Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-03-17
THE soLD1ER,s spOcKINGs.

Lettle Barnes little fingers knit them; that
Is, allbut running the heels, and narrowing
them OFFS When they were done and ready
to send to the Soldiers Aid Society, Lettie
wrote this note and put i in the toe of one:
Dear soidier-f'm eight years old: never
knit any stockings before and it took me ever
50 long to make these ] suppose they will soon
wear out, as you cannot mend them, bat the Ia
dies viii send you some more; 50 don't be troub-
led"
The box went off, and she often wondered
what became Of her falls work, but her mother
told her she musn expect TO hear from it again.
whole year went by. and she got 10 be nine
years old, and could work 50 fast she was quite
an sctlve member of the society
hen November came she was invited with
ner lather, mother and sister Mary, TO spend
Thanksgiving at her grandmother Barnes =
They were al assembled the night before a
large merry party, thought there was one or two
empty seats, for this family like many Others,
had given -sOIce of its members to their couptry
Grandmother had laid aside her knitting, pus
on great blue apron, and was bustIing abo0s
getting supper. Eettie and her cousin Sam
were popping corn in the big kitchen fireplace,
and saying how nice it was tobe there so snug
instead of out In the driving rain
Suddenly there came q knock at the door
Sam opened 1t, and in came a tall man ID mil
itary suit which was dripping wet. Lettie Jump
60 hii anu gave 1llil tfidtFs Wnlle Mrs. Barnes
asked him who he was.
''My name is Gray said he ,sI'n, a Lien
tenant in the army, aud have just come from "a
long Imprisonment IN the South. My money
didn't last to my journey end, but ] was anx-
ious to be at home, which is twenty miles from
here. tomorrow, so tried TO walk Will you
let me rest little while by your fireI'
Then spoke up old Mr. Barnes: aYoU shall
stay here tonight, and OF my boys shall car
ry you home IN the wagon tomorrow. Don't
thank me, I've got boys in the war and know
bow I'd like to have them treated
So Lieut.. Gray took tea with the rest. aud in
the evening they asked him to tell them lit
tie about bis imprisonment They drew up in
circle, aud the young man. taking a seat op-
posite brown-eyed Mary. began his story.
i was taken with FIVE others in an engage
nient about eight months ago, and carried 10
Richmond where We were put in one of the
dirty tobacco houses OF the city. In the same
room We're fifteen others several of whom had
already been there for months We suffered
from hunger, cold and dirt We had the eoars-
est cffood and not enough Of that We never
had change of clothing while there and some
times weeks passed without our having chance
to wash. Several died from disease brought on
by this neglect. But the hardest of it all was
to stay there week after week with nothing u
do We caught at anything for amusement
I ne feet 10 my Stockings were quite worn of
and We Faveled one of the legs and PLAYED cats
cradle aud puzzle with the yarn These stock
ings bad kept my feet warm on many a march,
and when they We're worn out and the rawlings
used TO while away the time by a party of dis
pirited prisoners. often said, Blessings on the
child who made them. Then I'd take out the
note that came with them and read it aloud, and
when ] came TO the last sentence. Don't YOU be
troubled the men would lift up their heads and
say, No we wOnfl WeshalI be free again some
time, to fight for such women and children as
that. Glorious Uncle Sam viii give as new
clothes, ard the women viii knit us new stock
ings. And an Irish private always ended with.
! 'Arrahl thin, buis far that little gurrlY'
Here this soldier stopped and looked around.
/ Tears stood IN many eyes. Mary's were COW
cred with her hands, but little Lettie's we're
stretched "a their widest extent. and her little
shrill voice cried, y knit theDl wrote the
nGte. Oh, mother you sand I'd never hear Of
them again, and the happy child jumped for
joy.
The officer weni nome the next day. but a
friendship began that night between him and
the Barnes family which win last many wears.
Little reader. have you knit any soldiers stock
ings7 If not, do begin pair now, and when
they are DONE put note in the toe.-Spria0-
field Republican.