Come to me a loyal man , and see what answer I shall give you . ' `` Then she went away . It was the wisest thing she could have done , for absence did more to change me than an ocean of tears , a year of exhortations . Lying there , I missed her every hour of the day , recalled every gentle act , kind word , and fair example she had given me . I contrasted my own belief with hers , and found a new significance in the words honesty and honor , and , remembering her fidelity to principle , was ashamed of my own treason to God and to herself . Education , prejudice , and interest , are difficult things to overcome , and that was the hottest fight I ever passed through , for as I tell you , I was a coward . But love and loyalty won the day , and , asking no quarter , the Rebel surrendered . '' `` Phil Beaufort , you 're a brick ! '' cried Dick , with a sounding slap on his comrade 's shoulder . `` A brand snatched from the burnin ' . Hallelujah ! '' chanted Flint , seesawing with excitement . `` Then you went to find your wife ? How ? Where ? '' asked Thorn , forgetting vigilance in interest . `` Friend Bent hated war so heartily that he would have nothing to do with paroles , exchanges , or any martial process whatever , but bade me go when and where I liked , remembering to do by others as I had been done by . Before I was well enough to go , however , I managed , by means of Copperhead influence and returned prisoners , to send a letter to my father and receive an answer . You can imagine what both contained ; and so I found myself penniless , but not poor , an outcast , but not alone . Old Bent treated me like a prodigal son , and put money in my purse ; his pretty daughters loved me for Margaret 's sake , and gave me a patriotic salute all round when I left them , the humblest , happiest man in Pennsylvania .
XXXXX once said to me that this was the time for deeds , not words ; that no man should stand idle , but serve the good cause with head , heart , and hand , no matter in what rank ; for in her eyes a private fighting for liberty was nobler than a dozen generals defending slavery .
Beaufort Copperhead Dick Margaret Pennsylvania Rebel burnin day left year