Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-18
Corporal Ratigan's Irish good nature

and give the boy cuff. Jakey's coun- tenance was solemn, as usual, and did not break into smile ill response to the corporal's embarrassed laugh. He opened tho gate, and Ratigan rode into the yard, followed by his troopers. They refreshed themselves from gourd which hung in the wellhouse; then, fill ing their canteens, they rode away.
 But Souri and Jakey were destined soon to meet one who was of far more consequence to both than Corporal Rati- gan. The next morning while Souri was setting the house to rights she heard the beating of innumerable horses hoofs. Going to the window and look ing up the road, which stretched north ward for a long distance, ill full view she saw a column of cavalry approach ing.
 Before the head of the column had reached the house the whole Slack fam lily were standing in the yard gaping. Two regiments passed, though each seemed like an army, for cavalry occu- pies three or four times the space of in fantry. Between the second and third regiments was a gap of few hundred yards. In this rode an officer especially noticeable for his youth and manly beau ty, attended by his staff and escort. On approaching the Slack cabin he motion ed to these to go on, and wheeling his horse from the road unattended rode up to the party of lockers on. Jakey, who was standing on the fence, gave a spring and was caught ill his arms.
 Aha, little brother, we meet again. "
 But there were others to engage the speakers attention. Dropping the boy to the ground, he dismounted and was soon warmly shaking all by the hand
 Yer Mark Malone, 1 reckon" said Farmer Slack, though V don't look much like the common sojer eZ kem long hyar year ago n changed yer uniform fo' our Henery' store clothes.
 Not Mark Malone-that was fic titious name-but Mark Maynard. No. I'm not a private any longer. com mand this brigade And it's splendid body of men. I'm proud of it. "
 When Colonel Maynard came to sa- lute Souri, there was an unspeakable interest, sympathy, even tenderness, in her expressive eyes.
 ''Why, Souri, your woman. How you have improved!'
 A slight flush on her cheek showed the pleasure the words gave her.
 "Hain't improved?" asked Jakey.
 "Improved: Certainly. Have you con. quered your old habit of answering peo- pie with questions:'
 Did I lick Johnny: Oh, yes," sud- denly recollecting himself "I purty nigh got over thet."
 ''So I perceive" said the colonel, smiling. You're perfect paragon at expressing yourself. -
 "Won't yer come in n set down?" asked Mrs Slack.
 Not now. I am going to meet my wife, whom have not seen for nearly a year. I expect to find her at her moth CTS plantation near Chattanooga. You remember how she hid me when my neck was in a halter on that very plan- tation; how 1 came north in disguise with her; how came here one night, where had left my horse and uniform, and dashed away to the Union linesi how she followed me, and we were married by chaplain. Well, I've nev- CT seen her since n week after our mar riage. Old Pap is famous for not allow ing women ill camp, and he made nc exception i'll Mrs. Maynard's case eX- cept for one week $ honeymoon ill rec | ognitiOn of service rendered the cause. :"
 And yer wife's gone back onter the plantation?' said Mrs. Slack. ''She has. You see, i'll June a recruit entered our family quarters in the shape of ten pounder boy. Before tLat hap pened Mrs. Maynard went through the lines to join her mother, Mrs. FAin. As the youngster is not old enough to re- | port to his father since his enlistment, I suppose his father will have to report 1 to him.
 Il reckon Mrs. Maynard'll be right l glad to see you,' remarked Souri feel ingly
 II shall certainly be right glad to see | her. And that must account for my leaving you so soon. I owe you all a great deal i'll this household, and now that our forces occupy the country, if you require anything. let me know it. What can do for you?"
 There was silence for a few mo- ments, which was broken by Mrs. Slack. | Naal, uoW' colonel' u ye knoW hain't had a cup O coffee fo' nigh onter year."
 "You shall havo some as soon as can reach my commissary. Anything else:'
 Souri frOwIHcd even at tho request oi her mother. and no one named any other requirement..
 "Jakey," said the colonel, ''you haven't forgotten how, when went through here year ago, asked you tc go with me on my way to Chattanooga to get information of the movements oi the Confederate army"
 ''Hev I forgot when war yer alder camp? Oh, no. no, hain't forgot. "
 Well, hadn't much inducement tc offer you then unless the sharing of [