The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-16
Our Weekly Experience Meeting.
LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS WIVES AND MOTHERS.
MOTHERS WORK


To THE EDITOR: read with deep pleasure the
letters in the grand old NATIONAL TRIBUNE, the
soldiers true friend. from the veterans, the loyal
women, the dear boys and girls. But nothing
would cheer me more than TO hear from some OF
my brothers old comrades, either from those VINO
were with him on the weary march or IN the AWFUL
prison. My brother died in Salisbury Prlson Dec.
:, l~54. His name Hiram Henderson. 20. r.,
10th Pa. Cav. / attended the Reunion oil the l1yth
Pa. at Alaqupia Grove, on the lake shore ana en-
joyed every moment. particularly the army
speeches. though | regretted there was no parade
or brass band though my husband says II i mad
marched as much as he has done, | never would
want TO hear a drum again Though / may never
my dear brothers grave, may the stars and
Stripes cover and protect IL soldiers vic ana
sisier-Mrs- e. BROWN, Baden, Beaver Co., "a
KEEPING THE WOLF FROM PIE DOOR.
To THE EDITOR: My husband served in the Sd
Me. He rs poor i'll health and purse, with large
family TO support and does all he i able to keep
the wolf from the door. 1t is 10 years since he app
piled for pension, and though often sorely press
ed and deprived of the many necessary comforts OF
life he still waits. How long must our veterans
wait for their just dues ?-SoLDIERS WIFE, South
Norridgewock, Me.
THE BOTH AT CHANCELLORSVILLE.
To THE EDITOR: The comments from a comrade
of the 55th Ohio, the one i'll which nay dear boy hrst
enlisted concerning the conduct OF the regiment NJ
the battle of Charlottesville, leads me To express
the wish that the subject may be followed up untll
full justice is done those brave and noble boys
Well do l remember how my poor boy felt over
the reports in the newspapers that they mao lteu
in their duty. Col. Lee and several other oiiicefS
of the 55th resigned and all would have done so
had not the censure ceased. Chaplain wheeler
wrote a plain statement of the case. winch was
published at the time. Henry sent the paper nome,
but have mslaid it. Could il be found 1t would
help TO clear the mist away. The 55ih was lett as
a sacrifice, but as sooH they discovered their Sit
uaion they made tracks and got into camp as soon
as the balance of the troops When they came up
of the officers said they thought they nu pu
them good-by for the last time. JON Win Com.
rade s., of Co. i, in the hope that some one VIII
write full account of the affair 1t touches ten
.iarSY ~ in tl1p nE brave
their courage and patriotism called in question:
THE TRIBUNE is invaluable. Since reading II
have learned more of what done and suffered
to conquer the rebellion than in all the 20 years
since the war.-Mrs MARGARET KAAGAR, Swan
ton Ohio.
SOME DAY WE SHALL MEET.
To THE EDITOR: How comforting is THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE in all our lonely hours, and how
vividy il brings TO mind the time when we were
sending letters to the brave boys in blue and re-
ceiving their cheering replies. had two brothers
who went to the war; but the time came when no
letters were received. They never returned. Yet
know that some day we shall meet For through
all
have the sweet hope when life's gref5 are DER,
To meet with the friends that love,
To greet them with joy on that beautiful shore,
In that bright, happy home above.
L. w. A, South New Haven, n. 4.
THE TRIBUNE EVER WELCOME.
To THE EDITOR: My husband did not bear arms.
but for four years he served faithfully, with both
infantry and cavalry, as a blacksmith, returning
with health shattered and impaired. lie draws
four dollars a month pension, for which we are
thankful, though it is SO little for the amount of
worse off we do not complain THE TRIBUNE Is
ever welcome.-M l.. RICHARDSON, Cotton, y.
MOTHERS WORK.
Baking stewing, and brewing,
Roasting, frying, and boiling,
Sweeping, dusting and cleaning,
Washing, starching, and rninY,
Ripping, turning, and mendlng,
Cutting basting. and stitching,
Making the old like new:
Shocstrings to lace.
Faces 10 wash,
Buttons to sew,
And the like of SUCH
Stockings to darn
While the children play,
Stories to tell,
Tears wipe away.
Making them happy
The ivelong day:
IL Is ever thus from morn till night;
w no says that mothers work is light?
At evening, four
Little forms in white;
Prayers all said
And the last good night,
Tucking them safe
In each downy bed,
Silently asking
Ger each head,
That the dear Father
In heaven Will keep
Safe all my darlinGs,
Awake or asleep.
Then / think the old adage true ever will prove:
" Ii is easy 10 labor for those that we love-"
All me! All me, often say,
As hang the tumbled clothes away;
And the tear drops start
While my burdened heart
Aches for the mother across the way.
Where, oh. where are
Her nestings flown?
All. all are gone,
Save one alone
Folded their garments
With tenderest care,
Impressed the pillow
And vacant the chair.
No ribbon to tie
No faces to wash,
No hair all awry;
No merry voices
To hush into rest;
God save them!
He took them,
And He knoweth best;
But. eh the heart anguish the tears that fall
This mothers work is the hardest of ALL