Mrs. Morse and Mrs. Graham did not spend the time in idle gossip; but in fervent and importunate prayer, not for their country's victory alone but for the salvation of those souls that were being launched into eternity. They wept over the horrors of war, and those that were being made widows and orphans. There was no business transacted in the village that day. The young people climbed to the highest clefts of the rocks, so that they might hear the cannonading more distinctly. It might well be said, that Rachel wept for her children and would not be comforted because they were not.

Colonel Bertram had been actively engaged in his country's service, but upon hearing from his friend, he was immediately by his side. As he bent over his pale and exhausted form, he said, "You should not have been here, you were too weak."

"Duty called, and I obeyed," said the sick man.

He was then placed in an easy carriage, and conveyed to his own home, where he suffered for several weeks, after which he so far recovered as to be enabled to visit the then celebrated Dr. Huntington, who plainly told him that there was scarcely a chance for hope; his disease was such as to require a surgical operation. He gave such directions to his patient as were necessary. The Doctor, as he folded a billet, without raising his eyes soliloquized; "Seeing his days. are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass, turn from him that he may rest till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his days."

And as he handed the note which he had just written to the invalid,

continued: :-"Yes, there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease."

As Lieutenant Morse took leave of his medical friend, he said, "If a man die, shall he live again? All my appointed time will I wait till my change come."

CHAPTER IV.

THE VICTORY,

"Our Eagle mounts on Freedom's wings,
And shouts The victory won,'
Her golden plumes reflect the light
Of patriotic sons."

Ar this time, the village of Roselle presented a scene of festivity and joy. The glorious news of national peace

was heralded from city to city, and every village and hamlet was loud in their demonstrations of joy; every house was illuminated, and long processions composed of men and boys, could be seen each with hands lifted high, bearing the lighted torch, mingling its brilliant light with the still more brilliant fire-bavin that blazed upon every hill-top.

Our nation lifted up its voice in one long, loud pean of praise-its echo finding a kindred echo in every heart. The huzzahs of a free people who had valiantly defended their nation's rights fell upon the ear of Lieutenant Morse as he slowly journeyed homeward. He looked with interest upon the stars and stripes of his country, and rejoiced in the prospect that his beloved America would yet stand first among the nations of the earth.

The vast territories peopled with every nation, kindred, and tongue, were mapped out upon the mind of the weary traveller, who was glad the time had come, when the spear should be beat into the pruning-hook, and the sword into the ploughshare, and that the husbandman would not again be called to leave his husbandry to fight the battles of his country. He thought to himself, "The God of nations has watched over us and given us victories unparalleled in the annals of history; and a halo of glory encircles the names of those who have led forth our armies from conquering to conquest. The banner of liberty is still unfurled, and we are free from the oppressions of those who would force upon us the galling yoke of despotism." At this period much time was spent in conversing upon the past. Anecdotes were related and listened

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