The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-06-12

a bright new uniform, was seated on the
respectable steps of one of the most re-
spectacle private residences. He was
very drunk; his shake was lying on the
pavement, and his head was bent over his
doubled-up knees.
To him came the picket. They aroused
him after the usual gentle fashion OF
pickets, and tried to extract from him the
street and house where he was billeted.
He could tell them nothing.
Where shall we shove him, sergeant ,"
asked one OF the men.
anywhere there, into that clubhouse" y
was the reply.
Look here, young chap" roared the
sergeant in the ear of the young man, who
had been partially brought to his senses
by the tumble onto the straw, "the revally
goes at tomorrow morning. There's
your musket and your traps. You've got
four hours 10 sleep off your drunk, and
mind, if YOU don't answer your name at
roll-call, you'll be put in the Jail as a de-
serter. If YOU don't believe, read that
there notice
And he directed Abner's glazed eyes to
a bill affixed to the wall, headed e. +. on
either side of big crown, and threaten
ing dire penalties TO all who, having taken
&. RS shillings, should get away without
giving G. r. an equivalent for them.
Then his coat, trousers and boots were
taken of, and he was left At o'clock
the next morning Elmiord was reused
from its brief slumbers by the rattle OF a
dozen drums in the market place. At D
o'clock the roll was called. At 6 the men
were dismissed to breakfast, and at :,
under clear, blue sky and smiling sun,
the battalion marched out of town, colors
Ax-fr, MD n 40 nj
meut OF cheers, and godspeeds. and cries
and sobbings from the vast crowd which
marched along with it until it was well on
the London road.
At TO o'clock Abner Harrington awoke.
He sat up and looked around him with
the air OF man just returned from long
visit in q far country, pressed his hands
to his aching head and tried to collect his
wits.
"Why. hang it There's something
wrong. I'll swear I was soldier vester-
day. had red coat, and tall leather
hat, and gun, and a knapsack, and
why, what can have happened?'
He stood up and looked around the
she'd He must either have been dream
ing, he thought, or very drunk. In the
place OF MS military outfit there were his
own clothes.
There was a pump outside. He gave
himself a good sluicing and left a trihe
better, although his head seemed as ii it
did not belong to him. Then he dressed
himself and went out. The first thing
which attracted his notice was &c. Il. 5"
proclamation. He read it through more
than once and at the end came to the con-
clusion that nothing but keeping himself
studiously out OF sight could prevent him
from being arrested and punished as
deserter.
He peeped into the market place. All
was quiet and sunny and but for the pres
ence of workhouse men sweeping away
the refuse of the last week S excitement it
would have been hard to realize that this
scene Of Boeotian calm and stiffness had
ever been otherwise.
well, he said 10 himself, 'as I'm a
deserter, I'd best not be seen. Poor Hit
able How glad she will be to see me !
and how l will repay her for having
behaved myself like brute"
He skunk out OF Elmford by back streets
and by-lanes until he reached the main
road mile out OF the town. Half an
hours further walking brought him into
Cuton. Some young fellows were talking
in group outside the RED Lion" and,
before he could get out of the way, had
observed him.
"Whv. Abner. man." said one. I'VE
thought as how you'd gone and listed.
Leastwavs, Jack Wright SAYS he saw YOU
in the kings livery a-marchin' along like
the dock hisseli."
Yes, and poor Mehitable Buttrick went
we'll nigh distracted" said a second.
''She'5 been asking about YOU, and crying
and going on bic to see. Come in, man,
and have 4 mug"
But Abner had ale enough in his head
TO last him for some time, and, with an
excuse, he proceeded on to the Buttrick
cottage.
Mrs. Buttrick met him at the door. She
possessed Mehitable's physique without
the girls tenderness of character, and her
face warned the penitent that storm was
in readiness for him.
SHANE on you, Abner Harrington :"
said Mrs. Buttrick, shame on you for
murderer"
a murderer
Yes, a cowardly murderer repeated
Mrs. Buttrick. You've driven away our
'Hitable with them harum-scarum tricks
OF yourn. When she heard you'd listed
she went away, and nobody hasn't set
eyes on her since; and heaven above only
sees where she is.
AbneT stood shame-stricken, and heard
in silence the torrent OF abuse showered
on him by Mrs. Buttrick, until the poor
woman sank down on a seat in the porch
and sobbed bitterly He did not attempt
to console her, for, in truth, his thoughts
were with Mehitable: and, il ever man
stood self-convicted of unmanly ,dishonor-
able conduct. it was Abner Harrington.
He walked away rapidly. All that
morning, all that afternoon, he sought
BIehitable The penalties for desertion
had no fears for him now, and he walked
boldly into Elmford Everyone in Elm
ford knew Mehitable Buttrick. No one
had seen her since the previous morning.
when she lad come in and inquired for
Abner.
al sorts OF terrible thoughts crossed the
mind of the unhappy young man. He
had heard and read of disappointed girls
making away with themselves. But
Mehitable, much as she loved him, sensi-
tive and tender as her heart, was not the
sort of girl to kill herself because her
lover had chosen 20 serve his king and
country.
Then the old fear took possession of
him, and he crept out of the market place
branded, not only as a deserter, but as
a murderer.
He wandered down TO the riverside
that riverside linked in mis- memory with
so many recoilections of quiet Sunday
walks and evening talks with Mehitable
There was a group of boys and men
cat berod round otoptbiuO nv the old