Year: 1862

dore Lowe 10 nlmSeII, auulng, rs, alaS,
human nature is so apt TO do, one sin to
another, in accordance with the fearful
logic of evil. 81 suppose this matter
will be talked over and discussed for the
next year, and everybody know what a
fool made of myself I've a good mind
TO 90 and jump off some pier, and end
this miserable matter" And it was just
in this frame of mind, that the young man
came upon two of his acquaintances, who
had joined regiment that was to leave
for its camping ground the next day.


The thought suddenly flashed across
the young man that he might save him
self all further modification by enlisting,
and leaving tho city at once.


He hastily expressed his thought, and
his friends persuaded it vehemently, in
sisting that he would be promoted within
q month, and painting a soldiers life in
most attractive colors.


Theodore Lowe listened, with the words
of Margaret ringing in his ears, and a
flash of triumph went over him, as he
thought he could fulfill his threat Of keep
ing ont Of the way, with emphasis now.
His uncle was absent, and there was no
fear Of the opposition he should otherwise
be sure to encounter in that 9uarter-in
short, the matter was settled in less than
fifteen minutes, and within an hour The
odore Lowe had entered the rank and file
of one of the Massachusetts regiments.


Margaret Lowe was better than her
word; as we are sometimes. After her
storm of tears and reproaches had spent
itself, there was calm, and the currents
of sisterly affection, which flowed deep
and strong into the young girls heart,
set themselves to work back into their old
channels.


AS she sat at her piano that morning,
the harsh words she had spoken, came
back and troubled her memory. After
all she had been little too hard on The
odore. L. was the first time he had ever
fallen into temptation, and all men were
liable 10 do that sometimes, and ought
not to be killed for it either" mused the
girl, with the usual feminine proclivity
for intensifying her participles and adjec-
tives. "And then Theodore was dar-
ling brother, after all-how handsome he
was-how proud he was, so high-spirited
and sensitive, he would be punished
enough for his unfortunate mistakes, with
out her taunts and reproaches. 1t was
really cruel, the way she had gone on.
She certainly believed she must have been
beside herself; and then what if the
words had stung him into desperation,
and he should 60 of and fall again, the
fault would be hers, altogether. The
poor fellow needed kind words and en-
couragement, instead Of his feelings har-
rowed up in that way


"If his mother and hers had been liv-
ing that morning, she would not have re-
preached and taunted her boy-she wo'd
have soothed and comforted him, and he
would have gono away from his mothers
tears and kisses with good cheer, and n
mighty resolve that for her sake he would
never fall again"


And Margaret remembered that her
brother was all that remained Of broken
family upon earth, and that she stood, as
far as she might, in the place Of his moth
er now. and it seemed MS though the clos
ed eyes, sleeping so long and sound under
the summer grasses, looked with mourn
ful reproach down on her soul.


The tears swelled warm into the bright
living eyes. 81 will be very kind to
Theodore when he comes home tonight,
resolved the impulsive girl.


Theodore Lowe meant 10 carry the
thing off with bigh hand, and to tel
his sister in the coolest way possible that
he had enlisted, and should set off to-
morrow, and she would not, therefore, be
troubled with the sight of his face any
moro, as he had promised her. The
young man fed his pride and anger fol
awhile upon the revenge in store for him
for he well knew the CONSERVATION which
would take possession of her when she
was really convinced that. he had joined
the army. But as the day wore off 8
better spirit began to take possession o.
him, feeling Of tenderness and sadnes:
stole over him, as he thought of the fail
young sister whom he was about to leave
it might be forever.


And before he reached home, after the
long hurried day of preparation, the tri
umph was all gone from his heart, and
the young man dreaded to deliver the
message which he brought to his sister,


"Why, Theodore, we've been keeping
tea for you whole hour!" said Margaret
Lowe as her brother opened the door, anc
there was no anger in her voice now, moi
even impatience, only kindly solicitude


There was no drawing back now. The
odore Lowe felt that the sooner he 90
the words out the better, and so they
came. "Well, l must swallow my sup
per in hurry tonight for I've got to b
off early tomorrow morning, as I've en-
listed in Capt. Fuller's company"


"You don't mean thatl Oh, Theo
dorep She asked the question as though
her brothers words had been a blow
which hurt her.