The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-06-10
From the New York Sunday Times.
A SOLDIERS STORY.
EY MARY KYLE DALLAS,

My college days were over. Alma Mater
had done with NE, and the strong arms of
the law were open to embrace a new neo-
phyte. In a week should occupy desk
in certain dingy office, and enter at last
into The profession Of which l expected Gas
what young man does not?) to become
distinguished member.
My grand aunt, Briggs, writing TO her
friends, informed them that "Albert knew
enough, and had left college" did not
exactly coincide in Aunt Briggs's opinion
but, nevertheless, | certainly considered
myself miracle Of erudltion, and felt
strong disposition to explode mines Of learn
ing at the feet of unwary listeners. utter.
ed apropos quotations in Greek and Latin,
in the course of conversation with elderly
gentlemen who did not understand them,
but always bowed or smiled, or said "very
good indeed" to conceal their ignorance
| astcn;shed Dinah, who made my fire, by
informing her that charcoal and diamonds
were, so to speak, one and the same thing,
to change the former into the latter, or cice
rersa. The names Of acids rolled unawares
from my tongue, and every modern event
was made the gateway by which lugged
in the old Romans, as it were, by the maps
of their necks, thrusting them headlong at
people who cared nothing about them, and
were much more interested in the doings
of living Smiths or Browns.
When | caught friend nudging his
neighbor with his elbow, as deigned to
enlightea them as to the remarks of those
learned ancients whose names were forever
on my lips. believed it to be in admiration
Or astonshment, and never guessed that
they were laughing at me. Had l b,en Of
iered the freedom Of the city. or the thanks
of the civilized world, | should have felt it
only my due. Had service Of plate been
presented to me by the humble admirers OF
my deep researches in the caves Of learn
ing, l should, according to custom, have
returned thanks in neat and appropriate
speech, and felt that, at last, the world be-
gan to appreciate me.
In this mood, took my seat upon the
cushions Of the railroad car one fine spring
morning, attircd in a span new travelling
costume, bearing glossy portmantcau in
my hand, and bound for q new home and a
new life. l was twenty one. Boy hood
was already far in the distance. did moi
even consider myself a youth. Had it moi
been for the slow growth Of the lemon
colored moustache which was assiduouSly )
cultivating, should have had no more
doubt of my mature years than had o
my learning or of my powers of fascina
| ton.
felt a sort Of contemptuous pity for thu
poor ignorant souls around me: the IA
man opposite, in his great coat, with {
lunch-box sticking out OF the breast pocket
the young dandy sitting near him, with thu
eye glass; and the plain, blunt, featured
mechanic, spelling out the contents of .
newspaper, who sat near me. Even th'
bustling business man, arguing with ano,h
er still more bus,ling business man, wa
not worthy Of my notice, and the IN thodis
minister, who was improving the time by
distri bating tracts to his neighbors, was I
mere nobody. should liked to have tack
led them with little Latin, to have pose,
them with Greek quotation, or to hav
asked them a question or TIVE in chemistry
How blank they would have looked. How
their self conceit would have abated ha'
they but known that they were in the pres
ence of Albert Bonnycastle, Esq gradu
ate f. College-an embryo lawyer
young TaE who, in the opinion Of his grand
aunt Briggs, "knew enough" As for tn
women, l took no notice whatever Of them
| never did. A casual glance informed IN
that they were the usual number Of elderl
ladies, muffled in shawls and tippets. a
though there was contagion in fresh air
Of young mothers with broods Of sma
children. and Of maiden Indies in gree
spcctacles. The inferior sex, as denomi
mated it, was very well represented.
leant back upon my seat, put my feet upo
another, closed my eyes, and compose
myself for nap.
had hardly fallen into doze when til
train came to a pause, and the hustle {
new passengers coming in and old pasSer
gers going out awokc me. did not s'il
however, but remained in my rrcumber
position until lady, in blue veil whic
hid her features as efectually as mas
could have done, stopped straight befol