The weekly standard., 1866-03-03
A few davs after the conversation

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Division Surgeon at that time. calleG
to see the ladies, and Mrs. Stacy, whs
was great favorite with the Doctor
stated Harry's case to him and asked
for certificate. DIR. Henderson gav.
it, and extended his leave of absenct
fifteen days, asking very significantly
if Mrs. Stacy thought the young mar
would be in any better condition tc
leave Belmont. sBut I guess Mis-,
Minnie can answer that question.
The bushes of that young lady had
NO effect on the Doctors hard heart
and he lectured her soundly for caus
ing so good soldier to backslide.
You need not attempt to deny any
thing accuse you Of Don't I see your
handiwork in that fancy shirt and cum.
ming little necktie ?"
Minnie, said her sister, " tell DIR
Henderson if he viii say no more yog
viii be as kind to him."
This seemed to pacify the disciple
of Esculapius, who, like all of that pro
fession, considered himself priyi
legged character.
At the expiration of fifteen day.
Harry Percy found himself well enough
to rejoin his command, and as much
as it made his heart ache to leave Bel
mont, he knew that his Mamma Stacy,
as he called his friend, would not per.
NIT him to remain day over his time
The last goodbye was said, and as
they watched young Percy disappear
in the distance, poor little Minnie
sighed involuntarily.
All! my pet" said her sister, this
will never do. Do you not know thai
our young friend is mourning over the
forsaken vows of a cruel girl?" But
thought she, "there: is many hear
caught in the rebound. I must see tc
all this"
And well might she charge hersel
with such a duty, for Cupid's bow was
bent, and "many a shot at random
sent, finds mark the archer little
meant"
I may as well remark here, as / seen
to have omitted it, that Minnie was
motherless, and Mrs Stacy, the widow
of brother who fell at Manassas, was
the sister-mother-the presiding ge.
MUS of the household.
As soon as she could, Mrs. Stacy
wrote to Harry's parents, and soon re-
ceiyed an answer. They thanked
her for her kindness to their son
and gave the same account of his un-
fortunate attachment that he had
given.
Months passed on, and every weeI
brought letter to Mrs. Stacy from hel
protege; but more than half of it would
be filed with messages to Minnie
After reading one of these partnership
letters, Mrs. Stacy remarked to hel
sister:
Min, guess I had best consent
for you and Harry to correspond; an
tired of being his minister plenipoten.
tiary at the Court of Cupid.
"Oh sister, You don't mean to SAY
that we are making cat's-paw of you
Indeed. sister, MIR. Percy never spoke
word of love to me in his life.
"Why, my little pet, who has said
anything about love2 You are betray-
ing yourself"
But, unlike DIR. Henderson, Mrs. Sta
cy took pity on the embarrassment Q
Minnie, and changed the conversation
A few months after this incident
Harry Percy made his appearance a
Belmont. He was much improved, and
gave evidence Of the great charge thai
had taken place. He and his Mamma
Stacy" had long chat after tea. HI
told of his temptations and how he hae
resisted, and then said, "I believe thai
your influence viii make a man Of mt
yet"
"My dear Harry, do not give me al
the praise. / have only been the In
strument in the hands of God; to Hin
is all the praise to be given.
"I know that" said he, but yor
took me in. when friendlesa stranger
and it was your influence that led ms
to seek wisdom at wisdom's shrine
How can I ever repay you?
81 am sufficiently compensated; youl
gratitude and the consciousness of ha
wing aided fellow-creature to reform
is reward enough
And. now said Harry, am go
ing to ask . great favor Of you. Yos
have no doubt suspected my growing
attachment for your sister. | do no
know that she reeinrocafee the feeling