The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-04-14

despair. the woman and her boy rode
off with the men, and were. shortly in
the Generals tent Here, yielding to
the kind questioning of the chief. she
disclosed her sad story
She was a Pennsylvania by birth,
wooed and won by the Virginia farmer
eight years before. All went well un-
til the rebellion broke out. He never
believed in secession" she said, bat
when his State went he could not hold
back. He said last night it was bad
to fight against the old flag. Father.
and mother are old and poor, but /
know they'd be glad to have the child
and me, if we could only get to --em."
The Generals eyes frightened.
Give me their address," said he.
and I will see that you reach them
safely"
Entering an inner apartment of the
tent he returned in a moment with a
sealed envelope which he placed in
her hand. charging her not to open It
until she reached her destination.
Shaking her hand, he turned hastily
away TO escape her expressions of graf.
itude
The widow and her child, amply sup
piled with food, started Immediately
on their journey northward, guarded
by a strong detachment of soldiers,
who accompanied them beyond the
lines, and placed them upon the cars
which would convey them TO their
journeys end
Here, tenderly cared for by her par
ents. Mrs. Hunter lay for weeks In the
delirium of fever. At length, however.
reason was restored, and resignation
and thankfulness for mercies remain
ing took the place OF rebellious de-
spair
AS soon as her strength permitted
she recounted to her sympathizing par
ents the sorrows that had befallen her
and the kindness she had received
from those whom she had considered
her enemies.
Where is the envelope, mother, that
the General who was so good TO us
gave me?"
The mother brought the little pack
age which she had found secured in
her daughters dress, when she fell
half-fainting al the door. and at the
request of the invalid opened it
A slip of paper in which were folded
two bank notes, whose amount to the
eyes Of afluence might seem insignifi-
cant, 10 the impoverished widow beto-
kened food and clothing for many a
day. Inscribed on the paper (Which
has been carefully preserved) was:
For Robby Hunter one of the orphans
of this cruel war Pray for peace"
No signature was attached But the
recording angel wrote the name on his
book in letters of light, and He who
said. "Inasmuch as sc have done it
unto one of the least Of these, We have
done it unto me- will also say, well
done, good and faithful servant; enter
thou into thy reward" Modest and
tender. brave and merciful, concealing
his good deeds beneath the mantle of
silence, when will the world find an
other like him, cur own Grant?
The gallant old soldier has confront
ed his last foe-Death. But, though
The Great Conqueror" has seized all
that is mortal of the hero. the immor-
tai soul that shone from the steadfast
eyes is beyond Deaths power to grasp.
oh. may the prayers of the helpless
and suffering whom he has befriended
have assembled as holy Incense to the
great white throne" lifting the shad-
ows of the dark valley through which
the nations beloved hero, weary with
earthly suffering. passed with unfalter-
ing feet. looking forward to the land
OF Peulah-beyond