THE SOLDIER'S LITTLE DAUGHTER. 313 The little heart I pressed to mine And as the light grew dimmer, "I sleep beneath the traitor's sod I give my spirit unto God, "Teach her to hold as sacred trust Thus to my home, most tenderly, 314 LAST WORDS. . LAST WORDS. BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. EAR Charlie," breathed a soldier, — DEAR “O, comrade, true and tried, Who in the heat of battle Pressed closely to my side; I feel that I am stricken, I fain would have you with me, "It seems so sudden, Charlie; I little dreamed this morning 'T would bring my last campaign ; "There's one at home, dear Charlie, Will mourn for me, when dead, Whose heart—it is a mother's LAST WORDS. You'll write and tell her, Charlie, "And you will tell her, Charlie, When Duty's voice cries' Forward!' "And there's another, Charlie, She gave me just before I left my native village, For the fearful scenes of war. "Give her this message, Charlie, To her and to my banner, 315 316 LAST WORDS. And if, in that far country "Come nearer, closer, Charlie; The depth of your devotion, Your friendship strong as steel. "We've watched and camped together "And once, feet. 't was at Antietam, Pressed hard by thronging foes, I almost sank exhausted Beneath their cruel blows, LAST WORDS. When you, dear friend, undaunted, And safely brought me through. "My words are weak, dear Charlie, My breath is growing scant; Your hand upon my heart there, Can you not hear me pant? How dark it grows! True comrade A moment, and he lay there Were stretched in careless grace, And by the fitful moon was seen 317 |