Year: 1862

eaten that very morning and she had nothing
put ham to offer the gentlemen but then the
nam mad been her fathers own raising and she
knew they would like it. Perhaps they would
taste some of her early cherries and strawber.
rles and asparagus too. But no the cherries were
under and the strawberries over ripe and that
good-for- nothing wench that did the cooking
had left the asparagus too long on the fire and
and it was boiled all to pieces. She knew the
gentlemen woulden't like it. And her potatoes
too, she had taken such pains with them and
just to think how sodden they were Oh, it
was awful!


My dear madame, broke in the polite quar-
termaster, pray don't apologize any more
The meal is excellent; l hardly ever sat down
to better. Have you Zack?'


NO. indeed said Zack; why at home, l
never had anything like it. Salt pork and
small potatoes are all We get up in our country.


The lady was terribly afraid that the gentle
men were not being suited, and that they really
thought her dinner a poor one, but then you
know she added with smile, 4 am doing my
best and if could do better l would


OF course, said the quartermaster.


of course echoed the commissary.


And if my butter is soft, it is not my fault,
is it?'


oh, certainly not exclaimed both in con-
cert.


The lady was SO bewitching that for two
hours our friends sat at her table eating and
talking. The quartermaster made the apollo
gies, and the commissary adroitly put the ques-
tions. The fair rebel no doubt thought that
she had etfectually caught the two simple
hearted gentlemen who sat meekly before her
and glorying in the triumph which afternoon
would bring, was slightly unguarded.


believe, madame, that your husband is in
the Confederate army said B; you must
feel very lonely without him.


'Oh, no-not with such good company as
you are; and then, besides l hear from him
every two or three days, and he tells me all
that is going on. Only day or two ago had
a word from him.


The quartermaster treasured this up and the
commissary, looking ten times more simple
hearted than previously, CALCULATED, 'How very
nicel'


Yes; and he says that Beauregard's army,
or good part of it. at least, is at Richmond
and that soon the enemy will be driven away
from about here and then he can come and see
me whenever he wants to-


The quartermaster took mouthful of water
and the commissary said, Indeed!'


After pause, the quartermaster asked, But
madame, suppose your husband should be shot
how would you take it?'


oh never you mind her, broke in B,
'She knows very we'll that if he's killed, l will
come down here and marry her.
You Northern men are so kind said the
lady, why, never did see a finer set of fellows
and every one unmarried, too. How strangen


"Not strange at all )" said the quartermaster,
because only single men come to war, the
married ones stay at home to take care of their
wives"
The lady thought moment and replied, 81
wish that was the case with us. I was so sorry
to lose my husband, and he was go sorry to
CO. Only the other day he was here, and
some rough men came along and forced him to
leave.


Don't cry about it," said kind-hearted Zack,
as the lady's tears began to come; "you know
very well III make it all right for you if he's
taken prisoner"


"Will you?"


"Ob, yes; you see my friend here is the
Quartermaster, and his sister knows young
man that was present at General McClelan's
wedding, and l too frequently write letters to
him, and he will do anything for me. Why, on
ly the other day, sent him letter asking him
for barrel of whisky, putting 'csmmissary
after my name, so that he would know it was
me, and be sent it to me right away"
"Did hep"


eyes; and there's no end to the boxes Of
crackers, and barrels of pork, and barrels OF
sugar and coffee, and boxes of candles and
cheese he sends me. for myself and friends; and
when the wagons (you know be keeps three OF
four are doing something else, why, my friend
the Quartermaster, jumps aboard his, and drives
over, and handing the servant piece of paper
from me, comes back with lots of them. Why
the General will do anything for me-"
The lady thought she had found friend in
deed, and gave him her husbands name and
regiment. Zack took 1t down, and said if the
old gentleman was taken, he would send him
over to her, "as soon as he could" Just al
soon as she saw man coming along the road
| with her husband, she might believe it was him
coming back.


They sat talking for a long time, each one be-
coming more interested in the other, until the
Quartermaster espied Federal horseman gal
Looping along the road in front of the house -
His manner was excited, and the lady, suddenl,
| turning toward the door, muttered, "Have
they found out so soon what our friends arc
about ?"
X>SisuCi VI tuC OuCcTS CudUSSU COuUteQAOCe
as they we're fully prepared for what was coming
and had not ridden three miles outside of tn,
Federal lines to be gulled by any female maneu
vers. The commissary continued talking, ant
| after moment the quartermsster went out, ant
leading the horses to a point where the lad,
could not see his movements, briskly saddlet
them. The work was finished and he re-enteret
the house, joining il the conversation as if moth
ing had happened.


But, Mrs. Mills" said be, after moment:
small talk, haven't you any milk or butter YOU
could sell US almost forgot it, but We came
down here to buy something for the starving
fellows at camp"


Had be seen the starving fellows at camp >
about this time, perhaps be would not have
talked SO placidly of them. The telegraph line
had signaled danger to them, aud with it came
the order to prepare for fight "Where is the
Quartermaster ?" Where is The Commissary ?'
were heard on all sides. They had been gone
since early morning, and here, at four O'Clock,
they had not returned. "The enemy advancing
in force had been signaled from the very direc-
tion in which they had gone, and their long alb.
SenCe WAC a snra indica atioD that thev had heen