Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-01-03
NJ SeriesLVol. 17-No 81

inc circumstances, ana tnen II VAS all
done. Mrs. Hayes, in few well cho-
sen words, told me that nothing like
excuse was necessary; that in such
weather as that the most comfortable
way Of dressing was the most proper;
and then, in an instant, just how did
not know, Il g subject was changed to
matters In which l had the greatest
interest. We chatted of Ohio and Ohio
people with whom we were both &C.
qusinted, and when the call was end
ed theIe had been half hour in which
had entirely forgotten my collarless
neck snd bootleSs ieet, and was as much
at,hOme as though | ha1 made the mokt
elsbOrste toilet Of broadclnth before
making my first cSll upon the Presi-
dent. This simple story illustrates the
character of the Presidents wife COM
pletely." -fl
Yesterday i was talking with o
member Of the Twenty third Ohio who
went out with the regiment at the be-
ginning. He related number of an
ecdotes of Mr.. ana Mrs. Hayes, but the
following Is 80 good and 40 nearly CO.
iDcides In character with Mr.. Riddles
story that / cannot refrain from rela-
ting it:
ut was during the first Of our being
out when We had AZ yet known but lit.
tie OF the hardships of war. One day
Mrs. Hayes arrived In camp, but the
fact was not generally known. james
Saunders was member Of my compa-
ny. Jjm-as he was called-was tall,
lank, unsuspecting, awkward country
bOy-a good soldier, bot not overly
nj i'm, Anfnukfnu kalx
quently, the boys used frequently to
sell him quite badly, but he took 1t
all In good part, and was entirely ready
the next time 3 sell came along to
bite st il. f-- at
,""For some time there had been sad
need OF some means of mending our
clothes. This need was being discuss
ed the the next day after Mrs. Hayes
arrival, and jim was especially strong
In his expressions of need for some one
to mend bis blouse, which really was
in very unpresertable condition.
s.Why, Jiin,' said one OF the boys,
didn't you know that there Is woman
in camp whose business it is to mend
the boys elothes?'
''No,' said Jim, in astonishment;
where Is she?'
''Up at the Colouel's tent said the
other; Il was there and had her fix my
coat yesterday, and she did smackin'
job, too
''Golly,' said Jim,' sPll 60 up. then,
this very afternoon, and git my blouse
doctored. That is very handy. in
deed .-. a ais.. = --rs
True to his word, Jim called around
at the ColOnel's tent; and, with his hat
under his arm, presented himself, with
his awkwardest bow, at the entrance
He was received with marked polite
ness by the Colonel, and the boys who
were lurking about appreciatiDg the
joke awaited developments. In few
moments Jim again appeared outside,
In his shirt sleeves, and the radiant
smile that lit up his honest features
showed that he had not been rebuffed ,
at least. Calling INN aside, where q
group Of the boys were gathered, the
| following conversation took place:
"Weil, Jim, did you find your wo-
msn?'
''Of course 1 did. She was just a
settin' there; and she's a moighty good
looking woman, too
And what did you say? all chuck
ling.
why, when j went In 1 told the
Colonel that heered there was q wo
man there to do sewing for the
boys, and as my blouse needed mend
in and buttons sewed On, l had come
to git it done. He kind of SMILED, and
| turned to the woman settin there and
asked her if she could fix the blouse
for me, and she ssid she could as well
as not, as she han nothing special on
hand. So took 1t of and left IL, the
Colonel tellia' me to call round this
afternoon and git il. You all seem to
laugh, but 1 don't see anything funny.
If she is here to do the sewin,' why
not do mine?'
This was too much. The boys all
broke out into loud chorus OF laughter,
and as soon AS it subsided one of them
said: -..
'Jim, don't you know that that
wOmsn is the COlonel's wife?'
81 don't care; she's lady anyhow,
as though that didn't follow; and I'm
goin' TO git my blouse, just az she told
me to-
Aud he did go, and was again re-
ceived in that manner which made him
forget himself and his awkwardness,
and she restored lis blouse 10 him in
perfect repair. |
This little Incident was all that was
needed to fix the affections of all the
boys upon the COlonel's wife, and
whenever she appeared again in camp
she was certain to receive the wsrmest
welcome.
Poor Jim died in Southern hospit-
al, and his nane may now be seen
upon the monument standing in the
village square at MesopOtamis, Trum
bull county, in this State; and We have
often wondered If the President and
his wife ever think of mepding his
blouse rather than be parties to sell