Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-10-14

MIN with an OutstretcneO nanu, ne
exclaimed,
"Why, Dutton! Is that you? It
seems an age since we met. Living
ia, this neighborhood, eh?"
eyes, General, l have been living
here ance retired from the SERVICE"
"And you sold out, think-to
please Mrs. Dutton, 1 suppose? All!
these ladies have a great deal to an
swer for. Tell Mrs. Dutton 1 shall
call on her some morning, and read
her lecture for taking you from u.s."
Poor buttons look of confusion, as
he pictured the Generals visit, sur
prising his wife in her present sur
roundings, rather surprised the
veteran, but its true cause did not
once occur to him. He had great
regard for Dutton, and was sincerely
pleased at meeting him again; SO
after ten-minutes colloquy, the
General shook him heartily by the
hand, and said, "Youll dine with
me tomorrow, button, and meet a
few Of your old friends. Come, I'll
take no excuse"
At first Dutton was going to refuse,
but on second thought, accepted the
invitation, not having any good rea-
son to offer for declining. After Ia
king jeave Of the General, he hurried
home, and announced their rencontre
to his wife. She, poor woman, i'm
mediately took out his well-saved
suit, and occupied herself in repair
ing, as best she might, the cruel
ravages of time.
Next day, in due time, he arrived
at Gen. Vernon's handsome dwelling
and received a cordial welcome. A
dozen guests sat down to splendid
banquet. After dinner the CONVEX
sation happened to turn on the recent
improvement in arts and manufact-
ure. Matchmaking happening to be
mentioned as one of the arts which
had been wonderfully improved, the
host desired his valet to fetch a beau
tiful little watch which he had lately
purchased in Paris; and which was
less valuable for its rich jeweled case,
than for the exquisite perfection OF
the mechanism it enshrined. The
trinket passed from hand to hand,
and was greatly admired; then the
conversation turned on other topics,
until they adjourned to the drawing
room to take coffee.
After sitting there awhile the Gen
eral suddenly recollected his watch,
and ringing for his valet, desired
him to take it, and restore it to its
proper place. The servant left the
room, but in a few momentsreturned
looking somewhat frightened, for he
could not find the watch. Gen. Yer
non, surprised, went himself to
search, but with no better success.
"Perhaps, sir, one of the company
may have carried it into the draw
ing-room."
This suggestion was followed by
another search, in which the guests
Joined, but without avail.
"What 1 fear" said the General,
sis that some one by chance may
tread upon it and break it,"
eve will none of us leave this
room till it isfound!" exclaimed one
of the guests with great emphasis.
"That decision," said young man
who was engaged that night to a
ball, "might quarter us on our host
for too long time. l propose a
much more satisfactory expedient.
Let us all be searched"
This suggestion was received with
laughter; and the young man pre-
scented himself as the first victim
was searched by the valet, who acted
the part of custom-house officer
The General, who at first opposed
this piece of pleasantly, ended by
laughing at it. Capt. Dutton, alone,
took no share in what was going on;
with a lowering brow he stood al
much apart as possible. At length
his turn came; the other guests had
all displayed the contents of their
pockets, and with renewed laughter
they gathered around him, declaring
he must be the guilty one, as he was
the last. The Captain, pale and agi.
tated, uttered some excuses which
were quite unheard in the uproar.
"Now for it, Johnson" cried one
to the valet. ~ 11+
The servant adj vanced; butDutton,
crossing his arms Oh his breast, de-
clared in an agitated voice, that~ex'
cept by violence, no one should lay a
hand on him. An awkward silence
ensued, which the General broke by
saying, "Capt. button is right; this
child's play has lasted long enough.
claim exception for him and for
myselfrys3t4 At3s)kAj2
Dutton, trembling and unable to
speak, thanked his kind host by a
grateful look, and took an early OPP
portunity of Withdrawing. Gen.