Year: 1863

his lips. The same smile played around
his mouth. The same expression beamed
from his eyes as in health. He often
spoke of the time when again the roll of
the drum should call him as in days gone
by. Day after day called. At each
call l saw change for the worse.


Entering the abode of sickness one
morning, death with ghastly features
stared me in the face. Near the entrance,
covered with course blanket, lay the
last remains of Ellick--an awful specta-
Gle of mortality. One glance was all
that l could endure. thought of him
few days before hale and hearty, bnt now
closed from the world forever by deaths
ruthless hand.


l passed on to the cot of my friend.
Ere | reached him, I saw that he was de-
lirious When l neared his cot, he quick
ly rose, and with an exclamation of ioy,
caught my hand, his eyes were red and
glaring, and such look, he gave me, I
shall never forget. " You have come at last
he cried. Last night dreamed I saw
your brother, leave my Fathers door. and
saw you swiftly pass, city, village and val.
ley, to come and see your dying brother.
| see my mother my mother my moth.
er why do you not step forward and kiss
my burning cheek. Stand aside and let
her pass. l sow her as she came. with
cordial in her hands, and consolation on
her lips. Why do you not speak to me.
and press me to your bosom as you used
to Oh, that I were again child, that I
might nestle in your arms"


He paused moment, and great hot
tears rolled down his burning cheeks.
Looking up once more he said in a
deep, cultural voice, "You know me not
you fear to approach him,--you are missed.
My God my God hast thou forsaken
me-" By this time he was we'll nigh ex-
hausted, and sank upon his couch. Un.
der the influence of cordials he was quie-
ted for few moments. AS was about
leaving the hospital, deeply affected, be
again reused himself, calling loudly for
his mother and sister. Of his sister he
seemed the most to think. At this time,
kind female nurse entered, and when he
saw her, it was with difficulty that he
was retained upon his bed. He called
loudly, "Nellic Nellie my only sister
The Gods must have sent you to hear the
last words of your dying BROTHER" She
approached his couch, and he seemed more
calm, and perfectly satisfied that she was
indeed his sister. He took her hand and
kissed it.


She sat down by his side. her eyes moist
with weeping. In tender accents he spoke
Of their childhood-the old play ground,
the village school,-of the many times
their voices had blended together in sweet
harmony at the family altar--of that no.
BILE nag, the pet of his former years. He
now gave her his last bequest and dying
benediction. Tell my father" said be,
that never forgot his words of advice;
tell him that | met the enemy, fought
them, and saw them fly in routl tell him
have not disgraced the Revolutionary
sword that hangs upon the wall--tell him
it is for my country I am dyingl Oh!
that that aged parent were here to COM
mend his dying son to eternityl"


He closed his eyes for moment. Plac-
ing his hand in his bosom, he removed
therefrom small picture. and looking at
it moment kissed it, dropped tear, and
gave it to her, whom he thought his sister
"This Nellie" said he, "has sustained me
in many weary hour. the prize hoped to
call my own. Kiss her for me, and tell
her, that tear was the last Soldier Will
ever dropped. Tell her, her future is un-
known,--mine is eternity soon. Tell her
to meet me after the wars are over, in the
bower where last we met" He passed one
hard convulsion, one loud call To arms


to armsp slight quiver, and all was
overl Will had departed.


A few sad hearts Witnessed the scene,
and each turned away with the express
sion, Poor boy! poor boy p