trials produced upon her mind; and he had all along fancied her disposition the very reverse of what he now found it to be. He, therefore, notwithstanding the disgrace he had brought upon her, felt somewhat chagrined at the want of forbearance manifested towards him, and continued to keep out of the sight of his wife, as much as possible, for several days after this unhappy occurrence.

This circumstance excited suspicion in the mind of Mrs. Johnson, and made her wretched; and a foundation was thus laid for future misery, early in the wedded life of this couple.

Time passed on, yet the prospects of Mrs. Johnson brightened not, but were rather darkened, by the oft-repeated errors into which her companion fell. A little daughter was added to the family circle; yet this event was only a source of sorrow to its mother, while she reflected that it was heir to disgrace brought upon it by a father's weakness.

As she looked upon the babe, and at the same time beheld the indifference with which it was regarded by its father, her proud feelings rose to resentment, and she did not scruple to censure him for his conduct, in bitter and aggravating terms. The home of Mr. Johnson was often made miserable to all its inmates, by the harsh and unkind feelings evinced by Mr. and Mrs. J. towards each other; and ere three years had rolled by, after their union, he found any place preferable to his own dwelling. He seldom entered his house, except when under the influence of liquor, and it was a relief to his family to have him

away.

At length, after the occurrence of a most disgraceful

scene at home, in which Mr. Johnson was the cause of much distress to his wife, while intoxicated, he absconded from the place, and it was not until several months had elapsed, that Mrs. Johnson learned that he was indulging in dissipation in a distant city. At this intelligence, her mortification was great, and she experienced much vexation and grief. So great was her pride, that it prevented her from unbosoming her sorrows to those who would have sympathized with her; and the very fact that she gave no vent to her feelings, increased their violence.

At this juncture in her history, she was called to experience a trial of a different nature from any which had ever before befallen her. Her eldest son having arrived at the age of eighteen, had thus become subject to the militia law of the state, and the country being then at war with Great Britain, he was enrolled among the number of those who had been drafted to join the army.

Mrs. Johnson would gladly have procured his release, and did obtain a substitute, but the ambition of the young man, whose name was Loraine, to distinguish himself in his country's service was so great, that he determined to remain enlisted, even at the expense of his mother's peace of mind. He left home, on some slight pretence, and journeyed to a place in Ontario county, New York, where resided some of his friends. Here he joined the army, and was among the number of those gallant men who took Fort George from the British.

Soon after Loraine became a soldier, he wrote to his mother, informing her of the fact, at the same time saying all he could to encourage her to be cheerful during his absence, and closed by assuring her that as long as he

survived the battles in which he must engage, he should. continue to write to her. This letter afforded some consolation to the now doubly afflicted Mrs. Johnson, and she longed for the arrival of another. She looked with the most intense interest and anxiety, for many months, but in vain, until at length, 'Hope deferred made her heart sick,' and she relinquished the idea of ever hearing from him again. Deep was the anguish she endured, on account of this beloved son, and much did she desire to know his fate.

One morning, late in the autumn of 1814, as she was reflecting upon what was probably now the situation of Loraine, she heard some one knock at the door. One of her daughters who was in the room with her, immediately opened it, and in a moment Mrs. Johnson heard her exclaim, 'O! my brother! my brother!'

On hearing this exclamation, her mother almost fainted, and did not recover herself for some time. When she did so, she found her neck encircled by the left arm of her long absent and much loved Loraine, and in an instant discovered that his right was gone. At this sight, she wept bitterly for some minutes, when her son, affected at witnessing her distress, told her, that the time for weeping was past. Now dear mother,' continued he, has the time for thanksgiving arrived.'

'It has indeed,' exclaimed his mother, and I ought to feel grateful that I am permitted again to behold you; yet it distresses me exceedingly to see you deprived of your

arm.'

It is truly a great misfortune to lose such a limb, mother,' replied he, yet it is a mere trifle when compared

with what I have seen many endure, in consequence of the war. I stood beside a man on the field of battle, who was killed by the same ball by which I was wounded. We fell together; and after I had fallen, feeling the most excruciating pain, I looked upon my companion in arms, as he lay motionless at my side, and envied him his situation, as he had been instantly killed, while I still lived, as I then felt, but to suffer.

'As soon as practicable,' continued the young man, ‘I was removed from the gory bed upon which I lay, and carried to a hospital; my wound was dressed, sooner than I might have expected, considering the number of those who required attention; and every thing was done for me that could be, under the circumstances; yet as the wea ther was exceedingly warm, my sufferings were most

severe.

'On the eighth day after my wounds were dressed, the surgeon informed me that it was necessary my arm should be amputated. I submitted to the operation, and amid the great agony it occasioned, felt supported by the hope that after this was over, I might soon be well. In this, however, I was disappointed; for before the expiration of a week after the first amputation had been performed, the surgeon, one morning, told me that I should be obliged to! part with yet another portion of the limb.

My feelings revolted at the idea, and I implored him to allow me to die as I then was. He said that his duty required him to perform the operation, and I was accordingly obliged to submit to it.

'After my first sufferings were past, he told me that he even now saw but a slight chance of my recovery,

and that

I had better, while it was in my power to do so, dictate a letter to you, lest you should never be informed of my fate. I did so; but as you have not received it, I presume it was miscarried. The weather became cooler soon after these occurrences, and to the astonishment of all who saw me, aided by the most simple means, I rapidly regained my health.

And now, my dear mother, I hope you will forgive my undutiful conduct in leaving home against your wishes. Had I done as you desired, how much suffering should I have escaped.'

His mother, almost overcome by the intensity of her emotions, responded, 'You have long been forgiven, my son. I am overjoyed to see you once more; yet I cannot but be grieved to see you thus maimed, so early in life. O, what misery does war bring upon those who engage in it! When will the time arrive, that men shall "beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks," and the "nations learn war no more?" But you must be weary, my son; we will not, therefore, prolong this conversation, cheering as it is to my heart to be permitted again to hear your voice. Retire now to your chamber, and at some future time we will listen to the further recital of your adventures.'

But

It was not many weeks after the return of Loraine, before Mrs. Johnson discovered that something preyed upon his spirits; she thought he appeared to make an effort to seem cheerful, whenever he saw that she observed his depression.

Mrs. Johnson did not know exactly the cause of his dejection. He had acquired the habit of writing with his