The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-20

kissed the pleasant-faced niatron aud then
threw her arms about the neck of the tawny-
haired giant, who bent his head and kissed
her
See what it is to be named Smith-hum
-humph" he said, turning to Cleggie.
They all laughed. but Amy came back to
her lover, leaned her head on his breast and
wept, for only tears could express her happi-
ness.
Much interest was displayed in the an
nouncement made in all the newspapers Of the
city the next day that a young officer who
had just been released from Libby would he
married on the evening of the second day OF
the fair to be held for the benefit Of the
Christian Commission, which was doing SO
much for the sick and wounded of the great
army of liberty. Such fairs were q notable
feature of the time for the Commission was
one of tho great almOners of a Christian
peoples charity which was lavished unstint-
ed upon her smitten sons. Never before
had charity shone so bright upon the grizzed
| front of war. II was also intimatcd that the
President of the United States had declared
his intention to make present to the bride,
and that the retinue of bridesmaids and
groomsmen would be a distinguished one.
The next day extracts from the letters the
bride-elect had written to her lover while he
was prisoner of war were published When
they were written the cartel providing for
the exchange of prisoners had been sus
pended and the prospect of his relief was
gloomy enough But not a hint of this wa.
found in her letters. They breathed the
! highest and noblest patriotism, the hottest
trust and love. Everybody was in raptures
over the unknown heroine Only few knew
who the prospective bride was, and those few
| kept the secret well.
! week of busy preparation followed. For
/ tunatus Smith was one whose energies and
fortune had been unstintedly given TO the
support of this magnificent work OF patriotic
charity. Both he and his wife took to Cleggie
and his sweetheart as if they had been their
own children. A platoon OF bridesmaids and
! military groOmSInen followed them through
! the aisle which led between two living walls
Of thousands VINO had come especially to
witness the novel spectacle to their places
! beneath the great floral bell where stood the
benign bishop who had given his whole time
and effort to promote the work of the Com
mission.
F0rtunatus Smith gave away the bride,
military bands played the wedding march,
uniforms abOunded, flags were everywhere
When it was over {; wedding gift was handed
the bride from the President. What was it ?
! A commission for James Clegg as Major of
! Volunteers,
Then there were cheers and tears drum
| beat and cannon roar, and CIeggie was the
hero Of the hour-the same Cleggie who stood
penniless and friendless on the city's streets a
fortnight before!
Luck? l should think so. Majors
commission, swell wedding, and more
friends than he would have won in a life
time as plain Jennie Clegg, dropping
into his hands in a lump, all because he
took fancy to the name Of ''F. Smith 81
him just at the time when he wa, wondering
what would make drawing card for his
biz Christian Commission Fair. But Cleegie
deserved it, and no one envied him his luck
There was a month Of lettering through
bosky lanes and woodland roads, where the
air was heavy with the perfume OF blossom
ing trees ana then Cleggie went to his COM
mand with new ideal Of heaYcn in his
heart, while Amy waited sometimes with
old and sometimes with new friends for his
return.
1t was great send-off, but it did not stop
! there. When the war was over, and Cieggie
came home wearing a Colonel's straps. but
! with q hitch III his gait, because bit OF Con-
le,teiate she'll had insisted on its right Of way,
p. Smith q Co." took him in to represent
the Cor Ii is still f. Smith & Co, ;" but
only the Coz remains
! (TAe esA.)