Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-24
DARKNESS
By Nm. HENRY WARD BEEOHER
lcOpyrish. iae By Cooley Publishins Con-
pany.1
CHAPTER XIII.

this short furlough, leaving the Trends
at the farm greatly cheered and comfort.
Cd by their brief reunion.
The winter passed with little apparent
progress In our military labor. but with
the mild spring weather and settled roads
every week brought some startling &C
count which increased the fears for the
loved ones. with hope or dependency for
our country, as the news lowered between
victory and defeat. Iwill not attempt to
follow their exciting fluctuations, which
for % long a time kept the public mind
In constant agitation.
For moro than three years all at the
Newton farm followed their brave sons
with anxious thoughts and hourly pray
ers. Often when the battle ragged the
6ercest, while thousands fell around
them, had these % fondly loved, sur.
passed by none In courage and noble
daring, like the favored three passed
through the fiery furnace with scarce
the smell of FIRE on their garments.'
But when our treasures have been thus
long pursued rs one after another falls
around how natural for the trembling
heart to feel "my son may be the next
not because they have less faith in Gods
protecting power or mistrust the Fathers
watchfui eye. but having fully offered
this sacrifice to our country's cause we
know at any hour we may be called up
-. A. .-,,1oo,,, tbn ,,lodopot
So 1t was mt Mr.. Newton's. Every day
they recalled with wonder and gratitude
their children's many escapes and asked
II they wero now prepared to accept their
portion Of the sorrows which war was
bringing upon so many Of their friends
around them. That Is q hard question.
Who can answer 1t afiirmativelyl Even
when tho object Of our care is wasting
with illness before our eyes there Is q
hope that never leaves the heart till the
hand lies cold In our grasp and the love
light of the eye Is quenched In death.
Mrs. Dunbar was becoming restless
and almost impatient at her husbands
long absence and would most joyfully
have gone to him. but little boy Of 3
months nestled In her bosom, and with
pretty smiles and cunning ways bound
her fast at home.
Meanwhile Colonel Dunbar was rap.
lily rising In tho estimation Of the lead.
Ing military men. and no regiment Won
higher praise for bravery and effective
daring. Their love for their commander
bore them unainchingly wherever he
dared to lead, and when diminished by
many o hard fought battle there was
little difficulty In filling mp the ranks
under Colonel Dunbar. Many Of his
officers had fallen or become incapaci'
tated for service, and by their fall George
had become lieutenant colonel md Ralph
the captain of his old company. Dunbar
had been offered O generals command,
but declined, saying that he had entered
the army not as o profession, but simply
to serve his country during the present
emergency. His only wish was to re.
main with his present regiment, some OF
whom had been with him from the first,
and he would guarantee that those must
be brave men who would follow where
that band led the way.
We pass now to that eventful day that
ended the battle Of Gettysburg. The
6rst day had been fearfully disastrous,
and gloomy forebodings were prevalent
In many parts Of the army. Dunbar and
his men were placed In position OF i'm.
minent danger. The havoc OF the previ.
ous day had been terrible, and tho NOR.
rows sun saw the enemy drawn mp In
great force before them ready to bear
down on that special pivot. To break
through that force and carry that posi-
ton appeared the only way to victory
But against what tremendous odds!
Dunbar rode among his men, saying
briefly: II have every confidence In the
leader Of this division, but we have seen
too many such fields not to be aware
that wo are in critical position. II we
can carry that point, victory Is sure. To
do that many Of us 60 to certain death,
but that will not daunt you, my men! ]
know you well. With Gods help we
can and will succeedl Seei Our lines
are moving! II fall. stay not-leave
me In Gods care! A moments hesita.
ton may lose us the dayi Remember
what I say! Our battlecry Is God and
liberty! Now follow me-"
The shout that rose to heaven as he
ended bore witness that there would he
no wavering there. Atthat moment the
enemy opened upon them, and our men
were not slow In replying. It seemed
that the very strength and spirit Of lib
erty was In every blow. The slaughter
ON both sides was terrific. At the point
opposing Colonel Dunbar's regiment a
slight confusion wes manifest. Waving
bis sword, ho cried: "They falteri For.
ward once more, my Inenf" Az the word
passed his lips o cannon ball removed his
sword with tho hand that held It. But
raising his left hand on high. he shouted:
"Rememberi Forward for God and lib
ertyr
George sprang to his side, bound a
handkerchief tightly around his arm. II
was but q moment. One look OF love
and "Lillian." No other word. and like
q rushing torrent they dashed forward
to the head Of the column together. Be
fore these overwhelming pillows tho enc
my gave way in the greatest confusion
But ut that instant Of certain victory a
ball struck Dunbar In tho chest. He
fell and was borne from the field by his
aids, while his men, remembering his
last command. paused not for one look
ut their dying commander. yet no Scot
tish clan ever fought with fercer deter
mination to avenge their chieftain's
death than did that band. led on by his
mourning brother.
How the battle terminated needs nc
repetition. After the fight George and
Ralph hastened to tho spot where the be.
loved brother lay. He recognized them
and calmly smiled. but could not speak.
Life was almost over, but his earnest
eyes spoke to Georges heart, and kneel.
ing by his side he replied to that look. ~
viii tell Lilly all you said last night. and
a. long a. we live Ralph and ] will al
ways tenderiy guard her and your boy
viii we not, Ralphr The young cap
tain pressed his lips to Eustace's brow
and sobbed aloud Many an older cheek
was wet with tears. A few more faint
breaths, and then tho kind brother. the
loving son. the devoted husband, the
truly Christian patriot, yielded up bis
life for his countryi
I make no attempt to describe the
mourning In the camp or the anguish ai
homo when Ralph and Rose brought the
remains Of one 90 dessrvedly loved and