Litchfield enquirer., 1863-05-07

Squire Bankgroye. could you make it con venient to dispense with my services on tn, farm P
 We'll, don't know said the Squire, wht was man of reflection, and seldom committed himself without first consulting his snuff boz and his red silk pocket-handkerchief. Are you thinking of leaving mea I've no fault ta find with you, Harry Moore
 Thank you, sir. But I have made up my mind now, that every young mans place is in the ranks ofmy countrys defenders. And SO, sir, l shall enlist tomorrow P
 Squire Bankgrovs brought down his clsncl. ed list on the window-seat with force that made the blackDird start in it's wicker cage.
 We'll said, my boy wish was ten years younger, and I'd go long with you. myselfp
 l am glad you approve oft, sir
 Approve it, Harry! I don't do nothing else cried the Squire, entirely needless of the memory of Lindly Murray in his enthusiasm. And when you come back, Harry, after you have done mans duty on the battlefield for you will come back-'
 Don't. father ! interposed Mrs. Bankgrove, who was wiping her spectacles very hard ;- don't go to temptin' Providence that wayp P Wife, said the old m an, solemnly, he will come back Shall not the Lord of Battles be with him ? As I was sayin', Harry, when that day arrives--'
 Then, sir said Harry, Twill you give me your daughter r
 He had spoken from sudden impulse the words he would never have dared to utter un- der ordinary circumstances. No recalling them now, however, and Alice blushed redder than the reddest hollyhock by the garden wall l. Squire Bankgrove opened his eyes wide, and slowly rubbed his nose, looking the while from Alice to Harry, and back again.
 We'll, I'm free to confess hadn't thought of that said the Squire. But, Harry Moore, you're made of the right mettle, and I've al. ways found you true to the back bone. Yes /; f Alice han't no objections, you shall have her when you come back r
 And thus it happened that when Harry Moore went away to the wars, a lock of Alice Bankgrove's silky hairlay upon his manly heart, and stirred to the music of it's beatings.
 Whew-w-w ' whistled Trad Curtis. as he worked all alone in the perfamed silence of the old red barn T didn't suppose the affair would turn out precisely as it has done but no matter, things may happenjust right, after all r
 And Trad Curtis was not a whit disheartened at the cool politeness with which Alice Bank grove put aside the innumerable little courte- sies he strovo te render towards her, all that fall-not he {! There was good deal of dog ged perseverance ingrain to the nature of Trad Curtis.
 The year glded away, in sun and shower- blossoming roses and dreary falls of snow-and once again the harvest moon hung like shield of ruddy silver on the quiet old homestead with its red barn and its cluster of gnarled ap ple-trees. But in the west, ensanguined splen- dor. amidst clouds whose crimson dyes seemed like sea of blood. And Alice Bankgrove sitting at her window. thinking of the dreadful rumors of battle that foated dimly into the country solitudes, could not bear to look at the blazing horizon, 80 nervous had she grown.
 Suddenly clear bugie sound rang out amidst the dewy hollows, dying away with pathetic cadences in the woods, where score of whip poor-wils were mourning their sad refrain.
 There ! the stage has passed by, and the mail is in exclaimed Alice, springing to her feot. Papa, may I go down to the post of -fco?-it's only a little way
 It's mile, child, and more and the dew is falling said the practical Squire, looking up from calculation he was making by the ligh, of tallow candle.
 Do let her go, father,'' said his wife, nudg ing his elbow don t you see how worried she feels You was young yourself, once.'
 Alice scarcely waited for the permission, ere she hurried away through the lonely woods dew dripping and full of flint. sweet fragrance : No letter for a week. she murmured to her self. Perhaps it will conc to night perhaps.'
 A letter for Alice Bankgrove?' No, there is no such letter. said the gray headed old postmaster, sorting over the pile o epistles in leisurely way that was agony te poor. impatient Alice.
 No letter are you sures' repeated the young girl, leaning eagerly forward, witt blanched cheeks and throbbing heart. Sartin sure, Miss Alice-that is. as surs al man can be, in this onsartin world. Stay though,' he added, as Alice was turning awaJ with thrill of despair here are some news papers for Jeremiah Bankgrove, Esq.'-thatl your father, Igpess.'
 Half an hour atterward, Alice came into tn, sittingroom at home with slow, languid steps and dew-drenched hair hanging carelessly about her shoulders. Trad Curtis sat at th, table. talking with her father. He rose ant bowed. ss
 You have been to the post-ofice, Alice l Why didn't you let ne go for your hop, I vnn havo faEoy, r,n r<,11 sss