The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-01-31
lFrom the Aldine for January.l
Hhl,S MISTAKE.

Inete were tnfee OF US. only, from
Hilltop, a little, irregular village nest
led high among the mountains--Ilal
Brainard, John Hazard, and l, Harri-
son Grey, at your service. We
messed together, and that morning as
we drank our black coffee we talked
matters over with no sense of re-
straint. The regiment, which had
been in camp tor month, was to
march the next day.
II shall be glad enough to get out
of this" said John. "But, by George,
hoys, it does seem little tough on
fellow to go off without seeing the
folks again. 1t can't be more than 10
miles to Hilltop, as the crow flies'-
and the speaker, he was hardly more
than boy, looked yearingly off into
the blue distance.
"It's no use, my lad,n answered Hal,
while the resolute face clouded over.
NO furloughs will be granted, | un-
derstand.'
But just then our good Captain
Talbot appeared at the door OF the
tent. He had been teacher of the
high school in the town adjoining
ours, we had all been pupils OF his
As we gave him the military salute,
he smiled family.
"It is almost school time, boys" he
said. but, first, want to send one
of you over to Hilltop, to do an err
rand for me. Whoever goes can stay
all night, but must report himself by
eight o'clock tomorrow morning
We looked from one TO the other,
| in sort of eager dismay. At last
John-Jack we called him-spoke
out
Couldn't we all go, Captain"
"Not exactly" he answered, laugh
ing. "Orders are too stringent. But
settle il among yourselves; and let
one of you come TO my tent in an
| hour"
The boys in the next tent were sing
sing "Rally Round the Flag" at the
top of their voices. Some one on
the other side was whisiling Home,
Sweet Home in long and lingering
cadence. From the pine woods on
our left, the morning breezes brought
us watts of balsamic fragrance, with
now and then an odorous breath from
the trailing May flowers. How well
| | remember il ALL
found my voice at length.
"Let Jack 90. He is The youngest" "
But then be,hought me that Hal
had some thingin Hilltop that we
others had not. He had been en-
gagged TO Thyrza Harrington for near
~ year.
Gianclng at him from beneath my
cap, Isaw look upon his face that
waa half defiant, half tender. Then
he caught up his gun. with pretense
of examining the lock.
No." Jack answered quietly ''lt
but one OF us can 90, it must be Hal. "
Hal looked up suddenly, his face
glowing with something that was no;
exactly joy.
Jack is right" said. at mus,
be Hal"
He dropped his gun, and caugh,
our hands impulsively.
God bless you, boys" he cried
"You make me feel like selfish
brute. But it seems To me this morn
ing that l would peril my souls saliva
ton for the chance of going TO Hill
top"
Hurry up, then,' we both an
swered. "You have no time to spare.
| We stood in the doorway of onl
tent, aud watched the tall, stalwarl
figure as it dropped out of sight be
hind the bill. Then Jack turned tc
me with gay smile that was some
what belied by his dropping eyelids
Hal looks like a prince of th'
blood in his uniform" he said, san,
carries himself like one, too. What
magnificent fellow he is But wha
: is the matter with him, Grey?
i scent trouble in the air. lie is no
: himself, lately"
just my own impression; also. Blu
!, | did not care TO discuss the matter
The day was busy one; and whel
!, night came, we were glad to wra
{ ourselves in our blankets and 60 L
c sleep.
Hal returned the next morning.
e "Hallo, old fellow, how's Hilltop
I cried Jack dancing around him in
p fever. of impatience. "Who did yo
+ see? How are all the folks?"
i He soon received guietus in tn
shape of sundry packets and parcels
!, Then Hal turned to me.
d "There's no change at headquarter
+ / suppose z" he said, lnterrogativel,
!. "We get out OF this today"
/ answered affirmatively.
"Tbe Lord be praised! he exclain
!, ed. 81 could not stand this inactio
much longer, Grey" aud he fell viz
\ orously to work, packing his knal
e sack.
!, He had not quite the air of happ
!. Romeo, whose lips were still war;
!, with the kisses of his Juliet. But
had no time to puzzle over it, and b
3, sundown we were off.
Y. This is no war story and it is neet
. less to tell OF our marchings and ceul
j ter-marchings, our perils, victories an
I: our defeats. 1t is enough to say tn;
9 2. we were in Virginia, that vast maus'
le lemn OF two armies, and that we thre
q q Hilltop boys had no reason to /
Of ashamed Of our record.
e. e. But through it all, and underlyin
st all, there was something about I'll
q. Brainard that ] could not unde stan
=. tie was brave, even to rashness. b
Id it seemed to me more like the rec
q lessness of the NAH who holds his Iii
OF little worth, than the bravery
him who takes it calmly in his han