Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-04-27
From the Watchmen and Reflector.
1.-THE ARMY POST BAG"


ed, puts more nerve into regiment than
even the sight of long looked-for green
bucks. The white winged m, ssengers
are treasures of comfort, and the poor
fellow who fails to get one is an object of
commiseration. A letter from relative,
friend, OF even from stranger exerts an
almost faflnating power over the men
they read hem over and over again, and
when going into battle will wear them as
amulets, or tokens for good as one poor
lad said.
" | wish ypu could have seen Benton
last week. 20 his unbounded surprise
there came b him delicately written
note, from out of which dropped beau
tifully painted blue violet. 1t was so ex-
quisitely tinted one could almost fancy it
had just left its mountain bed, the dew
drops still clinging to its tender
green leaves. Benton was greatly excited,
and so were all the boys, for we knew the
history of his orphanage. Il was pref
ty sight to watch the play of feeling as
he lead the friendly missive-smiles aud
tears. Then he turned aside to weep
this no longer lonely eomrade Of ours
and we saw him lift the sweet mountain
flower to his lips. He soon handed me
the note, saying. Read it to the men,
and retired with his picture.
A" 1t was from lady, his Sabbath school
teacher years ago, away up among the
hills of New Hampshire Since then she
had married a Western merchant and
lately, through returned soldier, had
learned the whereabouts of her former pu-
pill. and this letter was so full of Christ
ian interest, from both husband and wife,
so anxious were they that the young SOL
dier should not fall into evil ways. but
should come home to them by and-by,
(how that touched him, for it was word
he never spoke y and get refreshed after
his toilsome wanderings, that other peo-
pie had moist eyes.
IL think he slept none that night for
joy. Early the next morning he came in
to my tent, with the letter in his bosom,
and sitting down on an old box, said,
brushing away tear,
"'Nom I'm going to write to those
people; they've saved me. 1t was only
last Sunday night, in fit of loneliness
and desolation, | resolved | didn't care.
and wouldn't in future refuse to join the
men in any kind of fun. Nobody cared
for me, and where was the difference ?
But when came TO read that letter again
this morning, | started, for there it was,
dated Sunday evening. that same hour,
most likely, chaplain, and then he open
ed and read:
Having been detained from church by the i'll
ness OF my baby,'I determined to write you a
note for we have inst heard where you are. !
remember well that you have no mother or sister
TO send kind messages, and take the liberty OF
doing SO, in remembrance of the days when a
certain back-eyed boy was member of my Sab
- Il tIA,A ala
England hills where yiolets grow, and who al
ways had flower for his teacher. We have often
talked of you in our CHEEKY western home, and
feel deep anxiety to learn from yourself that
the teachings of long ago are remembered, that
the Bible is daily read, and the morning and eve.
ming prayer not forgotten. Write us of all these
things dear friend. and in future, call our house
your home. You will ever find hearty welcome.
with us. The blue-eyed baby mods her curly head
when ask her IL she will send kiss to mothers
friend, and she sends also this bit Of mothers
handwork.'
"'Now, chaplain he said, 4 don't
think ! can ever take another drop, or re-
peat word that should be ashamed to
have that blue-eyed baby hear, and tears
dropped heavily upon the letter. hand
ed him pen and paper, that speedy re-
ply might relieve his own sad, happy
heart, and strengthen the good resolutions
he would write to the friend, who, doubt
not, had been providentially detained
from church. and in my heart blessed
the noble woman who had been moved to
express such deep, christian, motherly
interest in the orphan lad of our regi-
ment." aHn l m
Ry Counterfeit los, altered from 2s,