Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-09
pnr nnrnrH Hnmn.

Pay Dag at Home.
[Of the following brave, touching, and af-
fectionats letter, a correspondent writes
''Ths accompanying letter, which came into
my hands accidentally, was, think, intend
ed for 6 soldier of the 4lst regiment" That
soldier, whoever be may be, has noble wife
at home, to whom we wish him a safe and
honorable rsturn:-EDs. LEADER
HHARTHsIDE, Jan. 4, 1852.
DEAR HUsBAND;-Along with tie perpetu-
81 excitement Of the last half year, there have
been some days Of special interest, to all Of
Us, which are never TO be forgotten. There
was 9 summer afternoon, when you stood
upon the thrSshold OF your home, looking
out with resolve, and looking within, when
the children played and their mother sat
thoughtful, with tender wsverlng. There
was morning Of showers, Of rain and Of
tears, when all Wavering was past, and you
consigned your wife and little ones to the
care of the AlI.Father and went out from
your home and ours.
Il was marked day, here and there, when
our regiment made its FIRST march toward the
Geld Of service and danger. Then the days
Of lettsrs-frOm home with you, from camp
with Us, are sll particular days.
But there has been one day in anticipation
50 long, that we feared it was lost in that
wonder fal future, which contains so many Of
the pToudest achievements Of our armies
This day, suppose, will be known in your
calendar ss 81. PaymGstsr's day. Did you set
''bank note table" for your Christmas din
ner2 and carve up eagles instead of turkeys2
The substantial good wishes expressed by
the soldiers Of your regiment to their fam
lilies here, were distributed 70 Us on New
Years day. Those Of US who happened to be
together when the beautiful United States
notes were handed US by the express agent,
agree to consider the Presidents the hand
soonest male face in the country, except those
Of our several husbands. Our several hus-
bands are pronounced brave, generous, sf-
fsctionate and thoughtful. Ourselves rise in
our own esteem, as entrusted with the inan-
cial concerns of our households, with IaGn-
ees to ndnugs them With. The uses Of our
wealth have been arranged long ego. Not
many of us were left rich when you went
away, and our proficiency in the science of
economy, if not equal to yours in the drill,
is not imperfect for want of practice. Lux.
uries with Us have been pronounced contra
band of war. Our boys exhibit the bran
new patches on their Sunday knees, compla-
Gently saying, "War times, yoa know -
This is nothing. To live cheaply and dress
plainly costs Us no sacrifice. But the care
Of providing for q family with limited and
in msny cases entirely inadequate means, is
to those unaccustomed to it, as most women
are, real burden, however eheerfully borne.
We think we never knew how tAe money
went before. We are very sure we never
considered how it came. The endless items
Of family need to be selected and secured,
the forecast about supplies for the future, tbs
little bills which, with all our WatchfulnesT,
are swelling beyond our calculation, the dis
appointments at the hands of those from
whom we hoped for sympathy or material
aid, the possible necessity of bracing and
bTaziRg our nerves to the point Of present
ing an actual dun to some man who owes US,
and who probably pays no attention to it,
the still more terrible ordeal Of being visited
ourselves with q reminder of debt (for even
in such matters it is more blessed to 5i0e
than to TeesiUs)-a these are trials, which
for a time, and for all time, for anything l
know yet, draw heavily on the frmest Of our
patience and fortitude.
1t is doubtless because you and others in
camp understand and appreciate these things,
that you have assigned to your families so
liberal and self-denying portion of your
earnings. And this brings me kack-Pve
been preaching, Pm sfraid-to the subject Of
our late remittance. have paid all those
little debts which for the last two months
have hurt me like thOrns. have renewed
my subscription to the newspaper for the
ehildren's sake I could not do without that.
All the little feet in the house are comfor,a-
bly, covered; and though my purse is al
ready becoming hight with heart Of grace
shall speed cheesfully till another pay day,
or to the day which shall bring me, from
the camp, something better than money.
Yours tor Union and Reunion,
C.H.N.