The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-03-04
FOR THE CHILDREN.
The Soldiers, Stockinss. =.

| -----
The Soldiers, Stockinss.
From the Springfield Republican ..'-
Lettie Barnes little fingers knit them
that is, all but turning the heels and mar.
rowing off. When they were done, anl
ready to send to the Soldiers Aid Society
Lettie wrote this note, and put it in the
toe of one: ta....|..
Dear Soldier, PM eight years old; I never
knit any stockings before, and it took me cver
so long to make these. suppose they viii
soon wear out, as you cannot mend them, but
the ladies will send you more; so don't you be
| troubled.
The box was sent of, and Lettie often
wondered what became OF her falls work,
but her mother told her she mustn't ex-
pect to hear from it again A whole year
went by, and she got to be nine years old,
and could work so fast that she was quite
an active member Of the society
When November game, she was invited
with her father, mother and sister Mary
to spend thanksgiving at her grandmother
Barnes. They were all assembled the
night before, large, merry party, though
there were one or two empty seats, for
this family, like many others, had given
some of its members to the country.
Grandmother had laid aside her knitting,
put on great blue apron. and was burst
ling about getting supper. Lsttie and
her cousin Sam were popping corn in the
big kitchen fireplace, and saying how nice
it was to be there SO snug, instead of out
in the driving rain.
Suddenly there came knock at the
door. Sam opened it, and in came tall
man, in military suit which was drip
ping wet. Lettie jumped up, and gave
him chair, while Mrs Barnes asked him
who be was.
"My name is Gray" said he. elm
lieutenant in the army, and have just come
from long imprisonment at the South.
My money didn't last to my journeys end,
but was anxious to be at my home, which
is twenty miles from here, Tomorrow, SO
tried to walk. Will you let me rest little
while by your fire?"
Then up spoke old Mr.. Barnes. 'sYou
shall stay here to night, and one of my
boys will carry you home in the wagon to-
morrow. Dont't thank me I've got boys
in the war, and know how I'd like to have
them treated"
So Lieut.. Gray took tea with the rest,
and in the evening they asked him to tell
them little about his imprisonment
They drew up in circle, and the young
man, taking seat opposite hrOwn-eyed
Mary, began his story.
81 was taken, with five others, in an
engagement about eight months ago, end
carried to Richmond, where we put up il
one of the dirty tobacco houses of that
city. In the sane room were fifteen
others, several of whom had already been
there months. We suffered from cold,
hunger, and dirt. We had the coarsest of
food and not enough of that We never
had change OF clo' hing while there, and
sometimes week, pass! without or hav-
ing chance TO wash Several died from
disease brought On by this neglect But
the hardest of all WAS IL STAY there
week after week wit, nothing to do
We caught AT an.tl.,u@ tor amusement
The feet t" N. stockings were
quite worn Oft, and ~ Hveed one of the
legs, and playes ca,> -.:liie an,i puzzles
with the yarn. ii,use Stockings had kent
my feet warm ou nant weary march,
and when they were w"rn ont, and the
ravelDgs used to while away the time by
party ofsiiSpirited prisoners, often said,
BLESSINGS on The child who made them.
Then I'd take out the note that ca,ne with
them, and read it aloud, aud when came
to the last sentence. - Don't you be
troubled, the men would litf their heavy
heads, and say,-"No, we won't. We
shall be free again some time, to fight for
such women and children as that glorious
old Uncle Sam will give us new clothes
and the women will knit lis new stock
ings.", And oneIrish private always ended
with, "Arrah. thin, bully fnr that little
gurl!'
Here the soldier stopped and looked
around. Tears stood in many eyes. Mary's
were covered with her hands, but little
Lettie's were stretched to their widest ex-
tent, and her little sbriil voice cried, Il
knit 'em! / wrote the note! On. mother.
you said I'd never hear Of them again, -
and the happy clild jumped for joy
The officer went home the next day, but
friendship began that night between aim
and the Barnes family which will last many
years. And III tell yon I; secret He
will probably depend soon, both for stock
ings and letters, upon Lettie's sister Mary.
Little reader, have you knit anysoIdier's
stockings? II not, do begin pair now,
, and when they are done, put a note IN the
TOE: II T. p.