Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-18
FAYLE vENTNoR, PRIVATE.
ICoNrINUEp.I

NAfLE thItATEs
CONTINUED
So it came to pass, that morning after morn
ing, "vsyls Ventnor, Private" might be seen
half-sitting, half-reclining upon Mrs. Defev an
own particular lounge in her own particular
private parlor. On one Of these mornings Car
lotta was enlightened. It began in this way,
She picked up an old paper, and her eye fell
upon the two names again In a roll-call-
"Vayle Ventnor," and Jeremiah Jones, Cap.
tain"
She laughed out with gleeful memory-then
told him the whole story; but the telling is toe
mares to lose
To his question, ''what is it 80 funny, Miss
Delevan?'F she replied
"Why, you must know that when you first
arrived. the day after you picked up my fan,
you remember, I thought you were Capt. Jers-
miah Jones"
" You thought-how should you think that!''
"Wel1, you see, when you restored my fan
that night, remarked to Raymond Mays as
you went back to your seat that you were mil
itary. The next morning as was looking
over the list Of arrivals, came upon the two
names Captain Jones and Vsyle Ventnor;;'
and supposed, Of course, that you were the
oficer, as had no knowledge of military
disqualification, and there was but one mill
tary prefix, and remembered your costume
as belengeg to some regiment. Do you see?'
Yes, I see" he answered, trying not to
du1llo NJ HcE aiSnl stmpIclLy.
"But who in the world is Captain Jones'
Captain Jeremiah Jones p" she asked, sud
denly. 81 haven't thought of the real Cap
tain actually since discovered my mistake
how funnyn
He returned the next day after his arrival
you probably didn't see him. He is the cap
tain Of my company good fellow, and an
ton, How did you know his name to be Jere-
miah?"
"Why, saw il in a paper-like this" and
she handed the one she held to him-then fol-
lowed other little reminiscences-the meeting
on the stairs, etc, till at last Carlotta asked
q plump question, coloring prettily all the
time:
"I want to know how yow came to be SER
wing as Private'-wilI you tell me?"
"Why ms 50 especially"
Because Ward says you are rich and aris-
tocratic-Richmond Ventnor's son."
He laughed. " Yes, it is very true. am
rich and aristocratic, as the saying goes and
Richmond Vsntnor's son; but what has that 20
do with it ?" he continued, determined to draw
her out.
She made her eyes very round at this and
then repeated the usual objections-the usual
reasons why rich and influential men shouldn't
serve as "privates" Raymond Mays objec-
tions and reasons. He heard her through
then his whole face changed, as he turned ii
toward her, and his light laughing words of q
moment since changed to perfect seriousness
as he answered miss Deleyan, when the
news reached me Of my country's peril, was
in Paris, at my fathers house. A steamer
sailed on the next day for America. / made
my preparations, and sailed in it. My life
had been a Students life; I knew nothing
whatever Of military drill: but was able and
strong, from being good gymnast-so sci
myself to learn my new trade by enlisting as q
private at once"
But havn't you been serving three months
surely you must have some experience now?''
she Interposed.
at hasn't made a good soldier of me yet
At all events, have much to learn before /
shall myself be fitted TO take command In any
degree. In the meantime, the country cali.
for larger army, and because / am untitled
for an of6ser, shall wait at such q time for g
commissionl''
"But you would not have to wait, with your
connections in the military and political
world, she said; not halt seeing yet his mod.
esty-his manliness.
aNo, would not have to wait, il is yery
true" he exclaimed, with some sarcasm
Miss Deleyan," sitting upright now, and
lighting with scorn, II am sick and ashamed
Of the shallow advantages Of position-of the
miserable presuming expectations that grow
out Of It. 1t is continually putting men in the
wrong place, and building up gigantic errors
such errors as We are to-day striving to amend
1t humiliates me to think that TO my position
in the world do owe perhaps my advance
ment, instead Of to my own strength and pow
ers as man. Ilopg sometimes to throw of
these 'circumstanoes,' and for q time to meet
the world face to face, and on its own terms
But pardon me for boring you with my theo-
ries," and be sank back upon the lounge again
silence.
So oarIotta was enlightened. As she sa,
there In the silence she pondered what she had
heard. This did not sound like Raymond
Mays; yet Raymond Mays was q brave fellow
and . manly one. She had never heard any
one talk like this before; but il struck an
answering chord in her own nature. 0fcourse
she liked him better for it. he thought she
didn't understand-that he had bored her with
his earnestness on what be supposed would be
avsgue theory to her; for he looked upon her
as only O sgeeter specimen Of the Young lady
genus, that bloomed In fashionable society.
By-and-by; she said, in dreamy, absent man.
ner, As she sat, with her cheek leaning on her
hand Il wish you would talk in this way to
"why to Raymond Mays'" he questioned
in surprise.
"Oh," stiIl drsanily, thoughtfulIy, abe is
waiting for q commission. He says he don't
like the associations Of priyate's life-that 1t
is TOO hard labor, and too generalixing; and
that II he 10 going TO risk his life, he means to
do 1t in manner that Is most agreeable to
Personal ambition. that is II; II stands In
the way Of the whole thing. Every man for
himself, instead Of grand unit in thousands
OF men. But are you anxious for Mr.. Mays 10
goF' and he locked at her rather curiously.
81 am anxious for all men to 20, who can, ss
! told him."
"As you told him? But pardon mel
Il have nothing to pardon In that. But Why
do you ask it,''
"Iwsfnrprised.