The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-04-22

sense OF importance and his Keen appre
citation of the responsibility of bis position
He listened with look of utter amaze
mcnt to the orders of his young mistress
and then replied in tone of stern author
ity, such as none but an old family negrc
servant could assume: "Miss Jane, da
mule nebber had no saddle pom he bacl
sence he been born
We'll, Billy, it's high time he shoult
know how it feels"
He wi kick you brains out fore yot
git on um, an broke you neck fore yor
kin git from here to de gate. ;"
"Oh nonsense, Billy Have the sad
die put on him at once, and get the ole
mare for Miss Rebecca"
Miss Becca can't ride do ole mare
tid.day, cause she way down in dc pas
ture, an anybody cant ketch um in tree
hour time an you can't ride de mule
Miss Jane, cause you ma done tell me
must tex good care o you an de house
vile she gone, an amt gwine let you
broke yon' neck or you arm-not It'd.
day" And Billy quietly walked out and
closed the door, leaving the young ladie,
half vexed and half amused at his sum.
mary disposal Of their scheme.
g After Tarleton's troop and that horrid
Tory Ball took my saddle-pony out of the
pasture, said Miss Elliott, "mamma sent
all the blooded horses to General Lincoln
and We hear that they were turned over tc
the Virginia Light Horse"
Yes" replied Miss Stead with mis-
chieyous smile, "and hear that Colonel
Washington has taken the beautiful bay
mare for his own mount, and named her
Jane
That's piece of his Virginia impu.
dence," rejoined Miss Elliott. II have
met him only once, at General Izard' $, and
think he has taken great liberty with
my name. They say he behaved splcn,
didly at Trenton and Princetown."
Oh, wish he would call while / am
here, said her companion. "They, say he
is an elegant rider wonder if he looks
like the general? | don't believe any
Virginian can ride better than our young
men. wonder If he can take up hand.
ful of sand at gallop, like cousin John
lizard ?"
"Or jump his horse on the table, sug-
gested Miss Elliott with roguish glance,
"as I've heard that Mr.. lizard did one day
after club.dinner"
Miss Stead colored slightly as she said
that the gentlemen all complained of the
strength of the last box of claret received
from Charleston before the club was bro.
ken up.
~ hear that Colonel Washington is q
fine swordsman," said Miss Elliott, "and
that his troop are all bold riders. They
have fought Tarleton's Legion once OF
twics in skirmishes, and they say the red.
coats are rather shy Of them"
Just at this point the conversation was
interrupted by the entrance of Billy, bear
ing a peace-offering in the shape of huge
waiter of luncheon. Billy was butler and
major-domo to the establishment, and the
young ladies could not restrain their mirth
at the profusion and variety with which
the faithful fellow was evidently trying to
make amends for the disappointment which
his high sense Of duty had compelled him
to infict upon them. Had there been a
dozen instead of two, there would have
been ample provision for their wants upon
the broad silver salver Cakes and jellies,
preserves and sandwiches, tarts and ruddy
apples, decanter of sherry and stand of
liqueurs, left barely room enough for the
dainty little plates and glasses, while
Billys special apology appeared in the
form Of two steaming little tumblers Of
m-punch, the characteristic beverage of
the day. All severity of tone and manner
had disappeared, aad there was something
almost chivalric in the deierential smile
and rude grace with which the old fellow
handed his waiter to the ladies and assured
them Of the harmless mildness Of the
punch. Depositing his burden upon a
little stand within easy reach of the sofa,
Billy turned to leave, but paused as his eye
wandered down the opening vista of the
avenue, and after gazing for moment in
silence he suddenly exclaimed, "Deres two
sojer gemplemans comm trough de big
gate"
In an instant both the young ladies were
on their feet and at the window, for such
an announcement was cause enough fol
excitement in that time Of war, when the
'sojer gemplemans" might prove to be
either friends or foes. Charleston had
already narrowly escaped capture during
the previous summer by General Provost
who, although compelled to retire on
Savannah, had worsted Lincoln's militia