Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-24
A CHARMING, sPRIGHTLY SKETCH.

BIZ R. C. DuNHAM.

l.
1t was the afternoon of a clear, sharp January
day of 1851, and the company numbered fully
two hundred; there were men and women, boys
and girls, flying and circing about, in masses,
singfy, by dozens and by twos and threes, over
the frozen surface of the beautiful Silver lake.
In Rockdale. suburb of the fourishing city of
B. New England is dotted with these
small bodies Of water, and it is astounding to
recount what surprising number bear the
name of Silver. And so, on Silver lake, this
goOdly company was disporting itself with all
the gaety and zest the keen bracing air and
exhlarating sport combined to produce.
Among the crowd were many lads and lassies
who imagined they were fond of skating. and
came to Silver lake for no other reason It was
singular, too to note how much more grace
fully the outward roll" backward or forward
being linked together by walklng-stick Those
SUCKS proved. In many instances no nom
conductors to the sympathetic thrill that per-
vaded the magnets at either end.
The positive and negative conditions were
fully realized in the case of brawny John Horton
and rosy-cheeked Abbie Latham. the daughter
OF the Squire. She, with her plump, comely
figure, and fresh, handsome face lit up by pair
OF laughing blue eyes, could have led awkward
John, on or off skates, anywhere, with an apron
sizing VI q LII eau luz q CONDUCTOR. NOT so With
john He could lead her nowhere: and the
more the girl could balk and tantalize him. the
more she seemed to enjoy the skating and his
company. Many ludicrous figure he cut, and
many an awkward fall he endured by her sudden
and unaccountable turns and shiftings, and her
mirth and glee We're at the highest at Johns re-
peated failures to follow her difficult and tortu-
Gus windings. John was OvergrOwn and mas
slye, his twenty years Of existence not having
yet served to properly knit together and round
out the proportions of his frame. She was 1.-the
and quick, and as graceful as she was skillful in
the use of skates.
Apart from the throng, this afternoon, John
espied little red mitten lying on the ice. where
it had been dropped by some one of the numer-
Gus Children Miss Abbie saw it, too. and as
John, by one OF his graceful movements, essayed
to stoop and capture the article, she refused to
release his hand; but, just as he bent forward.
she gave wicked pull, and John unbalanced
was sent sprawlng rod or two beyond. A
peal OF silvery laughter was her sympathetic
and caught the tiny thing in her hand
John blushed at his awkwardness, and held
out his hand to receive the mitten
But the captor only held it before him, and
gently moved away.
won't you give it to me?" he asked sI will
find the owner"
II can find the owner more easily than YOU.
can't trust you; you would fall and crush the
poor thing In trying to deliver It." And she
saucily laughed again.
''You made me fall" said John, In a grieyed
tone. You are always doing these things. If
L skated more and studied less. I'd soon be as
much an adept as your friend, Joe Staples,
whom you are always praising."
YOU! Ha, ha, ha! As graceful as Joe
staples?" And the hilarity of the young maiden
made John Horizons sluggish blood course
through his veins till his face was as red as the
scarlet kerchief that encircied his neck.
All the rest of that afternoon John was gloomy
ana silent. He moved around mechanically. or
rather, automatically. and his companion con-
GUIDED to serve no more tricks upon him.
The sport finished. the two wendell their wav
to the house Of Mr.. Latham, Johns fair com.
panion failing to rally him into anything like
conversation. He answered her only in mono
syliaDles and seemed mOrose and preOccupied
AS ne was about to take mis- leave, John said,
seriously, and little sarcasticaly, "Abbe, I'm
going back to college tomorrow, and hope
You Will enjoy the rest of the skating season in
more graceful than mine"
:" hope shall, replied she in the same tone.
- on must feel bad about something: perbans
It's the mitten: you had better take it, no, not
now won't give it up. If ever think enough
OF you to surrender it, I'll send it to you by
express" ~
And then she smiled on John with rare sweet
ness, out John had seen that smile before. and
felt she was only hooking him. So with SOL
emn good night he buttoned his coat close to
his chin, and with hands resolutelv thrust into
ms pockets, turned hOmeward. resolved to
waste no more time with skating girls who
judged young men by the dexterity they exhib
TIED in handling their heels
H.
Among the earliest volunteer regiments that
ieft for the seat Of war in the summer of 1861.
was the til Massachusetts,. with Lieut. John
norton as an officer of Company B. Like hun
oreds OF Others he abandoned his books for the
sword, and had passed nights and days in study
and drill, to fit himself for his new position.
Horton enjoyed the reputation among his fell
lows Of being rather an anchOrite He was reti-
cent. sometimes gloomy. and although he Der-
formed MS duties acceptably, he had TINS far
failed to show any distinguishing qualities for a
military career. He joined in few of the camD
pleasures, ana when he was not on duty, read
ing or studying, was sure to be seen in abstract
Thought, walking among the streets of the
camp. or in the region of country immediately
around. Christmas and New Year in c.mp
formed one ofthe brightest seasons to the hard
worked soldier In all the years of the Rebellion.
Though the quantity Of useful and useless arti.
Giles dispatched from home was at all times great.
the bulk OF contributions arriving i'm camp mt
TINS festive season sOrely tried che CARRYING ca
paclty of all engaged in supplying the army at
the 'front.' And the occasions of opening the
boxes and bundles among both officers and nri
Yates were most interesting 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 evening
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. Hor-
ton was present, cool, gloomy and jndif.
ferent. 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 sym
pathetic mood and yet no particle of envy en-
tered his mind in witnessing the endowment of
others AS the major held up q small paper
box, however, and called out Lieut.. John w.
Horton, the latter started and felt his face
agiow in AN instant. He took the parcel and in
spite OF entreaties, in which not few Jokes
were cracked at his expense, placed it In his
pocket till the conclusion of the festivities when
ne retired to the comfortable quarters he shared
with Lieut.. Carter.
Lieutenant Horton was puzzled and curious
Alter diyesting himself of his overcoat he sat
down. placed the box on the table, and with his
companion. lighted the solacing dudeen.
determined to approach and unravei
the mystery as became phil
osopher. Carter got decidedly impatient
before even the outer wrappings were removed.
as Horton conducted proceedings with weighty
dpi0prafinn last