The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-01-06

ers, that passed; the more intense grew the
watching Of mother and children and greater
grew the anxiety.
So II went for day after day and night after
night. til the mothers last hope was gone and She
spent her time IN tears.
Passers by began to pity the little family and
all wondered. for IL was known that Charlie had
got through the war and had started home.
Stili the mother aud children kept up the watch.
All the work stopped ut last and every hour that
anxious mother ana the children could be seen out
looking up the road.
There only stray squad passing now and
then for an were at home, when man of the set
item, mt was Imprudent rs TO remark in the
presence OF one OF the children that Charlie the
father, had found another home, and another
wife, and would never return.
This man was not a bad man and meant this
remark more Joke than otherwise, but ic was
no JOKING matter with tine child. lie returned
TO ms mother aud told what ne had heard, and
you may be sure that 1t wa no Joking matter with
her She hurst into screams she broke down un-
der the sorrow, She tool. To her ted and al that
the doctors could do and al that cO7d noighbors
could SAY did not save nor cheer her. she died
ia a few days-dcd of broken heart fOI the sol
der that never returned.
At the death of the mother there was much
talk and much bitter feeling against Charles
through an our settlement. On the very day set
for che huriai o5 the mother = citation came
IN tchanged the whole current Of feeling and All
heart went ont i'm sorrow for the stricken family.
As have stated there was no way Tor soldiers
20 return after the surrender but on foot. Charlie
had started bur as he got nearer home he left the
roads and took ala the near eats. AS he grew
nearer home SO grew his anxiety TO he with ms
loved ones, and jhis anxiety was the cause Of his
Gea.h aud explained when too late, why he never
returned.
He had arrived on the banks Of the river Just
opposite his own house. lie could see the light in
his own cottage window. but the night was dark
aud The Storm was raging. II said to be the
greatest flood ever seen Flint river, ana the
wind howled nv such a rate that his voice could
never reach the loved ones who were then waiting
for HIM.
Anxious and impatient he undertook to cross
the river on a log chat he had found, and the
angry waters got him in a yhirI and dashed him
against the rocks. His body was found in some
duftwood at the bend Of the riyerOn the very day
that his wife was to he buried rom broken heart
because he never returned They were laid in one
grave and there today TO veriiy tine truth that
war is had thing. and that tie fighting Is not all
Of the sorrow that i: brings 10 a country and to
people.
In the meantime, Brown IS preparing for the
worst lie Is already used up, that people that
know HIM only lately, feel sorry Tor his terrible
intrmties.
The day that he read the presidents message on
the Monroe doctrine, he added thirty years more
to his age; has tNenty~three ailments that was
never heard OF before. and II conscrIpt officers
come he has twenty odd other ailments holding IN
reserve, so let them rip, ne says.
SARGE PLUNKETT.