Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-18

side down looking for the old brass
candlestick that Aunt Mary told us
Rbout at tee last evening. I couldn't
find it; / think some collector must
have it by this tima. But you can't
guess what | found. In overhauling
your old papers I came across a letter
written by a Confederate soldier in
July, 1864, while Sherman was max
ing his march to the sea. The letter
is so touching, so manly, just letter
of homesick boy to his mother. 1t
is most interesting. I wonder you
never told me about it. On the enve-
lope is written: Captured at Roding,
Mississippi, July 81, 1864, with a
large Confederate mail 1t is direct
ed to Mrs. Henry Darling, Shirley,
Georgia. Oh, it is long letter. He
was brave, good fellow, but he was
not fond Of war;.
The speaker was young girl of
seventeen, bright, graceful and even
beautiful. Her features were nearly
perfect, her hair blonde and wavy and
the expression Of her strong, intellect
ual face showed that she was in com
plete sympathy with the tone of the
soldiers letter. Her sweet, womanly
manner and the corresponding gentle
graces gave one at first acquaintance
with her lasting and most favorable
impression.
The father had laid aside his paper
to listen to the low music of his
daughters voice as she enthusiastic-
ally told the story of the letter, think
ing more of the beautiful picture she
unknowingly presented and of the
great comfort she was to him in his
old age.
"lell me about the capture of the
letter, father" she said.
MY dear, it is so long time ago,
] don't remember the circumstances
clearly. We captured large Confed-
crate mail and the letters were scat
tered among the soldiers as souvenirs.
This one came in my way and I sent
it home as a curiosity. 1 had for
gotten all about it."
She had found out all her father
knew Of the matter, and so Miss Nor
Ian went to her room to re-read the
letter which had touched her heart
And she wove a pretty romance about
the writer of this manly letter.
Il wonder what was the fate of this
noble fellow?-he may still be living, "
she said. Then she murmured aloud,
baIf startled at the thought, 'I'll
write to him. No, that would be un-
maidenly. But surely l can send the
letter to his poor old mother. Let
me see. Oh, know what I'll do, I'll
write to the postmaster at Shirley;
he'll tell me ii such a person lives
there. It's not impossible.
She fastened down to the library
and wrote the note, saying she wished
to communicate with the person con-
corning an incident OF the late war.
1t was not long before she received a
reply-very briefly from the soldiers s
brother, saying: "My brother George
was killed at Atlanta, July %, 1864. "
On comparing dates she found that
the brother was killed two days after
the Confederate mail had been cap,
tured, and this letter was the last
loving message of the soldier to his
| mother.
ii my readers will trust this kind,
beautiful woman to do all in her
power to make persons happy, leave
her for a little and let her see the
Southern home at Shirley.
"Well, Fred this is strange" said
Mr.. Darling, as he sat down in an
easy chair.
"What is it, father?'
"Thirty-three years have passed
since my brother George was killed al
Atlanta, and here is note that the
postmaster gave to me. :"
LET me see it, father. I'm in
terested. Are you going to answer
it,"
'T have already written and told
her that he was killed at Atlanta.
''I'm glad you answered the note,
said Fred. "Who can tell what may
come of it?"
The father and son talked about The