when the colonel had a law office in Peoria. Ill.--and before the close
of the late war of the rebellion--a thinly clad, middle-aged, lady-like
woman came into his office and asked assistance, "My good woman, why do
you ask it?" "Sir, my husband is a private in the --th Illinois
infantry, and stationed somewhere in Virginia, but I do not know where
as I have not heard from him for nearly six months, although previous
to that time I seldom failed to get a letter from him as often as once
a week, and whenever he received his pay the most of his money came to
me. To tell the truth, I do not know whether he is living or not. But
one thing I do know, I do not hear from him. I have seven children to
provide for, but no money in the house, not a particle of bread in the
pantry, nor a lump of coal in the shed, and the landlord threatening to
turn us out in the storm. This city pledged itself to give wives a
certain sum monthly, providing they consented to their husband's
responding to the call of the President for troops, but, disregarding
these pledges, we and our children are left to starve and freeze, and
to be turned out of our houses and homes by relentless landlords. Now,
sir, can you tell me what I am to do?

The Colonel drew his bandanna from his great coat pocket, lightly
touched his eyes with it, and rising to his feet, pointed to a
chair--"Sit down, madame, and remain till I return. I will be back in
a few minutes." He picked up a half-sheet of legal-cap and a pencil,
and departed for the law and other offices of the building--of which
there were several. Entering the first that appeared, "Good morning,
Smith, give me half-a-dollar." "Well, now, colonel, you are--" "Never
mind if I am--I must have it!" It came. He entered another. "Hello!
colonel, what's new?" "I want a half-dollar from you!" "What for?"
"None of your business--I want the money." He got it. He entered a
third. "Hello, Bob! Anything new on eter--" "Never mind, I must have
fifty cents!" "But--" "But nothing, Jones, give me what I ask for."
Of course he got what he asked for. So on through fourteen offices,
from which he obtained $7. Returning to his office, he put his hand in
his own pocket and drew forth a $5 note, and handed the woman $12.
"Take this, my good woman, and make it go as far as you can. If you
obtain relief from no other source, call on me again and I will do the
best I can for you!" And still Col. Ingersoll is styl