The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-12-14
#isi;slIaueuus.
GOING AS A SUBSTITUTE.


spitefal emphasis. "Every officer absen,
on leave, and the Colonel don't see how he
can dispense with my valuable services
even for day. Confound his politencss -
"Now. them" quoth I, soothinsly, ''steady
old fellow, it isn't worth while to excite
yourself In such warm weather Re calm y
The captain stamped his feet with de.
spairing energy.
"Calm! It's very we'll for you bache
lors to talk about being calm; but suppose
you'd jus, got telegram from your wife
that she was coming to join you, and 70.
qre.ting you to meet her at Philadelphia
aud suppose you conldn't get leave Of ab.
sence for so much ~ an hour Then
would you not 800 where the calmness
came IMP Poor dear Mary! she has the
little ones with her, and abe knows no more
about travelling than kitten. But I say,
Hary!"
"Wen."
.'Do he obliging for once-it would be
such favor r..
"What would ?"
swhy, 20 on and meet Mary and the lii.
tie chicks for me-"
Kentwood Dale put his hands on my
shoulder anil looked iinploringly at the. ]
opened my eyes deprecatingly.
"Nonsense, Kent"
"Do, Harry, you can't imagine the relief
it will he to mo. I'd do as much for you, ]
would, indeed! Just think what tight
place II is for a fellow to be in"
During all the twenty three years Of my
life. had never acquired the art Of saying
NO. and this Captain Dale knew full well
It was rather an embarrassing affair, this
going to meet another mans wife and In
bies, hut what was ] to do? kentwood
begged SO hard, and the case did seem
ru,hcr particular one.
"You'll 90, Harry"
And I answered with an inward groan:
"lll 60, Kent, to oblige you.'
DaIe's face brightened-he clasped both
my hands warmly.
"Depend upon me, Harry, won't for.
get your Kindness very soon. III 90 and
see about the leave Of absence Immediately
while you get ready. The SIX o'clock
train will he in time all you've got to do
Is to ask the conductor Of the Philadelphia
train for lady and children who came
through from i'oston. Poor Mary, she'll
he frightened out Of her senses in strange
place by HERSELF
And Captain Dale hurried away, leaving
me to cogita,e on tho approaching pleasures
Of nights journey on the railroad.
l had comfortably established myself on
a snugly cushioned seat, where the swing.
ing lamp would afford Inc sufficient light to
read the evening paper, and Kentwood
Dale's beaning countennnce was thrust in
through the window by way ofa good bye.
"l'm SO much obliged to you, old fel
low !" che reiterated, "You'll tell Mary
jus, how il happcned.'
"All right" responded.
The whistle gave It's unearthly yell-thc
cars trembled Ms If pulse Of life was thrill.
ing through its iron links, and we began to
move. ! was preparing to unfold my news.
paper, when all Of sudden It dropped to
the floor,
The prettiest creature lever saw! Blue
eyed, with sunny hair full Of Aeeting, hrok.
en- lights. aud mouth like q red plum, a
genuine blonde, in a trim travelling dress,
whose color-l suppose the 'nillinen. have
some name or other for it-but | should
call il the Tin, Of purple smoke.wreath.
! took aIl these particulars at ono glance
while she stood in the aisle, apparently
awaiting the motions Of stout young man
who was accommodating little in advance.
IAN full, t;vcy," he said. de.pondinsly.
Then pcrceiving jhe vacant spot by my
side, his face lighted.
'If this seat isn't engaged, sir, my Sis
ter"
Ills sister! What lucky thing she was
not his wife! sprans up with instanta-
neous politeness.
"Certainly, sir-by all means"
The stout young ,nan wiped his forehead
and rctrcaled to she smoking car. much
relieved. Actually, the henrtless wretch
seemed delighted to get rid Of his pretty
companion and her travelling bags bu, then
bu,hen never appreciate the perfec,ions Of
sister.
How wish l had devoted little more
attention to my toilet before starting. ]
was painfully conscious Of my cravat be.
ing carclcssly lied, and the top button being
OF my shir.boeom, every time the blue
eyes were turned towards nc. Hang that
wash.wo,nan q, tho camp! did she pave
her garden walks with mother-of pearl
buttons2 And besides wss BY no means
certain that my Inoustaehe had been prop
erly waxcd, or my hair parted straight BE-.
hind.
Hut I forgot these dreadful misgivinss az.
ter while, ana edged gradually into con.
versatioa with my blue-eyed neishbor.
What did wo talk sbou,' Why, Byron
and war, crotchet work and the Sanitsry
Commission, Of eouise. What else do
Jouns people eonveps on these dsysi
And shs told me Of The flannel wnpprn
she had made foe the soldiers. and { rslst.
cd tho particular Of the oos battIs ! bad
been concerned In; and We hushed and
joted and ssntimsnsalissd tessther, and In
shors. became exoslisnt friends.
sPhyla-dsl.phyl" bawled the eooduc,.