The Monte Vista journal., 1899-02-11

uOt give HE Uack my valentine. DC
you think. he said. laughing. that !
am going to return the first present
you ever gave me? No. indeed though
did make 1t myself And he de-
clared that he should always carry
1t next his heart
well. the following spring we were
married. and then We began our hut
building. Ben planned the house him.
self. and l went with him to Boston
to select the furniture. 1t was while
we were there that VIC heard the news
that made Our hearts stand still.
Fort Sumter had been fired upon
We read the announcement in the pa.
per. with white face, and Ben kep,
saying all day. oh. Kate. this is toe
terrible! never thought 1t would
come to this!' We went home with
sad hearts. In spite of our carload o,
household treasures. for those were
days when private Joys and sorrows
seemed as nothing in view of tho dan.
ger which threatened the whole coun-
try. The governor Of our state had
ordered the state troops. and the
militia as well. to be In readiness: and
Ben mustered quite company Of hi.
friends tthe finest and bravest youn.
men in town.. and they drilled nigh,
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 I was
half coward. Your denr mother was
tiny baby then. and l used often tc
sing her to sleep with patriotic airs tc
keep up ny own courage And thsr
at last 1t came-the call for troops
We were expecting It: but. OH how
weak / was when I heard Ben's voic;
shouting upstairs. Kate. Kate, the
president has sent for us
Il was putting baby to sleep (you,
mother, you know, dears) and | knel
by her cradle for Just one moment
praying for strength. And It came
for when Ben entered the room | wa!
able TO smile quite bravely, and to helI
him pack his knapsack. for they wer'
to start that very night"
Grandma paused here for mo
ment. hut no one spoke, and she wen
on in low voice:
How well | remember that night
II was raining. and very cold ant
damp; but every mother and sister an,
wife and sweetheart In town were n
the station to see them off. Most o
the women were crying bitterly. bu
l could not shed a tear. and when Bel
took me in his arms to say good-by'
his lips moved. but he could not ute
word. and could hear the beatiu!
OF his heart. AS the train pushed ou
there were shouts and cheers. O
course. to keep up the courage OF tn
men, and somebody shouted. "Thre
cheers for Captain Worrell!' and tn
crowd took It up with will An,
then ! looked up and saw my husban,
for the last time on this earth. H
had climbed on top of the rear ca
and was raising his cap to the crow,
(they were all lifelong friends). an
when he saw me raise my head (witl
anguish written all over my face.
supposed, his own face was convulse,
for a moment. and then he tried I,
smile. and pointed upwards. meaning
l suppose. that We were in God
hands. And then the train was swal
lowed up In the mist
Again she paused. and again no on
spoke.
Il heard from him many times afte
that" she continued. Sometimes no
for months. and then q whole batch q
letters would come at once-alway
bright and cheerful, those letters, an
full OF little Incidents and anecdote
which he thought might amuse and In
terest me. seldom a word OF his owl
privations, and even sufIerings. I d,
not know how we women endured tn
long strain OF that waiting for news
II II had not been that your mothe
was such very young infant. be
lieve l would have followed my hus
band as some wives did. preferrinl
anything to the terrible suspense O
waiting quietly at home.
And then the dreadful slaughter be
gan. But you. children. must walt un
I'll you are older to hear about that
"Cnc day | was walking restlessl,
up and down the piazza OF my iittl
home. my baby In my arms. trying I,
put her to sleep as best could with
out lullaby tfor I could no longc
sing). when Il soldier came up the patti
leading to the house. ] knew him well
although he was greatly changed, TO
he was nclghbor and had been 1,
Ben's company. | knew mt once tha
he was the bearer OF bad news. and a
he approached nearer could no
speak. but jus, held out my hand. III
laid = small package In II, saying
God pity you'' and that was the las
I knew for many hours. when | cam
to myself still held the package (,
my hand. and when had the courag,
to open II. the FIRST thing saw was
my valentine. torn as you have seen
by the bullet which had pierced on,
Of the braves, hearts that ever shct
It's life-blood for our country"
There was silence when grandm.
had finished speaking: Sister Nell wa
crying and Donald whispered,
II sny. Dorothy. let's put away oul
yntnniIY.. npfIt tatpnrrA,