The true northerner., 1882-09-15

setts, with Lieut.. John Horton as an
officer of Company B. Like hundreds
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 fellows of be-
ing rather an anchorite. He was reti-
cent, sometimes gloomy, and, although
he performed his duties acceptably, he
had thus far failed to show any distin-
gushing qualities for a military career.
He joined in few of the camp pleasures,
and when he was not on duty, reading
or studying, was sure TO be seen in abb
stract thought, walking about the streets
of the camp, or in the region of country
Immediately around. Christmas and
New Years in camp formed one of the
brightest seasons to the hard-worked
soldier in the years OF the Rebellion.
Though the quantity of useful and use
less articles dispatched from home was
at ali times great, the bulk of contribu-
hons arriving at this festive season sore
ly tried the carrying capacity of all en-
gagged in supplying the army at the
front. And the occasions of opening
the boxes and bundles among both Off
GERS and privates were most interesting
md exciting The officers of the -th
had arranged to have an "opening" in
the Colonels quarteps, 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 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 the Major
held up n small paper box, however,
and called out Lieut.. John w. 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 few Jokes were cracked ut
his expense, placed it in his pocket till
the conclusion of the festivities, when
he retired to the comfortable quarters
he shared with Lieut.. Carter.
Lieut.. Horton was puzzled and curl
ous. After divesting himself of his
overcoat he sat down, placed the box on
the table, and in company with his COM
panion lighted the solacing dudeen, de-
termined to approach and unravel the
Carter got decidedly inpatient before
even the outer wrappings were removed,
as Horton conducted proceedings with
weighty deliberation. At last Horton
shook from the box little red mitten
snugly wrapped in a piece of white
tissue paper. No note of explanation
appeared, and Horton met his COM
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 here
was engaged in writing letters-or
rather a letter-for no sooner was each
one completed than it was torn to pieces
and burned. Horton felt himself in n
tight tix, and hoped the enemy would
make 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 soul 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 heartless
tricks, but when Jack recalled her
words, IF / 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, as she had vouch-
safed no kind of message with the sur
render of the mitten, he was at loss
how to act. Write he could not "If L
asked Carter's advice" he reasoned, "he
would only laugh at me. Why can't
those plaguey women let fellow alone,
anyway" he muttered to himself. Il
was trying TO forget her-and now she
has opened all my wounds afresh. She
did it to tantalize me, but I'll shew the
firt and the whole sex that / can't be
tantalized." And then Jack took from
his inner pocket an envelope, out of
which he fished little red object. on
which he gazed for a few moments as a
naturalist might gaze upon newly-dis-
covered insect, with mingled curiosity
and tenderness. The soldier sighed as
he replaced the trife, and, going to the
door of his tent, gazed out into the
darkness.
The evening was mild and calm, and
the darkness almost impenetrable.
Scarcely a sound disturbed the sleeping
camps, and. as the enemy across the Po-
tomac were believed to intend no hos
tile demonstration, the utmost precau-
tion had not been taken TO guard against
surprise. AS Jack stood gazing into the
darkness succession of flashes lit MP
the gloom and the sharp report of small
arms broke the stiffness. Hello here's
for fun" exclaimed Jack, as ne rushed
for his accorrtrements. 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.