a position so far advanced beyond the main line of the Federal army that, while it invited attack, it placed him beyond the reach of ready support when the crisis of battle came to him in the rush of charging lines more extended than his own.

4. The Confederate advance was steady, and it was bravely met by the Union troops, who for the first time found themselves engaged in battle on the soil of the North. It was "a far cry" from Richmond to Gettysburg, yet Lee was in their front, and they seemed resolved to welcome their Southern visitors "with bloody hands to hospitable graves."

5. But the Federal flanks rested in air, and, being turned, the line was badly broken, and despite a bravely resolute defense against the attack of the Confederate veterans, was forced to fall back.

6. Gordon's division was in motion at a double quick, to seize and hold the vantage ground in his front from which the opposing line had retreated. Directly in his path the General saw the apparently dead body of a Union officer. He checked his horse, and then observed from the motion of the eyes and lips that the officer was still living.

7. General Gordon at once dismounted, and seeing that the head of his wounded foeman was lying in a depression in the ground, placed under it a near-by knapsack. While raising him at the

shoulders for that purpose, he saw that the blood was trickling from a bullet hole in the back, and then knew that the officer had been shot through the breast.

8. He then gave him a drink from a flask of brandy and water, and, as the man revived, said, while bending over him: "I am very sorry to see you in this condition. I am General Gordon. Please tell me who you are. I can."

I wish to aid you all

9. The answer came in feeble tones: "Thank you, General. I am Brigadier General Barlow of New York. You can do nothing more for me; I am dying." Then after a pause he said: "Yes, you can; my wife is at the headquarters of General Meade. If you survive the battle, please let her know that I died doing my duty."

10. General Gordon replied: "Your message, if I live, shall surely be given to your wife. Can I do nothing more for you?"

II.

11. After a brief pause, General sponded: "Only one thing more. breast pocket of my coat - the left

take out a packet of letters."

Barlow re

Feel in the

breast — and

12. As General Gordon unbuttoned the bloodsoaked coat and took out the packet, the seemingly dying soldier said: "Now please take out one and

read it to me. They are from my wife. I wish that her words shall be the last I hear in this world."

13. Resting on one knee at his side, General Gordon, in clear tones, but with tearful eyes, read the letter. It was the missive of a noble woman to her worthy husband, whom she knew to be in daily peril of his life, and with pious fervor breathed a prayer for his safety and commended him to the care of the God of battles.

14. As the reading of the letter ended, General Barlow said: “Thank you. Now please tear them all up. I would not have them read by others." 15. General Gordon tore them into fragments, and scattered them on the field "shot-sown and bladed thick with steel." Then pressing General Barlow's hand, General Gordon bade him good-by, and mounting his horse quickly joined his command.

16. He hastily penned a note on the pommel of his saddle, giving General Barlow's message to his wife, but stated that he was still living, though seriously wounded, and informing her where he lay. Addressing the note to "Mrs. General Barlow, at General Meade's headquarters," he handed it to one of his staff, and told him to place a white handkerchief upon his sword, and ride in a gallop toward the enemy's line, and deliver the note to Mrs. Barlow.

17. The officer promptly obeyed the order. He was not fired upon, and, on being met by a Union officer who advanced to learn his business, he presented the note. It was received and read with the assurance that it should be delivered instantly.

18. Let us turn from Gettysburg to Washington, where, eleven years later, General Gordon held with honor a seat as senator of the United States. He was present at a dinner party given a representative in Congress from the State of New York.

19. Upon meeting a gentleman with the title of General Barlow, General Gordon remarked, “Are you a relative of the General Barlow, a gallant soldier, who was killed at Gettysburg?"

20. The answer was, "I am the General Barlow who was killed at Gettysburg, and you are the General Gordon who succored me!" The meeting was worthy of two such brave men.

21. On receiving General Gordon's note, which had been speedily delivered, Mrs. Barlow hastened to the field, though the battle was still in progress. She soon found her husband, and had him borne to where he could receive surgical attendance.

22. Through her devoted ministration he was enabled to resume his command of the "Excelsior Brigade," and to add to the splendid reputation which it had achieved under General Sickles. -T. J. MACKEY.

LX. WHAT SAITH THE FOUNTAIN?

2.

I. What saith the fountain,

Hid in the glade,

Where the tall mountain

Throweth its shade?

Deep in my waters, reflected serene,
All the soft beauty of heaven is seen;
Thus let thy bosom, from wild passions free,
Ever the mirror of purity be."

3. What saith the streamlet,

Flowing so bright,

Clear as a beamlet

Of silvery light?

4. "Morning and evening still floating along,
Upward forever ascendeth my song.

Be thou contented, whatever befall,
Cheerful in knowing that God is o'er all."

5. What saith the river,

Majestic in flow,
Moving forever

Calmly and slow?

6. "Over my surface the great vessels glide, Oceanward borne by my strong-heaving tide. Work thou too, brother, life vanisheth fast; Labor unceasing-rest cometh at last."