THE WEST SIIOUE.
193
' And the sword shall devour, and it shall become sa
tiate and made drunk with their blood.1 "
" I suppose," said Amy, " this war is only fulfill
ing one of the prophesies."
" I think so, my dear; the book of Isaiah is full
of prophesies concerning this dreadful war."
Amy took leave of Mrs. Norwood with a lighter
heart than she had bad for a long time. Her loog
talk with Mrs. Norwood seemed to do her good.
Tom's mother felt very much happier, now that she
was assured of his safety. She eagerly looked for the
letter from him, which she knew would come very
soon. She did not have long to wait, for in a few
days it arrived, filled with words of love for herself
and little Mamie, also a glowing account of the battle,
and how the men under him fought for the principles
of human liberty, omitting the heroic part taken by
himself, other than in a general way, and closing by
saying: " Half of the brave men in my company were
either killed or wounded. I received only a slight
wound in my left arm, and will be all right in a few
days. While I should like to see you and little Ma
mie, I can not leave my command, while in front of
the enemy, to gratify that desire. Kiss Mamie for
brother, and tell her that he hopes to see her beforo
long."
As Mrs. Norwood finished reading the letter, Amy
came in. " I was on my way home from Mrs. Gray's"
said she, " and called in to see how you and Mamie
are feeling to-day."
" We are quite well, thanks," said Mrs. Norwood.
" Mamie is over her cold, and I am feeling much bet
ter. How are you getting on with the preparations
for the fair?"
" Ob, splendidly 1 I am assured of its entire suc
cess. Would you believe it? Papa is enthusiastic
about it and is giving considerable of his time to help
us along."
Mamie, who had gone from the room a few mo
ments before Amy's arrival, returned, and seeing
Amy, went up to her and said
" We dot a letter from brover to-day, and him ain't
tilled at all."
" Yes," said Mrs. Norwood, " I received a letter
from Thomas this morning, and if you caro to hear
it I will read it to you."
" Oh, certainly 1 I should like very much to hear
it"
As Mrs. Norwood finished reading, Amy said: " I
think it real mean in them for not letting him come
home, now that he is wounded."
" Thomas could, I daro say, come homo if ho
wished; but ho has patriotic notions about the duties
of a soldier; he thinks a soldier's place is in the field
with hU command, and not in the rear or at lorn
wasting his time, Besides, ho has but recently been
promoted to a captaia and does not want to leave- his
company."
" Ob, dear!" sighed Amy, "this war is dreadful!
Dreadfuir
" Yes," replied Mrs. Norwood, " war is a terriblo
thing; but wo must submit with as much patience as
we can, and hopo for its speedy termination."
Amy soon took her leavo and returned Lome, whero
she expected to meet somo young ladies to perfect ar
rangements for the coming fair, to I o held in the town
hall, for tho purpose of raising funds for tho Chris
tian and Solitary Commissions, twin organizations
for tho relief of sick and wounded soldiers in hospi
tals and in the fit-Id. Theso institutions were con.
ducted principally by tho loyal women of tho north.
That they performed noble work, and by their timely
aid saved tho lives of thousands of soldiers, is not
necessary to say, for thero aro living, to-day, many
who can testify to tho good deeds of the so noble, self,
sacrificing women, who not only gave their titno and
means, but in many instances their lives, in tho inter
est of tho Union cause. Tho world very imerfectly
knows tho part acted by tho loyal women of America
in tho great war for tho preservation of our Union.
Hut tho suffering loldiers, who lay in tho hospital,
sick with burning fever or a terriblo wound, lingering
between life and death-they can testify to the Sa
maritan deeds of theso ministering angels, who wero
ever found besido tho little, whito cot, on which lay
tho wasted form of a soldier, always ready to attend
his every want Nor wero their operations confined
to the sick and disabled, but exteuled to tho loldier
in tho field, whoso heart wss mado glad by tho receipt
of warm underclothing and many littlo delicacies si.d
knick-knacks. Many prayers anendul in lehalf of
theso noblo women of tho North, who were ever striv
ing to ameliorate the sufferings of tho soldiers.
Tho fair, as was expected, proved a grand success.
A handsomo sura of money was realized, which was
forwarded to tho Sanitary and Christian Commis
sions. Colonel Harrington took n active part in get
ting up and conducting tlo fair, thereby insuring its
success. In fact, he and his daughter were tho mov.
ing spirits. Nothing wss done without first count
ing ono or tho other of them. Tho colonel's spirit
ero exbuberant He could bo seen in sll parts of
tho hall, superintending tho various booths, snd allow,
ing nothing to mar tho harmony of tho assembly.
Mrs. Harrington, too, rerdeied valuable sitanco
toward tho success of tho fair. Peoplo cam from far
and near to contribute their rnito to tLo good cau
and then went away well satisfied ith wLat they had
done.