The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-24

your face for many day. And go look in the
| mirror; upon my word, the morning air has made
| your cheeks as rosy as / remember they used to
be when You were child, and took You walking
over the hills with me every morning before
| went of for so long," - 7.
"Ah, father, / remember them so well. and how
| good you were. lifting me over the muddy places,
| and risking your dear old eyes among the briars
| to pick me the prettiest hedge roses. Papa you
were not old then. No indeed you weren't; l
| can't realize that you are now. Do you know you
have always looked the same to me, and always
| wlll-always, my father, nothing less 20
| Eyes, yes \; know it, Kate" said he. "but
these white hairs make me have strange thoughts
| sometimes" and with another fond look, aud
good natured laugh. as If TO offset the tear which
her dear words had called forth, the major threw
aside his heavy cloak, took off his hat and stood
before the fireplace, man tall, erect, horid OF
| countensnce though gray of locks and scrupu-
lously neat in dress withal, Notwithstanding his
journey. ----7
81 have been thinking, Kate" said he, after a
few moments, to his daughter, who was looking
out upon the busy street abstractedly, " have
been thinking that you require lest. Now lay
aside your things, and let me leave you for lit
lie while. You are not tired, l know. | will ram
Die through the town for an hour or so, AID be
back in time to breakfast with you by O'Clock.
She turned and came toward him. T" Don't stay
long, dear father" she answered, standing before
him and looking up 81 don't feel as if | could
sleep bit. Bot order the trunks sent up, and
will have everything to rights when you return"
"Oh! you little puss, know you too well to
suppose you will be idle. Don't you recollect
that one Of the first promises your childish lips
ever lisped was that when you grew older you
would sew the buttons on my coats and keep my
bookcase in order for me. So now bring me nv
cloak. III not be gone long. Kate"
she brought what he asked, and kissed her
father goodbye as resuming once more his state
bness Of bearing, he passed out along the hail
and descended the stairs to the street.
CHAPTER SECOND.
"Wby, Loring, is il possible" exclaimed a
CHEEKY voice. as the major, having called at the
Office to order the trunks sent up, sauntered
leisurely up the street. He had been stationed in
G. many years before as recruiting-Officer
when lie was young leutenant and the busy
town, allowing for its growth and progress, mean
while, was not this morning altogether unfamiliar
TO him. He was recalling with some interest the
events of his younger days passed here, when sud-
denly the friendly voice addressed him and turn.
ing, be saw middle-aged individual, stout and
short Of stature, with rubcund, smooth, shaven
face, merry, twinklng eye, hair just turning the
least bit grey, and hand extended to greet him.
The major surveyed him from head to foot. He
saw dapper little man dressed in q black suit,
scrupulously brushed with silk hat, smooth and
shiny. with boots brilliantly polished, with shirt
bosom immaculate, and standing collar re-
mOrseessy starched that it had, at that early
hour ritated the fat folds Of the weaIers neck TO
a fiery redness. This goodnatured, comfortable
little man wore kids, one of which was upon his
left hand, holding the other, as he extended his
unglOved right in salute. Why, old friend, don't
you know me !' said he.
The major looked hard at him the while, and
the play of his handsome features as recognition
gradually came with the glance was worthy of
painter. Why; said he, grasping the hand of.
fered him, as live, this must be my old friend
Tom Sparrow" and as the little corpnIent man in
black, OveTjOyed by the recognition, only shook
Il e majors hand with redoubed vigor the greet.
ing became most emphatic one aud the two,
looking into each others faces, forgot IN the
pleasure OF their reunion ali the changes time had
wrought thereon.
Il knew twas you" said the little man. &" was
walking with my wife on the other side two
squares below when spied you; wife going
~ see about birthday present for Jack, our old
est boy Jack is eighteen tomorrow /; Just got
home from college this morning. Well, saw you;
said TO wife, There's Bob Loring, by Jove.' and
of darted. She begged me to stop. 'Tom,'
said Mrs. s., you're forever running off on wild
goose chases after people, and making such ridcu.
lOus Mistakes Nonsense, wife, said l. Its Bob
Loring, or III lose my next CASE so OF | hurried
after you, leaving estimabe Mrs. sparrow to wait
my return. Come now, come with me, Loring,
III introduce you"
The dignifed major felt the little short fat arm
locked with his and himself hurried of at rapid
gait, Laughing At his companions good nsIured
lOQuscity.
And now tell me, dear old friend, how has
time dealt with you since we parted ?" asked the
latter, as he fastened with the captive msjor to
rejoin his spouse.
- The old story, Tom." replied Loring, closes |
and gains, pleasures and pains. I've Travelled |
some, seen great deal of active service, and am |
now on the retired list. I've got a COMPOUNDED |
Nc xican bullet, fired at Vera Cruz. in my left
shoulder to this day, and can assure you feel it |
On crisp mornings such as this"
"And your family you married, didn't you? |
Seems to ne heard Of your wedding, through |
that captain of yours who relieved you here"
A shadow of gloom came over the majors
,ounteDaDce. 'Yes,r he answered 9 my boy |
viii is of on the plains, lieutenant in the = III.
Kate, my daughter, is here with me. My wife
TeF-n
"Now, Mr.. S." interrupted a voice. as good
as that possessed by the one addressed,
i do protest against desertion."
Not when bring In such a prisoner, wife,"
replied the husband, letting go of the majors
Arm" Mrs. Sparrow, let me, as the result of my
Wild goose chase, present my valued acquaini-
lnce, Lieutenant, mo, Colonel, by this time, sup
oose,) Robert Loring." and ali three bowed the
mel Or gsllantly lifting his hat, laughing and in
erposing "MAJoR Loring, Tom.n He extended
lis hand 10 a maronly, rosy faced lady, femi-
line counterpart of her lord, who stood benignly
troking his chin with his left hand, and daintily
holding the lapel of his coat with his right.
" am most happy, madame" said the major,
. to meet the wife OF my friend of long ago."
and feel that we are acquainted already,
r," she answered, $50 familiar has your name be-
,Ome by my husbands frequent mention of the
lays when you were intimate. You are but
temporary visitor in c.. | presume. May we
lot claim you as our guest"'
am accompanied by my daughter, and have
AIKEN rooms at the Wilton House." said the major,
must therefore decline an invitation. which, |
we're | alone would be only too gladly accepted
Is an opportunity for recalling the memories of a
lappV past"
Bring her, too" interrupted the little man,
II will only make us the hsppier-I won't listen
0 q re usal."
" must positively Decline" said the major, in
manner which, while kind and courteous, left
10 doubt as TO its fnality.
" At all events, major, You will accompany us
viii your daughter, TO the races, this eveDing,
nd take tea with Us afterward, wont you? ?" asked
be. good naturedy.
" With all my heart, madame, ;" was the reply.
1--WE shall call for you ct two, then" said spar
ow. pulling out from mere force of habit when
ny hour was mentioned, huge gold repeater,
Which he was wont TO say had belonged to his
rand father, who fought the Hessians, sir, by |
jupiter, and when thrown into their hands 90
risoner Of war, had secreted il in his boot, sir, |
Fhere ii had remained, would you believe il, sir, |
mil his recspture." All this he would have gone |