The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-03-30
VOLUME 25.l
Written for the Telegraph.
Neutrality-suspicious..
A STORY OF THE TIMES.

The day was bright and soft and dreamy.
The air was balmy and warm as summer.
The sky was blue and clear. Autumn had
laid her magic fingers on the woods, and
left here and there crimson and yellow
leaves among thier green robes. There was
a rosy haze in the air, that piled shadows
upon the distant woods and at the horizon
deepened to purple. 1t was day of rare
beauty. Somewhere in Kenosha Co, exact
Iy vlsere, is not to be told-the day was en-
joyed and appreciated.
Near home like cottage, group OF hive
girls were seated on the short, thick grass
near spreading apple tree, which still held
ripe, rosy apples high among its branches
They were not at all remarkable in appear
ance being only unassuming country girls,
such as may be found anywhere in Wis.
| Two of them, whose names may be Lizzie
and Fanny, were carelessly turning the
leaves of Waverly," chatting gaily all the
while. Two others held in their hand the
universal tatting shuttle, which they Piled
deity between whites. The fifth sat lltti0
apart from the others, and was reading IN a
SANDERS Fifth Reader" She did not seem
to be much absorbed in her book, for ever
and anon her eye rested with pleasure on tn
charming group before her. 1t was plain TO
be seen that there was no restraint upon the
group, that all felt perfectly at home and
free to do as they chose. Thus they read
and talked and laughed alternately for a
time, until suddenly Lizzies indolent fin
gers stayed upon page of the paper. With
a look of in terest, she bent her curly head
nearer, then raised a face brimfull Of mis-
chief to her companions.
See here girls. Here is a @5hole page of
advertisements, and all for correspondents.
Here is room for fun We can each answer
one, and then we can compare the letters we
receive ~
''Yes,' said Fanny, ''here is one shall an
swer, from Lieut.. on Cen Fosters staff >
Nora made choice of one, signed-"Capt
Harry, 43d Mass Rcgt" Laura was deba-
ting whether 0 answer dashing Major.
who wanted Jun and friendship" or high
private IN the rear ranks" who wished to
Corr pond with some sensible young lady,
for mutual improvement"
Isn't it provoking. says Lizzie, pouting
''theres Mabel Gray, never seems to be in
terested in anything-wonder if she ever is
Here we ere, having so much fun-going to
have more!-and she sits porting over that
old Reader, that she almost knows by heart "
Thus talked at, Mabel laid aside her book
which she declared was more interesting than
the lasr magazine, and inquired of Lizzie.
who acted as spokesman, what was wanted.
eve want your help we are planning fun
for the next three months 81 do not be-
lieve you need my help to plan fun, for |
have not an atom of wit; but lay your royal
commands upon me, and I'll obey, as far as
lieth in my power" she playfully rejoined.
Then, all together, they told her what new
mischief was on foot.
She listened quietly, until they stopped.
then said gravely, 'Girls, you are not going
to do any such thing. | think too much Of
you; forbid it." "Why not? p they demand.
ed, almost angriIy. eve will sign fictitious
names, and what possible harm can it do p
ut would do harm, girls; you would not re-
spect yourselves as much, for one thing; and
you might make acquaintance of whom you
would not be proud"
'You speak as one having experience, >
quoth Nora, little sacasticaIly. Convince
us, by telling what you know"
mo hard words Nora" returned Mabel
''and you shall have all know about these
precious advertisements. I'll get the letters
and copies Of mine, if you will be patient
So saying, she sprang lightly away, and soor
returned, bearing in her hand a small leath
er-covered book, which proved to be her jour
; nal, and to contain the copies of her letters
She was greeted with shower of questions
which she did not attempt to answer.
'Give me the letters" said Lizzie; ''anC
the Journal to me-" said Laura
'"To neither of you will | resign them. !
, you will bide my time, and not interrupt me
[ will tell you all have to tell. But if yol
' interrupt me, may be l shall forget for sto
ry telling is not my gift"
They all promised to be very still, of course
q and all forgot as often as every five minutes
Mabel seated herself leisurely, against tn
body of the tree, and thus related.
: Il suppose you all you all remember tn
terrible cold of last New Years rhe road
were drifted full from fence to fence, and tn
cold was so intense that we saw no one out
y side the family, for days 1t was drear
; enough. New Years day, father was readin
" In the Telegraph. He laid it down, locke
; up at me quizziclly, then handed it to m
: amp told me to read. l read an advertise
l. ment Tor Correspondence mutual i'm
: provement, from Badger, Co. E. LIST Wi
+ Cav Vols, Sd Brigade, LIST Div, 18th A. C
e Chattanooga, Tenn.
, 81 did not think much about it then
n had frequently seen advertisements for cor
T respondence in the Chicago Tribune but
; bad never known any one to answer then
re Afterwards, the subject occurred to me, an
8 as there was great Iearth of amusement.
'e determined to answer it. did not say an,
IL thing about it, but i'll the evening sat dow
a to write; and the next question was VIII,
H. should write? While trying to answer tn;
ii question, my glance fell upon stray mini
~ ture photograph of mine. One idea seiz1
ii me, and instantly proceeded to execute t,
tn thought. selected a smooth, white she
Ie of note, and fastened the photograph on II
ne first page, and wrote underneath
nd JAN. Ist 1864.