Whose name was legion when they started forth,
Were now dispersed; o'er this broad land

From East to Western shores were widely scattered,
And resumed their peaceful avocations

In field or shop, as ere they went to war.
The clanking swords and sabers in quiet
Graced the wall, with gleaming bayonets sheathed;
The muskets now in dusty corners stacked,
Rested, and rusty grew, while, bent to duty,
The patient shoulders where they had been borne,
Were placed to move the wheels of honest industry
Which once more sang, with an unceasing hum
The song of peaceful labor, honest toil.
As erst my muse declared was warfare ended,
And e'en a twelve month, too, had passed away,
Since "Grand Review" and final muster out;
When a strange germ in memory's garden grew;
For months this tender thought had lain, deep hid,
Like a spring flower that sleeps 'neath wintry snows
Till balmy seasons call its tendrils forth;
Thus mem'ry touched the germ in many hearts
And woke Fraternal feeling in the breast

Of comrades who had shared the weary march;
From same canteen had quaffed the cooling drink,
Assuaging thirst intense, of famished men,
Who, shoulder to shoulder, had met the foe;
Where fiercest carnage raged had borne the brunt,
And had together faced its scenes of horror.
Then midst the loyal lads o'er all the "States"
In field and shop, and busy mart wide severed,
The feeling grew, a yearning unsuppressed,
To see and greet again those fellow soldiers.
This longing found expression and reply;
Some met, were thrilled with joy, and organized
This loyal, true, and mighty brotherhood,

"Grand Army of Republic." Thus was formed

The nucleus small of numbers few,

Round which now stand two hundred thousand comrades.

Loyalty was its test and basis firm,

And with Fraternity presided there;

These two were wed, and from this union true,

Came Charity, which greater is than all.

These soldiers' hearts are swayed by unseen motors; They are united by a wondrous tie;

A mystic link inured by battles dared,

Strong joined, aye, welded too, by dangers shared. By camp-fires lighted in a thousand towns,

Do comrades bring the wealth of memory's stores; The symbols keep of war's vicissitudes;

Join hands in holy realm of sympathy,

And annually the “Grand Encampment" meets,
And year by year grows large with added numbers.
So shall this order prosper, lifted o'er

All party wrangle or dissension's strife,
And gather hosts of veteran recruits,

Till ten years pass-fast fall the soldiers old-
And then shall surely come the lessening ranks,
With no more volunteers from whom to choose;
Then one by one shall all be mustered out,
Yet, answer to a glorious reveille,

And join the comrades who have gone before.
In Heaven shall gather an army grand,

To form one universal brotherhood." "

(History continued on pages 347 to 404.

CAMP-FIRE XXII.

A ROMANCE OF THE WAR-A STORY STRANGE BUT TRUEWHAT AN INSANE FISHERMAN CAUGHT.

ATHERED together this evening-a very comfortable one-the veterans chatted miscellaneously for a time before commencing business. Finally the commander fired up the pipe of peace, and then called the assembly to order. But in his eagerness to proceed with the chats he somehow forgot to pass the pipe around, thereby totally disregarding the traditionary custom of his majesty, the redskin. Since it was the commander who abused the tradition, the comrades each concluded to light a pipe for himself, after which Captain M-k spoke:

"In the summer of 1862 our regiment was stationed along the line of railroad from Decatur to Courtland, Alabama. Small parties of us, from time to time, went out foraging on our own account, and on one of these expeditions I had an adventure which had never recurred to my mind until an event which happened a few years after the war recalled it forcibly.

"After the cessation of hostilities there was considerable talk throughout the North of forming colonies to settle in the West and South. Well, I got the 'colony fever' and conceived the idea of getting up a colony to settle in Northern Alabama, probably near our old stamping ground.

"With this project in view I went from Chicago to Decatur, Alabama, and from there by rail still further South toward the Black Warrior River. Reaching my journey's end

I concluded to return on horseback by a round-about way, and visit some of the back country; so I hired a horse and started out, first gathering information as to where I could find accommodations on the road, for houses and settlers are very scarce in that part of the world, so that it behooves a traveler to get his 'points' before setting out on a journey. My calculation was to reach the house of a certain settler at about seven o'clock in the evening. Seven o'clock came, but no settler's house in sight;-eight o'clock-nine o'clock-ten o'clock, and still no house to be seen.

"By this time I was thoroughly convinced that I had lost my way. I was tired out, and my horse was completely jaded. I rode on about an hour, and at last to my supreme delight I spied a light which I made for at once. I found that it proceeded from the window of a log cabin to which I rode up, and dismounting and hitching my horse, I attempted to enter the yard, when three savage dogs with angry growls disputed my further advance. But I finally succeeded in safely reaching the porch. I gave a knock on the door which roused the proprietor of the place, whereupon the following dialogue ensued, through the closed door:

"Who's there?'

"A traveler who has lost his way.'

"What do you want?'

"I want accommodation for myself and horse till morning.' "Well, you can't stay here. I don't keep tavern.' "How far is it to the next house?'

"Seven miles.'

"It's not possible for me to go seven miles, for my horse is completely tired out.'

"I can't help that; my wife is sick, and I can't have you around.'

"Can't you give me some feed for my horse, and a blanket for myself? I'll sleep on the porch.'

"After considerable parleying and urging, this request was finally granted. Soon the door opened and a tall, powerful man emerged, carrying a lantern which he held squarely in my face for a moment in order to get a good look at me, after which he led the way to the stable, where he groomed and fed my horse, and then we returned to the house.

"At the porch I halted, expecting him to go in and get me a blanket; but as he entered the door he said:

"Come in, stranger; I want to talk to you.'

"I entered the cabin and sat down. He threw a few pine knots upon the smoldering fire and soon a bright blaze illumined the room. Then placing himself squarely in front of me, and giving me a searching look, he demanded in an imperious manner:

666

Now, stranger, I want to know who you are, and what is your business in these parts?'

"I have already told you that I am a traveler looking for a suitable location to establish a colony from the North.'

"Looking for land, hey! Going to establish a colony? Now, stranger, that story is altogether too thin! Men don't go round at midnight hunting land. Now tell me the truth-who are you, and w' are you after?'

"I have already told ou who I am, and my business; and if you don't believe it is not my fault.'

Again he searc' gly eyed me, and then with an earnest emphasis, said:

6666

Strange you have been in these parts before!

"Yes.'

"You were a Yankee soldier, then?

"Yes.'

"In 1862, and stationed near Decatur?'

"Yes.'

"While out foragin' one day with another Yankee you stumbled into Roddy's confederate cavalry camp; but before you were discovered you turned back and escaped?'