Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-25

family was unknown to his own relations
Major Brewer, who was more than thirty.
was still without a profession, or any bus
mess whatever The day he rode over to
Mr. Shows to get his signature to some
paper regarding a sale OF land, a definite
purpose came into bis head for the first
time, and that purpose was to fall in love
with Sally. He was adroitly aided by
Mrs. Snow, who entrapped him far more
than Sally did, who received his atten-
tons passively. At the commencement
OF the war, Brewer obtained, through the
a,nily influence, staff appointment, with
the rank OF Lieutenant, and John Cutter
enlisted in the ranks. Without seeing
much service, Brewer was promoted to a
Oeptaincy, and then was made Major;
while John only attained to the dignity
of being occasionally mounted orderly
Chance brought Major Brewer and John
In continual contact; from the beginning
they had been attached to the same post.
Soon after Major Brewer received Mrs.
Shows letter, he, mad slight attack OF
jauadice, upon. which he obtained a
months leave, on the medical directors
certificate, and went home; and in about
months time from the day when Sally
contemplated the two roads, he stopped
before the garden gate to tssten his horse
TO the hitching-post. 1t was in the mid
die of October; a fire burned on the
hearth, and Mrs. Snow was before it, en-
gagged in making fall garments. She was
alone, tor Sally had gone down to the viii
lage to do some shopping. So
Now" thought Mrs. Snow, "it he
looks as if he drank, I'll give him up"
But he did not look as if he did he
was yellow, his voice was weak, and he
seemed inclined to be feeble. Not a word
was said about Sally. They talked about
the war, and about Bingham, until she
came home, rosy and animated, with sew
eral bundles. The Major grew more yell
low as he rose to meet her, and his voice
gave him quite a cordial welcome. He
stayed short time after her arrival, and,
when he went away, said it was doubtful
when he should be able to come again, he
felt so miserably. :
Hell be at home a long time" said
Mrs. Snow, prophetically., sg- 81
"What ails him 2" asked Sally.
"He's consumptive, l reckon; they all
get sick sooner or later"
Sally thought of John, and wondered
whether he was sick. He must be, for
none of his friends in the village had heard
from him In long time. She sighed.
"What are you signing tori" asked
Mrs. Snow. a..
"For the soldiers"
G. The whole of 'em ~
For one" answered Sally, boldly.
It's of no use. His thirteen dollars a
month, and his being taught that he is a
mere machine, has demoralized him before
this"
Sally said no more; che was not capa-
Bile OF warning with her mother.
The next day the Major came in a car
riage, and asked Sally if she would not go
out riding with him. She objected on ac-
count OF the charming.
SO right along, Sally; III attend to
it,, her mother ordered
So she went. The Major was so poorly
that he asked her to relieve him from the
fatigue of driving, which she consented
to do, and guided the horse ski)lfully but
not SO skliltully as he guided the CONVEX
satlon, IN which she could not help feeling
interested. He was so meek, this warrior
so deterertial, and withal so grateful
that she could not resist the fattery of his
manner. Besides, was she not the favored
one of all Bingham2 There had not been
a beau in town tor tWelyemonth the
war had stripped the country, and the
girls had boen minus erything in the
way OF amusement. Who can blame
Sally for yielding to the pressure OF cir
cumstances
Mrs. Snow played her part so we'll that
the wedding-dress was bought, and pre-
parations tor the wedding commenced,
and Sally bewildered into an acquescence
which lett no hope for John Gutter. No
sooner, however, was the wedding day
set, than Sally, owing to the contrariety
of the mind, began to be occupied and
lulled with dreams of what might yet
happen between the now and then of the
marriage-day, which would turn the Ma
jor into myth, and the day into an i'm
possibility.
But the wedding came off; and on the
twenty eighth day OF his leave the Major
was on his way to his post, and Sally
resumed the life she had lefs the day he
came home, without mprehending any
great change in her destiny.
Mr.. Snow often said "Reelyl" when he
locked at her and Mrs. Snow silently
wondered at her silence and entire indit-
terence.
A few bottles of "Old Rye" were open
ed on the occasion of the Majors return.
The congratulations were, in proportion
to the drinks, numerous, and John Cutter
heard of them. When the Major first saw
John, he looked at him as if he expected
he would say something of his visit to
Bingham, but John was silent, and the
Major, remembering that Sally had once
asked him to give her respects to Jot n
Cutter, was silent too.
Who cares 2" said John to himself, ''if
she didn't, Pm sure | don't. Mother
Snow can put on airs to her hearts con-
tent, now that Sally is Brewer. But
who would have thought it Let's sing
Sweet Home, boys" he suddenly burst
out with, land scare something !"
Soon after this, part of the command
ing generals corps was ordered to the
West, and Major Brewer and John were
transferred with it. One of those vague
Western battles then occurred, in which q
great many men are killed, and which are
called victories on both sides, and for
which victories both the commanding gen.
erals are removed; and the Msior and
John were concerned in it.
Both were mounted that day-the Ma
jor in anticipation of taking some impor.
tant order, and John with no anticipation
at all; but he had two loaded pistols in
his belt, which he intended to use. When
the fight was hottest, and Johns spirits
were the highest-for he had reasons
to suppose that from behind Gen. R.
he had picked oft an ofhcer-he saw 9
sight which made him reel in his saddle