one for
J.); four pairs socks (two for me and two for J.); five pounds
Killickinick smoking tobacco; one pound bi-carb. soda. Please send
also two or three old church music books, and any good books you are
willing to part with forever. Underclothing of any sort, shirts,
drawers, socks,--cotton or woollen,--would be very, very acceptable,
as it is much less trouble to put on the clean and throw away the
soiled clothes than to wash them. Some coffee, roasted and ground,
with sugar to match, and _anything good to eat_ would do to fill up.
Do not imagine, however, that we are suffering or unhappy. Our only
concern is for all at home; and if compliance with the above requests
would cost you the slightest self-denial at home, we would rather
withdraw them.

Why don't ---- and ---- go into the army? They are old enough, hearty
enough, able to provide themselves with every comfort, and ought to
be here.

Many furloughs will be granted during the winter, and we may get
home, some of us, before another month is past.

Love to mother, dear mother; and to sister, and tell them we are
happy and contented. Write as soon as you can, and believe me, Your
affectionate son,

---- ---- ----.

P.S. Don't forget the tobacco. W.

And now another night comes to the soldier, inviting him to nestle in
clean straw, under dry blankets, and sleep. To-morrow he will lay the
foundation of a village destined to live till the grass grows again.
To-morrow he will be architect, builder, and proprietor of a cosy cabin
in the woods. Let him sleep.

A pine wood of heavy original growth furnishes the ground and the
timber. Each company is to have two rows of houses, with a street
between, and each street is to end on the main road to the railroad
depot. The width of the street is decided; it is staked off; each
"mess" selects its site for a house, and the work commences.

The old pines fall rapidly under the energetic strokes of the axes,
which glide into the hearts of the trees with a malicious and cruel
willingness; the logs are cut into lengths, notched and fitted one upon
another, and the structure begins to rise. The builders stagger about
here and there, under the weight of the huge logs, occasionally falling
and rolling in the snow. They shout and whistle and sing, and are as
merry as children at play.

At last the topmost log i