The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-03-22
PLAYING sFcrsIl.

] lsd noA lhlnk the wemen could be-
hfanls hetare Whether L was be-
laue Of ihe novelty, or because OF lhe
romance, or because Of one Of their
inen heahle whans, il Il bard 10 say,
bus they certainly treated him with
aatterias distinction. An ugly dog BE-
WAS. ioa; sbori thick-set and warthv,
with e halthealed wound over one eye
which did nos add % his beauty. He
was captured after Fair Oaks. being
out on picket Aud I'll be had been,
undeniably I'D, ever since be came
North. ~ complicated affection Of
the heart, they pronounced il, which
would not admit a bis removal; 30
be staid on with US instead Of going
down TO the Fort with the rest Of the
prisoners. Nominal as his captivity
was, il was CALLING TO him; and he
was as sgllen as the mischief With
al be got tie lions share Of the jellies,
flowers, books aud other uiceties which
came % the hospital.
II was ridiculous TO see him with
his lady sympathizers. But it was
provoking as well. We, poor fellows,
on the broad OF our backs, stiff and
sore with loyal wounds, bit our lips
with vexation many a time, when we
saw the delacacies travelling past our
Federal mouths, and dropping into the
ugly little traitors. Not that we be-
grudged him the trihes, but there is
medium in all things, and the women
ought to have known better.
In the next bed to nine. was my
chum, Ike Russell, the greatest limb
and most thorough practical joker in
the regiment. The doctor had given
him up twice since the fever got bold
OF him, but bis constitution was gutta
percha. Ii would stretch to the full
est extent before it would break.
1" They may give me up like bad
riddle, as often as they like" was his
characteristic remark but ] don't
think they'll play the Dead march
over me yet awhile"
And they didn't. II was hand to
hand struggle; but Ike had fought the
fever as fercely as be had fought the
foe, and conquered. He was now con-
yaleseent, and most indignant, as was
natural, at the partially shown Sc
cesh.
" See here, Rufus" said he TO me,
one night, ia heat, don't you think
this is pretty near played out 7"
What Z"
me Jeuy ana mower business.
" should Judge so, my SON"
alt is burning shame went on
Ike, wrathfully. Il didn't think
Northern girls could be such geese.
| wonder what the mischief they see
IN bin. The fellow is as ugly as a
gorilla"
Chacon son goat,' said ! thought
fully.
That's 50, but I've made up my
mind it shall not last"
How can you help it?"
Leave that to me. | am no nov
ice. Before the week is out, / war;
rant you We shall have plenty of del
icacies ana light reading"
There the conversation dropped.
The next morning, on opening my
eyes, became aware Of change
The rebels bed was opposite mine
It was empty. Seeesh was non est.--
The man who was there yesterday,
who had been there all these days,
never able TO lifi himself without help,
WIS gone.
!" Halo ! Ike said poking that
gentleman with my crutch; have
you spirited him away?' What has
become Of tha pet of the Ladies! 2"
Ike raised himself on his elbow and
stared at the vacant bed.
Ye gods he is gomez
Fact said |. Thou art gone
from my gaze ike beautiful dream Y
Bosh r cried Ike, laughing Al the
adjective. Horrible would have been
more to the point. But bless my soul !
Hare, what could have become Of
him n
For further particulars inquire
said |, tapping him loosely
on the head with my crutch.
Ike looked at me.
You think | have had something
10 do with it. You were never more
mistaken in your life; / only hope,"
added be, pleasantly, that they have
sent him to the Fort. and may keep
him on bread and water for month.
Rufus, my warrior, that Secesh was
the Mordecai in the gate"
lie viii not be likely TO trouble
you agaln, SAID the Surgeon, who was
passing.
What's the reason, he won't Z" we
both chorussed.
No leyity, boys. lie is dead"
+" Dead =
lkes face was sobered at once. He
was wild enough, in all conscience,
bot far from hesrtiess.
When IN the name Of Lincoln did
be die Z.
About daybreak this morning"
didn't dream Of such a thing
mused Ike Poor rascal Very
wasn't il r
Nc, 70 me. / anticipated as much
from lbs disease--lhe heart you know"
iaid the Surgeon, with professional
sss.s.4s....