Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-14


SAUL direct on the fort, he said, ''Well,
bat, Considering thar we know the ditch
Is much deeper opposite the fort than
around the city, can't say much Tor your
united forethpught, when not one OF You
has had-I will not say the pluck, tor that ,
don't doubt-but the wit to go and
plumb It,"
The remark was like the bursting Of a
shell nearly every man at the table felt
himself hit, and hit hard.
Soon after the party broke up and be-
gan to disperse. A young snbaltern of
engineers.--we will call him Norval-as
he was passing group OF officers waiting
at the door of the mess-tent for a few last
words, was thus greeted by q young cap
tain of artillery, named Wilson: "A pref
ty good wigging all you young engineers
got tonight, Noryal; and must say, you
deserved it, perhaps So" was Nor
vals quiet remark. as he walked away.
This was not the first sheer Capt. Will
son had launched at Norval; for, before
coming into camp, they had been togeth-
err in environments. A few words will ex-
plain the different characters of these two
men, and their attitude toward each other.
Norval was man Of mark. though he
could hardly be said to be a popular man.
Indeed. natural reserve prevented this
but his readiness to help (and his position
as an engineer officer in environments gave
him many opportunities of helping,) and
his gentle, thoughtful bearing comman-
ded regard, and. young though he was,
respect; while Wilson's more genial man
ner-for he was frst-rate companion,
and the very life OF II mess--tnade him Il
more general favorite among youngsters.
But. unhapply, Wilson's early training
had been very different from Norval's.
That Of the latter had been precisely of
the kind out of which the consistent prac-
teal Christian is the most likely to be de-
veloped; for in his early home religion
had been quiet, unpretending principle
Of daily life.' Wilson, on the other hand,
had been accustomed from childhood, to
the most rigid observance of religious
forms, and had seen in the inner life of
his home SO much that was unreal and I'M
true, that his naturally quick, discrimina-
ting mind had grown 10 regard the profess
sion of religion as an imposture. He re-
membered bitterly how many u hard. I'M
grateful task had been imposed, and duty
exacted, in the name of yeligion. He
held in contempt--and made no secret of
it-all those who were supposed to be in
fuenced by religious motives. He had
the character among his acquaintance Of
being scoifer; yet he was SO clever, so
able to hold his own argument. and so
amusing, that in spite of what they disap-
proved, he was very popular among his
brother officers, especially the younger
ones; and 20 be popular was the great
aim of his life. Nofeal recognized bis
abilities, but shrunk from the man who SO
perverted them. Wilson, again. was SO
utterly incapable OF approaching Noryal.
that he lost no opportunity of showing his
dislike toward him. Norval was first
rate cricketer, and ready to join in a
match; more than average biliard-play-
err, and keen sportsman; but the very
fact that q bet on any game, and still
more an oath, was hateful to him that he
was always in his place at church, and
known to take an interest in the spiritual
needs of the men under him. was enough
to brand him in Wilson's mind as a hypo-
critic. and to draw forth, whenever oppor-
tunity offered, the cutting sneer
Hence arose that remark after mess on
the evening already referred to. It 50
happened that the rebuke OF the old chief
applied least of all to Norval; for he had
only a few days before joined the camp
and had had plenty to do in learning the
duties of his own post, and had never
thought ofinquiring what his seniors knew
or did not know, regarding the state OF
the siege.
Nevertheless, from the moment the brig
adier's words were uttered, Noval made up
his mind. He would wipe off the re-
preach. As he left the uess-tent. little
needing Wilson's. or perhaps exulting in
the thought that he would very soon give
him cause to regret them, he crossed over
to the lines OF the European regiment.
which lay beyond the artillery, and. pick
ing his way between tent-ropes or over
insiduous tent-pegs, to the tent on the eX-
treme left, he there found the man he
wanted, Capt. Parker, who commanded
the light company of the 10th regiment
Parker" he said II am bent on a lit
tie spree tonight, and want you to Join
me-"
Whats up now? You out on a spree !
Well, yes, Ill join you; for am sure
friend Norval will 60 in for no spree, as
he calls it, in which should be ashamed
to join him.
swell, look here, old fellow; Just now,
at mess, the old brigadier started us all by
asking us, as we We're crying so lound for
an assault on the fort, whether we knew
the exact depth of the ditch on that side.
And, to our shame be it said, not man
had ever thought OF it. l can't take much
blame to myself, because have so la ely
joined; but should like for the fun OF the
thing, to go and take soundings, as my old
father, the commodore, would say, and
present it to the old boy before he turns in
for the night. Will you come and help
meP"
''Will not' Where do you go?"
"Well, we ought to have some fellows
with US, in case of Il scrimmage; for we
may have to fight our way back. SO, if
you can bring half dozen Of your best
flights" should be glad. l needn't say,
don't bring drunkards, but bring clear
headed fellows.-men who don't fancy
they require tot of grog to brace up
their pluck, forgetting that it muddles
their brains We must have men who