Year: 1864

Mrs. Holdon was a very economical woman,
perhaps some people would call her stingy;
but she was not selfish, aud though she was
very saving, that virtue was praetieed chiefly
with herself And truly economy and geuer-
osity are not foes, they are half sisters; one
gathers that the other may distribute. Mr.
Holden was Lieutenant in veteran regi-
ment.


How anxious she felt about him: be had
been in each hard battle, yet he had passed
through all unharmed. She was thankful for
that, and felt that it was more than she de-
served. Every week brought at least one
loving letter, but the last one she received
troubled her greatly, for he needed clothing.
he said, and wished she would get it and send
very soon. "Use your own judgment" he
wrote, "you know what like" Yes, she did
know, but could she find the exact color and
quality? She searched all the stores 10 their
own town, and half in despair started to a
large establishment several miles away. Such
cold day The snow was so deep, the wind
50 piercing, the lines so icy, flor she was alone
in the sleigh,) that her fingers we're numb
To tell the truth, her wooden gloves were full
of little holes, moth eaten That was not her
fault, she knew that her good ones were going
around town on the hands of some one who
was not the owner, and in her haste she picked
up pair of old ones. She did resolve to get
a new pair when she entered the store, but on
finding some cloth that was really what she
wanted, the high price so astonished her that
she dropped all thought OF new gloves. She
could patch nicely with lanael, and they would
be just as good for driving, SO she could save
two shillings That would buy enough to
save mans life perhaps, so she felt happy in
patching the gloves.


The clothes were made, sent, and received,
and bis thanks perfectly satisfied his wife Be-
sides, she thought he had become so used to
a soldiers life that be would not care if his
collar was trife too wide. or bis sleeves too
long. Foolish woman! If she had seen him
sitting before round glass, about three inches
wide, pulling at those very collars she would
have Known that neatness is not strangled
dead by life in the army.


Spring came, and summer, but on such
dreary daysI Mr.. Holden had lived through
hard campaign, for we all know how General
Steele failed to join Banks, and both Eetreated
with losses that made many northern home





came rumors that he was wounded. and dead,
yet twas only rumor, and after two weeks
Of great anguish came letter in his own dear
writing. Only little flesh wound, be said,
and be was almost well. Do you think she
was not thankful then The weeks few by
like hours after that. Husband was safe
Then the battle of the wilderness turned all
eyes to the Potomac. Capt. Ample was miss
ing. Oh, how his wife's heart sank at those
words. 10 be sure people tried to comfort
her "If be is dead be is out of the army; if
living you viii soon hear from him." Mrs
Ample smiled in spite of her grief and said,
'you have no one in the army, or you would
understand how / feel" "Oh, well, no use of
fretting."


When Mrs. Holden heard of Mrs. Ample's
distress her heart was stirred, for she kne1g
what it was to wait for letter, and knew it
was possible that she had the last letter the
loved hand would ever send. Mrs. Ample
knew Mrs. Holden well in their girhood, and
felt as if she could say something that would
cheer her. She did wish she would tell her if
she thought she would ever hear from her
husband. Before she got the message Mrs.
Holden had resolved 10 go to her and offer
such comforl she could: nov she must go,
and go she did. The mercnry ran up to ninety
six in the shade that day, and there was many
a mile between their two homes, but she did
not mind that. Mrs. Ample was so glad to
see her, and smiled and talked as cheerfully as
ever, and full fifteen minutes passed before
Capt. Ample was mentioned


Now Mrs. Holdon had been told that M M-e
Ample would talk about nothing but husband
from morning till night, but she could remem-
Der the time when she liked 10 talk about her
husband, and determined that Mrs. Ample
should be gratifed for once. But the hostess
inquired about Lieut. HoldoO, and was great
ly pleased to hear of his safety, aud SO Mrs. /
Holden spoke first about Capt. Ample Then
she sat still and listened while her friend told
of the time he was missing, how long it had
been, and how she was frightened every time |
she got a letter lest it brought bad news.


alt has been a long time, That is certain,
yet not quite as long as it was before | heard
from Mr.. Holdon." She did not dare suy it
lacked but one day and half of that memoir |
able time; it might sadden her heart, and per
haps the next day might bring good news
She went on speaking in a soft low tone that
WIS 6OOlulUS ~ MIS-. pic 6AClltu ueFECS. /
al lay awake many night and counted the
days on my fingers, and finally went to sleep
thinking the next day would surely bring
letter. Yet hardly dared TO hope for good
news; you know how painful that feeling is. !"


''Yes do; got letter the other day and
scarcely could open it for fear it would say he
was dead


After they had talked till Mrs. Ample had
said all she wanted about husband, she set the
table for lea. 1t was sundown when that was
finished, and Mrs. Holden must go home, and
Mrs. Ample tied up the strap while she step
ped into the buggy, and told her she was so
glad she came. She smiled at her and in her
heart wished her much happiness, but she only
said al am sure you will soon get letter"


And Mrs. Ample did. Capt. Ample had
been captured and escaped, and had just got
back within the federal lines. A week later
Mrs. Holdon met her friend in a shop in her
own village. Mrs. Ample was very hand
semey dressed, too much SO the other lady
thought. "Hsd she heard from Lieut.. II. late
ly ?'' She had not, but the mail would soon be
in and she did so hope to get a letter from him.
81 hope you WILL" Mrs. Ample said and Mrs
Holdon said ''thank you," and she did really
thank her too, because she felt sure sincere
wish was expressed, though in somewhat fash
ionable tones. She soon got a letter in Johns
own writing, but it brought both bad aud