came TO be caught
II those fools shoot me today promise to ~
, Gen. Geasy aad repeat these words, will you
, CHAPLAIN Refusing to tail about subjects
, that would naturally interest a man CON
demned the prisoner earnestly irnplored thu
chaplain to carry his message. After promis-
ing 20 take the long tide to headquarters and
to see Geary within three hours, the prisones
repeated over softly a few words that sounded
to the listening chaplain like an unmeanina
tumble of WORDS
Then pausing a moment. the soldier bowed
his head, and his voice treInbled as he re.
peated message for his mother, o. be deiiy.
cred to this address, slipping his hand inside
tic old gray blouse and bringing out pack.
sge wrapped in worn paper. As he fumbletj
for paper and pencil. in his agitation ths
package fell to the floor. and STOPPING to 70.
store it the wrapper fell away, and in the
chaplain's fingers lay long braid Of soft
brown GaiF end a slip Of paper with queer,
childishly written pledge, and three names
beneath it.
White as death grew the chaplain's face,
and with a queer choking in his throat he
stammered out Where in heavens uarne
did you get thisf' caressing the clinging
ness, the moisture diu.miny the gray eyes 50
like the ones that had shone upon the pris-
ouer on a sunny September day in Ohio.
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