"Open it and see who it's from," said Si.
"The man writes a mighty nice hand," said Maria, scanning the superscription. "Just like that man that taught writing-school here last Winter. It can't be from him, can it? Didn't s'pose there was anybody in your company that could write as well as that. Look, Si, and see if you can tell whose handwritin' it is."
"O, open it, Maria," groaned Si, "and you'll likely find his name writ somewhere inside."
"Don't be so impatient. Si," said Maria, feeling around for a hair-pin with which to rip open the envelope. "You're gittin' crosser'n two sticks since you're gittin' well."
"He certainly does write a nice hand," said Maria, scanning the inclosure deliberately. "Just see how he makes his d's and s's. All his up-strokes are light, and all his down ones are heavy, just as the writing-master used to teach. And his curves are just lovely. And what a funny name he has signed. J. T. No; I. T. No; that's a J, because it comes down below the line. M-c-G-i-l-l—I can't make out the rest."
"McGillicuddy; ain't that it?" said Si eagerly. "It's from Capt. McGillicuddy. Read it, Maria."
"McGillicuddy. Well, of all the names!" said that deliberate young woman. "Do you really mean to say that any man has really such a name as that?"
"'Mandy, take that letter away from her and read it," commanded Si.
"Well, I'm goin' to read your old letter for you, if you'll just gi' me time," remonstrated Maria. "What are you in such a hurry for, old cross-patch? Le' me see:
"Headquarters, Co. Q, 200th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
"Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 20, 1863.
"Sergeant Josiah Klegg.
"Dear Klegg: I have not heard from you since you left, but I
am going to hope that you are getting well right along. All
the boys think of you and Shorty, and send their love and
their hopes that you will soon be back with us. We all miss
you very much.
"I have some good news for you and Shorty. On my
recommendation the Colonel has issued a special order
promoting you Sergeant and Shorty Corporal, for gallant and
meritorious services at the battle of Chickamauga, in which
you captured a rebel flag. The order was read on parade this
evening. So it is Sergeant Klegg and Corporal Elliott
hereafter, and they will be obeyed and respected
accordingly. You will take poor Pettibone's place, and
Elliott will take Harney's.
"I do not know where Elliott is, but expect that he is with
you. If so, give him the news, and also the inclosed letter,
which came to me. If not, and you know where he is, write
him.
"Write me as soon as you can. We are all getting along very
well, especially since Grant came up and opened our cracker
line. My little hurt is healing nicely, so that I can go
about with a cane. We are all getting ready to jump old
Bragg on Mission Ridge, and I am going to do my best to go
along at the head of Co. Q, though I have been Acting Major
and Lieutenant-Colonel since I got up.
"Regards to your father, and believe me, sincerely your
friend,
"J. T. MCGILLICUDDY,
"Captain, Co. Q, 200th Ind. Inf. Vols."