Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-24
PARIS. MAINE, TUESDAY. OCTOBER "a, 1s


his fathers face. may not speak. Hers
was sorrow that mortal may not tres
pass upon. God, only can bind mp the
broken heart. By his love her soul may
-will-fnd rest and peace.
The night before this sad battle Eus'
tace had sat for more than an hour with
bis brothers and Rose. She was to TO
main In o temporary hospital at suita-
able distance from the field, ready to give
care and attention to such Of the wound
cd as the next mornings battle mast
bring her. From this sweet sister. who
had 90 nobly followed them, they had no
pecret. They knew that the morrow was
full Of peril and would dawn upon one
Of the most fercely contested fields OF
the whole war.
After some time spent In this discus
sion Eustace turned the conversation tn
the anxious hearts at home. He read
them letter he had received that even
ing from his wife, In which she spoke
with o mothers pride of his little son and
with much tender longing that he could
sec the child II only for an hour. In
closed was picture Of the babe In her
arms. Rose and her brother were en-.
thusiastic In their expressions Of delight
at the evidently faithful picture Of their
loved sister and their little nephew.
Their loving remarks were occasionally
mingled with o laughing reproach OF
Eustace for concealing his possession OF
such treasure.
But tleorge. noticing that he had been
unusually silent during this joyful. half
playful conversation which the letter
and picture had caused, readily under.
stood that the husbands and fathers
heart was yearning for one look upon
those he 30 dearly loved, and doubtless
thoughts Of the coming struggle min.
gled with other emotions. A significant
look from George sufficed to check
Ralph's humorous speech and gradually
change the conversation. But Eustace
noticed the change and understood the
reason. He looked up and tried to smile
upon them In his old, loving way, but
suddenly dropped his head upon the
table beside him.
For many minutes all were silent.
God only knew the storm that swept
over that motionless figure, but when he
raised his head the darkness had fed.
the storm had passed, and holy calm
shone upon his face-a peace such as
close communion with God only can
bring had transfgured him, and years
will never efface that expression from
the minds Of those who sympathizcd
with what they knew must have been
the agony that preceded 1t. Rose will
tell you that from that hour sine felt
assured that the golden gates had opened,
giving him q foretaste Of tho glory 30
soon to be realized.
After moments silence Eustsce
calmly referred to the great burden that
had weighed upon his heart for hours
and remarked that he had been under
the impression that he should fall In the
immediate struggle. He had been ana.
ious to speak fully to them, but had
waited till he could feel that his own
heart was resigned to his Fathers will.
Now he could speak to them with com.
posure.
He then urged upon his brothers the
Importance Of entering upon the NOR.
rows labors with every thought concen.
trated upon tho work. prepared to Danish
all personal feeling. to know nothing
save that the enemy were before them
and with Gods help must DO defeated,
even II 1t cost the dearest friend or their
own lives. Entering upon tho battle
with this entire self abrogation and trust.
ing to the Almighty arm for assistance.
they were sure to conquer. II ho fell. he
looked to his brothers to lead his men.
He needed no response from tho stern,
pale faces before him. No word was
spoken. Their hearts were too full. But
the long embrace, rs each brother left
his tent and as Rose bowed her head one
moment ON his breast and then presseda q
lingering kiss upon his lips, told more
than words could have done how fondly
and truly their hearts were with him In
richest affection. The next morning an
orderly handed Rose letter inclosing
one to her sister. evidently written after
they parted the night before.
n fall In the coming battle, Rosie, give the
inclosetl to my precious wife; II not. destroy IT.
L. ID.
With that sacred letter wo have moth
ing to do. That the merciful Father was
near this noble family In the hour OF
their deepest trial, as he had been when
lesser clouds Overshadowed them. we
cannot doubt. Il has not been my In
tention to manufacture romance from
the simple sketch Of two families. only
wished to take some Of the most promi'
nent events transpiring at crisis In our
country's history that has tested the
character, separated the "dross from the
pure gold" moro surely than any other
period has ever done.