Litchfield enquirer., 1868-01-16
From Forney's Weekly Press. 4 CHRISTMAS MISTAKE.
BY CAPTAIN EiAYGiE REID.

ton, and took train for the metropolis. i 1 protracted spell of service with ny regi- ment on tho hot plains of Ijl,jostau ha,; made he a atangcr to most of tIlc friends of ny youth Even the home of my cl:ild- l hood was in tifa hands of one who knew me but by name. Close at hand Was ;ae hap l picst day iii the Kaleul:l of the English year. and ] should have to pass # n the dingy coffee room Of a Lonion botel, CT ] the equally dull chambers of the club that still bore my nano upon it's books Carts and wagons rolled past my window laden with evergreens, butciler's shops gave cvi- dence of the proximity of the festive sea son, while fair girls tripping it through the streets, smiled with expectant pleasure as their eyes rested on tic pale green leaves, and peliucid berries oi the mistle- toe.
 1 felt somewhat dissatisfied as I regard cd the moving panorama, in which every parsonage seemed stirred by pleasant an ticipations. could take no part in 1t. For me there was no domestic hearth-no cheerful circle to make me q aiarer in it's ioys--no mistletoe under which I should be permitted to snatch the sweet kiss Of Christmas. Ialmost regretted the leave of absence that had given 6 chance for my return. Better to have stayed among my joyial comrades, sticking pigs i'll the jungle, or swinging il grass hammock witt. bookal between my teeth. Some what despairingly I sauntered towards the old club. had but the faintcst hope I might there find some fellow as misera- ble as myself. It was just faint. 1 conld hardly expect that any one belonging to the country could be quite so friendless as to have no family freside whereat to en- joy the festivities of the coming holiday. Still there might be some old acquaintance to smoke cigar with me; and as my name appeared in the passenger list there was but the chance that some former friendship mi3ht be res1citated by reading it.
 ''Any letter for Captain Fleetwynd?" l asked of the club janitor as I vi ped my feet upon the cocoa mating.
 "Captain Fleetwyud! Yes, Sir. One just come in by the last delivery. Long time since we've seen yon here, sir. Hope you're in good health. Just is time to en- joy the festivities of Cristmas. May it be merry one to you, sir.
 I thanked the obsequious official al- though 1 almost fancied he was mocking me. Merry Christmas, indeed! Such was the sardonic reflection that escaped as l DHSSeu OH tO CHS -lOOlQ.
 With regalia between my teoth,I open ed the letter and read it. It's contents changed the tenor of my thoughts From being the most miserable dog in the streets of the metropolis, became all at once comparatively happy. A transcript of the letter will satisfy you of this:
 kINGsCoTE PARK, Dec. 24, 18-.
 DEAR FLEETWYND: l see your name on the Simla's passenger list, and, therefore, conclude that you are by this time in Lon don. l address to the old club, where J hope this will reach you. If you are not booked for your Christmas dinner, come down here and eat it with me. Take the 5 P. M. train to Slough Station, where VOL, will find some fiunkeys who will pilot you the rest of the way. Don't disappoint me, as long to have talk over old times, and hear your tales of tiger shooting.
 Yours, as of yore,
 HENRY D1oUNT.
 Captain Francis FeettUyn1 F. 4.
 The letter was delivered to me on Christ mas eve, and on Christmas day, at 5P. M, was on the platform of the .Paddington terminus, carrying in one hand leathern bag, containing change of linen, with Q dress suit, and in tho other ticket for the Slough Station.
 Ensconced Ill corner seat. of one of those luxurious carriages for which the Great Western 'broad gauge is so justly celebrated. ] was soon lost in sweet reYarie indulgihg in dreams of the long gone past of banquet, song, and dance and wine of golden haired girls-of ripe ruby lips standing patiently to be kissed under the mistletoe-and now and then the reflect ion that heart hitherto unscathed by the charmers of India might yield to the mystic influence of the season, and become en- slaved to some maid of the colder English cline. Only half an hour was I permitted to speculate in this wayward fashion; for precisely at half past five the carriage in which I was seated was dropped behind the express train, and following the impetus already imparted to 1t, rolled silently into the station. Then was I awakened from my dream by loud voice proclaiming our arrival at Slough" Bag in hand I. stap- ped out of tho carriage, and sauntering along the platform looked out for a fellow in livery. There were several standing near the entrance, one of whom, a footman of somewhat pretentious appearance, came forward, and with the usual salute accosted me:
 ''Mr. Fleetwynd?"
 'Yes" I answered, though not without noticing the omission of my military title The man mayhave been carelessly instruct ed, or forgotten his instructions.
 'Ihe carriage sir, he said pointing to chariot and pair drawn up outside the rail- ing, with coachman upon the box weigh ing at least quarter of ton.
 Harry must have prospered thought I. as I stepped into the chariot and sank back on the soft morocco cushions. His fathers equipage, no doubt, and supposed that to the old Squire's house I was being ta ken.
 I had never been there, and my acqt1ain- tanee with the Blount family was confined. to Henry himself-a college friendship, in- terrupted by my being suddenly called off to service in India
 The renewal of it so opportuneiy appear ed promising knew that my friend had sister, whom l had never seen, but of whom rumor spoke pretty things. Was she still unmarried-still dIsengaged? If so there might be chance for my becom- ing Benedict.
 As these pleasant fancies fitted across nv mind pulled off my travelling cap, passed my fingers through my still unsilvered curls gazed at my sun -embrowned yisape reflected in the plated glass of the carriage windows and gave an additional twirl io