Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1881 — The Wagon-Load of Bread. [ARTICLE]

The Wagon-Load of Bread.

A party of soldiers, during the late civil war, found themselves one night on a battle-field in charge of a great many wounded soldiers, who, by reason of the sudden retreat of the army, were left wholly without shelter or supplies. Having done their best for the poor fellows—bringing them water from a distant brook, and searching the harversaeks of the dead for rations—they began to say to themselves and to one another: * ‘ These weak and wounded men must have food or they will die. The army i 3 out of reach, and there is no village for many miles; what are we to do? ” “Pray to God to send us bread,” said one. That night, in the midst of the dead and dying, they held a little prayermeeting, telling the Lord all about the case, and begging Him to send them bread immediately; though from whence it could come they had not the most remote idea. All night long they plied their work for mercy. With the first ray of dawn the sound of an approaching wagon caught their ears; and presently, through the mists of the morning, appeared a great Dutch farm wagon, piled to the very top with loaves of bread.

On asking the driver where ho came from, and who sent, him, lie replied: “When I went to bed last night I knew that the army was gone, and I could not sleep for thinking of the poor fellows who always have to stay behind. Something seemed to say to me : ‘ What wili those peor fellows do for something to eat?’ It came to me so strong that I waked up my old wife, and told her what was the matter. We had only a little bread in the house, and while my wife was making some more I took my team and went round to all my neighbors, making them get up and give mo all the bread in their houses, telling them it was for the wounded soldiers. oath e battle field. When I got home my wagon was full; my wife piled her baking on the top, and I started off to bring the bread to the boys, feeling just as if the Lord Himself were sending me.” Kind Words.