The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-20

chant had misunderstood his order? Impos-
sible; he had given no order for the portman-
teau There must be some mistake, he
thought. Yet there was his name on every
thing. IT was evidently meant for q present.
but he could not accept such costly presents;
he had done nothing to deserve them.
What would Amy say? 1t did not occur
to him that she would think nothing too good
for him and no gift undeserved. He thought
he ought to return them; but to whom !?
There was 40 name, no hint of the source
from which they came When he had looked
about the sumptuous apartment he did not
doubt to whom he was indebted for all these
luXuries, and concluded it would be q most
ungracious thing to refuse such kindness.
He took of the clothes he had drawn from
the Quartermaster at Annapolis What a
luxury they had seemed IN comparison with
his prison rags! And now what delight it
was to take a bath in such surroundings.
Could it be possible that only four days ago
he had been in one of the crowded rooms Of
Libby? He thought what he would have
been doing at that hour-sitting with his
back against the wall, his feet drawn up to
get them out OF the way OF the restless crowd
that surged back and forth in the long
narrow quarters; perhaps carving 4 bit of
bone, playing cards on folded blanket, or
perhaps reading one Of the books he had
! brought away from the library of the schol-
arly Union man in which he had passed one
or two of the first days of his captivity.
| After a bath, Cleggie could not resist the
| temptation to try on the new clothes. How
well they fitted How it increased his self
respect 10 be thus bccomngly apparelIedi
What rapture the soft, white underwear gave,
| Cleggie was fond of nice things. but even the
coarsest-fbered man that ever lived would
have felt the contrast.
T, Then he turned in and had nap on bed
so sweet and clean. the very touch of which
was luxury. He thought Of the thousands in
| Libby and Salisbury, at Atlanta and Charles
| ton, whom he had known, and to whom the
: least of the Injuries he was now enjoying
I would seem like heaven. Never afterwards
would he forget them when he wore fine
ralment or slept on a soft couch 50 he said to
/ himself, 50 lie meant 10 do, bat fortunately
I for human happiness such resolves are soon
! forgotten.
| When one Of his new friends came to escort
him TO the theatcr inc was wearing the new
| uniform and looked very smart, though rather
/ pale, save from the flush of excitement. lie
SIP Ike apologctically Of the lavish gifts he had
found in his room, and was told that Smith
was queer fellow, but as good as gold. =
Three days passed. Then telegram came
ordering him TO report to the War Department
in Washington without delay. Two DAYS
I afterward he was directed to report in person
TO the President the following evening
After two hours OF familiar conversation
about his prison experiences, and those of
his companions he received an order for his
pay, and was sent back to Philadelphia to
I wait for assignment to dutv
And Amy The leave to which he was en-
titled was slipping away? Would he not see
her at all? lie had sent letters and kilograms
TO which she had replied with words OF en-
enlargement rather than regret. He returned
most unre-s5hably inpatient OF his good luck
lie was very grateful TO the President for the
consideration be had shown, and To the friend
who had enabled him 10 make 50 good an ap.
pearance before the man whom he wor,
SHIPPED but what is even a President in com
paison with ones sweetheart, at %? II
seemed a crael battling OF his wishes But
orders are orders, and soldiers duty is to
obey.
Mr. Smith and his wife a matronly lady
who was much given to laughter met him al
the station, and drove with him TO thcil
house. lie thought lie had never Seen twt
sucn jolly people in his LIE. Smiths asthma
was apparently worse than when he bad seer
tl.om Iasi, ior it emphasized almost every
word, AID frequently eliminated in explosiy,
laughter.
Here we are-lium-h umpll, - he said as
the carriage halted at tue curb. Come