The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-10-17
FRANK SMITH.


There have probably been no
more Christ-like deeds in the worlds
history than the experiences of
Frank Smith, now of Cleveland, O.,
when confined in Andersonville
prison. One day, after he had been
there several months, an officer
came in with roll in his hands, and
proceeded to read the names of a
number of persons who had been Sc
lected for exchange. Down at the
bottom, the very last, with one ex-
Ception, was the name FrGnk Smith.
He went to the officer and received
the paper that in the morning would
set him free, and as he turned away
with a great deal of -xultation in his
heart. he saw the tears rolling down
the face of a mi1dle-aged man who
seemed to be struggling to conceal
his emotions,
When Mr.. Smith asked him what
the toubIe was, the man replied that
heaad wife and four children in
distant State, and that now he feared
lie would never be able to see them
again. He had been hoping almost
against hope, that his name might be
included in the list of those to be
exchanged; but reading the names
had produced only disappointment,
which it seemed as though he was
unable to bear Mr. Smith said to
him, "But you shall be able to see
your wife and children" and gave
him his ticket of release, while he
himself was content to remain amid
the awful sufferings of the prison
life for the succeeding months.
After several months had passed,
somewhat to his surprise his name
was read a second time. as one Of
those who were to be released upon
the morrow. During this interval
this Christian brother had received
so much of Gods spirit and also
much deeper experience of Christian
grace and helpfulncss, on account
of his self sacrificing act, that he had
made up his mind that if he should
again receive an exchange he would
transfer it as he had done the first
one. So when the second one came,
he went to man with whom he had
had many conversations in endeav-
oring to persuade him to accept
Christ, and. sitting down by him,
talked with him for some time about
Christ, but without any seeming sue
cess in leading the man to forsake
his sins and accept the Savior. At
last he took out the card that was to
have given him his liberty, and,
handing it to the man. told him to go
to his home, and that he thus made
him his substitute for Christ's sake.
This melted the heart of the man,
and then and there he yielded him
self to Christ.
For several weeks longer this
brave hero endured the atrocities of
the horrible prison life; and he had
determined in his mind that if by
any possibility he should be ex-
changed for third time, it would be
necessary, on account of his falling
health, to take advantage of it, and
go back to his friends and into &C
tive service in the army; and when,
after weary weeks of waiting, his
name was called for third time, he
could scarcely contain himself for
Joy at the thought of his release. He
went to one who had been his bunk
mate-a young man 70 years of age,
who had become very sick-in order
that he might wish him goodbye"
When he told the boy that he had
received his freedom, and was about
to leave him, the youth burst into
tears, and said, "Oh, Frank, you
must not go!" He said, 81 want you
to go, and yet I don't see how | can
bear to be left here without you; l
know that I should die! can't you
wait until I am dead?" The brave
hearted and generous man said to
the suffering boy, 81 will not leave
you to die alone" and, running out,
hunted up a third substitute, and
sent him on his way to freedom
while he waited until, after other
terrible months, he was released by
the fortunes of war.
1t is not surprising that God can