notes, that
the boys strained their ears to drink in every note uttered.

On the following day they made some excuse to visit the house, but no
one was there. Once they observed a sylph-like form, but she was not
the person; and so they lived on, each night hearing the same divine
music.

One night, when they were gathered together, the voice was again
heard. "By Jove!" said one, "I'm bound to find out who that is; she
must be discovered." A dozen voices took up the remark, and a certain
nervous youth was delegated to reconnoiter the place. He crept on
tiptoe toward the dwelling, leaped the garden-wall, and finally,
undiscovered, but pallid and remorseful, gained the casement. Softly
raising his head, he peeped within. The room was full of music; he
seemed to grow blind for a moment, when lo! upon the kitchen-table sat
the mysterious songster, an ebony-hued negress, scouring the tinware,
and singing away. Just as he was peering through the window, the ebony
songster discovered him. The soldier's limbs sank beneath him, and the
black specimen of humanity shouted:

"Go 'way dar, you soger-man, or I'll let fly de fryin' pan at your
head! You musn't stan' dar peekin' at dis chile."

The soldier left, his romantic vision dispelled.

OUR HOOSIER BOYS.

Dedicated to the Brave Soldiers of Indiana.

From East to West your camp-fires blaze,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
On Vicksburg's hights our flag you raise,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
And on Virginia's trait'rous soil,
In answer to your country's call,
The echoes of your footsteps fall,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!

While Southern suns upon you beat,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
You sternly march the foe to meet,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
Two winters, numbered with the past,
Have o'er you swept with stormy blast,
Since home's dear walls inclosed you last;
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!

By Richmond's fields, baptized with blood,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
By precious dust 'neath Shiloh's sod,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
By every martyred hero's grave,
By sacred rights they died to save.
We'll cherish in our hearts the brave
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!

While yet a vacant place is here,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
From hearts and homes will rise the prayer,
Hoosier boys! our Hoosier boys!
"God bless our gallant men and true,
And let f