The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-09-14


had arranged TO have an opening in
the Colonel's quarters, and thither all
who we're not on duty repaired Tho
evening was Of course most enjoyable,
for nearly every one had received from
home some gift or token to remind him
OF mother, sister or sweetheart, some
times Of all three. Horton was present,
cool, gloomy. and Indifferent. He 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. He did not feel in sentimental
or sympathetic mood, and yet no particle
Of envy entered his mind in witnessing
the enjoyment Of others. As tho Major
held up n small paper bos, however.
and called ont Lieut.. John ". Hor-
ton" the latter started and felt his fnce
aglow in m instant. He took the
parcel, and. in spite OF entrcatics in
which not a few jokes were cracked ut
his expense, placed II IN his pocket till
the conclusion Of the festivities, when
he retired to the comfortable quarters
lie shared with Lieut.. Carter.
Lieut.. Horton was puzzled and Curl
ons. After divcsting himself Of his
overcoat he sat down, placed the lnx on
the table. and in company with his COM
panion lighted the solacing dudccn, to-
termined to approach and unrayel tho
mystery MS became philosopher.
Carter got decidedly impatient before
even the outer wrappings were removed,
rs Horton conducted proceedings with
weighty deliberntion. At last Horton
shook from the box little red mitten
snngly wrapped in piece of white
tissue paper. No note of explanation
appeared, and Horton met his conn
panion's gaze with look in which
were pictured at least half dozen Of
the emotions that affect the human
mind, the principal one being surprise.
For the next three evenings our hero
was engaged in writing letters -or
rather letter-for no sooner was each
one completed than it was torn to pieces
and burned. Horton felt himself in u
tight fix, and hoped the enemy would
make a demonstration on the camp that
he might get out of it. He had rather
face hundred cannon than undertake
to acknowledge the reception of that
mitten. He knew he had loved Miss
Latham, but his big. sensitive sonl had
been terribly lacerated by her appar-
emily heartless behavior, and he had
concluded to become Indifferent. not
only to her, but to all womankind. This
might be another Of her heartlcss
tricks, hut when Jack recalled her
words. IF ever think enough Of YOU
to surrender it. Ill send it to you.' he
felt the little witch did entertain some
regard for him. Still. rs she had vouch-
safed no kind of message with the SUR
render Of the mitten. he was Mt loss
how to net Write he could not. If
asked Carriers advice" lie reasoned, .he
would only laugh at me. Why can't
those plagney women let fellow alone,
anyway" he muttered to himself. Il
was trying to forget her--anl now she
has opened all my wounds afresh She
did it to tantalize me, but I'll show the
flirt and the whole sex that l cant lie
tantalized' And then jack took from
his inner pocket an envelope. out oi
which he fished little red object. on
which he gazed for few moments rs a
naturalist might gaze upon newly-dis'
covered insect, with mingled curiosit,
and tenderness. The soldier sighed rs
he replaced. the trife, and. going to tn,
door Of his tent, gazel ont into the
darkness.
The evening was mild and calm, and
the darkness almost impenetrable
Scarcely sound disturbed the sleeping
camps, and, rs the enemy across the po-
tomac were believed to intend no hos.
tile demonstration. the utmost precau
ton had not been taken to guard against
surprise. As Jack stood gazing into thu
the gloom and the sharp report of small
arms broke the stiffness. Hello here's
for fun!' exclaimed Jack, rs he rushed
for his accontrements. 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 or,
.lered hy the Colonel to go forward will.
detail Of men AMI ascertain the trti,
state of affairs. Our pickets We're ra.
treating, the firing being answered hs
stray shots from the enemy; no in.ly-
ment of their numbers could be formed
bat our panic-stlicken pickets reported
|. them to he 10000 strong nj least Hor-
ton determined to keep cool and ascer-
,ain for himself the number Of the enc
my. He had had little experience OF
fighting as yet. and his position was by
no means q pleasant one. In this ma.
neuver his excellent Judgment was
proved, for, after studying the situation
- long as it was prudent. he FASTENED
to the Colonel. and informed him tia,
they consisted Of not more than rcgi.
ment Of infantry moving directly 10,
the camp.
4 hot skirmish ensued the fieh,
lasting for an hour or two. The demon
stration closed with the retreat If tht
enemy. on whose heels Lieut.. Horton
whose fighting blood was up. hung Will
II tenacity that astonished his brother
officers. Jack braved danger with !.
GOODNESS that was amazing. and directed
the fire Of his men where it would Il,
/ the most good. 1t was his ambition Il
capture somebody or something. aud Ii,
did, q Confederate Captain and tw,
privates. who were surrounded" b,
himself and one of his soldiers Blu
Jack, fired by his success. rasll,
pressed ahead for more human plumber
when he was lail low br bullet through
/ the shoullt,.
/ Jack Horton was the hero of tha
night, and was mentioned in the com
mander's report for his GOODNESS, correc
judgment and unflinching bravery. L
needed Just such mn occasion as this /,
i bring ont what was in the man, but
Jack was modest and didn't presume h,
hal done more than he ought. Hi
| wound was painful one. and in few
days he was on his way to Rockdale
where the reports of his achievement.
had preceded him. Jack couldn't hell
] feeling little curious about how Mis-,
Il Ill.,, ..,a,,ll .x,a,x him, r. L., H..