Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-20
Davis tent, which is presided over by
Private D. +. Mcleod of Co. C.

mail passes on its way to the soldiers
ana three times each day every man
IN the regiment expects a letter. II
thefe were as many letters as there
are calls, it would pay the government
10 establish a first-class postoffice
here.
The postoffice in question is a little
case, manufactured by the post carpen-
Ter containing many pigeon holes. The
letters are sorted by companies, and the
papers are also sorted by companies
INTO another pigeon hole in the case.
Inc mail carrier makes three trips
each day to and from the office, and
MS arrival in camp is looked for with
the greatest interest.
The mail is sorted by Postmaster
Mcleod, and in front of the tent there
is usually quite crowd who gather in
a manner that reminds one of a coun-
try postoflice, which is al little be-
fore mail time. until after it is dis
tributed or AL up" as they say, a
general loafing place, as well as a
trysting place for all lads and lasses
OF the village. Only in the case of the
camp, there are but few lasses.
When the mail is all sorted, there
comes a running fire Of calls for mail.
These few anxious ones out of the way.
the mail of each company is sent to
the captain or first sergeant, by the
adjutant's orderly
In short time many from the COM
panies, will begin to visit the postoffico
with eager questions, if the postmaster
is certain there is no mail for them,
that has been directed to the wrong
company, or got mixed in the miscel-
laneous mail. If a letter is found for
them they will go away happy to their
tent, or some secluded spot and devour
the contents with great eagerness. a
letter from home. or in fact from any
one. is more appreciated by these men.
than they ever supposed anyone could
appreciate a letter 1t is an oasis in
the day that all look forward to with
pleasure.
If no letter is found, the man viii
walk away in disheartened way that
plainly shows his disappointment. At
once there flashes through his mind,
to support such theories, thoughts that
there must be something wrong at
must be i'll, and they do not wish him
to know it, for fear he Will worry.
through his mind. Then why did not
she" write? Could it be possible that
he was out of her mind. since he was
out Of sight? Could it be that Jones
had stepped in with his cheeky, catchy
manner, and had surplanted him in
"ner" heart? 1t was but two weeks
ago since she said she would retain her
affections for him, until he got home;
but then girls are SO changeable that
and so his mind works on, conjuring up
disaster and sorrow. when perhaps the
next mail will bring him the much
wanted letters.
If the parents and sweethearts only
knew how the boys welcome letter,
they would write oftener. 1t is hard TO
be separated from home, but a letter
will go a long way toward consoling
one.
a word to the young lady friends
who may read this. Don't be too gush-
ing unless you are sure your letter is
properly directed, and is sealed, or you
will be sorry for it. \ letter was re-
ceived at the office a week or more
ago. addressed to a man who had gene
home. 1t was unsealed. and some
curious ones took a look at the CON
tents If ever there was sport made CT
anything, it was made of that letter.
by the crowd of boys who read it, and
that young man to whom it was sent
would probably have been wrathy if he
had been present. 1t is also possible
that the young miss VINO wrote the
letter, would have been mortified.
1t begun My own darling little
soldier boy" and that was tame COM
pared with the letter. She went on to
tell her love for him in glowing words,
and even resorted to the scriptures to
prove her statements.
MANY odd manners of sending letters
are seen. One fellow wrote to Dear
Folks" on a postal card. signing his
first name. but omitted the duty OF al
dressing the card. OF course it could
NOT be sent very inteligently, and no
one knows who mailed the postal.
Some anxious parents are anXl"uSiy
waiting for news of their boy. and he
s,nposing that they have received ms
Xrrtt q u