Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-10
THE SOLDIERS PRAYER.

1t was the fall of 1856, during those
trouhlous times that tried mems souls and
broke women's hearts, that slip of girl Of
about 9 years stood on the platform at the
depot in one of the suburban towns of Cleve-
land and watched the waiting train with its
coachload of soldiers 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 boy in blue remarked it, Finally one,
with laughing impertinence, called out:
Hello, little maid, is your sweetheart off to
the war?' "You are all my sweethearts,"
answered the child. "Come in and say good
by to u.s."
The child ran forward, and, clambering 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 who sleep the last
long sleep under the southern stars; full of
vigor and life, a 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 grey eyes darkened so early with the
shadow of a great sacrifice, he became I'M
usually 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 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
II lifting the braid that lay shining over his
wrist, he asked: 'Will 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 scissors and clipped off the
braid close to her head, while the men stand
ing 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
PREACHED into his haversack, brought out a
kpttle, 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: "Heres to my little sweetheartIn
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 entreaty,
''please, please don't do that"
There was perfect silence over the group in
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, SOL
dierly face, while the eager voice of the wee
maiden sounded clearly through the car: 81
gave you just what you asked for; o, won't
you Go something for me?" A moments hes
| itation then he answered: eyes, little woman,
| Twill" l have wondered many time and
oft in the years that lie between then and
now if any of those gathered there felt that
point YVES reached in that mans life when
he should choose, at the bidding of a little
child, which path he would tread. ''Then
will you sign the pledge with mea' A shout
went up from the boys in blue. "She's got
you, Charlie sign it, sign it," came from all
around. Twill you write one girIe?" said
| Charlie, taking out blank book with port
able inkstand and pen in the side. Carefully,
| in big round letters, the child wrote the only
pledge that occurred to her.
81 will never drink anything that wiD
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 childishly written
name of the little girl.
While all this was transpiring, tall, fine
looking soldier, bearing the rank Of colonel,
had paced back and forth several times, and
now pausing before the open window, called
out: "Whats going on in there, boys?"
"Come in and see, colonel. Charlie has
signed a temperance pledge" While the
colonel walked through the car he heard the
story from half a dozen different voices.
| His hand lay caressingly on the head of the
little girl, and strange expression of almost
affection shone in his face as he read the
pledge Taking the pen he wrote Gin wit
ness" and beneath a name that is written in
the history of this nation-a named loved
and revered as the one of our 1nartyred pres
dent, James A. Garfield
| Taking the hand of the child in his own, he
said: "Boys, this is the daughter of Chaplain
W, of the Seventh. He is summoned to
the front tomorrow, and was anxiously
looking for little Mary moment ago. Char.
lie, I know some one in Pennsylvania who
will be glad to hear of this" Every soldier
touched his 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, as 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 conflict
still grew hotter and more bitter. During
one of those painfully depressing times it was
; evident a traitor had place in our councils,
for 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
spy had small chance for his life. Chaplain
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 a 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 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, arman of splendid ply
sique, with face bearing unmistakable
marks of thought and cultivation. Being
questioned, the prisoner said: II am Union
soldier am scouting, but not for the rebs
1 have information that must go to Gen.
Geary Immediately. thought had struck
headqua tiers; that's how came to be caught.
If those fools shoot me today promise to see
Gen. Geary and repeat these words, will you,
| chaplain?' Refusing to talk about subjects
that would naturally interest a man con-
, demned, the prisoner earnestly lmplored the
chaplain to carry his message. After promis-
| ing 70 take the long ride to headquarters and
to see Geary within three hours, the prisoner
repeated over softly ley words thatsounded
to the listening chaplain like an nnmeaning
tumble of words.
Then pausing moment, the soldier bowed
his head, and his voice trembled as ne re-
peated message fof his mother, to be deliv-
cred to this address, slipping bis hand inside
tba old orav blouse and bringing out pack