Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-03-03

soldier in Chatham barracks in the year ono
thousand seven hundred and nincty-nine, than
Private Richard Doubledick He associated
with the dregs ofevery regiment he was as sci.
dom sober as he could be, and was constantly
under punishment. 1t became clear to the whole
barracks that Private Richard Dou5lcdick would
very soon be nogged.
Now, the Captain of Richard Doubledick 4
company was young gentleman not above five
years his senior, whose eyes had an expression
in them which affected Private Richard Double
dick in very remarkable way. They were
bright, handsome, dark eyes-what are called
laughing eyes generally, and when serious,
rather steady than seyere-but they were the
only eyes now lefi in his narrowed world that
Private Richard Doubledick could not stand.-
Unabasbed by evil report and punishment, de-
fant Of every thing else, and every body else,
he had but to know that those eyes looked at
him for moment and he felt ashamed. He
could not so much as salute Captain Taunton
in the street like any other officer. He was
reproached and confused--troubled by tho mere
possibility of the Captains looking at him.
In his worst moments ho would rather turn
back and go any distance out of his way, than
encounter those two handsome, dark bright
eyes.
One day, when Private Richard Douhledick
came out of the Black Hole, where he had been
passing the last eght-and-forty hours. and in
which retreat he spent good deal of his time,
he was ordered to betake himself TO Captain
Taunton's quarters. In the stale and suualid
state Of a man just out of the Black Hole, he
had less fancy than ever for being seen BY the
Captain; but he was not so mad yet as TO dis
obey orders, and consequently went up to the
terrace overlooking the parade-ground, where
the officers quarters were twisting and break
ing in his hands as he went along, bit of the
straw that had formed the decorative furniture
of the Black Hole.
"Como in" cried the Captain, when he
knocked with his knuckles at the door. Pri-
vate Richard Doubledick pulled off his cap,
took stride forward, and felt very conscious
that he stood in the light Of the dark bright
eyes.
There was a silent pause. Private Richard
Doubledick had pnt the straw in his mouth.
and was gradually doubling itup into his wind
pipe and choking himself
''Doubledick," said the Captain, 'do YOU
know where you are going tor
"To the Devil Sir o. faiered Doubledick.
"Yes," returned the Captain. "And very
fast"
Private Richard DoubleIiclS turned the straw
lof the Black Hole in his mouth, and made a
miserable salute of aoquiescence.
"Doubledick,' said the Captain, ''sincc /
entered his Majestys service, boy Of seven
teen, have been panied to sec many men OF
promise going that road but have never
been so panied to SEQ a man determined TO
make the shameful journey. as have been,
ever since You joined the regiment to sec you.''
Private Richard Doubledick began to find a
film stealing over the floor at which he looked /;
also to. find the logs of the Captains breakfast
table turning crooked, as ifhe saw them through
water.
al am only common soldier, Sir" said he.
at signifies very little what such poor brute
comes to-"
"You are a man." returned the Captain with
grave Indignation, "of education and superior
advantages and if you say that, meaning what
you say, you have sunk lower than had be.
lieyed. How low that must be, ] leave you TO
consider; knowing what | know of your dis
grace, and seeing what see."
81 hope to get shot soon, Sir" said Private
Richard Doubledick sand then the regiment,
and the world together, will be rid of me"
The legs Of the table were becoming very
crooked. Doubledick, looking mp to steady his
vision, met the eyes that had so strong an in
huence over him He put his hand before his
own eyes, and the breas, of his disgrace jacket
swelled as if it would fly asunder
81 would rather" said the young Captain,
''see this in you, Doubledick, than would see
five thousand guineas counted out upon this ta-
BILE for gift to my good mother. Have you a
motherln
81 am thankful to say she is dead, Sir"
'lf your praises returned the Captain,
''were sounded from mouth to mouth through
the whole regiment, through the whole army,
through the whole country, you would wish she
had lived to say with pride and joy, He is my
son = y"
"Spare me, Sir" said Doubledick. "She
would never have heard any good of me. She
would never have had any pride and joy in own
ing herself my mother. Love and compassion
she might have had, and would have always
had, know but not Spare me, Sir !
am broken wretch, quite at your mercy ~
And he turned his face to the wall, and stretch
ed out his imploring hand
"My friend" began the Captain
"God bless you, Sir :" sobbed Private Rich
ard Doubledick.
"You are at the crisis of your fate. Hold
your course unchanged, little longer, and you
know what must happen. know even better
el.ss. Il