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once were.
    The bodies of Union soldiers will be removed from the shallow graves where they now lie. They will be given a proper burial in this sacred place. The new cemetery will be called the National Soldiers' Cemetery.
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    Jane Ellen brought more exciting news from Reverend McCully tonight. She told us there will be a ceremony in November to dedicate the National Soldiers' Cemetery.
    The great orator Edward Everett will deliver a speech. Jane Ellen said that he is the best speaker in the nation. The governors of all the Northern states are invited, and cabinet members, and congressmen.

    But the
    most
    exciting news is this: There will be another speaker at the ceremony.

    It is President Abraham Lincoln himself!

    We could not believe this news. President Lincoln is coming to Gettysburg!
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    I am on Cemetery Hill. This is the first time I have been here in several weeks.
    My days are now filled with ordinary things -- arithmetic, spelling, geography, and Latin. With so much schoolwork and chores, there has been little time to write in my journal.
    Thankfully there has been little to report. No battles. No death.
    October 23, 1863
    Betsy returned to school today. I did not know what to say to her. I felt she was part of a life I used to have. Not my life since the battle.
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    Wonderful news.
    Mr. Hoke showed Jed's story to his newspaper boss in Washington, D.C. The boss liked it very much! He wants to publish the whole story in his paper!
    But the best news is this: When Jed gets well, the boss wants Jed to move to Washington and work as a writer for the newspaper!
    After Mr. Hoke left, Jed called Pa and me into his room. He gave us the great news. But he said he would move to Washington only if Pa and I moved with him.
    Pa seemed to like the idea. He thought he could get a job teaching music at a college. Perhaps he could even play his violin in one of the theaters in Washington.
    As Pa and I were leaving Jed's room, Jed asked me to stay for a minute. He looked me in
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    the eye and spoke very seriously. He said that if I kept writing, when I grew up I could write for a newspaper, too. He said it was all right to have two writers in the family. He said I was at least as good a writer as he.
    Our life at this moment seems truly like a dream. I like to think my mother is spinning this dream for us.
    November 7, 1863
    Today Jane Ellen stopped me at the door of the schoolhouse. She asked if Mr. Hoke had come to our house last night.
    I said yes. In a whisper, I told her the news about Jed's job in Washington.
    Jane Ellen smiled knowingly. I realized then, of course, that she knew all about Mr. Hoke's offer to Jed.
    Why, Jane Ellen was the one who had
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    caused it to happen! From start to finish. From the moment she gave Jed the copy book.
    I told her that Jed wanted me and Pa to move to Washington with him.
    Jane Ellen said she thought I would love Washington. Then a shadow crossed her face, and she fell silent.
    I realized then that if Jed takes this job, he will not only be moving away from Gettysburg. He will also be moving away from Jane Ellen.
    I must talk to him about this.
    Later
    After supper, I told Jed about my talk with Jane Ellen. I told him I was worried about her feelings.
    He listened carefully, then sighed. He told me to stop by his room before I go to school in the morning. But he did not say why.
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    Before I went to school, Jed gave me a note to take to Jane Ellen. I promised not to read it.
    I delivered it as soon as I got to the schoolhouse. Jane Ellen took it from me without a word. She pulled down the map of the United States. She told us all to choose a state and draw it, showing its capitol and major cities.
    Then she slipped outside. I knew she wanted to be alone to read her note.
    I started to draw Washington, D.C., even though I know it is not a state.
    A moment later, the door opened. Jane Ellen stepped back into the room. Or should I say she nearly danced back into the room.
    I knew at