The true northerner., 1882-09-15

tenaoity that astenished his brother
officers. Jack braved danger with
coolness that was amazing and directed
the fire of his men where it would do
the most good. 1t was his ambition to
capture somebody or something, and he
did, Confederate Captain and two
privates, who were surrounded" by
himself and one of his soldiers But
Jack, fired BY his success, rashly
pressed ahead for more human plumber,
when he was laid low by bullet through
the shouldeN.
Jack Horton was the hero Of that
night, and was mentioned in the COM
mander's report for his coolness, correct
Judgment and unfinching bravery. 1t
needed Just such an occasion as this to
bring out what was in the man, but
Jack was modest and.didn't presume he
had done more than he ought. His
wound was painful one, and in few
days he was on his way to Rockdale,
where the reports of his achievements
had preceded him. Jack couldn't help
feeling little curious about how Miss
Abbie would greet him if he chanced to
meet her. He hadn't the remotest idea
of calling on her, however. His time
was his country's, and his leisure mo-
ments were passed, even in those invalid
days, in the study of military tactics.
He did not want to be made lion of !;
did not pretend to resemble that noble
animal in the least. So he stayed at
home and studied his books.
Just before his return to the army he
attended fair at Rockdale in aid of
the soldiers. The young ladies were
the principal attractions at this, as ut
all fairs; and among the young ladies
none were more attractive than Miss
Abbie Latham. She drove remarka-
bly-successful business at the flower
stand, one of her principal patrons be-
ing Mr. Joseph Staples, who purchased
at least half her stock, and distributed
it with lavish hand. He had not gone
to war; but had at least, and without
compulsion, hired substitute. His
patriotism was ardent, as he assured
Miss Abbie, but there were other at
fractions nearer home.
Certainly, Lieut.. Horton could but
pay his respects to Miss Abbie. His
face was paler and his form had become
more trim and manly than when she
last saw him. His features, Abbie no.
ticed, bore an expression of sadness and
suffering; he moved without awkward
ness, and all the young ladies declared
him to be the handsomest soldier in the
lo1 IL ha hot fnI
for on this occasion, as he deserved to.
Jacks heart throbbed little as he met
the gaze of the young lady; but if he
felt any emotion it must have been
slight; she was very busy with her Gus
toners, and especially with her whole
sale patron, Mr.. Staples, yet, as the
Lieutenant babe her good-evening and
turned away he saw her eyes drop and
q faint flush steal over her cheeks. For
two old friends so long separated the
meeting was decidedly cold and formal,
and Jack was chilled to the marrow.
In the stirring events of the next
two years Horton bore his full share
at Fredericksburg, Charlottesville,
Antietam, Gettysburg the Wilderness,
down to Cold Harbor, where. at the
head of his regiment, he fell. desperate
ly wounded, in the terrible and unsuc-
cessful assault on that stronghold
He was conveyed TO the hospital mt
Washington in seemingly senseless
condition, with several wounds, each of
which was dangerous. The nurses
moved among the wounded men like
angels of mercy. Some of the soldiers
lay in a stupor, some were raving with
delirium, and others dying in agony
For days Horizons life hung on thread,
his fevered brain mercifullv rendering
him unconscious of suffering. As he
awoke one morning soft and gentle
hand was soothing his brow, when the
dampness indicated that the fever was
broken. He tried to open his eyes, but
was too weak speak he could not; and
many hours passed before he could dis
Germ what was around him. Since the
night of the Cold Harbor fight his life
had been a blank. He remembered
nothing. And now he saw before him
the physician and the nurse, with q
sweet, pale face, that looked familiar,
but he could not recall the name of it's
owner. Again trying TO speak, the sur
geon kindly whispered, Keep perfectly
quiet and all Will he we'll" and the fe-
male attendant, ut his motion, with
drew
The next morning his dim vision dis
cerned the same pale and anxious face /;
and gleam of wondering inquiry passed
over his countenance as he gazed upon
her At last he feebly whispered,
where am II"
"In the hospital, and with friends"
she gently answered.
He would have spoken more, but she
withdrew. The next day he was strong
en-, and he asked, Where have seen
you?" At sign from the physician the
nurse answered.:
At your old home. Don't you know
me? l am Abbie Latham You are
getting better now, and will soon be
we'll"
Jack was strong enough to begin to
collect his thoughts, which were, of
course, mt once concentrated on his
nurse. He improved wonderfully under
her care, and one bright morning oc-
Cured the last conversation we shall
record in this romantic sketch.
A. A