The mountain Democrat., 1864-01-02


former commander approaching, and with
sudden feeling Of false shame, he tried
to avoid a recognition. But the quick eye
Of General Vernon was not to be eluded,
and Intercepting him With an outstretched
hand, he exclaimed:
-sWhat, DuttORi is that you? II seems
an age since we met. Living in this neigh
borhood, eh ?
Yes, General, have been living here
s;~~~ S.xetieed FROM the service ..rs
And you sold out, 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 lecture for
taking you from u.s.
Poor buttons look of confusion, as he
pictured the generals visit surprising his
wife in the performance Of her menial la
bors, rather surprised the veteran but
its true cause did not occur to him. He
had great regard for Dutton, consider
ing him one Of the best and bravest of.
ficcrs urder his command, and was sin
cerely pleased at meeting him again so,
after a ten minutes colloquy, during the
progress OF which the ex soldier, like a
war horse who pricks up his ears at the
sound of the trumpet, became gay and
animated, as old associations of the camp
and field came back on him, the general
shook him heartily by the hand, and said
- You'll dine with me to morrow, Dut-
ton, and meet few Of our old friends
Come, I'll take no excuse; you must not
turn hermit on our hands,
At first Dutton was going to refuse, but
on second thought, he accepted the invi.
tation, not having, indeed, any good rea
son to offer for declining it. Having tO-
ken leave of the general, he proceeded
home, and announced their interview to
his wife. She, poor woman. Immediately
took out his well.saved suit and occupy
ing herself IN repairing,as best she might,
the cruel ravageS Of time; us well as it,
starching and ironing an already snowy
shirt to the highest degree Of perfection.
Next day, in due time, he arrived at
General Vernon'S handsome temporary
dwelling, and received cordial welcome.
4 duzcn guests, civilians as well as sol
dierS, sat down to a splendid banquet
After dinner, the conversation happened
to turn on the recent Improvements in
the arts and manufactures and comFara.
sons were drawn between the relative tai.
cnt for invention displayed by artists Of
different countri,s. Matchmaking hap.
pering To be mentioned as one of the arts
which had been wonderfully improved
during late Yeas, the host desired his va
let to t, tch q most heautifuI little watch,
which he bad lately purchased in Paris,
aud which was less valuable for its richly
j"wcled case than for the exquisite per.
(, ctlon Of the mechanism it en>hrincd.-
The uinkct aS>rd from hand To hand.
and was greatly admired by the guests ;
and thea the cOnvc, Sati"n turned On other
topics, AMI many suIjrcts were discussed.
unIII they a'ij"urn.d tu the drawing room
to take coffee.
After Sitting there while. the general
S'Ihdcnly rrcOllcctet his watch, and ring
ing tor tbs valet, desired hIm To take IT
from the dIn!ng room table, where it had
hrcu lih, and Restore it To lis proper
place. H. Il lew moments the servant re-
inrucj, ln"king somewhat fiShtrLed; he
cuu,d rot tid the watch. General Yer
non, surprised, went himself to search.
and "a> not more frr"nate.
Perhaps, sir, y"u or one Of the compa
ny may have carried it by mistake INTO
the drawing ROOM
i think not, but we will trv'
Another search, III which all the guests
joined hut without avail.
I & "A ,k tI
some one toy chance may tread upon and
break it,
General Vernon was a widower, and
this costly trin..et was intended as a pres
ent to his only child, daughter, who had
lately married wealthy baronot.
we will none Of US leave the room till
it is found = exclaimed one of the gentle
men with solemn emphasis.
That decision, SAID a young man, who
was engaged that night to a ball, might
quarter us on our host for an indefinite
time. propose much more speedy and
satisfactory cxprdient, let w. all be search
ed -
This suggestion was received with mer-
riment and acclaInaticn>, and the young
man presented himself as the first victim,
was searched by the valet, who, for the
nonce. enacted the part of custom house
officer. The general, " no at first opposed
this piece of practical pleasantly, ended
by laughing at it; and each new inspection
of pockets produced fresh bursts OF mirth.
Captain Dutton alone took no share in
what was going on; his hand trembled, his
brow darkencd, and he stood as much
apart as possible At length his turn
came, the other guests had all displayed
the contents Of their pockets. so with one
accord, and amid renewed laughter, they
surrounded him, exclaming that he must
he the guilty one, as he was the last
The captain, pale and agitated. muttered
some excuses, which were unheard amid
the uproar.
Now for It, johnson = said one to the
valet.
johnson, we're watching you = said an.
other; produce the culnrit.
The eServant advanced; hut Dutton cross
ing his arms on his breast, declared in an
agitated voice, that, except by violence,
no one should lay hand on him. A very
awkward silence ensued, which the gen
eral broke by saying:
Captain Dutton is right this child's
play has gone on long enough. ] claim
exemption for him and for myself
Dutton trembling and unable to speak,
thanked his kind host with a grateful
look, and then took an carly opportunity
of Withdrawing.
General Vernon did not make the slight
est remark on his departure, and the re-
manning guests, through politeness, imi-
tatcd his reserve hut the mirth of the
evening was gone, every face looked anx-
iouS, and the host himself looked grave
and thoughtful.