The National tribune., 1885-12-24
as the regiment halted

he has3" observed ST, as the regiment halted
and they sat down in fence corner to rest.
"I reckon We will," answered Shorty; 81
guess they all DO"
That night another mail reached the camp.
1t brought 81 a letter from home His sister
Maria wrote that they had heard the army
was going to Nashville, and they were filing
up big box with lots of good things which
they were going to send him for Christmas.
In the letter was slip from Annabel, telling
81 how glad she was TO have chance to send
him something She had made big fruit cake
all herself for him, and she hoped the mean
grillas she had heard about whatever they
were, wouldn't get it, If she really believed
they would she'd fill it full of kyen pepper, or
pizeD, or something that would make them
wish they had let il alone.
81 told Shorty. with good deal of eathusi-
asm, about the box he was going 10 get, run
ming over q list of the goodies +" that would be
in it, and which he would be SO glad to share
with Shorty on Christmas.
81 amt goin' to open the box before Christ
mas mornin'," said ST, in joyful anticipation of
the dawn of that auspicious day.
81 don't much think ye will, myself" replied
Shorty From what I've hearn the old soljers
tell, low yell be burned lucky if We get
chance to open that box at ali. The grillas
gathers in good deal of that trash, and what
gifts past them is gobbled up by the mule
whackers."
But 81 had an abiding faith that his box
would get through all right, however sad
might be the fate of others. AS Christmas drew
near he began to watch for it daily. The 200th
Ind. was camped two or three miles out from
Nashville. 81 watched every train of wagons
that brought supplies to the regiment, and
whenever he got an opportunity he sent to town
TO see if be could get any tidings of it, Once or
twice he got pass" himself, and hunted the
city over for that box.
The day before Christmas the brigade to
which Sis regiment belonged was ordered out
on Reconnaissance. 1t was sloppy day. The
brigade went charging over the fields and tear
ing through the woods and thickets, sometimes
on the double-qHick, trying to catch squad of
rebel cavalry, and then creeping up to get the
bulge on some Of the enemy's pickets.
1t was late in the evening when the brigade
returned to camp. 81 thought he had never
been so tired before in his life. All day his
dropping spirits had been cheered by the hope
Of finding his box when he got back. But it
hadn't come, and this broke him up completely.
Eff was you wouldn't open yer box before
Christmas morpin'," said Shorty. as he and ST
stood around the fire, making coffee and frying
bacon for their supper. And what dye think
now about Bill Jimson's turkey n miuce-pie?"
81 didn't say anything. His grief was too
deep for ptterance. He didn't care whether
the old flag had any stars left at all or not.
Wet, weary, footsorc, and thoroughly disgusted,
he went to bed as soon as his hunger was ap-
peased. He curled up under his blanket and
was soon asleep dreaming of Christmas at home,
and mother, and Annabel, and turkey -stufing,
and plum-pudding, and things.
Hello, ST. wake up here! Merry Christmas
to YET"
1t was Shorty, routing out 81, soon after day
light. As soon as 81 opened his eyes he saw
his stockings, full of something or other, pinned