Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-21
CHAPTER III.

I was bitterly panied by the turn OF the
conversation. but TO me it seemed matter
of vital Importance, and | would decide
now and forever whether or Major Roy
den should gain our point.
There came a sound OF cheering on the
breeze. William and | caught slmuitane-
ously at the window-curtain. How do
YOU like that proceeding?" l cried lndlg-
nantly drawing II back.
Look ct them now" said my husband,
admirngly; Royden is fine old chap If
he doesn't 90 TO prayer-meetlng. LOOK at
Charlie. dear"
the hill stood my darling with about
dozen other bows of his own age going
through some simple military man0uvres
under the direction of the Major.
The butchers boy, the tinker's boy, the
doctors bad boys: all the boy-idlers in
town in fact were collected, and my child
among them. 20 be soldiers, and the Major
was leading them in the most absurd
fashion. hobbllng about on his wooden
II can't possibly stand that" / cried;
"call HMM. William"
- wouldn't, Ellen; let him stay"
| knew how il would be, and again sub
mitted. though with flushed cheeks and
fearful eyes.
kept my spirit down" till one luck
less day Charlie said confound" some
BODY ar9 when some equally objectionable
words followed in quick succession. /
could not even Seemto be satisfied. Again
/ went to William.
As | spoke the little troopers were
marching under our window. Charlie was
captaln, and led them proudly, stopping
lust a moment to wave his plumed cap
to me. VIII Sumner, the hunchOack, was
beating the drum with all his might, his
face ablaze with martial ardor and on the
sidewalk his mother, poor woman, was
following him crying for JOY.
Every door down the street was open
and tul of smiling faces. for almost every
bow was somebody's darling. ! was young
then and did not see the beauty or sweet
ness of the little scene. / hated it all.
William was wiser and cheered rapturously
as they halted 10 show them of near our
window. OF course / looked out and
| smiled on the young faces so athlrst for
praise, but mn boy knew II was not my
| happiest smile and fastened back TO me
when the parade was over.
Young mothers are very foolish some
| times. so ! went away and cried quietly IN
| Charles little room, He had LETT of
| sleeping in my chamber this summer and
this tiny apartment had become an oratory
| 10 me where | PRAYED for my treasure.
sat down by his window and thought how
| hard william was growing and my child
would 90 away from the home next and
get cold and worldly too. At that stage of
my meditation the door opened and o
SHINING yellow head was pushed in.
30. mamma, what is the matter?"
Nothing, my darling, l was only think.
ing"
about me, mammal"
What could think of you, Charlie, to
| disturb mein
~ know what is the matter. 1t is the
parade and the boys. | won't go over
again promise you-honor, bright. Now
kiss me. ] might learn to be bad sho nuf
During the most Of the next month my
dear husband was i'll. lying OF the point o.
death. and il was great comfort TO re
member Charles promise and know h'
was quietly with the children upstairs.
The old Major tried at first to win bin
| back, He would say under our window
that he wished he had some little boy to e
with him fishing to take charge of the
small new rod no cot yesterday; or hC
thought the river would be clear 10 SWIM
in to-day: but though Charles fac,
flushed, no kept his head down over hi.
book and never asked TO 60.
At last the old man ceased TO WOO him
guessing. ] suppose. that the child wa:
kept at home: and after that he would &c
poste TO our house
think / would not have had the mora
strength to really break up this close
friendship, but, as / said, NV husband wa.
; sick and forgot all about Charles little
affairs in my terrible anxiety about him.
But must go on TO the story.
1t was late in August before was able e
{ take the children out for the day IN the
, woods which promised when papa can
| no 80 al t,olH
5 drove ont in the carriage and then let il
return to the village with orders to com,
} back for US 1T 2 O'clock.
The dav was very warm and BRIGHT,
nice lunch in basket, holiday garments
J and holiday hearts made the children yer,
: happy. For the first hour or 80 Charli,
J and Nell were wild with delight-runninl
here and there gathering flowers and lay
ing out gardens of moss Towards noon i
became oppressiyely warm-not breatl
stirred under the heavy foliage-a and fear
} ed the time would drag for them as it dix
for Ted, my two-year-oid baby-boy.
, But the quiet was somewhat relieved b,
and by, as an ox-cart came slowly dowi
under the green arches of the forest road
The children ran u meet IL. and /, wht
had been raised in the country, took som.
interest myself in the great oxen, 3,
strong, yet 40 submissive. The children
tried TO talk 10 the carter. but he was mel
ther picturesque nor entertaining, SO the
left him and went back TO the oxen.
They were splendid animals. ! remem
Der that one was very beautifully whit
aud the other had a darkly- brindlod Goa
that Nellie much admired.
| had my attention taken mp by Teddie
who being interested in neither fora no
fauna. found the day tedious. ] was guild
ing his slow baby-steps and only hsarl