Year: 1862

can imagine how you feel, said the
chaplain and l have no doubt you will
see her soon. Meanwhile you know there
is Friend who will be more to you than
mother or father, sister or brother


L realize that, SIR said the young
man; Il am a professor of religion, and
have been for years. When was shot,
aye, and before, commended my soul to
Him for life or.death; but / confess have
much to live for. l am not yet brought
where 1 am perfectly willing to die


1t may be for the reason that you are
not yet called to de- replied the chaplain:
but in life you know it is the one impor-
tant thing to be prepared for: DEATH


After short prayer, the minister and
the sick man parted. He seems very
strong and sanguine,' he said, as he met
the surgeon again. and likely to recover


No doubt of it. sir, no doubt was the
hasty response of the surgeon, as he pass
ed on.


The hour of midnight had struck from
the great clock in the hall. Slowly and
solemnly it knelled the departing moment,
and its echo rolled through the halls, vi
brating on many an ear that would never
hear the sound of the striking hours again.
The chaplain still sat in his own room
writing letters for three or four of his
wounded soldiers, and strange stiffness
fell around him as he closed the last sheet
and sat back with closed hands, to think
He could not tell why, but do what and
g. where he would, the face of the young
volunteer with whom he had spoken last
haunted him. He arose to move to the
window where the breeze was cooler,
when knock was heard at the door, and
a rapid voice called, Chaplain?' He
hurried to lift the latch. The surgeon
stood there, looking like shadow in the
dim moonlight that crept into the pass
age.


Chaplain, sorry to disturb you, and
more sorry to i've you an unpleasant duty
to PERFORM


'Why what is it % was the quick re-
joinder.


That fine young fellow whom you
talked with is going.'


what I? do you mean -


Wont live an hour, or two at the most.
I tried to tell him but l couldn't; and
finally l thought of you. You can ease it,
you know


A great shadow fell on the chaplain !;
for moment he was stunned and choked,
and his voice grew husky as he made
reply


1t is sad errand, but none the less
my duty. Poor fellow! I can't realize it,
indeed I cannot. His voice was so strong
his manner so natural I'll be there pre-
sently > and left alone, he threw himself
upon his knee to wrestle for strength in
prayer.


The atmosphere was filed with low
sighs from the strugglers with pain and
disease. Going softly up to the couch at
which he had stood before, the chaplain
gazed upon the. face before him. 1t looked
as calm as that of sleeping infant, but he
did not sleep. Hearing slight noise his
eyes flew open and rested in some surprise
upon the chaplain.


I felt as if must see you again before
1 rested said the latter, striving to steady
his voice. How do you feel now p


% better, thank you; in fact almost
well. The pain is gone, and I feel quite
hopeful. l rather think the surgeon does
though he said nothing


Again that fearful swelling in the chap
lain's throat How should he Tell him of
his danger-how prepare the mind SO
calmly resting for almost certainty .
the poor, hopeful soul that would never
look with earthly eyes on the mother he
so longed for. Another moment, and the
young man appeared to be struck with
some peculiarity in the face of the chap
lain. The large eyes sought his with in
tentness that was pain, and he strove to
interpret that which made the difference
between this and his former demeanor.


Your cases weary you, chaplain he
said quietly you must be very faithful,
for it is past midnight


I was on the point of going to bed
when was called to prepare a dying
man for his last hour was the fearful res
ponse.


Indeed! What poor fellow goes next p
rejoined the young man, with a mournful
inquiry.


There was no answer for the wealth
of worlds the chaplain would not have
spoken now. That tone SO unconscious
of danger! t!.at eye SO full OF sympathy
Still strange silence What did he
mean The sick mans inquiring glance
changed for one of intense terror. He