Page 46 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

the (ire in the Holly Hill parlor, with Evelyn nestled in his
lap, hep dolly clasped elose to her bosom, and in the absence
of Colonel Stafford, told Mrs. Stafford the story of the open-
ing of the package by the camp-fire. The tears welled up

into Mrs, Stafford’s eyes and ran down her cheeks.
Charlie suddenly entered, in all the majesty of his new
breeches, and sword buckled on hip. He saw his mother's
tears. His little face flushed. In a second his sword wras

out, and he struck a hostile attitude.
" You shaJn't make my nuimma cry 1” he shouted.
' “ Charlie' C h arlie!” cried Mrs. Stafford, hastening to
stop him,
" M y papa said 1 was not to let any one make you cry/’

insisted the boy. stepping before his mother, and still keeping
hid angry eyes on the General.
“ Oh. Charlie ! 31 Mrs. Stafford took hold of him. “ I am
ashamed of you 1— to be so rude !"

“ Let him alone, madam," said the General. " I t is not
rudeness; it is spirit— the spirit of our race. He has the
soldiers blood, and some day he will be a soldier himself,
and a brave one. 1 shall count on him for the Union,” lie
said, with a smile.

Mrs, Stafford shook her head,
A fewr days later, Colonel Stafford, in accordance with
an understanding, came over to General Denby’s camp, and
reported to be sent on to Washington as a prisoner of war.

The General was absent on the lines at the time, but was