Passaic City record., 1891-09-26

40 rrandon in the mountains was not ne,
off: he had obtained duplicate OF the
artist. During the Vicksburg campaign
he lost it: and he now accepted the loss
as an omen that the original was forever
lost to him.
Then welcome the shock of war, the
storm of battle! Welcome the hardships
of the soldiers life, the march, tne
bivouac, the WEAKNESS and the munger
the bed on the bare ground, curtalneo
only by the broad canopy OF heaven
welcome the comradeship, the affection
and fidelity of the brave fellows he was
proud to leadl These were the things
that gave him rest from heartache, thai
crowded out bitter repining, and gave
him congenial occupation and STEADY
purpose in place OF indolent muslnR. he
even looked forward with q certain phi.
losophy to the fulfllment of the Doctors
predictions that the service would kill
him, saying to himself: AT least tha'
will be worthy end.
He kept up admirably. 1t must have
been that his weak body was dominated
BY his fervent spirit, for with his full.
share of applause he went through those
fiery DAYS at Kenesaw. Mt Peach-Tree
Ureek, and Atlanta, resisting all sugges-
tions when the latter place fell that ne
should take a rest and leave of absence
At the head of his brigade he marchec
with the army to the sea, and then the
overstrained body broke down. AS the
troops entered Savannah, General Smed.
10y fell forward unconscious upon his
hCrse's neck He was lifted to the
ground, and one OF the surgens made Q
prompt examination. He shook his head
what we all feared has happened now
Brain fever is coming. I fear the worst
for him."
His soldiers carried him into large
white building set well back from the
street, with many shade trees in front.
The beautiful Southern spring was well
advanced when consciousness returned
to him. The interval was almost blank
At different times there came to him
vague consciousness that he was alive.
although as helpless as if chained to the
bed, and that there was somber.
dressed woman with wide white cap at
his bedside. But these glimpses of the
truth came to him out of darkness and
confusion.
1t was different now. Very weak, in
deed, he was, yet as he woke he coulc
hear and understand, and these words
came to him in the voices of man and
woman not far away, whom he could not
see.
He will recover, then?"
"The chances all favor it now. A
month ago it did not seem possible, but
I believe he has rounded the turn. He
is far enough off from health; indeed.
vigorous health he can never have again.
after that wound, followed by this at
tack on the heels of exposures and
fatigues in the field that would have
killed nine men out of ten in his condi
ton; yet, W tn proper care think he will
be up and about again, and enjoy some
years of existence.
The voices were lost to him; he closed
his eyes in sleep. A soft hand was on
his forehead when he awoke. The vision
of somber dress, the wide white caE
surrounding pale, sweet face was over
him.
Isabel" he whispered.
DO not talk" she said, you are toe
weak"
Just a little" he pleaded. will You
stay with me? Will you not be gone when
[ waken aga4n?"
"Thls is my home," she said. Il shall
not leave it.
-Ah, God be praised Tell me of the
war;"
at is ended. Lee and Johnston have
both surrendered Now l will talk nc
more with you, for you must rest
In the two months that followed, until
he was we'll enough to sit by the window
in an inval d chair, he often saw her at
his bedside; sometimes she exchanged
few commonplace words with him. HeI
face was always gentle now and lovellei
than ever, he thought, for having lost its
occasional haughtlness. But she always
avoided explanations, and left his ques-
tions unanswered.
Now. after the male attendants had
dressed him, put on his gown and slip
pers, and placed him in the chair by the
window, he said:
Il want to see her."
who is it?"
Miss Montford.
We call her Sister Isabel" said one Of
the women. Il will call her."
She came and sat by him, composed
and quiet.
You have saved my life again." he
said. Il heard, one day, what the Doctor
told you"
He sought to clasp her hand. She with.
drew it.
Wl5u YOU well, cAc puiu. IlOdNcu
gives you more life; be thankful for it."
Sometimes, since last we met, have
thought that life was no boon. At least
have been careless of mine; more care
less than if you"
A swift color came to her cheek; hel
eyes warned him to desist.
WELL" he said with anger, "let that
go, if you will not hear it. May l ask
YOU if you are member of religious
house, as you seem to be?"
Not yet; I have taken no VOWS, but
soon shall. The world has become a des-
ert to me, since all it had for me was
taken away. came here directly from
vicksburg; I brought these good sisters
some of my wealth; the seclusion of this
place, in a time of horrors, pleased me;
liked their way of life, their blessed way
of doing good, their certainty of rest ana
peace hereafter. l expect to become one
of them; and in the meantime they are SC