Page:The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life .djvu/252



were daily expecting orders to leave, and as Sanitary was distributing its blanks ready signed, giving a list of what still remained in their stores, I thought, for the benefit of our boys, I would give them a parting call, and leave something substantial to those who would not depart as soon as we.

They had quantities of provisions on hand, and were profuse in certain qualities. I asked for things to distribute amongst the different regiments at Tenlytown, and was refused, as I had no blanks to fill up. I was surprised, but I bided my time patiently, waiting to see what might arise in my favor.

A clerk came in with several rolls of the requisite papers, and laid them on the table close at my side. One roll slipped down to my hands, as quietly and directly as though spirit hands had directed it, and I accepted it as quietly, putting it under the cloak which I wore when riding in the ambulance, and leaving the place, well satisfied with my success.

Call it not appropriating what was not my own—I had only taken what would bring those men the very comforts which had been sent to them from