CALEB WINN. 247
��CALEB WINN. [Copyrighted.]
��BY KEV. LKANDER S. CO AN.
One day, as I sat in my study,
I heard on the gravel-walk A step which to me was familiar,
But I missed the familiar talk — The Corporal's Yankee lingo,
So I knew that something was wrong, For the old fellow's cheery accents
Were never silent long.
" I want ye to come with me, parson, •
Down to see comrade Winn ; He was with me in my regiment.
An' the best uv neighbors has been. He is sick, and in great trouble,
An 1 wants to talk with you ; You'll find whatever he tells ye
Like the gospel, straight an' true.
" He hain't told me about it,
So I think it's somethin' sad ; He has taken his bed, an' wildlike,
Takin' on terrible bad ; His old wooden leg is har.gin'
Agin the bed-room wall ; For you he keeps enquirin',
But don't want others to call.
" Here we are, at his cottage,
Don't knock, but go right in ; I'll wait here in the kitchen,
Where I have often been. I hope you can help him, somehow;
I reckon it's caused by grief, For he says that the doctors
Can't give him any relief."
��" I'm reported in hospital, Chaplain,
And my time here is short ; But I'm not goin' to whinin',
You know I ain't that sort. Ever sence that day in the Wilderness,
I've been prest here, the heart ; — Sence I lost my leg by a minnie,
Couldn't stan' no great start.
�� �
