St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-11-24


They say she's u"commonly sweet On
you, Maurice-eh p
"Nonsense y CALCULATED Major AL.
my, vexed to feel the blood mounting
to his pale cheek.
"There!' pursued Payne, 'she'z
turned half way round to look at that
interesting crutch of YOURS. It's a
great thing to be wounded soldier,
with plenty Of money. But, as 1 was
eyes, as you we're saying"
"What's the use of tramping off to
the wars myself, when I've paid money
enough to hire holf dozen Irishmen
to stand up and b. shot att
"But We don't want money-we
want men,"
"Meaning that you want me. No, l
thank you!:' !
"Jervis, never thought you were a
coward"
"Now look here Almy p exclaimed
Payne, reused at last into the semblance
Of energy, "that's not fair. 1 am not a
red hot fanatic on the subject of war,
neither do l pretend to lie. You are
one Of the fiery, dashing fellows that
fairly enjoy marching up to line Of
fixed bayonets Fighting is your ele
ment-you ike the fun
"The fun" repeated Almy, in low
grave VOICE, glanc'ns down at the ban
daged stump that lay or a cushion
close to the dashboard. IT,,
"Well, I mean, of course, he excite
ment Of the thing. It is no sacrifice to1
you to turn soldier, and draw your pa,
in glory, trumpet blasts from all thu
papers, majors sholldcr-straps, and a
bouquet for your sick ropn every day
with Mis- Aubrey's card stuck into it
It's not 50 disagrceable to fight fo
ones country on such terms as those
sBut l mean to say that, when il came
to any act of real, disagrceable self-dc
NAL, you wouldn't be any reader thar
I am As l said before, it is a matte
Of personal taste. Let the country cal
upon Major Maurice Almy to saw woot
or cut out army coats at dollar da,
for its benefit, and matters would wea
,, altogether different aspect"
"Do you think so?''
IL am sure Of IT,
81 should just like fair trial that
all -
"Should you? Well then listen t
| me-" said Payne, with the snecrin!
smile that Almy rartic .larly di>likcd
"You are an ingram aristocrat, Mau
rice Almy, with fastidious tastes that
thousand years Of eoldier-life woal'
only tend to deepen. Don't shake you
hcad-I know you better tkan yo'
know yourself. Now I'm willing t
make a bargain with you"
"State your terms."
"Do you know old Raeburn, tn
shoemaker
"Do l know him ? No, believe
have not the pleasure of a personal ac
quaintance; but l know whom yo'
mean-an old Jew of fellow, whom
the ladies rather like to patronize, il
- street,
"Old Raeburn is very much in wan
Of a clerk in his store, to sell shoe
strings, count the cash, and keep hi
accounts, besides doing any other dirt
work that comes uppermost."
"Is he? What the mischief is tha
to me ?" ">.... .... .s-.. ..:.a~.~.s 49,
"Just this. If you will take the pc
sision and fulfill its duties, Just for on
day T.. ..'>.ssEss: .:..s.. F. .....~.],
"Me! In Isaac Raeburn's store"
"-I will enlist the next day." pur
sued Payne, with smile that betoken
ed how little probability he saw his pro
posal being for an instant entertained
"Now we shall see whether Maio
Maurice Almy really loves his countr,
any better than, l do"
~"You're in earnest?' asked Almy
turning round so as to look full into hi
companions sarcastic eye. s~
S"Of course I am.' = 2 : ~
"Well then, agrcel! When do m.
duties commence ?" - q
. "Not just yet, Of course-your foo
/ ~ 80 &->=s s.'~~*, ; $9@& '3%< = 81 ?
ooh, hang my foot! Say mex
"eeA'@ @9*&Z8 a5aH SIX = ~sc5 7gsr .-.41
eyes; but mind you, this is a secre
between Us. You go in as Raeburn'
bona 6de clerk, not as a knight of ro