During the war between the States a rumor of "Battle at Seven Pines" reached a remote part of Virginia, but as yet there were no details. A mother had two sons-John and James-in the same company, and anxiety found expression in the oft repeated lament: "Poor John, I know, I know he's killed or wounded."
The husband and father at last became annoyed at the repeated mention of John to the exclusion of James, and exclaimed:
"What about James? You love him equally with John. Why don't you think of him?"
The mother replied: "My poor John! James is all right, husband, for there are seven trees there, and I know that James is behind one of them.