Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-06-28

teresting epistle:
Ny deer miss Franklin
was orful glad TIA git lire from sum
body sides my own folkses. was In the
| battle Of Bull run an / run like a good
/ Teller Wall sence I been sick IN this ere
| hospital, ! rit potry bout the battle OF Bull
! run e. yew rite tn me agin, ! win send yeW
! the hui 8 yarses Of my pome.
Yours trewly Jack Downs.
| postscrip
! / Civ below the fust varse sost yew kin
sea its prime.
! OF tell yew that we legged II
! When like rane the bullets fel
Yes, II was a big skedaddle,
Sojers rushin here and thar pel-mel,
An that battle Of Bull run
VIII go down in histrys pages,
Names or heroes on thet day
VIII 60 thunderin' down the ages.
I've got q bullet the doctors hshed out OF
my back, 50 i'm not likely to forgit IL.
Yewer Bull run sojer, Jack.
The contents of my letter excited
much mirth, but Helen left the room in
tears telling me 20 read hers. 1t was a
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. He
was mortally wounded in the battle OF
Laurel Hin. He leaves no wife or little
ones, since he entered the army short
ly after coming to our shores, a mere
STRIPPING from Europe. According &c
his dying wish, return your letter
with his message, knowing that you
viii rejoice that you sent IT,"
A few uueventful days passed i'm |
which life 10 me was rendered most |
miserable 10y the merciless 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 l would flippantly reply that
l had written TO ascertain. Yes, | an
swered the ignorant boys letter, for
why should not my sympathies extend
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-eudid-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. Ill
I'll bet thet mustache of hisn can be
tied under his chin!"
Indeed, he was noble specimen OF
which a captains uniform
became. Helen and Kitty
we're so disconnected that l had 10 re-
'eive him. FumbHng in his pockets, he
a letter which he said was
lis only introduction. Sister Kate .
Flushed peony hue when she recog.
lized at a glance her letter sent so re-
emily to languishing soldier.
Il was given a furlough for this flesh ]
wound in my hand TO heal. Your kind
etter was forwarded to my home in {
1t being but a few hours
ide by rail, l resolved TO answer the !
etter in person." with a merry twinkle ]
n his deep gray eyes. I
show Mr.. Baldwin your Bull Run I
ojer's' letter." said Helen, with mis- /
hievous smile. '
Wei, here it is in my pocket, though q
lot very near my heart!" said !, hand
ng him the amusing missive. c
4 ringing laugh escaped him, and.
landing it back, he inquired if l had 6
rit again. Q
Certainly" l replied, with some as. s
'erity. He is as deserving of our sym I
'athy as an educated officer" Q
Very true, madam, but Jack Downs Q
an educated officer. l can but know. I
ince our mothers are sisters. He wears 1
first lieutenant's uniform. We are in a
he same regiment, though in different y
1mpanies. Being a born humorist. I /
are say he wrote as he did for fun. and il
S test of your sympathizing ability. 4
or the present, say nothing about me. /
he next time he will doubtless address
GU in his real character"
Capt, Baldwin's visit proved extreme >
pleasant, as he and uncle's family :,
earned that they had many mutual ac- :
.uaintances in the city. Before depart
lg he requested Kate to continue the
so auspiciously begun. G
Why prolong this true tale? Ere y
ear passed my Bull Run Soier," Jack
Downs, and his handsome cousin. Can't.
baldwin, came to Cleveland, where an
double wedding took
lace. ,
All, then our all was "at the 'front.'"
iod was good to US, however, for our f
hree soldiers returned after the war.
save for slight scars. Of 7
which we were justly proud. Poor .
ousin Helen's betrothed, a neighbor's
on, was killed in the battle Of An
ietsm. She is a dear war old maid"
iy veteran father, who is nearly an
ctogenarian, lives with me, and nv
hildren never tire Of grandpa's war
experiences which he takes such de-
ight in relating. Dear Sister Kate has
ong been a soldiers widow. but her
lobie sons take good care Of her. And ,
still have my gray-haired Bull Run !
'oJer' at my side.-The Banner Of Gold. /,
Byron's Queer Punch Bowl. i,
The curse supposed to rest on New
tead abbey which Pvror, ;rI.,-f+,a