Year: 1861

It was during the height of the excitement
which the war of 1872 had awakened all over
our country, that 1 was one evening called
IRON q brief moment Of repOsc upon the sofa,
after fatiguing day. When 1 entered my
Office, found tall, slender youth pacing the
floor with quick, irregular steps, apparently
greatly excited. 1 suppose that the calm, al
most cold manner, which instantly assumed
might have had a sedative effect upon him, for
he ceased his hurried tramp and came forward,
although he was still perceptibly trembling {;
but, evidently, not from any lack of cour-
sge--rather with excess of that quality, il one
might Judge by the light within his dark eye.
i have observed that the bravest sometimes
tremble under any strong emotion.


He briefly stated his errand. He had en-
listed in the army but, unfortunately, as he
seemed to think, his nearest friends thought
him too feeble in organization and too frail in
health to undertake it, and had procured a
substitute, expressing their earnest desire
amounting to command that he should stay at
home.


He had thercupon resolved to come from
home TO be thoroughly examined by city
physician, and so submit to his decision as to
the cxpediency of such course as that Of be-
coming a soldier.


looked ut the young man before me with
earnest desire TO relieve the anxiety under
which he seemed to suffer. He was very
handsome, with dark, wavy hair, finely y-cut
features, and eyes black and piercing. did
not like the quick. shifting color that came
and went on his cheek but, excepting that,
after long and strict examination, l saw
nothing which could physically prevent him
from following his inclination in joining his
regiment, which he stated was to go immedi-
atey.


With what rapture he received my decision
have no words to relate. He wrung my hand
dozen times, almost shouted his thanks and
his JOY, and then in momentary reaction
the poor fellow actually sat down, covered his
face with his hands and sObbed. | saw the
glittering tears roll out between his fingers,
and knew at once that he was one of those
beings "made up of fire and dew," whose, rich,
rare natures yield thoroughly TO the pressure
of strong emotions. They melt, it is true, but
II is as iron melts, from the powerful and ire
sstible heat within.


He had walked several miles to see me, and
after hearing his whole story, forbade him to
leave my house that night. Soon we were
seated together around small table which
Mary had set by the parlor fireside, by my re-
quest, and her fresh green tea acted as a COM
plete Soother to his nerves.


He proved to be the son of an old college
mate of my own, who had married one Of
Mary's dearest friends. 1t was not at all
strange that had lost sight of Austin Rea,
nor that Mary had never seen Jane Norwood





day. New scenes, new associations, new du-
ties and new trials, new hopes, new disap.
pointments-all these, if they do not destroy
the memory of old friends, still sad him
ORANGES to its refreshment, unless their presence
IS about u.s. And so it happened with us.
Now, l saw my old friend and Mary saw hers,
revived in the person of this youth, to whom
my heart had warmed from the beginning, with
strange and unaccountable ardo;.


He soon attained perfect ease in converslng
with US about his family, and told us in man.
y and unem barrassed way, that his parents
and sisters were not the only ones he should
leave mourning for his absence. There was
certain Agnes Dale-a fair, dove eyed, gentle
girl, who would weep if the soldier did not
return. Yet found that this gentle being
had never uttered gingle word to keep him
at home. Bravely she had hidden him go if
his country needed him, and there was no
mark Of disease that would prevent him. A
heroic girl he said she truly was-keeping her
tears hidden from him, and working for him,
with her own dear hands, until his mother and
sisters had taken the opposing side and begged
ana prayed him to stay.


he would not. trust to the worthy doctor
VINO logged around his five miles circuit, with
ms harmless medicines in his saddle-bags, and
VINO possessed very littlo knowledge of that
wonderful structure-the human frame-al-
ulough unrivaled in his treatment of fevers
anu coughs. So, he had made feint Of call
.ns upon an old uncle near the city and had
posted up to Boston to "take advice,'' stumb-
ing oy the merest chance upon me.


TOOK him home the next morning, just to
see Austin Rea once more, and Mary accom-
paaied me. 1t was hurried call, but full of
Uu remembrances. l convinced the anxious
PARENTS that all was right with young Austin.
aaa interceded with them for cheerful con-
Sa.. a. The pretty Agnes Dale was staying
mere, and 1 made her acquaintance, too,
SS.onisng the young soldier that would be
&c. friend during his absence.


sna.er nter he was actually gone, won't down
gam, taking her back with me on visit