The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-11-09
Atlanta constitutional

paper and have derived much pleasure
from reading them.
In order to contribute my mite
towards that department of your great
paper, | send you the following incl
dent Of prison life during the winter of
81 and IS, at Camp Chase, Ohio.
1t is not my intention to speak of the
We endured, as that is past
and could in no way be mitigated
But to proceed. Colonel w. S.
Hawkins, Of Tennessee, during the
early winter of o. and '65 was the
most widely known and beloved man
among the prisoners at Camp Chase,
Ohio, and although not a regular
minister Of the gospel, he was the most
eloquent and interesting exponent of
the Holy Scriptures that have ever
listened to. If these few lines should
happen TO catch the eye Of Con-
tcdcrate whose misfortune it was to
have been located at Camp Chase in
the winter of "a and s., be will
remember how eagerly we would rush
from our barracks whenever it was
announced that Colonel Hawkins had
come over from prison to see us, and
when he would mount the barraCk
steps and begin to speak or preach he
could hold US spell bound for hours
with his eloquence.
He was our oracle in everything
connected with our welfare, both
spiritual and temporal, but his greatest
work was done at the cOucheS of the
sick and dying, and if he is living
to-day and has not been prosperous
in temporal affairs, he can have the
grand consolation OF being entitled to
spiritual prosperity, which cannot be
taken from him.
Colonel Hawkins in his daily
rounds among the sick and dying had
found a young soldier who realized he
was not long for this world. He was
engaged to be married to a lady and
was anxiouSly looking for letter from
her, that he might once more read her
loving words before he should die,
but the letter came not until after his
death, which was fortunate for the
poor fellow, for instead Of loving
promises, she had written to break OIL
the engagement. Colonel Hawkins
answered the young lady's letter to
the dead soldier in the lines which
have enclosed for publication, provided
YOU should think them of sufficient
interest and have not already been
published in your most excellent
paper. ID. u. WATKINS,
Member Of kempers Battery,
Northern army Virginia,
Clarksburg, w. Va,
MY FRIEND.
Your letter came, but came too late,
For Heaven had claimed its own.
Alb sudden change, from prison bars
Unto the great white throne.
And yet think he would have stayed
For one more day of pain,
Could he have read those tardy words
Which you have sent i'll vain.
Why did you wait fair lady,,
Through so many weary hour?
Had YOU other lovers with YOU.
In that silllen dainty bower"
Did others bow before your charms
And twine bright garlands there?
And | wcen in all that thrOng
His spirit had no peer.
| wish that You were by me now,
As draw the sheet aside.
To see how pure the look he wore
Awhile before he died;
Yet the SORROW that YOU gave him
Still has left its weary trace,
And a meek and sanity sadness
DWclls upon that pallid face.
d" Her love-" he said {" could change for nj,
The winters Geld to spring.
All trust of thoughtless maiden love
Thou art bitter thing
For when these valleys fair in May
Once more with bloom shall wave,
The Northern violetS shall wave,
Above his humble grave.
Your dole of scanty words had been
But one more pang to bear;
Though to the last, he kissed with love
This treSs of your soft hair.
| did not put it where he said,
For when the angels come,
| would not have them find the sign
OF falSehOOd in the tomb.
I've read your letter and | know
The wileS that you have wrought,
To win that noble heart of his
And gained it, fearful thought
What lavish wealth men sometimes CIV
For tritic, light and small;
What manly forms one often nelu
In folly's ltimSy thrall.
You shall not pity him, for now
J,,'. 1,,,,,a ~ Il
Although wish that You could stand
With me beside his bier.
Still forgive You, Heaven knows,
For mercy You have need,
Since God His awful Judgment sends
On each unworthy deed.
/ Tonight the cold winds whistle by
As my yigilS keep,
/ Within the prison dead hO use, where
! Few mOurnerS come to weep.
4 rude plank coffin holds him now,
Yet death gives always grace,
/ And | had rather see him thus
/ Than clasped i'll your embrace.
. Tonight your rooms perhaps are gay
With Wit. and wine, and song,
And YOU are smiling just as If
You never did a wrong.
Your hand So fair that none would thin
1t penned these words of pain,
Your skin so White-wOuld God, your sou
Were half so free from stain.
Id rather be this dear, dear friend
Than YOU in all your glee,
For YOU are held in grievouS bonds
While he's forever free.
Whom serve we in this life, we serve
In that which Is to come.
. He chose his way, you yours let OOd
Pronounce the fitting doom.
Summer Weak ness that tired feelin!
loss of appetite and nervous proStratlo
are driven away by Hoods >arsaparllS
like mist before the morning sun. L
realize the benefit of this great medicine
give it a trial.
! Sure, efficient, easy-Hood's Pills.