Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-27

a mother, a sister, or sweetheart, some.
times of all three. Horton was present.
cool, gloomy and Indifferent. He did not
expect any present. His family was scat
tered, 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 sympa-
thetic mood, aud yet no particle of envy
entered his mind in witnessing the ENJOY
ment Of others. As the Major held up
small paper box. however, and called out
" Lieutenant John w. Horton, the latter
started and felt his face aglow IN an
instant. He took the parcel, and in spite
of en!reaties in which not few jokes were
cracked at his expense, placed it IN bis
pocket till the conclusion of the festivities,
when he retired to the comfortable quar-
tiers he shared with Lieutensnt Carter.
Lieutenant Horton was puzzled and Gu
rious. After divesting himself OF his over
coat 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 as be-
came philosopher. Carter got decldedly
impatient before even the outer wrapplngs
were removed, as Horton conducted pro-
ceedings with weighty deliberation: At
last Horton shook from the box little red
mitten snugly wrapped in piece of white
tissue paper. No note of explanation ap-
peared. and Horton met his companions
gaze with a look in which were pictured at
least half dozen of the emotions that at
feet the human mind, the principle one be-
ing surprise.
III.
For the next three evenings our hero was
engaged in writing letters-or rather let
ter-for no sooner was each one completed
than it was torn in pieces and burned.
Horton felt himself in tight fix, and hoped
the enemy would make demonstration on
the camp that he might get out of it. He
had rather face hundred cannon than un-
dertake 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 apparently
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 re-
called 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. Sill, as she had vouch.
sated no kind of message with the surren.
der of the mitten, he was at loss how to
act. Write he could not. If 1 asked
Carriers advice" he reasoned, she would
only laugh at me. Why can't those
plaguey women let fellow alone, any
way p he muttered to himself. 81 was
trying to forget her-and now she has
opened all my wounds afresh. She did it
to tantalize me, but Pll show the flirt and
the whole sex that l 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 few
moments as naturalist might gaze upon a
newly. discovered insect, with mingled Gu
riosity and tenderness. The soldier sighed
as he replaced the trife, and going to the
door of his tent, gazed out into the dark.
ness.
The evening was mild and calm, and the
darkness almost impenetrable. Scarcely a
sound disturbed the sleeping camps, and as
the enemy across the Potomac were be-
lieved to intend no hostile demonstration,
the utmost precaution had not been taken
to guard against surprise. As Jack stood
gazing into the darkness a succession of
flashes lit up the gloom and the sharp re.
port of small arms broke the stiffness.
+" Hello here's for fun % exclaimed Jack,
as he rushed for his accouterments. The
long roll called the men into line, and in a
few moments the regiment was prepared
to receive the enemy. Being one of the
officers at hand, Lieutenant Horton was
ordered by the Colonel to go forward with
detail Of men and ascertain the true state
of affairs. Our pickets were retreating,
the firing being answered by stray shots
from the enemy; no judgment OF their
numbers could be formed, but our panic
stricken pickets reported them to be 10 600
strong at least Horton determined to keep
cool and ascertain for himself the number
of the enemy. He had had little experience
at fighting as yet, and his position was by
no means a pleasant one. In this maneu-
yer his excellent Judgment was proved. for
after studying the situation as long as was
prudent, he FASTENED to the Colonel and in
formed him tdat it consisted CT not more
than regiment of infantry moving directly
for the camp.
A hot skirmish ensued, the fight lasting
for an hour or two. The demonstration
closed with the retreat of the enemy. on
whose heels, Lieutenant Horton, whose
fighting blood was up, hung with tenaci-
ty that astonished his brother officers.
Jack braved danger with GOODNESS 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 sur
rounded" by himself and one OF his soldiers.
But Jack, fred by his success, rashly
pressed ahead for more human plumber,
when he was laid low by bullet through
the shoulder.
Jack Horton was the hero of that night,
and was mentioned in the commanders re-
nort for his goodness, correct iudgment, and