Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-10
ed to preparing articles for those 80 wen

OcYcE NuAB tu So4os
One evening when the ladies were
quietly st work sewing, scrsping lint OF
Knitting army mittsns and Alfred dill
gently Improving the precious hours In
study Mr.. Newton came In from the
village with papers and . letter from
George, saying;
"Our boys win not complain much
longer Of inactivity, think There II
every indication Of some important move
ments, and II our generals lead the men
into the feld efficiently We may hope
that this sad rebellion viii soon be
quelled and peace once more bless the
land"
Georges letter was written In the hur-
~ and excitement Of preparing his men
for action the next day. II was short.
but full of zeal and courage. he spoke
in high praise Of the men under his com
mand.
"You win have no cause to blush. dear
ones. II we bear ourselves half a. gal.
lantiy ON the field a. these privates viii
do. A set OF more earnest, determined
men i never saw.
"It would be glorious II our generals
were as ready to give themselves a. un-
selfishly to their country's service ~ are
our common soldiers, but ! greatly fear
that at the beginning our work will be
retarded and the war protracted for
months, when weeks should end 1t, by
the maneuvering Of those In command,
some of whom appear to be thinking far
more of their own petty political am.
bitions than Of the glory and honor OF
our country.
"My dear Lillian. II all our leaders
were a. kind, yet firm, As trustworthy
and pure hearted as your noble husband,
I feel that very short time would suf.
fice to bring peace and good viii once
more to bless our Lar :"
Tears were falling .ilently when the
letter was ended. but Roses eye alone
was undimmed. After moments pause
she stepped softly to her mothers side.
saying; !.
81 waited but for this, dear father and
mother, and now 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. Iwish to offer myself as nurse
and secure place near my brothers, and
II possible would be there before any
battle, that I may be near whatever be
their fate. viii you let me leave tomor-
rowr'
"why, my dearest Rose," exclaimed
her mother, "you could not be ready
even II 1t were wise for you to undertake
such q mission. Think how little you
know Of nursing. my dear girl; how
little you have been accustomed to such
deprivations as you must meet In that
situation; how little you have seen OF
wounds and pain and agony"
"More reason, mother. that ! should
now learn. As for deprivations, have !
not known as much as have my brothers
before they left us? Our men must risk
life and limb in this struggle, and have
our women no sacrifices to make? For
some time have been trying to find
something that could do. and for q time
| felt my sex shut me of from every ear.
nest manifestation of love for my country
that required any self denial. But within
o few weeks Lillian made my path clear
before me when she 30 earnestly besought
her husband and parents to allow her to
do what should have done before and
would do now. The reasons that sus-
tanned her will not hold In my case.
Some must stay by tho STAFF at home,
for we all know that work absolutely
necessary to tho comfort and strength OF
those who go out from among us Is to be
done here as we'll as in the field"
Rose had spoken clearly and without
excitement. such rs was visible among
all her listeners. All were much sur.
prised, and after she ceased they re-
mained silent for some moments. Then
her father, turning to Mrs. Newton. said'
II do believe, my dear wife, that Rose
is right, and hard rs It will be to send her
from US, yet I am impressed with the
idea that God has put 1t in her heart to
do her part In this great work."
"But. my dear Edward. our child has
no experience In q sickroom-not the
least-and has she. SO tenderly nurtured,
so lovingly shielded-has she nerve to
witness the shocking scenes that must
meet her eye dailyY
"Ah. my child. you could not bear it,
"Some one must, mother, and why
should I be exempt I seek 1t not for
pleasure or to crafty my taste, and yet
| may find more satisfactory and abid'
ing peace In this holy work than ] ever
experienced before"
"Again, wife, I must say ! think our
child judges correctly. lido not fear that
she will DO injured by the mission"
"What says Lilliani Does she sp.
prove Of her sisters plany
"Most decidedly. and would gladly
Join her myself could I gain yours and
my husbands consent. I have been
longing to repeat my first petition every
hour"
"No, no, your mother must not be left
without one daughter. We cannot spare
you both unless there are more emphatic
calls than We have yet had for assist.
ance."
"Dear Rose" said Mrs. Newton, with
some reluctance, "you must pardon me
II before give any answer lremind you
that should you take this step you may
have your feelings sorely tried by heap
ing or seeing more OF Grenville than
will be for your peace Of mind"
A deep flush overspread her face for a
moment, but she answered calmly; ~
understand you, my kind mother. !
have thought It all over. ] make no
boast Of coming through this trial un'
scathed. There Il sore spot still at my
heart. Ihave been for some time making
all needful preparations to start at q mo-
ment's notice. and now. mother, give me
your blessing and permission to start to-
morrow"
"Aiy darling child. I dare not refuse II
your heart Ii 10 moved toward this work
lest be found fighting against the ID.
rect teaching Of Providence. Ihave tried
to give up my children cheerfully to this
good work. but I have not thought that
my daughters might be called as well ~
my sons, not but what my sons are a.
precious" said the mother. her eyes rest.
Ing lovingly on Alfred.
"But, Rose. you cannot take this jour
ney alone. and there are some prelimi-
nary steps to be taken at Washington be-
fore you will be allowed togo - nurssto
your brothers camp
n viii 90 with our girl and 80 that
all IL safely arranged before ! leave hen" !"
sail Mr.. Newton. "But on second