Page 48 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

" I’m goiiV to give my dolly if they will give; me my
papa,M she said, gravely, as if she understood tht: equality oi
the exchange.
“ Suppose you give a kiss instead ? " There was a sec­
ond of hesitation, and then she put up her little face, anti
the old General dropped on one knee in the road and lifted

her in his arms, doll and all.
" Gentlemen,1' he said to his staff, 11 you behold the future
defenders of the Union.”
The little ones were coaxed home, and that afternoon, as

Colonel Stafford was expecting to leave the camp for W ash­
ington with a lot of prisoners, a despatch was brought in to
General Denby, who read it*
" Colonel,'’ he said, addressing him, ** 1 think I shall have
to continue your parole a few days longer. 1 have just
received information that, by a special cartel which I have

arranged, you are to be exchanged for Colonel McDowell as
soon as he can reach the lines at this point from Richmond ;
and meantime, as we have but indifferent accommodations
here, I shall have to request you to consider Holly Hill as

your place of confinement. W ill you be so kind as to con­
vey my respects to Mrs. Stafford, and to your young hero
Bob, and make good my word to those two little commis­
sioners of exchange, to whom I feel somewhat committed?
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Y ear,"