Evening star., 1901-01-19

II was out q S0rrow1ul reminder OF the ol1
home In which young marse'' now modest
ly strove to do the honors to the fiery
restless, nettlesome division commander
who had espoused his cause. It wal
strange. indeed, that he. the younger son
and still a private soldier upon the rolls
should welcome to Belleview. and then
seated in his fathers place, become the
host OF q Union general and his stan. The
civilian Earb old Harkless had carefully
preserved for him needed longer sleeves
yet hung loosely about the thinned flank
for suffering and privation had sorely re-
duced him. But hope was again kindlinG
his brave young eyes. for the long-with'
held opportunity was coming. Sheridan
had not appealed in vain.
And then the division went on its west
ward way. and only stragglers appeared for
several days at Belleview. Norman had
written at once to the Rays, apprising them
OF his fathers recent movements and OF
Harry's serious wound and begged them to
ascertain through friends at Harrodsburg
whether the latter had been left with other
wounded or carried along with Bragss re-
treat. Woodrow, accused now OF being q
southern sympathizer. with certain of As
holts citizens, had fled Tennesseeward until
the Union troops were once more grouped
about Glasgow and along the railway. And
so it happened that there was no one to un-
deceive Norman during the few days he re-
manned at Be.leview, packing and storing
such property as might still be rescued.
The overseer knew not how to treat him.
1t was understood among the townsfolk and
the neighborS that Norman stood diSnher-
tied. yet. with the father and elder brother
both away, who to question his authority
Among the darkies, still lowering about the
old home, there was universal love for
young MarSe Norman, and they were eager
to do his bidding.
But the month would soon expire There
was still a most important matter to be set
tied. He had written to Maj. Lane. most
courteously, yet pointedly, asking for an
accounting. He felt that there should be
money coming to him from the few thou
sands still left of his fathers modest for
tune. but not for a year had Lane remitted
a dollar. Now money was needed for Belle
view and himself. He much disliked to i'm
perfume. but it had to be done.
And he had waited ten days for the reply.
None came. None had been received at
Louisville. and no time was to be lost. Nor
man decided on returning at once to de-
partment headquarters and obtaining per-
mission to go to Cincinnati. That night
came a banging at Belleview's door that
would have walked sounder sleepers than
Norman Holt. In the moonlight without.
with painting horses, stood brace Of troop
ers. Old HarkneSS Shuff1ed down and ad-
mtted the bearer of an official-lo0king let
ter, and Norman met him at the stairs.
This was forwared to camp from Bowl
ing Green, sir said the orderly. with
touch of his cap, land the colonel sent US
over with it, as 1t was marked immediate
and important
The blood flew to Norman's face even be-
fore he saw the superscription. That sir
and the accompanying salute told their
story. The packet was addressed to Lieu
tenant Norman Holt, -th Kentucky Volun-
teer' Infantry, care commanding general,
18th Division and it was hard to repress
the gasp of delight with which he read it.
An officer at last. And, best of all, with
regiment from his own beloved state! Who
but Sheridan could have done this? How
could he sufficiently thank aim? He tore
open the packet, and there was the priced
commission first ieutenants, too--aIl
duly signed and sealed. and with it were
other missives. One from Ransom, whose
handwriting he knew at once. and therefore
opened 1t first. The general bids me send
this. with his hearty congratulations, to
which l beg leave to add mine Wrote the
young captain
HE had a chance to speak to the gov
ernor. McCook backed him UP in his big
hearted way, and the thing was done. It's
a bully regiment, too and most of its Off
GERS are gentlemen to whom your name is
well known, See the mastering officer i'll
Louisville quick as you can and al the
expiration of your thirty days leave report
at or route for Nashville. Oddly enough
you will be brigaded with your Old COM
rades of the -th Ohio.
In the same brigade was the old regi-
ment! To meet day after day, as equals
and associates now the officers whom he
had been wont to greet with such defer
ence and soldierly show of respect Above
all, to meet Malloy, no longer his superior
to meet him the same pane! Normans
eyes blazed. his hands ciinched at the
thought. But first, he was master at
BeleView, and standing in his fathers
stead. "HarklesS, see to it that Il hot sup
per Is got ready for three at once, and
show the orderlies where they can stable
their horses. You shall have the best
we've got, but the war has played havoc
with Belieview.
He was alone when he opened the next
letter-a queerlooking affair at best, but
filled to the brim with loyal and affectionate
greeting. 1t was from old Gaffney, who
had been among the first to get the news
and shout aloud in his joy.
Just wa the boys be proud when !
tell them.' wrote he And I'm going on the
minute / finish this. Sure wasn't it blessed
luck that brought me to Sheridan's head
quarters when the mail got in! Wen have
dad I'll see to it Malloy doesn't get away
till you come to pull the nose of him.
What dye think, Norman, will he try to
quit? o. that reminds me. You know
they've sent young Lane back to the COM
pany at Louisville when we went through
before Perryville Chat we only heard from
beyant Harrodsburg-bad scran to IT'D and
when Maloy would have coddled him and
kept him out of ranks, set him to drilling
again. He was never cut out for a soldier,
that boy. He was nothing but q ne'er-do-
well anyhow. They put him wagon
guard on the march over from Crab Or
chard, and bedad when he answered to his
name at Cave City he wasn't there at all
at all. Brennan, who was took sick and
left back at Greensburg, said he came in
and got So off of him after the wagons
went through, and now he's dropped as
deserter, with his own father ordered for
duty as judge advocate of the Department
of the Cumberland Pm thinkin' that boy
makes nothing but trouble for everybody
ITO he cOntinuei.1