The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-04-09
THE TWO MISTAKES;
Or, Colonel and Private.
By Guy DECKER.

On the portco of small, neat white
house, near Winchester, Virginia, two
young women stood conversing. One was
tall and queenly swith golden brown hair,
blue. eyes, and IAN elegant fnrm, rather
showily dressedFin .plaided silk, white
spencer and red neck-tie. The other was
short in stature, but beautifully rounded
and plump, with dark eyes and hair, olive
complexion, and cheeks rosy with health.
The twain were sisters, Mary and Louisa
Ring, both, like their father, who was an
old farmer, firmly devoted to the Union
cause.
They were as unlike in character as in
looks; Louisa, the tall one, being naughty
and haying great respect for wealth and po-
silion, while Mary, the brunette, was per
iectly simple in her tastes and ideas, and
possessed of a general aiiectionate DISPOSE
ton.
All women like to dress we'll, and the
sisters were no exception to the rule. Lou
isa, while knowing that their father was
Iquite poor, would continually tease him for
muney.to buy this or that article of fntry
aud would succeed in at last getting what
she.panted, heedlrss Of the. trouble it cost
hcf@tiasent, who, 10 crafty her, would be
obliged to do without some article of cloth.
ing which he could hardly dispense with
such as coat, II hat, or pair of boots.
Mary, on the contrary, knowing her
fathers pecunary cmbarrassmens, would
seldom ask any such favor, but would en-
tleavor to make the best of what she had
As n consequence. although neat and tas
ty, she dressed pla ner than her sister,
On this occasion her dress was black
trimmed with red, and an old one it is true
yet perfectly whole and becoming her ex.
cee'lingly.
The two sisters were waiting for theil
lovers, whom they expected every moment
from a Union regiment, quartered not iar
from their dwelling; SO near that they
could hear the drum and every morning
and evening,
"Mary," said Louisa, after a slight
pause, T" doubt, after all. if he will come
this afternoon"
Why don't you say they?" said Mary
archly, at the same time coloring deeply.
F" Because the two are not to be compared
together" answered Louisa, quickly. ''Aiinc
is a colonel and yours merely private"
For a moment an indignant flash lighted
Mary's eyes.
But she remained silent and sighed, won
dering mentally at her sisters infatuation.
=" However" she at length concluded
" of course, If she-loves him, he must seem
helter to her than all other men. | am
sure, in my estimation, Herbert is far supe
ror To the colonel-nobler, more gentle.
manly, and FAR more handsome in his blue,
unadorned uniform, than that officer in his
snowy garb."
Several minutes passed when quick
step was heard approaching.
Mary blushed and Louisa sighed, for
each could recognize her lovers step, as
what woman cannot.
lie soon came in sight. The colonel, a
tall slim man, with STOPPING shoulders,
dressed in a gaudy uniform. lie would
have been good looking but for great fat
nose, which, however, is not dspleasing tn
some women. His eyes black, and his
hair, oiled and cured, fell in rosy rnglets
down the sides Of his face.
The moment lie reached the gate he
stood still, smiled and bowed very low; q
little too low then took out a scented pock-
ct handkerchief, and blew his nose with the
report of the cannon.
Mary retired to the other end OF the yer
anda, and her sister and the colonel We're
soon promenading, arm IN arm, around the
house.
Louisa's lovor spoke so loud, ocea sionally,
that every word he uttered reached Mary's
ears.
eyes" she hearl him say a. Yes, Lou
isa, we march tomorrow. A battle may
soon be expected, and chance given to US
officers to cover ourselves with laurels."
"oh, Henry" sighed Louisa. "May God
watch over you when you are in the thick
est Of the ightP
"He will" answered the colonel, again
blowing his nose, "but I'll not desert my
post though Pm cut into a thousand frag.
ments."
Mary had started and turned deadly pale.
So battle was expected, and Herbert Ward,
whom she loved so dearly, would be in
danger Alas perhaps in the active pre-
paratlons being made for departure, he
would not be able To get away from his regi-
ment and come to see her before he should
start on the march.
She strained her eyes looking for him and
at last caught glimpse Of his form through
the shrubbery around the house.
Soon be reached the poriieoj a tall,
straight, noble looking young fello,y. of ara