and loved the sinner while
he hated the sin. Such a person could not fail to win the respect of his
companions. Though he had been jeered at and insulted for being sober,
honest, and pious, he had fought down and lived down all these vilifiers,
and won their esteem.

It must be acknowledged that Tom's piety was of the robust type. He would
not allow any man to insult him; and after the chastisement he had given
Ben Lethbridge, not even those who were strong enough to whip him were
disposed to trespass upon his rights and dignity. Perhaps Tom's creed
needed a little revising; but he lived under martial law, which does not
take cognizance of insults and revilings. He was willing to be smitten on
the one cheek, and on the other also, for the good of his country, or even
his friends, but not to be wantonly insulted.

The influence of Tom's principles was not confined to himself, for "a
little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." This was particularly true of
Hapgood, who, more through Tom's preaching and practice than from any
strength in his own character, had steadily maintained his purpose to
abstain from intoxicating drinks, though occasional opportunities were
presented for the indulgence of his darling vice. Tom and he read the
Testament and other good books which were sent to the regiment, and both
profited by them.

When the soldier boy was discharged from the hospital, the surgeon gave
him a pair of woolen socks, from a case of them which had been sent by the
friends of the soldier in Boston and its vicinity. He was very much in
need of them, and from the depths of his heart he blessed the ladies who
had done this good work. He unrolled the socks, and proceeded to pull one
of them on. It was as good a fit as though his mother had knit it on
purpose for him.

"God bless the lady that knit these socks!" exclaimed Tom, as he began to
draw on the other.

"Amen!" replied Hapgood, who was watching the operation in full sympathy
with his protege.

"Eh! what's this?" added Tom, for his foot had met with an obstruction in
its passage down the leg.

He pulled off the sock, and thrusting his hand into it, took therefrom a
letter enclosed in an envelope.

"See that, uncle?" said he, exhibiting the prize.

"What is it, Tom? Open it quick," replied Hapgood.

The soldier boy broke the envelope, and took from it a note enclosing a
photograph. Tom looked at the picture with a feeling of pleasure, which
would have caused t