Not a romantic offering , certainly , but a very acceptable one , as Joe 's face proved , as we scrambled these treasures into his pockets , all laughing at the flurry , while less fortunate comrades helped us , with an eye to a share of these fragrant luxuries by and by . There was just time for this , a hearty shake of the big hand , and a grateful `` Good-by , ma'am ; '' then the word was given , and they were off . Bent on seeing the last of them , Tom and I took a short cut , and came out on the wide street down which so many troops marched that year ; and , mounting some high steps , we watched for our man , as we already called him . As the inspiring music , the grand tramp , drew near , the old thrill went through the crowd , the old cheer broke out . But it was a different scene now than in the first enthusiastic , hopeful days . Young men and ardent boys filled the ranks then , brave by instinct , burning with loyal zeal , and blissfully unconscious of all that lay before them . Now the blue coats were worn by mature men , some gray , all grave and resolute : husbands and fathers , with the memory of wives and children tugging at their heart-strings ; homes left desolate behind them , and before them the grim certainty of danger , hardship , and perhaps the lifelong helplessness worse than death . Little of the glamour of romance about the war now : they saw it as it was , a long , hard task ; and here were the men to do it well . Even the lookers-on were different now . Once all was wild enthusiasm and glad uproar ; now men 's lips were set , and women 's smileless as they cheered ; fewer handkerchiefs whitened the air , for wet eyes needed them ; and sudden lulls , almost solemn in their stillness , followed the acclamations of the crowd . All watched with quickened breath and brave souls that living wave , blue below , and bright with a steely glitter above , as it flowed down the street and away to distant battle-fields already stained with precious blood . `` There he is ! The outside man , and tallest of the lot . Give him a cheer , auntie : he sees us , and remembers ! '' cried Tom , nearly tumbling off his perch , as he waved his hat , and pointed out Joe Collins . Yes , there he was , looking up , with a smile on his brave brown face , my little nosegay in his button-hole , a suspicious bulge in the pocket close by , and doubtless a comfortable quid in his mouth , to cheer the weary march . How like an old friend he looked , though we had only met fifteen minutes ago ; how glad we were to be there to smile back at him , and send him on his way feeling that , even in a strange city , there was some one to say , `` God bless you , Joe ! '' We watched the tallest blue cap till it vanished , and then went home in a glow of patriotism , -- Tom to long for his turn to come , I to sew vigorously on the gray gown the new nurse burned to wear as soon as possible , and both of us to think and speak often of poor Joe Collins and his Lucindy . All this happened long ago ; but it is well to recall those stirring times , -- to keep fresh the memory of sacrifices made for us by men like these ; to see to it that the debt we owe them is honestly , gladly paid ; and , while we decorate the graves of those who died , to remember also those who still live to deserve our grateful care . II I never expected to see Joe again ; but , six months later , we did meet in a Washington hospital one winter 's night .
A train of ambulances had XXXXX their sad freight at our door , and we were hurrying to get the poor fellows into much needed beds , after a week of hunger , cold , and unavoidable neglect .
Lucindy Washington days first heart-strings left night nosegay quid war