Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-12-06
a Wife and a Ducking.

ing the muses. and recounting tales Of
food and field, OBJ had rela.
ted laughable story. W had
thrown US into Mysteries with Larry Nc
Hale, when with one accord the boys ap-
pealed to R for something senti-
mental.
+. was handsome young fellow of "a,
and as fond Of the girls as duck is of wa
ter. His easy nonchalant manner, combi-
ned with spice of deviltry. a fine voice,
natural talent for music, and good pair
of legs, made him a general favorite with
the gentler sex and if he took a little
| advantage of this fact it is excusable on
the ground that all Is fair in love and war.
If modesty was one of his Inherent charac-
teristics its development had been sadly
| neglected so, without further inducement
he related the following. which, as near as
I can recall, I will give in his own Ian
guage.
You see boys, before l was transferred
to this prison-house, was in charge of as
wkWard set of recruits as ever shoulder
ed musket or wore a uniform. They
had rushed with willing hearts and sturdy
| arms from workshop and field to the de-
fence Of constitutional liberty, knowing as
much about military tactics as an elephant
of ropewalking. Morning, noon, and night
| manoevered those fellows until drill be-
came reglar bore. Just as they had at
tanned a respectable proficiency and was
ready to enjoy the satisfaction which ac-
companies all good works, the following
was placed in my bands:
Head Qrs. Army of the Potomac.
Lieut.. R. will prepare for a particular
service and report for instructions at head
qnarters. BY order of Brig. General
MCDOWELL
The routine of camp life had quite ta-
ken the romance out of soldering, and l
hailed with delight any change from its
dull monotomy. So after hearty break
fast donned my best clothes, mounted my
pet pony. and rode up to head quarters,
where l was informed that strict attention
to my duties in camp for several months
having much grati6ed my colonel, by his
request l was temporarily relieved from
active service, and ordered to Northern
New York, there to superintend the en-
listment and forwarding of recruits to the
seat of war.
Bow:ng ny thanks with as much calm
ness as I could command, | backed out of
the presence of my superior officers, re-
mounted my horse, rode off to tell the mess
of my good luck, packd up my traps, and
left in the first train for l., pleas
ant town on the Hudson, and not thou
sand miles from Troy.
My instructions amounted to little less
than furlough, the superintendence con-
sisting in riding about to several recruit
ing stations to overlook the business.
Of necessity the entrance of dashing
dragoon, all booted and spurred, quite
diturbed the repose of L, and more
than one pair of bright eyes glistened thro'
the bowed shutters as | rode up to the
Phoenix, or gave my course to the groom
and entered my name Lieut. R., I. 5. A,
in faring capitals on the register.
1t required but a short time for scion
of Uucle Sam, fresh from the seat of war,
to make himself acquainted, and the Sec
ond afternoon found me in company with
Charley --, fine fellow who isn't,
but ought to be soldier, in presence of
three as pretty young ladies as one need
pass an evening with. There is fatality
in my existence; it never rains but it
pours. The desire to have Irritation was
supreme, but how to choose from three
equally attractive and pleasant was dlff-
|
cult. However, what decision failed tc
bring about chance accomplished; ard If
/ less than three days Emma--I drop the
Miss as merely conventional--and mystI
we're skirmishing with our light artillery Of
glances occasionally varied on my part by
throwing in few vollies of tender speech
es, all supported by reserved force Of
sghs whose import was unmistakable. In
the mean time Mary was by no means neg
lected and as she lived in another part
of the town, the two affairs seldom con
ficted; while Jennie. who manifested q
notborly interest in all of US, looked par
ticuIarly to the welfare of Emma, hei
cousin and visitor.
Pic-nics, drives, sails and surprise par
ties assisted old Father Time to trave
with unrivaled rapidly, and | began TO re-
alize that my holiday was drawing rapidly
to close. The frequent, indeed almost
constant, association with Emma, lad excl
ted in my heart something mere than &
transitory interest, although I was hardly
willing to coneede, even to myself, that
was fairly caught in the net woven for her
! That she she did not dislike me, I wa,
convinced, but nothing had ever ESCAPED
/ har which oave mo much yround for hane