The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-10-01

formed his duties acceptably he had thus
| far failed to show any distinguishing quail
ties for a military career. He joined in
few of the camp pleasures and when he
was not on duty, reading and studying, was
sure TO he seen in abstract thought walking
about the streets of the camp or in the
region of country Immediately around.
Christmas and New Year in camp formed
one of the brightest seasons TO tho hard
worked soldier in the years Of the Rebellion.
| Though the quantity Of useful and useless
| articles despatched from home was at all
| times great, tho bulk Of contributions arriv.
ing at this festive season sorely tried the car
rying capacity Of all engaged In supplying
the army at the front. And tho occasions
of opening the boxes and bundles among
both officers and privates were most inter
esting and exciting. The officers of the
TIL had arranged to have an "opening
in the colonel's quarters, and thither all
who were not on duty repaired. The even
ing was of course most enjoyable, for nearly
every one had received from home some gift
or token to remind him of q mother, sister,
| or sweetheart, sometimes of all three. llor-
ton was present, cool, gloomy, and indiiscr-
| emit lie did not expect any present. His
family was scattered, and many of those
nearest to him, TO whose loving sympathy he
would naturally turn at this time, had passed
away. lie did not feel in n sympathetic or
sentimental mood, and yet no particle of
envy entered his mind in witnessing the en-
ioyment of others. AS the major held up n
small paper box, however, and called out
" Lieut.. John w. Horton" the latter started
and felt his face aglow in an instant. He
took the parcel, and In spite of entreaties, in
which not n few Jokes were cracked mt his
expense, placed IL i'm his pocket till the CON
clusion of the, festivities, when he retired to
the comfortable quarters he shared with
Lieut. Carter.
Lieut. Horton was puzzled and curious.
After divcsting himself of his overcoat he sat
down, placed the box on the table, and In
company with his companion lighted the
solacing dudeen, determined to approach
and unravel the mystery AZ became n philos-
ophcr. Carter got decidedly impatient he
fore even the outer wrappings were removed,
as Horton conducted proceeding with weighty
delberation. At Last Horton shook from
the box n little red mitten, snugly wrapped
in piece of white tissue paper. No note of
explanation appeared, and Horton met his
companions gaze with look in which were
pictured at least halfa dozen of the emotions
that affected the human mind the principal
one being surprise.
CHAPTER Ill.
For the next three evenings our hero was
engaged in writing letters--or rather letter
for no sooner was each ono completed than
ii was torn in pieces ana burned. Horton
felt himself in tight fix, and hoped the Ell
envy would make n demonstration on the
camp, that he might get out of it. He had
rather face hundred cannon than under
take TO acknowledge the reception of that
mitten. Heknew he had loved Miss Latham
but his big sensitive soul had been terribly
lacerated by her apparently heartless be-
havior, and he had concluded TO become in.
different, not only to her, but to all woman
kind. This might he another of her heart
less tricks, but when Jack recalled her
words, "It ever think enough Of you 10
surrender it, I'll send it TO YOU" he felt the
little witch did entertain some little regard
for him. Still, az she had vouChsafcd no
kind of message with tho surrender of the
mitten, he was at Il loss how to act. Write
he could not OF asked Carter's advice, ~
he reasoned, che would only laugh at me.
Why can't those plaguey women let n fellow
alone, anyway ~ he muttered to himself
81 was trying to forget her. and now she has
opened all my wounds afresh. She did il to
tantalize me, but I'll show tho firt and the
whole sex that can't be tantalized." And
then Jack took from his inner pocket an an
velope, out of which he ished little red oh
iect, on which he gaaed for n few moments as
a naturalist might gaze upon wly-discov-
| cred insect, with mingled curiosity and ten
derness. The soldier sighed as he replaced
| the triile, and going to the door of his tent
sazed out into the darkness
The evening was mild and calm, and tho
darkness almost mpenetrable. Scarcely a
sound disturbed the sleeping camps, and as
the enemp across the Potomac were believed
to intend no hostile demonstration the ut
| M nj inn l,n natl aan tnly IN, ri
against surprise. As Jack stood gazing into
the darkness succession of flashes lit up
the GLOOM and the sharp report of small-arms
| broke tho stiffness. "llello! here's for
fun !" exclaimed Jack, rs he rushed for his
accoutremcnts. The long roll called the
men into line, and in few moments the
regiment was prepared to receive the enemy.
Being one of the officers at hand, Lieut..
Horton was ordered by the colonel to go
forward with n detail of men and ascertain
the true state of affairs. Our piclsets were
retreating, the firing being answered by
stray shots from the enemy; no judgment OF
their numbers could DO formed, but our
panic-stricken pickets reported them to be
10000 strong at least. Horton determined
to keep cool and ascertain for himself the
number of the enemy. He had had little
experience of lighting as yet, and his posi-
ton was by no means pleasant ono. In
this manmuvre his excellent Judgment was
proved, for after studying the situation rs
long as it was prudent he FASTENED to the
colonel and Informed him that they CON
sisted of not more than regiment of infantry,
moving directly for the camp.
Il hot skirmish ensued, the fight lasting
for an hour or two. The demonstration
closed with the retreat of the enemy, on
whose heels Lieut.. lIoiton, whose fighting
, blood was up, hung with "a tenacity that
astonished his brother officers. Jack bravcd
danger with Il GOODNESS that was amazing
and directed the fire of his men where it
would do the most good. It was his am
bition to capture somebody or something
and he dd-a Confederate captain and two
privates, who Were " surrounded +" by him
self and one of his soldiers. But Jack, fired
by his success, rashly pushed ahead fol
more human plumber, when he was laid low
by bullet through the shoulder.
CHAPTER w.
Jack Horton was the hero of that fight
, and was mentioned in the commanders re
port for his Coolncss, correct Judgment an,
unllnching bravery. II needed Just such N
occasion as this TO bring out what was in tn
man, but Jack was modest and didn't pre-
sumo he had done more than he ought Hi
, wound was a painful one and in n few day
he was on his way to Rockdale, where til,
reports of his achievements had precede,
, him. Jack couldn't help feeling little curl
, Gus about how Miss Abbie would greet him i
he CHANGED TO meet her. lie hadn't the re
, hottest idea of calling on her, however. Hi
time was his country's, and his leisure mo
ments were passed, even in those invali,
days, in the study of military tactics. II
: did not want to be made lion of did no
pretend to resemble that noble animal in tn
least. So he stayed at home and studied hi
! books,
Just before his return to the army he al
tended fair at Rockdale in aid of the sol
. diers. The young ladies were the principa
attractions at this, as at all fairs and anon
the young ladies none were more attractiv
, than Miss Abbie Latham. She drove re
> markable successful business at the lowe
y stand, eof her principal patrons being Mr.