ht;
By the fireside softly dreaming,
Heeds she not the minutes' flight.

Heeds she not the firelight flickering
Bright upon her dark brown hair,
Tresses where the gold still lingers--
Loth to quit a home so fair.

On her lap a book is lying,
Clasped her hands upon her knee;
Dreaming of the distant future--
Wonders what her fate will be.

Dreams of knights of manly bearing,
Nodding plumes and shining casques,
Wearing all her favorite colors,
Quick to do whate'er she asks.

Dreams of castles old and stately,
Vaulted halls all life and light,
Courtly nobles stepping through them,
Smiling dames with jewels bright.

Round her own brow, in her dreaming,
She a coronet has bound;
Round her waist, so lithe and slender,
Venus' girdle she has wound.

Charms the knights of manly bearing,
Courtly nobles seek her grace,
Maidens free from envious passions
Love her kind and smiling face.

Now her dreams are growing fainter,
And her eyelids heavy grow;
Dull the waning firelight flickers
On her brow as white as snow.

Lower droop the heavy eyelids--
Weary eyes they cover quite--
And the dreamy girl is sleeping
Softly in the red firelight.

THIRTY DAYS WITH THE SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

The 71st Regiment N.Y.S.N.G. left New York to aid in repelling the
invasion of Pennsylvania on the 17th of June. On the 19th, having
meantime determined to 'go to the wars,' Dick and I presented ourselves
at the armory, inquiring whether we could follow and join the regiment,
and were told briefly to report there at one o'clock on Monday next, and
go on with a squad.

So at one o'clock on Monday we stood ready in the armory, duly clothed
in blue and buttons; but long after the appointed hour we waited without
moving, I taking the chance to practise in putting on my knapsack and
accoutrements, whose various straps and buckles seemed at first as
intricate as a ship's rigging, and benefiting by the kindly hints of
regular members who sent substitutes this trip.

At length came the word, 'Fall in,' and the squad formed, about a
hundred. A few minutes' drill ensued, sufficing to show me that I needed
considerably more, and then out--down Broadway to Cortlandt
street--aboard the ferry boat--into the cars, and about half past seven
actually off, amid the cheers and wavings of the bystanders, men, women,
and children.

'Gone fo