Page 27 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

!' M y D e a r e s t G r a n d p a p a : I w a n t to see you v e ry m u c h , 1 send
y o u a C h r is t m a s gift. I m a d e it m y se lf. I h o p e to get a w h o le lot o f dulls
an d o t h e r presents- T love y o u , I send you a ll thesu k isse s * . . .
................................... You must kiss them,
1,1 Your loving litti-e granddaughter,
“ L il y “

When he had finished reading the letter the old veteran

gravely lifted it to his lips and pressed a kiss on each of the
little spacer so carefully dra^vn by the childish hand.
When he had done he took out his handkerchief and
blew his nose violently as he walked up and down the room.
He even muttered something about the fire smoking. Then
ho sat down once more at his table, and placing the little

letter before him, began to write. As he wrote, the fire
smoked more than ever, and the sounds of revelry outside
reached him ill a perfect uproar; but he no longer frowned,
and when the strains of " D ix ie 1 came in at the window,

sung in a clear, rich, mellow solo, he sat back in his chair
and listened ;

“ i wish I were in Dixie, awLajr, a^vay ;
In Dixie's land I'll take my stand,
T o live and die for Dixie hud,

Away, aivay, away down South in Dixie ! "

sang the beautiful voice, full and sonormfs.
When the song ended, there was an outburst of applause,
and shouts apparently demanding some other song, which was
refused, for the noise grew to a tumult. The General rose