Year: 1868

the vulure to his prey or leads the cat to the hi
ding place of the rat, he scented the matter out
and turned it promptly to his own advantage
Quiet and prudent, he knew hew to keep his own
counsel and since his sharp practices were all con.
cealed, he had, with the public the reputation Of
"a kind hearted and public. spirited man, whose
dealings were marked by great caution and clrcum-
spection.


Mrs. Garnett had never once thought of apply
ing to him for assistance of any kind, but she had
now come to juncture when uncle Jacobs aid
was indispensable. The war had greatly eurtailed
her income; while, at the same time it had greatly
enhanced the cost of every necessary and luxury Of
life. Her income scarcely amounted to one-half
of what it had been in former years, while her ex-
penditures had been necessarily increased fve-fold
Daily, the cart of her opulent relative passed her
door, laden with marketable provisions for sale,
and the rich man grew daily richer while the wants
of the widow began to make themselves more sore
ly felt; and how to supply herself with daily food,
loomed up into question of huge and threaten
ing proportions


Victor was approaching the eighteenth anniver.
s of his id bhdaE an age which hc the laws
military service. From the first opening of the
war he had been feverishly impatient to have "a
place near the flashing Of the enemy's guns" but
Mrs. Garnet had prudently insisted upon his ap-
plication to his studies, well knowing that the op.
portunity he now enjoyed would soon pass away.
She felt we'll assured that long period of warfare
was before him, sufficiently stern and protracted
to satisfy all his aspirations for military life At
the time our story opens, he had returned home to
spend few days with his widowed parent before
plunging into the dark sea of war, whose waves
broke and thundered along tho whole frontier of a
land reeling under the shock, but dashing back its
waves broken scattered and dispersed, only to re-
turn again with accumulated violence and strength.
Mrs Garnett set about the work of making every
preparation for the departure of her son. She
had the brave heart of Spartan mother, and
though he was the whole worldto her, yet far more
willingly would she have seen his bleeding and
shattered corpse at her feet, than to know that he
failed in his duty to his country in her hour Of
trial. Yet the widows heart was indeed sad.
Her face was shade more pale than usual, but
her fortitude was unshaken.


"Mother," asked Victor as he sat by her side,
while she toiled over suit of coarse grey cloth,
struggling with emotions, almost as painful as
though she had been busted with the winding sheet
and shroud of her bright eyed SON" mother, are
you able to hepme buy horse for cavalry service
have joined the Washington Light Horse Compa-
ny, and they wish me to Join them. The infantry
marches are so fatigung and hard, wish to escape
them if can. fear I cannot stand them, bur.
dened with g. heavy musket, knapsack, haversack,
and other things. Besides this, I do not wish to
be separated from my old friends Do you think,
mother, you can spare the means to help me buy q
suitable horse ?"


Without answering, Mrs Garnett quietly arose,
and going into an adjoining chamber, soon return.
ed with large leathern pocket-book which she
placed in the hands of the youth. She sighed as
she did so-an inaudible and unseen sigh-such as
comes from heart, burdened with secret care
that it would hide from every eye


! Victor opened the pocketbook and counted, in