Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-03-28

Il don't wish to. lie was here only yester-
day."
'Let US see him together. Perhaps our
united wits may sharpen him little. 1 just feel
like talking to young man like him, who with
nothing under the sun to do, but promenade
Chestnut street, and call upon the ladies, stays
at home from the war, and talks lightly of those
who go. Send word that you'll be down in a
few minutes. I'll go with you"
Acting on the suggestion. Flora dispatched
the servant With word that she would attend
her visitor in little while.
For more than ten minutes, Mr.. Frank How
ard awaited the appearance of his charmer.-
The delay seemed long and he grew impatient
Several times be arose, and crossed the parlor
floor, then moved back again and resumed his
seat. More than once he surveyed his fault
lesSly attired person in a large mirror, that fill
ed the pier form floor to ceiling. Now he
looked with vacant kind Of admiration at
some fine pictures that adorned the walls; and
now, with perhaps a higher interest at his
shining boots, against which he tapped his
slender cane, that bore the delicately carved
head ofa dog: At last the rustic of garments
was heard upon the stairs. He drew himself
up to an easy attitude, and awaited the ap-
pearaDce of Flora. Instead of one, two young
ladies entered.
Miss James-Miss Leighton" He bowed
with constrained formality; for his spirits were
suddenly dashed.
"Mr. Howard. Good morning."
The ladies smiled with easy grace, Flora
motioned the young man to resume his seat,
drew light reception chair for her friend and
! another for herself She was entirely at her
ease and in spirits. In her hand she held a
ball of yarn and knitting needles, on which
| three Or four rounds had been hastily cast
The ten or more minutes, which Frank How
ard naturally enough supposed were spent in
toilet preparations had been occupied with the
hurried winding Of a skein of yarn, and the
knitting of three rounds on an embryo stock
ing. Seating herself in front Of Mr. Howard,
Flora, in quiet, natural way, opened her nee
dies, adjusted the yarn, and commenced the
homeiy operation which was associated in her
visitors mind only with the days Of his grand
mother. lie was in too serious a state to be
amused-the effect, therefore was to disturb
aud depress him.
"A beautiful day, Mr.. Howard" said Flora,
in u clear, self possessed voice.
Beautiful"
Anything new this morning?"
Nothing"
| He felt strangely i'll at ease. There was no
stiff reserve about the young ladies; no cold
ness; no apparent design 10 rebuke or annoy
him. They were parGectiy lady-like, and ap-
parently frank in their demeanor. But, for ali
/ ri, L.,
! lay between him and Flora.
did you see the parade of Col. G-'s
regiment yesterday" asked Miss Leighton.
Il did not
"IIa?" She raised her brows just little, in
token of surprise.
Did you?" lie must say something, and 50
asked the question at random.
"Oh certainly l have too much patriotic
enthusiasm to let a fine regiment like that
march of, and not look-proudly on. Besides,
and she put OF an arch expression, Il have
two or three bcaux in the ranks, and l want
cd them TO bear into battle the strength of a
woman's smile and woman'S approval II
men ale 10 be believed, these things fire them
with a noble courage"
Il declare :" sad Howard rallying himself
and assuming a tone Of banter: "if you ladies
don't beat everything"
"In what respect" asked Miss leighton.
Flora knit busly, and seemed as much inter
es.ed in her work as in the conversation.
"You are downright bloodthirsty" He was
forgetting himself little.
Indeed" The smile faded off from Mis-,
Lcighton's lips. "Bloodthirsty?"
Yes. Y on really take pleasure in seeine
young men march away, armed with murdel.
Gus weapons. to kill or be killed"
"Oh, no." Flora James spoke now, but with
a lady-like gentleness Of manner. ITO kill and
be killed. is a partial statement of the case
These are only probable effects, Mr.. Howard
consequences TO be anticipated The ends art
noble, aud all true womeus hearts RESPOND
thereto with an irrepressibe enthusiasm w
love courage, ,self-devotion, patriotism 10 men
And now, when we see our grand nation as
saulted by an enemy sworn to destroy it, GU
bosoms thrill with admiration for the men
worthy of their sires-who arm themselves
and taking their lives in their hands, go fort
in her defence"
Her countenance lighted up beautifully. He
eyes were full of fire, and seemed to burn int
. Howard as he received their gaze. And ye
r there was nothing in her manner to hurt o
OF offend She did not forget the courtCs
E due by her to a visitor; but her sentences wer
r like words Of doom.
t Have you commenced drilling?" asked Mis-
S Leighton, in easy, Turing tone of voice.
e Il have not''
2 "Not even in the Home Guards?"
Y mo"
Both ladies remained silent for nearly mir
ute during which interval Howard in vain trie
!, to think of something to say. But his min
+ would not act. 1t seemed like blank.
e Don't you intend joining company" in
:, quired the tormentor.
"Well-Tye been turning it over in m
: mind''
C "Then turn it quickly, and to right purpos
h Mr.. Howard" she answered. "If the ladi'
Y cannot fight for our country, we can at lea'
: organize ourselves into band of recruitin
1t sergeants, and bring in the lukewarm and Il
laggards. The test of favor now is courag
Men who stay at home court our smiles
vain. And we must not be called blood thir
d ty-that will offend. So don't use the VOL
1t again, Mr.. Howard, or you may find that ma
den lips in parting, are bended bows that viii
re a fight of arrows"
d Every man cannot go to war" said Ho'
( ard, growing serious Some must stay
st home to maintain order, and keep the whee
lg Of industry in motion. Without this he
IS could our armies be maintained in the field?
The man at home may serve his country
es well as the man who carries musket in battle
Not to be doubted" was the response
IL Mrs. leighton, ''aud all we ladies ask is to s
the service. We don't reason much; but
are very sharp-sighted, and look right to t
| bport IF fbina- To no thu c,ot fbot q ~,