The Placer herald., 1873-01-04
Halls MISTAKE.

There were three of us, only, from Hill
top, II little quaint, irregular village, nestled
high among The mounlans-Hal Brainard,
} ohm Hazard and |, Harrison 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-
slraint. The regiment, which had been in
camp for a month, was to march the next
day.
'I shall be glad enough to get ont of this, -
said John, "But, by George, boys, it does
seem little tough on fellow to have to go
otf without seeing the folks again. 1t cant
be more than ten miles TO Hilltop, as the
crow flies and Il speaker, he was hardly
more than boy, looked yeammgy off into
he blue distance
cts 10 use, my hd,' answered Hal,
while his resoulc f,co clouded over ono
furoughs will be granted, understand"
But Just then our good Captain Talbot APP
peared at The door Of the tent. He had been
teacher Of the High School in the town ad-
joining ours, and we had all been pupils Of
his. As we gave him the military salute,
he smiled finjly.
cit is almost schoolime, boys" he said
"But, first, want to send one ofyou over to
Hilltop, to do an errand for me. Whoever
goes can stay all night, but must report him-
seI by eight o'clock tomorrow morning"
We looked from one to the olher in a sort
Of eager dsmoy At last John-Jacll We
called hin-sroke out.
"Coald'ut we all 90, Captain p
"Not eXaclly,' he answered, laughing.
"Orders are too stringent But settle ii
among yourselves; and let one Of you come
TO my tent in au hour
The boys in the next tent were singing.
Rally Hound the Flag at The top of then
voices. Some one on the other side wls
whi.iing "llomc, Sweet Home in long and
lingering cadence From the pine woods on
our Icft, the morning breczes brought IL
watts Of balsamic fragrance, with now and
then an odoious breath from lhe trailing May
flowers How well remember ii all
found my voice at length
"Let jack 90. IL is the youngest"
But then behought me lhat HID had
something in Hilltop that we others had not.
lie had been eng ged to lhyrzl Harrington
for nearly ayelr.
Chncing at him from beneath my cap,
saw look upon his face that was half def
ant, half tender Then he caught up hi
un wi,h prctepce Of examining the lock.
"No, Jack answered quietly. eff bui
one Of us can go, it must be Hal"
Hal looked up suddenly, his cc glowing
with something that was not exactly joy.
"Jack Is right, said. "lt must be lial. -
lie dropped his gun, and caught our hands
impul.ively.
God bless you, boys" ," he cried. "You
make me feel Ike selfish brute. Bat i
seems to ne Ibis morning that | would peli
my souls salvation for the chance Of going
to Hilltop
"IIomy up them" we both answered.
~ on have no time to spare.
We stood in the doorway of our tent, and
watched the l,ll staIw,rt figure as it drop
ped out Of sight behind The hiII. Then jack
turned to me with II gay smile that was
somewhat belicd by bis dropping eyelids.
"Ila looks like prince Of the blood IN
his new uniform, " be said, "nd carries him
self like one, too. What II magu ficent iel.
low he is But what is the matter with him,
Grey? scent trouble in the air. He is
not himself, lately"
just my own impression, also. But did
not care TO discuss the matter. The day
was busy one; and when night came, We
we're glad to wrap ourselves in our blankets
and 20 TO sleep.
Had returned the next morning.
"IIallo, old fellow, how's Hiihop?' cried
Jack, dancing aroand him in fever of i'm
patience. "NN no did you see How are
all the folks?'
lie soon received a quietus in the shape
of sm4dry packets and parcels. Then Hal
turned TO me.
There's no change at headquarters, !
suppose p he said, inerrogatively. 1--WE
geI ont of this to-day p
answered aflirmat vely.
"Ihe Lord be praised + he exclaimed.
81 could not stand this inaction much longer,
Grey and he fell vigorously to work, pack
ing lis knapsack.
He bad quite The air of happy Romeo,
whose lips were still warm with the kisses OF
bis Juliet. But had no time TO puzzle
over it, and BY sundown we were Oft.
This is TO war story; and it is needless TO
tell OF our marchhgs and counier-marchlngs,
our perils, our victories and our defeats Ii
is enough to say that we were in Virginia,
| that vast mausoleum of two armies, ana that