The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-10-01
Victory and Conquest.
by BEN. PERLEY pooRE.

"By the right flank, march!" sportively
EXCLAIMED little Charlie Dolson, as the family
left the parlor, in obedience to The basement
summons Of the teabel.
Perhap, in the outset II would be well to
Introduce the tea-drinkers individually, com
mencing with the head # the house, although
he woaid have been indignant had any one
ted him that many thonsand citizens in
tasse Jniied Statos lad never heard of Pe,er
Dalton. Step by step liz had risen from ba
ker's kneading tro.gh, until he controlled the
dom trade OF New York, end was repn,ed .
millionaire. For some years he continued his
1hpre.ehdiIg career, but a failure in the lrish
potaloe crop snabisd him to pocket cool ff-
u thousand iR ors short week, he suddenly be
came ambitious to hsure in the supper ten. :,
Under the expensive]y classic directions of .
professional artist, his comfortable house, from
cellar TO attic, underwent a thorough altera.
lion. Tie psl!ucid Croton spoated forth In
every story, gss was introduced into every
room, tAe carved wooden mantel- pieces were
replaced BY contracted marble slabs, and q
furnace in the cellar poured forth ats Iife-des-
sroying beat. French broadcloth was substi.
.uted tor snuf-colored cashmere, the heavy
boots gave way 10 patent feathers, and in place
cf his silver bowed spectacles, the rcjsvenated
beau dangled gold eye glass, the use Of which
was anything else but convenient.
Mrs. Dalton, strange to say, did not partici.
pate in the ambitious projects Of her husband
aud much preferred the unosten,atious quiet
in which the greater part of her life had beer
passed. The gay companions with whom heI
husband now associated, in her opinion, only
tolerated them on the account Of their wealth
and she disliked thrusting herself into Sc,
where her good sense taught her she was des-
pissed. But she was forced to submit, while
her more pretending spouse gave her nany a
lecture upon her supera..nuated notions asd
foolish timidity.
Lizzie Dalton,their only daughter, had been
educated at home, under the tender and watch
fui guidance Of her mother, whose views upon
domestic happiness she shared. She was del
icately formed, with expressive features-de-
terminec, yet tempered with winning express
lsion of sadness. Dark tresses shaded clear
olive complexion, and when she appeared in
ball room, many an envious glance from less
favored bellies testified to her beatty. Happy
in herself, happy in her home, happy in the
friendship Of those who knew her, she had nc
desire to become bright meteor in the starry
realms Of fashion. Often did she esdeavor tc
to curb her fathers ambitious plunges, but he
only become indignant, and at length both
daughter and mother determined to humor his
whims. Perhaps, If the truth was known
they hoped he would see the holowness Of
such frivolity, and, at any rate, they rejoiced
thst little Charlie was as frank and as natural
az hs was before he had pony to ride, OF a
gold watch to get out Of order. Such, Gear
reader, were the Daltons, as we found theu
on their way to the tea table.
"Charles," said the shead Of the house,
when they we're seated at the table, sswhat die
yon say in the entry?''
"Ssy? Oh, I remember. father, said, sby
the right Aank. marchp'
"And where did you pick up that vulgar
,ssying9 III wollop you some day, if you dom
quit being vulgar"
sIt's not vulgar, sir" replied the lad, hi.
r cheeks flushing with modification. Sits q
military command"