Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1894 — A ROMANCE OF THE WAR. [ARTICLE]

A ROMANCE OF THE WAR.

Gratitude Shown by a Soldier for Kind Treatment Years Ago. Just after one of the big battles, in which the Union soldiers won a great victory, a number of wounded #vere brought to Harrisburg. Harrisburg at the time had many hospitals in churches, schools and factories, and they were crowded so much that the patriotic citizens volunteered to take the wounded to tbeir homes and care for them. Among those who did this was William D. Martin, of 314 North Third street. He had a son in the army, and naturally his heart went out to the sick and wounded comrades. There was taken to his house a young soldier who was suffering from four bullet wounds and hurt so badly that it was hardly expected he would recover, chronicles the Harrisburg Telegraph. Mr. and Mrs. Martin nursed him carefully, ministering to his wants, sent for Dr. Rutherford, the elder, to treat him, and in every way made the young soldier as comfortable as possible. For a long time there was no improvement, and Dr. Rutherford expressed the opinion that the lad would die. But Mr. and Mrs. Martin would not have it that way. They determined to save his life, and after long weeks of suffering the soldier boy, under their careful nursing, began to improve. He became strong' and well, ! and one day there came a time for I him to again shoulder his gun and go jto the front. As he bade Mr. and Mrs. Martin good-by he said, with tears in his eyes: “If I live I shall never forget you. You will hear ! from me again.” Occasionally they would hear from him in the army, and when the war ended he returned to his home and | began business. In the years that j followed Mr. Martin received letters 1 from his soldier lad, and an occasional inquiry as to his business affairs, I his prosperity, etc. Recently, after ; the lapse of thirty years, came a re- ! ward unexpected for Mr. Martin. ! The soldier boy he and his good wife had nursed back to life and health and strength has written him a let- | ter telling him that hereafter he I shall take no thought for the future | so far as finances are concerned, that j the writer is well-off in this world’s 1 goods and proposes that Mr. Martin | shall share them with him. As a j consequence Mr. Martin has gone out : of a business that he has conducted ; for the better part of half a century, | and his declining years are made glad by the return of the bread cast upon the waters thirty years ago.