The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-08-13
quite satisfied of success.

quite satisfied Of success.
All this time, Gilbert Fletcher has been
left bending over an old-fashionec, some
what faded daguerreotyps. Two girl-faces
nestled closely together the elder had long
dropping 'curls, and Miriam's eyes and
mouth--the other was chubby, little sis
ter, long years scince in Paradise. THAI
child-face of Miriam was verv sweet, and
Gilbert studied it intently.
He did not hear Miriam's question ant
she went and looked over his shoul
der.
"That old thingw said she. half sadly
lit does not look bit like me now now
Trat was taken when was nearer heaven
in the days Of long ago.
"1o mo it looks very much like YOU
replied Gilbert, in low tone. wish tina
you would give it to me, Mariam-I shoult
like to take it away with me-"
81 would not give it to you for the world,
said Miriam, in the same one. "When d.
you go?''
"Oh, Mr.. Fletcher r exclaimed one o
the young ladies', who wanted Gilbert t
come and talk to her, "is it really true tha
you are going to the war -
Gilbert bowed assent. He never wasted
words when he was not interest
ed.
'.How many straps do you wear p asket
the doctor, in rather an unpleasant
tone.
"None,' replied Gilbert quietly. 20 as
a private"
"Asa prirate repeated the young Ia
dies. under their breath. "Dear ! they had
always thought privates were SO com
mon ~
'trhey are rather uncommon now .a-days.'
said Miriam, that clear, steady voice Of hers
trembling a little with emotion and unless
Artemas Ward raises successive regiments
of Brigadier Generals, the ranks will scarce.
| ly be filed by men who do not seem to have
souls above q bit OF glitter,ng TIN.
sels''
Miriam's cheeks glowed Indignantly but
the doctor, although inwardly admiring, re-
piled coolly, "You may just as well ,ay
that we are fighting for bit Of red, white,
blue bunting-it ia not the tinsel for which
they care, but what tie tinsel symbolizes.
By-the-way, Fletcher are you thoroughly in
earnest I! I should think it would be rath-
er unpleasant to take pot luck with Tom.
Dick and Harry in that style. Privates'
fare is not very tempting, imagine"
Tom, Dick, and Harry" replied Gilbert
unmoved, "give up their time, their COM
fort, their lives to their country-I do no
more. Why then am entitled to more
than they I! Inthis great cause al should
be brothers, and share alike"
The doctor shrugged his shoulders
"You must allow me respectfully to DIFF
fer from yon,' he began. "My chief OBJ
iections 70 the Declaration Of Independence
/ is that 1t tells what the children calls great
big. naughty story"
The young ladies gave start Of interest
Ia man who abused the Declaration of In
dependence was $50 original" All but Nj
rian,. and she remained quietly casing at
the speaker.
The Declaration of Independence" con.
tinued DR.. Moynton, rather contemptuously,
"assert the palpable falsehood that all men,
are born free and equal in the very face of
the fact that the fact that some are horn to
rosewood cradles, and purple, and fine linen
and others to pine boards and a fg-leaf.
Do you call that free and equal The
man accustomed to scant food and rags, and
the society and vagabonds. who goes as a
private-and the man accustomed to we'll
dressed viands, elegant clothing, and inter
course with gentlemen. who accepts the
same position, bring, in my opinion. very
unequal fortunes into the concern"
Gilbert was half dreaming Of Miriam and
the future, and rather weary of the doctors
wordy argument-and saying, with smile,
81 am satisfied to 60 as private" he turn
ed to look at some prints. The visitors
finally dropped off the young ladies' were
taken home by the doctor and Gilbert
and Miriam were left alone in the drawing
room. The qsiet young soldier seemed
suddenly endowed with the power OF speech
"Mi.am," said he abruptly. II go to-mor-
row. Will you give me this ~
at was one of the Photographs that he
held in his hand and Miriam took it from
him withdown cast eyes, turning away as
she said.
"Do not ask me for these things, Gilbert,
-cannct break through my rule, which IS
to bestow them only on my lady friends"
Not even for cousin - asked Gilbert,
besecchingly.
"Not even for cousin" she replied.
But Miram's head was turned aside, and
Gilbert yielding 10 temptation. comm tilted
an act of petty larceny Of which she was
happily unconscious. The daguerroetype
Of Miriam in her childhood was hastily trans
ferred to his pocket with an ex-
preston Of not having been doing anything
at all out Of the way, that was quite mar
velous considering what = neophyte he was
in this sort Of practice. Gilbert received the
dismissal that his cousin speedily bestow-
ed upon him.