Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-01
Alisfellanp.
From Harper's Weekly BUYING A RECRUIT.

From Harper's Weekly
 BUYING A RECRUIT.
 The slanting afternoon sunshine drew lines of gold across the velvet grass at Central Park the air just touched with keen soupcon of coming frosts, was full of October sweetness and the full tide of metropolitan fashion was rolling down the drive, while Jarvis Payne leaned against rustic iron chair at the june . tion of two broad roads. and surveyed the ''turn outs'' with a critical eye. Neigh ho sighed Mr. Payne, drearily, its rather tirssome work standing here, and not seeing soul one knows. It's dreadful bore not having anything to do with one's self! I wish I was a rope-dancer-or policeman-or one of those chaps in overallss begging away at thestone wall on Fifth venue. I wish-Why. halo, Maurice Amy, this is never you l? For stylish little carriage with one gentle man driving in front, and solemn servant with folded arms occupying the back seat con jointly with a velvet topped crutch. had dashed close up to him with a sudden check. Whom else should it be?' demanded clear merry voice Jump up quick the horses aren't feathers to hold in and feel quite con scious that two months in bed don't make a fellow any stronger than he was before Are you all right? Then here goesP
 'But, Amy stammered the astounded Jar l
 Not |; it takes more than chance bullet hole to use me up.'
 Gut your foot
 'Oh. it is healing up all right. A little pain ful yet; and I rather imagine it will take more than two months of practice to convince mysel that crutch is better than fooS. How ever-'
 T suppose must call you Major Amy now, said Payne. lightly touching the glittering in e cho l.. my's brow contracted.
 sMajor Amy. off duty for the rest of his life ]! Oh, if were but the lowest private in my regi- ment, to be able to strike another blow for the cause honor! See here. Jarvis Payne! what are you doing at such a time as this? Why don't you enlst' Come go in my vacant
 Jarvis Payne shook his head with a calm ness that was exquisitely irritating to the en- thusiastic young officer.
 We don't look at the thing in the same light. Maurice.
 Jarvis Payne, don't give me reason to sus- pect that you have joined the crew of Copper heads! Remember I'm strong enough yet to pitch you out of the carriage y
 Payne smiled.
 Gently, Amy; we shall both have our necks broken, if you drive iu that hazard style K
 Then am to suppose that you care sliy. CT for the country?'
 'Oh. yes I love my country well enough, yawned Payne. Don't pay my income tax, and give quarter to every old imposter that comes along with an army blue suit and a mile long lie about the hospital he has been discharged from 1? Of course I am patriotic enough. and all that sort of thing; but that is no reason why I should go and butt my head up against Jeff Davis's cynon r
 And you call yourself citizen of the American Republic ?
 T take that liberty
 'And avail yourself unhlashingly of the privilege of a government which you are un-- willing to uphold {?
 Hold on there l--there are two sides to that argument if you please How very pret- ty Miss Aubrey looks tonight and what a gracious smile she gave you! Thy say she is uncommonly sweet on you Maurica-eh?' l Nonsense r ejaculated Maj,r Amy, vexed to feel the blood mou"ting to his pale cheek. There r ppSued Payne, she's turned half way round to look at that interesting crutch of yours. It is a great thing to be a wounded soldier, with plenty of money. But, as was saying-'
 Yes, as you were saying sWhat's the use of tramping of to the wars myself. when I've paid money enough to hire half dozen Irishnen to stand up and be shot att
 But We don't want money-we want men f' Meaning that you want ma. Mo- thank you r 7s
 Jarvis, never thought you were cow ard.'
 Now, look here, Almy exclaimed Payne reused at last into the semblance of energy, that's not fair. I am not red hot fa-atic on the subject of war, neither do I pretend to be. You are one of the fiery. dashing fellows that fairly enjoy marching up to a line of fixed bayoHets. Fighting is your element-you like the fun r The fitn,' repeated Almy, in a low, grave voice, glancing down at the bandaged stump Fthat lay on a cushion close to the dash board We'll, I mean, of course, the excitement Ot the thing. It is no sacrifice for you to turn soldier, and draw your pay in glory, trumpet blasts from all the papers. majors shoulder straps, and bouquet for your sick room ever y 1 day, with Miss Aubrey's card stuck into it. It I is not so disagreeable to fight for one's coun- try on such terms as those But I mean to say that when it came to any act of real, disa- greeable self denial, you wouldn't be any read fer than am. As I sad before, it is mat ter of personal taste. Let the country call upon Major Maurice Amy to saw wood or cut out army coats at dollar day for its bene fit and matters would wear altogether diff ferent aspect r
 Do you think so P
 am sure of i:3.' I should just like fair trial-that's all l! Should you We'll, then, listen to me- said Payne, with the sneering smile that Al my particularly disliked You are an in grain aristocrat, Maurice Amy, with fastidi. ous tastes that thousand years of soldier life would only tend to deepen. Don't shake your head-l know you better than you know yourself. Now I am willing to make bar. gain with you.'
 State your terms Do you know old Raeburn, the shoema- tker
 Do know him No, I believe I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance; | but Iknow whom you mean--an old Jew of g fellow whom the ladies rather like to patron. l ize, in - street. .Old Raeburn is very much in want of g clerk in his store to sell shoe-strings. couu, the cash, and keep his Accounts, besides doing any other dirty work that comes uppermost.' Is he What the mischief is that to me? Just this. If you will take the position and fulil it's duties just for one day Me? In Isaac RaeburnH store ?