The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-06-06
THE SOLDIERS PRAYER.

diers on their way to the front. The
pale face of the wee woman was so full
of admiration, and sad with a pathetic
longing in it as well, that more than one
hoy in blue remarked it. Finally one,
with laughing impertinence, called out
Hello, little maid. is your sweetheart
off to the war p You are all my sweet
hearts," answered the child. Come in
and say goodby to u.s."
The child ran forward, aud, Chamber
ing up the steps, went into the car. The
soldier who had accosted the little maid
was the counterpart of hundreds who
went out to battle in those days, and
wno sleep the last long sleep under the
southern stars full of vigor and life,
little fast" perhaps, but sweet and
honorable at the core. AS he talked
with the child, watched the color come
and go, and caught the glance OF the big
gray eyes darkened so early with the
shadow of a great sacrifice, he became
unusually interested.
She was hopelessly plain mite, the
only redeeming thing about her being
the big, luminous eyes and long, glossy
braids of soft. brown hair. The soldiers
hand was toying half unconsciously with
one Vi LutSG Dldllo oohSN
she would be willing to give a soldier
who was going out perhaps never to re-
turn. There was real sincerity in the
reply Anything" Some spirit OF mis-
chief must have entered the man, for
lifting the braid that lay shining over
his wrist he asked Twill you give me
this ?" The answer came very quickly :
Yes" Taking from his pocket one OF
those "house- wives" furnished the boys
by loving friends, he took out the scis-
sors and clipped off the braid close to her
head, while the men standing around
them exclaimed at his wantonness and
shamed him in no light manner. When
the hair lay coiled on his knee and the
child was looking smilingly up into his
face, he reached into his haversack,
brought out bottle, and, taking off the
metal cap that answered for cup as well
he poured out some of the liquor, and
raising it, cried out, gayly !: "Here's to
my little sweetheart ~ Quick as flash
the slender fingers clasped his wrist, and
the shame and wonder that child-face
expressed will never be forgotten by
those around. "Oh soldier, and the
sweet voice rang with passion OF en-
treaty, please, please don't do that.
There was perfect silence over the
group in a moment. Something in the
slap of that little hand on his, and the
wIstful pleading in the startled CLEAN OF
the gray eyes lifted so earnestly, touched
the soldier. and strange expression
grew slowly in the handsome, soldierly
face, while the eager voice Of the wee
maiden sounded clearly through the car:
81 gave you just what you asked Tor !;
o, won't you do some hing for me A
moments hesitation, then he answered ;
Yes, little woman, l will" have
wondered many a time if any OF those
gathered there felt that a point was
reached in that mans life when he should
choose, at the bidding of little child {,
which path he would tread. Then will
you sign the pledge with me ?" A shout
went up from the boys in blue. Shes
got you, Charlie sign it, sign it, came
from all around. "Will you write one,
grille p said Charlie, taking out blank
book with portable inkstand and pen in
the side. Carefully, in big round letters,
the child wrote the only pledge that oc
CURED to her. -,
Il will never drink anything that will
make me drunk as long as live"
Seeming to think the latter clause
made it very strong the soldier TOOK the
pen, and, in firm. scholarly hand wrote
"Charles D., ''underneath the child
ishly written name of the little girl.
While all this was transporting tall,
fine looking soldier, bearing the rank OF
colonel, had paced back and forth sever.
al times, and now pausing before the
open window. called ont Whats 60
ing on in there, boys p Come in and
see, colonel. Charlie has signed tenn
perance pledge" While the colonel
walked through the car he heard the
story from half dozen different voices.
His hand lay caressingly on the head of
the little girl, and strange expression
of almost affection shown in his face as
he read the pledge. Taking the pen he
wrote "in witness" and beneath name
that is written in the history of this ma.
tion-a name loved and revered as the
one of our martyred president, James
A. Garfield.
Taking the hand of the child in his
own, he said "Boys, this is the daugh-
ter of Chaplain W, of the Seventh.
He is summoned to the front tomorrow,
and was anxiously looking for little
Mary moment ago. Charlie, l know
some one in Pennsylvania who will be
glad to hear of this" Every soldier
touched bis cap as they walked through
the car, and the escort delivered little
Mary to her father and told the story of
the missing braid, while the chaplain
held her close in his arms and his lips
pressed her forehead more than once
during the recital. Col. Garfield closed
his story by saying He is a young man
with bright future, his only fault being
this habit, and, az he is honorable to a
nicely, he will never break his word
You have sown good seed, chaplain"
With the remaining braid in his breast
pocket Chaplain W had been many
weary months at the front, and the con-
fiict still grew hotter and more bitter.
During one of those painfully depress-
ing times it was evident a traitor had
place in our councils, for every impor-
tant move was made known to the enc
my. Gen. Rosecrans issued the order
that spies were tU be tried and shot with
out delay. Excitement ran high and
spy had small chance for his life. Chap
lain W was summoned one morning
to visit the guard house, at the request
of prisoner who had been brought in
during the night and condemned as spy
at early morning roll call. He had been
discovered skulking around camp, and
when taken had asked to be reported at
headquarters Immediately. Upon learn
ing that Gen. ROsecrans was twenty
miles away he seemed disturbed and dis
quoted, 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
physique, with face bearing unmistak-
able marks of thought and cultivation.
Being questioned, the prisoner said 81
am Union soldier. / am scouting, but
not for the rebs. l have information
that must go to Gen. Geary Immediately,
thought l had struck headquarters
that's how came to be caught. II those
fools shoot me today promise to see Gen.
Geary and repeat these words, will you,
chaplain p Refusing to talk about sub
jects that would naturally interest man
condemned, the prisoner earnestly i'm
plOred the chaplain to carry his message.
After promising to take the long ride TO
headquarters and to see Geary within
three hours, the prisoner repeated over
softly a few words that sounded to the
listening chaplain like an unmeaning
tumble Of words.
Then pausing moment, the soldier
bowed his head, and his voice trembled
as he repeated message for his mother.
TO be delivered to this address, slipping
his hand inside the old gray blouse and
bringing out a package wrapped in worn
paper. AS he fumbled for paper and
peLcil, in his agitation the package fell
TO the floor, and STOPPING to restore it the
wrapper fell away, and in the chaplain's
fingers lay long braid of soft brown
hair and a slip of paper with queer,
childishly written pledge, and three