, 1864-04-02


bl86l He was fortunate enough to get a
commission, which his previous attention to
military affairs justified, and putting all that
remained of his little capitalin bank for his
wife, he was now preparing to depart
They had just sat down in their new
home, the last arrangements of which had
been made at the period when our story
opens The present with its sacrifices, the
future with its separation, all contrasted 50
with the happy past, that both were over
come As the unfortunate man folded his
wifi 5oso in his agony Of grief, they
were reused by knock at the outer door
John FASTENED to open it, but his brow grew
dark as his eye fell on Ulshoeffer.
"Dont be too severe on me Lockdale," he
said, pleading. ''No man could have fore
seen the result, and no man could grIevc
more sincerely than do for the ruin that
have brought upon you. | will yet make all
good, and you shall stand better than you
did, TO prove to you that feel deeply, |
have had an assignment made to you Of the
best property that | have. 1t is not much
compared to what / owe you, and [ deem it
nothing, but as proof of my sincerity"
-.n He laid the paper on the table, and seeing
nothing in Lockdale's face but look of de-
spair, stammered word or two more, and
escaped as from the presence of an awful
judge.
Lockdale and his wife spent their last
evening together in talking over their plans,
and preparing for their first parting, to be
so long and sad. o 3al Ho Ina4 l- '-A
The next day she was alone. How eagerly
she watched for letters from the captain
They came, and came regularly; but after
some months there was break, and the
next letter was dated from the hospital 1t
was full of assurance that his case was not
serious but after few letters more, he
announced that the surgeon thought fur
Tough necessary for his restoration, and Lu
cy FASTENED to meet him, and aid him home
How terribly was she shocked Her fine,
ncble, young husband was prostrated, hag-
gard, restless. His whole system had given
way, and the surgeons told her that if he
did not speedily rally in New YORK he would
never be able to resume active service. His
vital powers had given way under his mis-
fortunes. BY slow stages they reached
home, and Lucy had at least the comfort Of
mnistering to her husband but even her
care and the charms of home did not. rally
him.
The Gays Of his furlough had nearly ex
pireG, hi8 physician gave him no hope of a
speedy recovery Of strength his pay had not
been forwarded to him, and their little fund
was nearly exhausted. He resolved to re-
sign his commission, for he was too high
spirited to seek, oy renewed furloughs to re-
main q charge on the country. His resig
nation was accepted, and ne was now utterly
hopeless. Lucy, Drawer than he, had gone
out, after many resolutions and much falter-
ing, to seek employment. Nothing offered
but the inevitable needle work, and the
scalding tears we're falling on the wretched
task as she labored steadily at it, out of her
husband sight, though within his reach,
when the wild haired little girl of the house
announced a Mr.. Robinson TO see Mr. Lock
dale.
The unknown guest entered, and, ap-
preaching the sick man, enabled him to see
gaunt, shrewd looking fellow, who at once
plunged into business.
'Nlr Lockdale, you have lot of rosin in
the Atlantic Docks, and would like to buy
it. If you will take forty dollars barrel |
will take the whole lot
'Rosin-forty dollars said LockdaIe, hes
itatingly.
We'll I know, said the other, that rosin
has ruled high lately, but there's mighty
heap coming in now from the North State,
and that will bring it down, Anyhow, |
ought to make a little sumthin' on it,
Lockdale paused, his head swan, but his
old business education prevailed, and in a
moment he said, in an Indifferent tone
Since left the army have been quite
sick here, and am not well posted. Call to-
morrow at twelve, and l will give you an
answer
will you not promise me the refusal?'
mo; should not like to do that said
Lockdae.
The stranger rose, promising to return,
and as Lucy closed the door her husband
sat up, bewildered.
what does he mean, Lucy? Rosin at
forty dollars barrel l have no rosin-
never had any.
She, too, looked perplexed, as though
some new misery threatened them, and this
was part of some new plot against them. AT
last thought flashed into her mind, and
so, with frightening face, she exclaimed;
John, what was that paper that Ulshoefer
gave you the day before your regiment
started 2
The mystery was here, and Lockdale
seemed to have new life breathed into him.
He sprang from his bed, and, with hands
quivering with excitement, endeavored to
dress. Lucy at last calmed him, and assist
ed him, but be was completely exhausted
AS she laid him again on his bed to rally,
he gasped, rather than spoke:
Quick get that paper of Ulshoeffer. 1t
is all there, rosin, $40 barrel
Lucy soon found the paper which had
never been opened, and began to read it,,
but he could not hear the formal parts.
is there no list, Lucy?
Yes; on the back, there is schedule A.
$50 barrels of rosin, at IS cents, in the
Atlantic Docks, storage paid to January /,
1868 S637 so.
'What Lucy, let me see.' And when he
was convinced he exclaimed: Can it have
risen from one dollar to forty, and then be-