Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-03-18

present. One of these. who sat at q
small table near the window, never
lifted his head ON his entrance but as
siCluously continued his Occur alton.
The one, however, on whom Charities
attention was especially concentrated
stood with his back to the open fire.
place, stcrnly contemplating his APP
proach.
What is your rank, sir?' he asked,
in tone of command.
Captain of infantry" was the sullen
reply.
What was the Federal force under
arms yesterday"
II do not feel able to give you any in
formation, sir, as to the number or
movements of our army" Fulton said,
respectfully, yet firmly.
The devil! Do you know to whom
you are talking and what you are say
ing, sir? Smith, do you hear the fell
low?'
Yes, SIR" the other replied. And,
if You will permit me to deal with him
l will have the information out of him
before he is ten minutes older, General
Bragg"
"Ah, you rascal, | believe YOU" the
superior smiled, graciously; but I'm
not going to trust him to your gentle
catechiSm."
"liad You dispatches" he added, turn
ing to Fulton, who preserved an obsti-
nate silence, on seeing which he adj
dressed the officer who had brought the
prisoner in; Were any dispatches
found on him when he was tallen?"
mo, sir; nothing was found on him
except this locket."
"Ah" said Bragg, gazing at the beau
tiful features of Mary Lascelles. AN
other of my Lady fantasies hapless
victims-take the prisoner back to his
quarters"
Come along" said the good-humored
officer, as he strobe from the room, with
Charlie following.
"iIave they given you any grub to-
day?" he asked, as they reached the
prison chamber.
Not a bite nor sup; but am not
hungry" was the doleful confession.
"Pshaw, man! cheer up-Ill go below
and send you something" and, true to
his word, his departure was quickly fol-
lowed by substantial meal, which
Fulton, notwithstanding his troubles,
did ample justice to.
Then came a clatter of arms and
stamping of horses without, and Charlie
saw the squadron on the move.
by Jove! you are in luck. my boy" a
manly voice cried, as his door opened,
and the officer who had commanded his
guard the previous night made his APP
| pearance.
"low SOP" Charlie asked, YEARLY.
"Why, there's no batch of prisoners
to send to limbo, so I've orders to con-
freesboro, where You won't get half bad
quarters, can tell you. The General,
| too, is well impressed with you, and
means to let you down easy, so keep q
stiff upper-lip and hope for better fort
une."
Fulton's next quarters were in a
large, roomy building, which had once
been a private residence of no mean
proportions, but which was now occu-
pied by the military, partly as recruit
ing Office and partly as hospital for a
| few convalescent officers, whose wounds
| for the time incapacitated them for act
| i've service. His chamber faced the
| grounds of handsome mansion, ten
anted evidently by persons of position
in society, for Charlie spent many a
weary hour watching gay groups of
ladies gathered on the broad verandah,
or toiling with the needle on soldiers
supplies in the handsome rooms, the
windows of which were almost always
! open.
He had been offered parole, and had
refused, decision which did not lower
! him in the estimation of his generous
captors.
And now the gayest season IN all the
year in the South was approaching, the
Christmas holidays. and Charlie could
see that his fair neighbors We're making
lavish preparation for the coming
festivities.
Charlie happened to mention this to a
young officer, who often fingered after
a visit of inspection to chat with the
prisoner.
Bah! My dear fellow, it isn't only
for the holidays they're decorating, but
tonight that pretty girl in blue, leaning
on the pillar yonder, is to be married by
Bishop Polk. l allow they'll have a
gallant fling, for President Davis him
self has come to grace the festivities
with his presence"
at doesn't seem to me a time for
much rejoicing" Fulton said, modify.
Never BETTER" was the gay reply.
Mcclellan whipped at Antietam, Sher-
man at a deadlock before Vicksburg,
Rosecrans on the eve of a retreat, and
Nashville as good as ours again.
There's many a slip 'twixt the cup
and the lip" Charlie ventured.
but not when the cup is held by the
firm hands of heroes" was the decided
answer.
That night his friend was with him
again, when the revelry was at its
height. The evening, though in Deem
Der, was mild, and in the crowded
rooms of the mansion must have been
almost sultry; at least it seemed so, for
the blinds and windows were flung up
to their utmost height, affording the
two Young men an uninterrupted view