Year: 1863

swore some groaned, most endured silently, but none wept. Yet it did not seem weak, only very touching, and straightway my fear vanished, my heart opened wide and took him in, as gathering the bent head in my arms as if he had been little child, said, Let mo help you bear it, John.'

 Never. on any human counteuance, have seen so swift and beautiful look of gratitude, surprise and comfort, as that which answered me more elosuenty than the whispered

 Thank you, ma'am, this is right good this is what I wanted!'

 Then why not ask for it before ?.

 T didn't like to be trouble, you seemed so busy, and could get on alone.'

 You shall not want it any more, John.'

 Nor did he, for now I understood the wist- ful look that sometimes followed ne, as I went out, after & brief pause beside his bed, or merely passing nod, while busied with those who seemed to need me more than he, because more urgent in their demands now I knew that to him. as to so many, was the poor substitute for mother wife, or sister, and in his eyes no stranger, but friend who hitherto had seemed negectful for, in his modesty, he had never guessed the cause. This was chang ed now, and through the tedious operation of probing, bathing and dressing his wounds, he leaned against me, holding my hand fast, and if pain wrung further tears from him, no one saw them fall but me. When he was laid down again, l lowered about him in remorse- full state of mind that would not lest me rest till l had bathed his face, brushed his bonny brown hair,' set all things smooth about him, and laid a knot of heath and heliotrope on his clean pillow. While doing this, he watched me with the satisfied expression I so liked to see, and when offered the little nosegay, held it carefully in his great hand, smoothed ruff fled leaf or two, surveyed and smelt it with an air of genuine delight, and lay contentedly re- garding the glimmer of the sunshine on the green. Although the manifest maa among my forty he said, Yes, ma'am,' like little boy, received suggestions for his comfort with the quick smile that brigbtened his whole face and now and then, as stood tidying the table by his bed, felt him softly touch my gown as if to assure himself that was there. Any thing more natural and frank never saw, and found this brave John as bashful as brave, yet full of excellence and fine aspirations, which, having no power to express themselves in words, seemed to have bloomrd into his char acter and made him what he was

 After that night. an hour of each evening that remained to him was devoted to his ease or pleasure. He could not talk much, for breath was precious and he spoke in whis- pers, but from occasional conversations, l gleaned scraps of private history which only added to the affection and respect I felt for him. Oace he asked me to write letter, and as I settled pen and paper, said with an ir- reressible glimmer of feminine curiosity, Shall it be addressed to wife, or mother, John?'

 Neither, ma am j I've got no wife, and will write to mother myself when l get better. Did you think was married because of this?' he asked, touching plain ring he wore, and ott- en turned thoughtfully on his finger when he lay alone.

 Partly that, bYt more from settled sort of look you have, look which young men sell dom get until they marry

 I didn't know that, but I'm not SO very young, m lam, thirty in May, and have been what you might call settled this ten years for mothers widow. I'm the oldest child she has, and it wouldn't do for me to marry till Lizzy has home of her own, and Lauries learned his trade, for we're not rich, and l must be father to the children and husband to the dear old woman, if I can.'

 'No doubt but you are both. John. yet how came you to go to war if you felt so? Wasn't enlisting as bad as marrying?

 No ma am, not as see it. for one is help ing my neighbor, the other pleasing myself. l went because couldn't help it. l didn't want the glory or the pay, wanted the right thing done, and people kept saying the men who were in earnest ought to fight l was in ear nest, the Lord knows but held of as long as could, not knowing which was my duty i; mother saw the case, gave me her ring to keep me steady, and said Co., so vent

 A short story and simple one, but the man and the mother were portrayed better than pa ges of fne writing could have done it.

 Do you ever regret that you came, when you lie here suffering so much? ?

 Never, ma am haven't helped a great deal, but I've shown was willing to give my life, and perhaps I've got to; but l don't blame anybody, and if it was to do over again, I'd do it. I'm little sorry Iwasn't wounded in front ; it looks cowardly to be hit in the back but obeyed orders, and it don't matter in the end, know

 Poor John! it did not natter now, except that 7. shot in front might have spared the long agony in store for him: He seemed to read the thought that troubled me- as he spoke so hopefully when there was no hope, for he suddenly added

 A1- l. T.