The weekly Butte record., 1864-01-16

press his claims he was to proud to be
importunate and so others succeeded
where he failed.
It happened shat the general under
whom be had served, and who had lost
sight of him since his retirement from
the service, came to spend few months
at the watering place near which the
buttons resided, and hired for the sea
son handsome furnished house. Walk
ing one morning on the sands, in dis
consulate mood, our hero saw, with sur
prise, his former commander approach
ING, and with a sudden feeling of false
shame, he tried to avoid recognition.
But the quick eye Of General Vernon
was not to be eluded, and intercepting
him with an outstretchcd hand he ex-
claimed:
"What, Dutton is that you? 1t
seems an age since We met. Living
in this neighbcrhood, ch %
"Yes, General, l have been living
here since | retired from the service
And you sold out, l think-to please
the mistress, | suppose, Dutton! All !
these ladies have great deal to answer
for. Tell Mrs. Dutton shall call on
her some morning, and read her lee
ture for taking you from US"
Poor Dutton's look Of confusion. as
he pictured the generals visit surprising
his wife in the performance Of her menial
labors, rather surprised the veteran but
Its true cause did not occur to him. He
had a great regard for Dutton, consid-
ering him one of the best and brayest
officers under his command, and was
sincerely pleased at meeting him again;
so, after a ten minutes colloquy, du-
ring the PROCESS of which the ex-soldier
ike 4 war horse who pricks up his ears
at the sound of the trumpet, became gay
and animated, as old associations of
camp and field came back on him, the
general shook him heartily by the hand
and said. You'll dine with me to-mor-
row, Dutton, and meet few of your
old friends? Come, I'll take no excuse;
you must net turn hermit on our
hands"
At first, Dutton was going to refuse,
but Oh second thought, he accepted the
invitation, not having, indeed, any good
reason to offer for decliningit. Having
taken leave Of the general, he proceed
ed home and announced their interview
to his wife. She, poor woman immedi-
ately took out his well-sayed suit, and
occupying herself in repairing, as best
she might, the cruel ravages Of time !;
as we'll as in starching and ironing an
already snowy shirt to the highest de
gree Of perfection.
Next day, in due time, he arrived at
General Vernon's handsome temporary
dwelling, and received cordial well
come. A dozen guests, civilians as
well as soldiers, to splendid banquet
After dinner, the conversation happen
ed to turn on the recent Improvements
in the arts and manufactures and COM
parisons We're drawn between the rela-
tive talent for invention displayed by
artists Of different countries. Watch
making happening to be mentioned as
one Of the arts which had been wonder
fall improved during late years, the host
desired his valet to fetch most beauti
ful little watch, which he had lately pur
chased In Paris, and which was less val
liable fer its richly jewelel case than for
the exquisite perfection Of the mechan-
ism it enshrined. The trinket passed
from hand to hand, and was greatly ad-
mired BY the guests and then the con
versation turned on other topics, and
many subjects were discussed, until
they adjourned to the drawing room to
take coffee.
After sitting there awhile, the general
suddenly recollected his watch, and
ringing for his valet, desired him to take
it from the dining room table, where it
had been left, and restore it to its prop
er place. In few minutes the servant
returned, looking somewhat frightened,
! he could not find the watch. General