The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-06-02
rible SIMMER Of 'ol 10 Aunt James farm
home in the far west.

our letters had been sent away when
Uncle James brought home two letters
OF reply. With nervous haste tore
mine open and read the following in.
tcrcsting episte:
My deer miss Franklin
was orful glad ia sit a line from sum
body sides my own folkses. 1 was in the
battle OF Ball run an 1 run like a good
! Teller. Wall sence been sick IN this ere
hospital. rit potry bout the battle or Bull
| run ef yew rite IN me agin, Will send yew
the hui y varses Of my pome.
Yours trewly Jack Downs.
Civ below the fust varse sost yew KIN
sea its prime.
q tell yew that we legged II
When like rane the bullets fel
Yes, IL vas a big skedadole.
Sojers rushin here and thar pel-mel.
An that battle OF Bull run
VIII 80 down In histrys pages.
| Names OF heroes on tibet day
| VIII 90 thunderln' down the ages.
i've got a bullet the doctors nshed out CT
my back. SO i'm not likely 10 forgit IL.
Yewer Bull run sojer. Jack.
The contents of my letter excited
much mirth. but Helen left the room III
tears telling me 10 read hers. IL was
most touching line from a hospital
nurse. She enclosed Helen's letter say
ing she had just taken it from the dead
soldiers hands. "Send back her letter,
and tell her il helped and comforted a
dying soldier
Poor fellow!" wrote the nurse. "IIe
was MORALLY wounded in the battle of
Laurel Hill. lie leaves no wife or little
ones, since he entered the army short
ly after coming to our shores, mere
STRIPPING. from Europe. According TO
his dying wish, l return your letter
with his message, knowing that you
will rejoice that you sent it,
A few uneventful days passed in
which life to me was rendered most
miserable by the merciess teasing of
the whole family.
"How's you Bull Run Sojer?" was the
constant inquiry morning. noon and
night. Fearing they would see how il
leased me would tlippantly reply that
/ had written TO ascertain. Yes. i an
swered the ignorant boys letter. for
why should not my sympathies e. end
| TO such as he?
One day, soon after the noontide
meal. Molly, the help, rushed headlong
into the sitting-room. her hands adrip
with soapy dishwater. She excitedly
exclaimed: ''Oh. girls, just see
that splee-endid-looling so'jer a-tyin'
Smiths best livery TO the post. He
must be a gineral or a captain; my
goodness. if he amt a sumner. I'll
Ill bet tibet mustache of his'n can be
tied under his chn."
Indeed. he was a noble specimen OF
manhood, which a captains uniform
wonderfully became. Helen and Kitty
were so disconnected that had to re-
ceive him. FumbEng in his pockets, he
produced letter which he said was
bis only introduction. Sister Kate
blushcd n peony hue when she recog
nized at glance her letter sent so re-
Gently 10 languishing soldier.
Il was given furlough for this flesh
wound in my hand TO heal. Your kind
letter was forwarded TO my home in
Milwaukee. 1t being but few hours
ride by rail. / resolved to answer the
letter in person." with a merry twinkle
in his deep gray eyes.
.Show Mr.. Baldwin your Bull Run
sojer's' letter" said Helen, with mis-.
chievous smile.
We'll. here it is in my pocket, though
not very near my heart" said /. hand
ing him the amusing missive.
4 ringing laugh escaped him. and.
handing it back. he inquired if / had
''rit again?"
Certainly" l replied. with some as.
| pcrity. He is as deserving of our SYM
/ patty as an educated officer"
Very true. msdam. but Jack Downs
is an educated officer. j can but know.
since our mothers are sisters. He wears
first lieutcnant's uniform. We are in
the same regiment. though in different
companies. Being born humorist,
dare say he wrote as he did for fun. and
as test Of your sympathizing ability.
For the present. say nothing about me.
The next time he will doubtless address
you in his real character"
Capt. Baldwins visit proved extreme
~ pleasant. as he and uncle's family
learned that they had many mutual ac-
quaintances in the city. Before depart
ing he requested Kate to continue the
correspondence so auspiciously begun.
Why prolong this true tale? Ere a
year passed my Bull Run Sojer." Jack
Downs. and his handsome cousin. Can't.
baldwin. came to Cleveland. where an
unceremonious double wedding took
place.
All, then our all was ''at the 'front.'"
God was good to us. however, for our
three soldiers returned after the war,
unnamed, save for slight scars. Of
which we were justly proud. Poor
Cousin Helen's betrothed. neighbours
son. was killed in the battle of An
tietam. She Is dear war old maid"
NV veteran father. who is nearly an
octogcnarian, lives with me, and my
children never tire of grandpa's "war
experiences" which he takes such de-
light in relating. Dear Sister Kate has
long been soldiers widow. but her
noble sons take good care of her. And
still have my gray-haired "Bull Run
Sojcr" at my side.-The Banner of Gold.