d children in our midst
who have been driven from their once happy and prosperous homes by the
hated Yankees. Among them are many high-toned and respectable
families, whose pride shrinks from begging for bread, and who now live
a life of penury and starvation rather than become the mendicant. And
if even they bury delicacy at the mandate of stern Want, they are so
apt to be refused assistance by the heartless, that they imagine all
of our people alike, and fearing further refusal, shrink with natural
horror from a second rejection."

"This can be prevented," observed Harry. "Let the benevolent make it a
business to find out the suffering who are worthy of assistance, and
let such aid be given, not as charity, but as a duty we owe those who
have remained faithful to our cause, and abandoned their homes rather
than submit to the enemy. By so doing, we not only alleviate
hardships, but we render the soldier happy and contented to serve his
country. The knowledge that his family is protected by those at home,
and supplied with all that is necessary, will remove from his mind all
anxiety for their welfare. It will, besides, grasp them from the
clutches of the wretches who are speculating and extorting, and will
not only be an act of everlasting honor to those who perform this good
work, but will aid our cause as much as if the parties were serving in
the field. Many a man who now lies in the deserter's dishonored grave,
would have been this day sharing the glory of his country and been
looked upon as a patriot, had not his starving wife and children
forced him in an evil hour to abandon his post and go to them. It is
true, there is no excuse for the deserter, but where the human
affections are concerned, it is but natural that the soldier will feel
solicitous for the comfort of his wife and children."

"Something of that sort should, indeed, be done," remarked the doctor,
"and I believe there are many in our midst who would cheerfully aid in
this good work. I cannot believe that the majority of our people are
such inhuman characters as Elder and Swartz. It is true that these men
have a monopoly in our midst, so far as wealth is concerned, but it
would be wrong to blame the majority for the crimes of a few."

"The majority, if even good and charitable, are to blame," replied
Harry, firmly, "for if they outnumber the miserable creatures whose
sole thought is to amass wealth from the sufferings of our country, it
is their du