The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-03-23

orphaned children and bereaved relatives
and friends to this day can too bitterly
testify. Indulgence OF printer and reader
Is here craved for q remark: As II a pro-
scribed subject, there Is ever omitted from
sentimental reference, In the reckonings OF
fatalities and other sad results of battles
and seiges, as orphanage, widowhood,
another and no less blighting and sorrow
full beresving, In the sundering thus OF the
ties equally near and dear and sacred, Of
truly aflisnced lovers, only waiting for the
wa. TO be over 10 begin the momentous
journey of life together In the nearest
and hottest relationships, Far better death
for these, too, than the thus early extln-
gushing OF promises of the best that life
can offer, and the lonely, sorrowing, un-
compassi existence remaining to the
survivors Very few the instances where
souls thus stricken were not forever blight
ed. Marvelously, some were quickened
by the stroke into tranacendent excellence
of newly developed character and Intellect.
One: Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. Her at.
fianced soldier-lover, a bleeding, dying
sacrifice on their country's altar; she, from
80 intimate participation in the overpower'
shock to her resulting, rose resplendent In
literary power and beauty, and to merited
fame, from the fire and anguish attending
that costly Offering ever wearing the cy-
press intertwined with her fame. wreath,
while "only waiting" for the eternal spirit
ual reunion In the realms Elysian.
lido not recollect any Of our command
who were fatally bitten by snakes; but
CHANGING upon them, and even encounters
were reported to me. not few. l was
but one among hundreds of thousands; and
many others followed the lead of that rep
resentative of the breed which paid Its
respects TO me near Grand Junction. Thus
reasonable to infer that individuals
throughout that entire great army could
not have failed of numerous like atten
lions, which would indicate that that part
Of our country must have been literally
stocked with them. The " invasion" of that
portion of our ne tiOnal domain, as the reb-
els were wont to call our enforced visits
there to quell the insurrectlon, among 9th
or good results, must be counted the exter-
mination of tremendous aggregate num-
bers of the serpent tribe, and vast quaint
ties of other and partiferous crawlers and
" creeping things"
Snakes are disagreeable beasts, make the
best of them. Some of "the boys" made
great account Of the oil of some superior
breeds of them; more particularly that of
the rattlesndkei as remedy for the tor.
rheumatism, from which very
few escaped-havent yet, a good many
who still survive. But never believed In
II much, nor that 1t was any better than
any other of the disgusting oleaginous ap.
plications extracted from the vilest imagin-
able creatures, by the nastiest of processes;
even though Indians and negroes, old
trappers, and hunters and hermits, united
In testifying that 1t was "a sure cure.'
Tortured as the boys, 30 many of them,
were, though, 1t seemed only natural that
they should want to "try" anything that
gave hope of relief, even though not on
the Army Supply Table, nor advised by
the Surgeon. "No harm to try it,"
"ln point of fact" don't believe in
snakes anyhow TO be so wise!"
What do they know The Bible: " Now
the serpent was more subtle than any
beast of the field &c" Christ is reported to
have enjoined his disciples; +" BE ye there
fore Dise as serpents," &c As though
snakes could teach worldly wisdom to any
body don't take any stock in the dirty
beasts even though they be said withal by
some weak enthusiasts" even to be poss-
essed of good degree of we'll manifested
natural affection especially the constructor
most black snakes
such as exalted Elsie Venner into we'll
merited heroine. denounce them all.
They are disturbing "critters" to have
around, wherever. But above all things
about camp OF bivouac, when done out"
with overpowering fatigue and loss of
sleep, you don't want the nasty wrigg!ing,
squirming beasts around you, very likely
their little forms" between
you aud your blankets, to enjoy the genial
warmth, If 1t happens to be cold, wet
night! Some of them stink badly, too
the rattlers worst. And who can sweetly
himself to sleep, however need
Ing 1t the worst, knowing that vile rattle
snake Is master of the situation" In your
lodgings! The best looking among any of
them may be "pizen" for all you know.
And none of them are of anv use to any.
body, az | ever directly knew, or as was
ever automatically reported TO me. Rea.
sonable to believe they are, though, or re-
ject the Bible, which declares that "nOth-
ing was made In vain" But want to
find out what any snakes are good for.
II Is fair TO say TO those who may COM
MI I'm ont m nv raodtuU thara NVer Exna