Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-10-19


eight he buttoned his coat close TO his
shin, and with his hands reeoluteiy
thrust into his pockets, turned home
ward, resolved to waste no more time
with skating girls, who judged young
men by the dexterity they exhibited IN
handling their heels.
Among the earliest volunteer regi-
ments that left for the seat OF war IN
the summer of 1861 was the til Massa-
chusetts. with Lieutenant John Horton
as an officer of Company b. Like hun
dreds of others he abandoned his books
for the sword, and had passed nights
and days in study and drill, to tit him.
self for his new position. Horton enjoy
ed the reputation among his fellows of
being rather an anchorite. He was
reticent, sometimes gloomy, and,
although he performed his duties &C
ceptably, he had thus far failed to show
any distinguished qualities for mill
tary career. He joined in few OF the
camp pleasures, and when he was not
on duty, reading or studying, was sure
about the streets of the camp, or in the
region of country Immediately around.
Christmas ard New Year in camp
formed one Of the brightest seasons TO
the hard worked soldiers in the year OF
the rebellion. Though the q lantlty OF
useful and useless articles dispatched
from home was at all times great, the
bulk of contributions arriving at this
festive season sorely tried the carrying
capacity of all engaged in supplying
the army Of the front. And tine occas-
ions of opening the boxes and bundles
among both officers and privates were
most interesting and exciting. The Off
GERS of the-th had arranged to have
an opening in the colonePs quarters,
and thither all who were not on duty
repaired. There was of course most en-
joyable, for nearly every one had re-
ceived from home some gift or token
to remind him of a mother, sister or
sweetheart, sometimes of ali three.
b 0. ION was present, cool, gloomy and
Indifferent. He did not expect any
present. His family was scattered and
many of them nearest to him to whose
loving sympathy he would naturally
turn at this time had passed away. be
did not feel in sentim entail or sympa-
thetic mood, and yet no particle of
envy entered his mind in Witnessing the
enjoyment of others. AS the Major held
up a small paper box, however, and
called out Lieutenant John H. Hor-
ton" the latter started and felt his face
aglow in an instant. He took the parcel,
and in spite of entreaties, in which not
q few Jokes were cracked at his expense,
placed it in his pocket till the conclus-
ion of the festivities, when he retired
TO the comfortable quarters he shared
with Lieutenant Carter.
Lieutenant Horton was puzzled and
curious. After devisting himself Of
his overcoat he sat down, placed the
box on the table, and in company with
his companion lighted the soliciting
dudesn, determined to approach and
unravel the mystery as becomes a
philosopher. Carter got decidedly inn
patient before even tne outer wrapplngs
were removed, as Horton conducted
proceedings with weighty aelibara-
ton. AT last Horton shook from the
box little red mit:en snugly wiapp-
cd in \ white piece Of tissue paper.
No note of explanation appeared, and
Horton met his companions gaze with
a look in which were pictured at least
dozen of the emotions that effect
human mind, the principle one being
surprise.
III.
For the next three evenings our hero
was engaged writing letters-or rather
= letter for no sooner WA each one
completed when it was torn 10 pieces
and burned. Horton felt himself in a
tight fix and hoped the enemy would
make demonstration on the camp
that he might get out rof it. He had
rather face hundred cannon, than
undertake to acknowledge the recep-
ton of that mitten. He knew he had
loved Miss Latham, but his big. SEN
.itive soul had been terribly lacerated
by her apparently heartless behavior,
and he had concluded to become in
different, not only to her but to all
womankind. This might be another
OF her heartless tricks, but when Jack
recalled her words ''if l ever think
enough of you to surrender it, I'll send
it to you," he felt the little witch did
entertain some regard for him. Still,
rs she had vouchsafed no kind of mes
sage with the surrender of the mitten,
he was at loss how to act, write he
could not Tf l ask Csrtor's advice"
he reasoned, she would only laugh at
me. Why can't these plaguey women
let fellow slore anyway" he NUT
tered to himself. "a vas trying to for
get her, and now sse mas opened all
my wounds afresh. She did it to tan.
talize me, but I'll show the tlirt and
the whole sex tnst can't be tautal-
lied" And then Jack took from his
inner pocket an enyelop, out of which
he tished little red object, on which
| he gazed or few moments as n nat
ursli,t might gaze upon newly dis
covered insect, with mingled curios-
ity and tenderness. The soldier sighed
as he replaced the trihe, and going
to the door of his tent,
gszsd out into the darkness.
The evening wac mild and calm, and
| the Nsrkppas ol,paet p,nApatra hlr