The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-10-12
Daisy's Sergeant.
From the Old and New for October
BY FRED W. LORING.

From the Old and New for October.
This story possesses an interest besides its ntrin
sic merits being of the last productions of its
brilliant and lamented author
By special order from the War Depart
ment, Capt. Burlington, brigadier-general of
volunteers, was transferred from comparative
peace and comfort, in one of our inland cities,
to remote military station, west of the
Rocky Mountains. This military station was
named Camp jenkins, after the commander
OF surveying expedition, who established it.
1t had been established because there were
Indians in its vicinity; the instant that it
was established the noble red man faded away
like morning mist, with the exception of a
few who did washing for their oppressors. 1t
was lovely spot; it had cottonwood and
willow trees standing on the banks of a rivu-
let OF clear and sparkling spring water, and
the parade-ground was a magnificent lawn of
velvety grass. Around this parade-ground
stood the quarters of the garrison; at the head
four cottages belonging to the officers and the
surgeon; while the barracks and the guard
room completed three sides of the triangle,
the fourth being lett open, and showing a
wonderful picture of purple mountains, bar
rem and verdureless for thousands of feet,
while the submits held pine forests and fields
OF dazzling snow that flashed on the eyes
even in the middle of arid July. Outside of
camp jenkins for miles around were deserts
OF sage brush: inside was natural land
scape, that by constrast seemed bit of para
disc. The inhabitants of this paradise were,
at the opening of this story, in the Adamite
condition as far as the absence of women was
concerned. Mrs. General Burlington fatty
refused to accompany the general when she
first heard the news of his transference to
the West: afterwards finding that the general
was placidly preparing TO go without her, she
determined to follow. Imagine, then, the
scene as have described tia Camp Jenkins,
while Gen. Burlington is discovered on the
piazza in front of his cottage, just awaked
from his afternoon nap by the arrival of the
daily mail. In his hand is an open letter.
signed Matilda Burlington, which informs
him that his wife will arrive week after her
letter.
'Crestler' cried the general to his lieuten-
ant, who was crossing the parade-ground
''look here, will you? ''
Lieut.. Crestle, formerly lieutenant-colonel
OF volunteers, not only looked there, as the
general requested, but came there, and stood
by the side OF his commanding officer. He
was handsome and soldierly-looking fellow,
dear to Gen. Burlington because he was
brave, honorable, a graduate of West Point,
and Philadelphian.
"Crestle," said the gentleman, ''my wife is
coming next week.. ..
$50 is mine," replied Crestle. ur
"And the cottage is not in order; and the
carpets are not down." said the general,
plaintively. "Here's the doctor.''
81 have good news" said DR.. Gilbert
my wife is coming next week."
Its conspiracy" said Gen. Burlington,
What do they all come together for? there
will be row here in two days"
That is an ungallant remark" said DIR.
Gilbert
81 can't help it," said General Burlington.
Matilda is the best woman in the world: but
when she comes-well, gentlemen, how do
pass my afternoon, now?''
You sleep AID you go trouting,' said Col.
Crestle. ''''' ooi'
well, after Matilda comes" said General
Burlington, Il shall go trouting altogether"
With these oracular words, Gen Bullinp-
ton ceased. Men were detailed to paper and
carpet the officers cottages and week after
the general received his wife's letter, that
lady was deposited at the door from the am
buiance which had been sent to the railroad
station, trifing distance of sixteen miles.
for her.
At the same time Mrs. Crestle alipbted.
The general knew who Mrs. Crestle was.
and greeted her cordially.
your husband will be here in few min
utes, ne said, Il see you and nv wife have
travelled together part of the way. SO that 7
suppose you are acquainted
I'VE have not yet been introduced said
Mrs. Gen. Burlington. severely.
Inc general felt vaguely that there was a
natural antagonism between Mrs. Crestle and
MS VINE, ana introduced them with the air of
a martyr. n0.lE - 80
II am happy to meet you, Mrs. Crestle, ,,
said Mrs. Gen. Burlington.
You are very kind" returned Mrs. Cres-
tle. Mrs. Crestle was a small woman. Mrs.
Burlington a large one; but size is not ALWAYS
victorious in feminine contests,
us your husband stationed here p''inquired
Mrs. Burlington.
Eyes, Mrs. Burlington" replied Mrs. Cres-
lie. Colonel Crestle was transferred to this
place by the same order that sent your hus-
1and here" N
tAhp' remarked Mrs. Burlington, in a
illghtly surprised tone. SIS your husband
,olonel, thenP'
"That is his volunteer rank" replied Mrs
>restle, sweetly, 'just as brigadier-general
" brevet is Captain Bullington's Won
,nnwn - . wa W"
The skirmsh had proved successful Cor
irs. Crestle, Mrs, Burlington realized it,
md wondered whether that audacious
foman,, as she inwardly designated Mrs.
Jrestle, would ever dare to address her as
Mrs Captain Burlington" As for the GEN
raj, he felt that there had been a battle
hough he could not comprehend how it had
,een fought.
The arrival of Col Crestle, who was afgec-
ionateiy greeted by his wife, suspended hos
Inner. - W
Now. what Mrs. Burlington said to the gen.
raj al dinner, only she and her husband |
Know Dut, after dlnnerwas over, the general /
vas seen win his fishing-tacke making his |
way to the trout stream. '>'''s up
Two days after this, Mrs. DR. Gilhart az
iyed; and with her came came her sister-in-
NV, Daisy Gilbert, Daisy Gilbert was IN
pretty. She had curs and dim
les and smiles fiuttering around and across |
er face. She was 1.-the and graceful, though |
elite. She had considerable independence |
t character. She seldom asked advice, and |
till more seldom took it. She was. in a |
Ford, aspirited little beauty
by the time of her arrival. there was a dis
1,n ,lH hostility between Mrs. Gen.
, ."antn and Mrs, Crestle. They still |
, 3,. each other politely enough; but Col.
= 90, VIZ NOT smoke an after-dinner cigar.
? o.tna.ne on me piazza of Mr.. BullingtOn's
o wv. anu distinct boundary line seemed
io 49, W oe urawn between the respective
PREMISES OF the two gentlemen 'e'Poo'i'e
The arrival of Daisy Gilbert ,uo,,
marked effect on the camp. In tb pi G a
My did it inspire the two unmarried iieppt tare
nts with wild passion, which made e' them
rill their men for the most mart d;n .neiii
nder her windows, especially when . -.
r left wheel was required. Thereby DaiSsy's
lwn was injured, and her temper sligbfl1
uffied. But strong as was Daisy's effect
pom the gentlemen, still more marked and
ltense was the impression she produced up
the ladies. Mrs. Gen. Burlington re-
larked to Mrs. Crestle that Daisy was so
entie and modest. Mrs. Crestle replied in
e = with Mrs. Burlington, intimating
l a chief charm of Daisy was that she
ever gave herself any airs. To this Mrs.
I,u,,ingeon retorted that Miss Gilbert wasn't
e %ayS working and contriving to gain gen
JrestIe resD rmIIod' Mrs. Crestle;' and Mrs
llat sne had to exert herself to do 50 Thu Te
ioS were i; last becoming little broad and
6er being sn so far manner Of scratching each
ZACH looked on Daisy as an ' adt clvllzation.