Maria passed the letter over to Si to read again, and without more ado opened the inclosure. As she did so, a glance of recognition of the handwriting flashed upon Shorty, and he started to take the letter from her, but felt ashamed to do so.
"Why, this is from a woman," said Maria, "and she writes an awful bad, scratchy hand." Being a woman's letter she was bound to read it without loss of time, and she did so:
"Bad Ax, Wis., Nov. 10.
"Capt. McGillicuddy.
"Dear Sir: I believe you command the company, as they call
it, in which there was a gentleman named Mr. Elliott. The
papers reports that he was kild at thfe battle of
Chickamaugy. I had some correspondence with him, and I sent
him my picture.
Would you kindly write me the particklers of his death, and
also what was done with sich letters and other things that
he had? I would very much like to have you return me my
letters and picture if you have them. Send them by express
to Miss Jerusha Briggs, at this plais, and I will pay the
charges. I will explain to you why I want them sent to a
difrunt naim than that which I sign. Upon learnin' of Mr.
Elliott's deth I excepted the addresses of Mr. Adams, whose
wife passed away last summer. You may think I was in a
hurry, but widowers always mene bizniss when they go
a-courtin', as you will know if ever you was a widower, and he
had two little girls who needed a mother's care. My husband
is inclined to be jelous, as widowers usually are, and I
don't want him to ever know nothin' about my letters to Mr.
Elliott, and him havin' my picture. I am goin' to ask you to
help me, as a gentleman and a Christian, and to keep this
confidential.
"Very respectfully,
"Mrs. Benj. F. Adams."
They all listened eagerly to the reading of the letter, and when it was finished looked for Shorty. But he had gone outside, where there was more air.
