The Mineral argus., 1884-12-04
on THE HIGHLAND ROAD.

said the major, leaning forward In hi;
saddle and peering up the long vista Of
the avenue closed by broad flights Of
steps leading up to a cleaning structure
with many-columned gallery and dorm
cred roof.
When 1 was in Eden last it was pig
roasted whole, with petaties well brown
ed in the gravy that wez had for sup
per" said ODowd, with a wink at the
lieutenant.
Looks more like fried chicken here, 1"
responded the lieutenant, raising him
self in the stirrups to peep over the
thick Cherokee hedge that seemed to re-
tain DO recollection of the pruning
shears.
"Bedad, look at the major now,
film himself up with odors," said
O'Dowd.
He'll dine off a posy bed any time. L
must have something more substantial,
myself, not bein' of the hummin' bird
variety"
Lieutenant, " said the Major sharply,
turning toward them his lean, sun
Drowned visage, all the leaner by CON
trast with the white Havelock that
draped 1t, ride down to the river and
tell Capt. Coulter to camp in the clear
ing to the left of the road. Let there
be a strong picket guard posted" The
Lieutenant saluted and obeyed, though
with inward remonstrance his hungry
stomach rebelling against the fve-mile
ride and the recession of The 'already de-
ferred dinner to a dimly prospective sup
per.
Cap. +" said the MajOrtO his no
naming companion, well see what we
can get in here, though 1 swear it's a
shame to go clankling swords and spurs
through such a heavenly place"
"Shure an there was war in heaven
itself wanst, I'm towld," rejoIned
ODowd, exaggerating the slight brogue
that still chung to his Tipperary tongue,
as was at times his facetiOus won't. IF
the howly angels could injure the clash
O. arrums, their airthly sisters sh'ud be
able to do the same"
As they approach it the cleaning
structure resolved itself into a wide
winged, high-perched cottage, with
numberless arched windows opening
upon the spacious gallery which encir-
cled it upon every side. It stood silent
and apparently deserted in a little open
ing among the trees, surrounded by
carefully tended flower beds, and ca
ressed by the clinging arms Of rose
vines. A bird uttered a shrilI note
above their heads as they advanced
which sounded like a cry warning, but
no living creature of a domestic charac-
ter appeared, not even 2 cat.
May be it's an enchantment, said
the captain. 81 hope it won't vanish
before dinner, if it is"
"Here is a good Substantial door at
all events, rejoined the major proceed
ing to knock vigorously.
The knock reverberated with a hol-
low sound. and almost Immediately the
door swung quietly inward. and a stout
mulatto woman appeared in the open
ing. She courtesied respectfully and
without the slightest appearance Of sur
prise on her sober, middle aged face,
stood silently awaiting the announce
ment of their business.
I'VE want something to eat, Auntie,"
said the Major, pleasantly; "can't you
give us something"
eyes, sir, l recon so; walk in"
Stepping back few PAGES she ushered
them into a long room, whose furniture,
mysteriously draped in gray colored
chintz, stood about in groups with that
air of patient waiting, which furniture,
in it's summer dress, always wears.
The bare floor, beautifully polished,
and the open windows, before which
lace curtains swayed gently in the light
air, made up an interior of delicious
GOODNESS, after the long ride in the hot
sun.
The captain threw himself at full
length upon a large sofa, but the Maj
or moved restlessly about, examining
the books and ~engravings on the tables
and the pictures on the walls, the last,
evidently, family portraits.
His command had but recently Joined
the forces whose mission it was TO gain
control of the Mississippi and this was
his first experience of spring and sum
mel south of the famous boundary
which had at that time assumed such
startling prominence. He had come