The Elbert County tribune., 1899-02-09

and day to be In readiness for the call.
And ! encouraged him in this work.
God knows. with what a sinking heart,
but Ben never suspected that | was
half coward. Your dear mother was
tiny baby then. and used often 70
sing her to sleep with patriotic airs TO
keep up ny own courage. And then
at last 1t came-the call for troops
we were expecting it: but. oh, how
weak ! was when | heard Ben.s voice
shouting upstairs. Kate. Kate. the
president has sent for us
Il was putting baby to sleep (your
mother. you know, dears) and | kneIt
ny her cradle for Just one moment.
praying for strength. And II came.
Tor when Ben entered the room was
able to smile quite h-avely. and TO help
him pack his knapsaek. for they were
to start that very night"
Grandma paused here for a mo-
ment. but no one spoke. and she went
on in low voice:
How well | remember that night
II was raining. and very cold and
damp; but every mother and sister aud
wife and sweetheart in town were at
the station to see them on. Most OF
the women were crying bitterly, but
could not shed tear. and when Ben
took me in his arms to say goodbye
his lips moved. but he could not utter
word. and I could hear the beating
OF his heart. As the train pushed out
there were shouts and cheers. OF
course, TO keep up the courage OF the
men. and somebody shouted. Three
cheers for Captain worrelli' and the
crowd took It up with will. And
then looked up and saw my husband
for the last time on this earth. He
had climbed on top OF the rear car
and was raising his cap to the crowd
(they were all lifelong friends), and
when he saw me raise my head with
anguish written all over my face,
suppose). his own face was convulsed
for a moment. and then he tried to
smile, and pointed upwards. meaning.
| suppose. that we were In Gods
hands. And then the train was swal-
lowed up in the mist"
Again she paused. and again no one
spoke.
Il heard from him many times after
that" she continued. Sometimes not
for months. and then a whole batch OF
letters would come at once-always
bright and cheerful. those letters. and
full of little Incidents and anecdotes
which he thought might amuse and in
terest me. seldom word of his own
privations, and even sufferings. l do
not know how We women endured the
long strain of that waiting for news.
II 1t had not been that your mother
was such very young infant. be-
lieve l would have followed my hus-
band as some wives did. preferring
anything to the terrible suspense OF
waiting quietly at home.
And then the dreadful slaughter be-
gan. But you, children. must wait un-
til you are older to hear about that.
"One day l was walking restlessly
up and down the piazza OF my little
home. my baby in my arms. trying to
put her TO sleep as best could with
out a lullaby (for l could no longer
sing), when soldier came UP the path
ANHNAAb " NhN hhtm him "thii
although he was greatly changed, for
he was a nelghbor and had been in
Ben's company. | knew at once that
he was the bearer of bad news. and as
he approached nearer ! could not
speak. but Just held out my hand. He
laid small package in 1t. saying,
God pity your and that was the last
| knew for many hours. When / came
to myself ! still held the package in
my hand, and when l had the courage
to open It. the first thing saw was
my valentine. torn as you have seen
by the bullet which had pierced one
of the bravest hearts that ever shed
Its life-blood for our country"
There was silence when grandma
had finished speaking: Sister Nell wai
crying and Donald whispered.
Il say, Dorothy. let's put away oul
valentines until tomorrow"