The weekly union record., 1864-08-06
At the Fair.

We'll. jordan
"WeIl. Charley"
Are you not going?"
Going where? p
Going to the Fair" laughing at the chime
OF words
Jordan settled himself comfortably in his
seat again.
No. Charley. my boy, I'm not going to the
Fair But you are, perceive. How you are
got up, though! l should never dare to travel
in such brilliant company"
oh bolherl" and Charley glanced, with
al honest blush on his honest face, al bis fine
clothes.
Il say, though, Jordan" be quickly resumed,
'you ought to 60"
20, hang fairs. Charley. l hate 'em. A
fellows always bored to death to buy lot OF
rubbish. I'd rather by half contribute at the
beginning what can afford. That's my way.
The buying is yours. You'll be young swell
there, Charley. | can fancy you beset by six
teen OF those girls at once, with sixteen different
propositions for you; and you'll think it fine
/ fun. They'll delude you into buying anything;
dolls. pin cushions and prayer-books. It'll be
all the same to you; and you'll bestow them
with the grace and discretion of young prince.
1 really envy that way Of yours, Charley"
A good deal you do,' returned Charley,
dsbelievingly.
II do though really; I'm in earnest, Charley"
Charley Duganne looked in surprise at his
companion at this; but Elery Jordan's face
was serious. There was no sarcastic play of
the lips, 10 laughing twinkle to the eyes, of
which honest Charley Duganne was always
somewhat in dread
! Yes, l really do envy you, Charley: You
come to the pleasant turns as easily as do 10
/ the disagreeabe ones. You extract The sweet
/ from life, while am chewing the bitter cud.
Everybody likes you, everybody smiles upon
you; and all from that way of yours and its
the way of your heart, Charley, so can't learn
it. And all the time you look at me aud think
I'm such smart fellow-that know the world
and heap OF things that you don't. And you
think | look down from my wise hight some
times and laugh at you when you come in with
your Fair pleasures and IN q stunning new suit.
Instead of that. Charley. l look at you with
genuine admlration. Irejoice in your freshness,
in your capacity for enjoyment of all sweet and
simple pleasure Don't think | regard you as
any the less man for it. Its The generous
boys heart, Charley. that's in it all, and that
makes NE like the man who owns it. As for
me, Charley, l am "a great sulking fellow,
whom nobody cares much about. | never
carry sunshine with me, | never win hearts or
smiles. I'm a gloomy, sullen, surly wretch,
who perpetually gets the wrong side OF things,
and blunders at every step. There. Charley,
60 your ways, go your ways, and don't mistake
me any more"
1 He turned with his old laugh to bis book. a
little disconnected at the earnestness into which
be had been betrayed but Charley. touched
and bewildered out of his senses, stammered
thanks and praises and depreciation in breath.
But Ellery Jordan had had enough of the topic.
Go your ways. Charley, 90 your ways, was
all be said to him now ; and at last Charley
was wise enough to GO Jordan heard him
whs'lng II SegretO per esser telice, as he ran
down the stairs.
IL hat Is his ma ural comment upon mQ way;
and Jordan smiled, then looked thoughtful and
little sad, then lost himself in his book. What
do you think reused him from il this cynic.
this gloomy, suen, sury fellow p A child 5
voice. crying. He had been conscious of it q
good while before he felt called upon TO look
into the cause. He knew very well who it was.
HIS landladys little boy, Bobby Greene But
the grieved SobS continued 50 long he flung
down his book ana opened the door.
Bobby"
Bobby surprised held his peace for moment.
w hats the matter, Bobby?"
The little figure. sitting on the first stair,
disco1soate burst out afresh at this sign Of
interest. Between broken words and sobs his
questoner discovered that somebody, some
neisrious uncle Dick or other had failed TO
carry out promise to take Bobby TO the Fair.
1t was heart breaking thing TO Bobby. In
vain, Jordan, moved to pity. took the urchin
into bis room, and laid before him treasures
that would at another time have made him
hilarious. The boy hushed his crying, indeed
he seemed to appreciate the efforts made for
bis amusement. but, as Jordan thought, 1T
was no GO" Bobby had set bis mind upon the
Fair. The Fair Of which wonderful stories
had fred tbs youthful imagination. Jordan
looked at the small face, expressing the depth
of childish melancholy.
so not even this child can be happy, because
of some hungering after what is denied" be
mused. But it is early TO learn the universal
lesson, and pity He mused moment
longer. scowling over q new thought. Presently
be gave sigh that was partly laugh.
Bobby. go and ask your mother to wash of
/ those tears. and tell her III take you to the
Fair"
The Transformation of the melancholy face
into bevy of smiles was 8 very swift one.
/ Bobby ran of shouting with delight. while
Jordan rose 10 effect some changes in his toilet.
His face was not quite so full of delightful an
/ ticipations as Bobby's. He elevated his eye
brows and shrugged his shoulders as be thought
of what be was about TO indict upon-hinself,
for be hated Fairs, you knew.
And this was Soldiers Fair How
selfish of him." you e1clsim Wait. He
acknowledged that be preferred contributing
what be could afford. And be did But be
has contributed more than those United States
bills TO the country. Long ago be gave himself
This is Captain Jordan OF the Hundred and
something New York Volunteers. he is
home on furlough, Dot of simple ease and
relaxation, but of necessity. Waiting for that
right arm to get strength enough to WELD a
weapon. And leaving him here dressing for
the Fair let the story of the Fair run backward
for little iO part.