Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-12-18


The splendid equipage, costly furniture
and magnificent attire with which Var
ney had bought his bride lost their value
and her heart cried out for the love sht
had SO madly thrown away. And Other
sources Of unhappiness opened before
her. 1t took not many weeks for her tC
learn that an imbecile and superannuated
husband was not so safely scorned and
sighted as she had fancied. Her eX
travagance he could well afford and
easily overlook, but contempt and insults
unhesitatingly cast upon him he would
not brook, and the misguided woman
was shortly made to feel that an old
mans unrestrained exhibition Of vindic-
tive wrath was not the least miserable
part Of her existence.
Already had the call for hospital stores
reached every town and village, and
many active and energetic women were
banded together to work for the sick and
wounded among our brave defenders
who might soon be needing this aid.
The letters that comforted our friends
from their absent ones almost daily
kept them very thoroughly informed Of
the privations of the soldiers, and every
moment they could be spared from nee
essary labor was conscientiously devot-
ed to preparing articles for those so well
deserving the care.
One evening when the ladies were
quietly at work sewing, scraping lint or
knitting army mittens and Alfred Gill
gently improving the precious hours in
study Mr.. Newton came in from the
village with papers and a letter from
George, saying:
''Our boys will not complain much
longer of inactivity, think There is
every indication of some important move
ments, and if our generals lead the men
into the field efficiently we may hope
that this sad rebellion will soon be
quelled and peace once more bless the
land"
Georges letter was written in the hur-
ny and excitement of preparing his men
for action the next day. It was short.
but full of zeal and courage. He spoke
in high praise Of the men under his COM
mand.
''You will have no cause to blush, dear
ones, if we bear ourselves half as gal
lantly on the field as these privates will
do. A set of more earnest, determined
men [ never saw.
cit would be glorious if our generals
were as ready to give themselves as I'M
to their country's service as are
our common soldiers, but l greatly fear
that at the beginning our work will be
retarded and the war protracted for
when weeks should end it, by
the maneuvering of those in command,
some of whom appear to be thinking far
more of their own petty political am
billions than Of the glory and honor Of
our country.
''My dear Lillian, if all our leaders
were as kind, yet firm, as trustworthy
and pure hearted as your noble husband.
[ feel that q very short time would suf-
fee to bring peace and good will once
more to bless our lar :"
Tears We're falling lent1y when the
letter was ended, but Goses eye alone
was undimmed. After moments pause
she stepped softly to her mothers side,
saying:
ct waited but for this, dear father and
and now I must reveal my in
tentions and crave your blessing, feeling
sure you will raise no objections 10 that
which I solemnly believe to be call of
duty. I wish to offer myself as a nurse
and secure q place near my brothers, and
# possible | would be there before any
battle, that | may be near whatever be
heir fate. VIII you let me leave tomor-
.ow?''
"Why, my dearest Rose" exclaimed
1er mother, ''you could not be ready
even if it wero wise for you to undertake
such mission. Think how little you
znosy Of nursing, my dear girl; how
little you have been accustomed to such
1eprivatiOns as you must meet in that
situation; how little you have seen of
wounds and pain and agony"
'More reason, mother, that I should
now learn. AS for deprivations, have I
not known us much as have my brothers
before they left US? Our men must risk
life and limb in this struggle, and have
DUR women no sacrifices to make? For
some time 1 have been trying to find
something that could do, and for a time
felt my sex shut me off from every ear
nest manifestation of love for my country
that required any self denial But within
J few weeks Lillian made my path clear
before me when she so earnestly besought
her husband and parents to allow her to
10 what | should have done before and
would do now. The reasons that sus-
famed her will not hold in my case.
Some must stay by the staff at home,
'or we all know that work absolutely
necessary to the comfort and strength of
hose who go out from among US is to be
lone here as well as in the field"
Rose had spoken clearly and without
such as was visible among
Ill her listeners. All were much sur
1rised, and after she ceased they re-
NAMED silent for some moments. Then
Ter father, turning to Mrs. Newton, said:
Il do believe, my dear wife, that Rose
s right, and hard as it will be to send her