The National tribune., 1898-10-27
WASHINGTON c.

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
dark hair and large, mournful. hazel eyes;
altogether he was very pleasing and intelli-
gent looking man.
thought him quite an interesting patient
and if l had had nothing more important to
attend to l should have enjoyed the
privilege of caring for him until he recovered
| 1t is strange how sickness and disease disarm
our antipathy and remove our prejudices.
| / had great desire to know more of this
man who had 50 strangely called forth my
sympathies and finding that he had grown
stronger since he had partaken of some
nourishment, 1 entered into conversation
with him. / found that he was wholly and
conscientiously a Confederate soldier, but,
strange to say, completely Invested of that
| inveterate hatred of the Yankees which is
almost universal among the Southerners. /
dared not express my sentiment in very
strong terms, but gently Intercepted him
with regard TO the right which he claimed
the rebels had to take up arms against the
United States Government.
At length | asked him if he professed to
be a Soldier of the Cross. He replied with
emotion and enthusiasm: eyes, thank God
have fought longer under the Captain of
my Salvation than | have yet done under
JEFF Davis"
My next and last question upon that sub
Ject was: Can you, as n disciple of Christ,
conscientiously and consistently uphold the
institution of Slavery?" He made no re-
ply, but fixed those mournful eyes on my
face with a sad expression, as much rs to say:
: All, Bridget, you have touched a point
upon which my own heart condemns me- and
| know that God is greater than my heart,
and will also condemn me- ;"
In this earnest conversation | had I'M
consciously forgotten much of my Hibeinian
accent, and l thought that the sick man be-
gan to suspect that / was not what my APP
pearance indicated. 1t alarmed me for a mo- |
ment, bat l soon recovered my composure
after stepping forward and examining his
pulse, for he was fast sinking ANA the little |
strength whic. he seemed To have a short
time before was nearly exhausted.
After studying my countenance few mo |
ments he asked me to pray.wlth Elal.s
did not dare to refuge the dying man re-
quest, nor did dare to approach my Maker
III an assumed tame of voiee; SO l. knelt down
breataea 4 hiicf and earnest prayer for the
departing soldier, for grace to sustain him in |
that trying hour, and finally for the triumph |
of truth and right.
When | arose from my knees he grasped
my hand eagerly and said: Please tell me
who yea are. | Cannot, iIsi would, betray |
you. for | shall very saon he standing before
that God whea you have Just addressed. y
I could not tell him the truth aad / would
not tell him fals-hood, so | evaded di-
rect reply, but promised that when he be-
came stronger | would tell him my story
He smiled lansuidly and closed his eyes, as
much as to say that he understood me.
LAST HOURS.
1t was now growing late / was not far
from the rebel lines, but WAS not able to sue
cessfully act a part in my present deblitated
condition, and besides, l was glad that |
could consistently remain over night with
that poor dying man, rebel though he was
began to look around for something which |
might convert into light, but did not sue
coed in finding anything better than a piece |
into a dish, in which put cotton rag, aud |
then lighting the end Of the rag / found |
had secured quite respectable light After
making some cornmeal Cruel for my patient,
/ took care to fasten the doors and windows
so that no one could enter the house with
out my knowledge, and screened the win !
dOws SO that no light might attract the rebel |
scouts.
Thus with sort of feeling of security
took my seat beside the sick man. The dews
Of death were already gathering on his pallid
brow. l took his hand in mine, examined
his pulse again, and wiped the cold perspira-
ton from his forehead. Oh.how those beautiful
eyes thanked me for these little acts of kind
ness! He felt in his heart that did not
with him as rebel, but that was
willing to do all that sister could do for him
in this hour Of trial. This seemed to call
forth more gratitude than if l had been heart
and hand with the South He looked up
and saw me weeping-for l could
not restrain my tears-he seemed then to
that he was really dying. Look
ing little startled he exclaimed ''Am /
really dying?"
Oh, how often l have been obliged to an
'wer that awful question in. the affirmative! I
. Yes you are dying, nv friend. Is your peace
made with God?" He replied, M trust
8 in Christ; He was mine in life, and in
leath He will not forsake me almost the /,
cry words heard dying Federal soldier /
ay. few days before, "a the hospital in :
A few weeks previous these {