Page 40 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

“ M y father, Colonel Stafford, is at home, concealed, and

the Yankees have taken possession of the house*”
“ W e ll? " said the major, looking down at him as if
casually.
M H e cannot escape, and lie lias on citizen's clothes,
and—” Bob’s voice choked suddenly as he gazed at the
major's uniform.

"W ell ?" The prisoner for a second looked sharply down
at the boy's earnest face. Then he put his hand under his
chin, and lifting it, looked into his eyes. Bob shivered and
a sob escaped him.

The major placed his hand firmly on his knee, M Why,
you are wringing wet/1 he said, aloud. " 1 wonder you art:
not frozen to death,” He rose and stripped off his coau
“ Here, get into this;” and before the boy knew it the major
had bundled him into his coal, and rolled up the sleeves so
that Bob could use his hands. The action attracted the

attention of the rest of the group, and several of the Yankees
offered to take the boy and give him dry clothes.
“ No, sir," laughed the m ajor: ' ‘ this hoy is a rebel. Do
von think he will wear one of your Yankee suits? H e’s a

little major, and I'm going to give him a m a jo r's uniform,"
In a minute he had stripped- off his trousers, and was
helping Bob into them* standing himself in his underclothes
in the icy air. The legs were three times too long for the
boy, and the waist came up to his armpits.

"N o w go home to your mother,” said the major, laughing