he rank of orderly, had it not come about in the
following manner:"

Our regiment was stationed at A------, not far from the seat of war.
Near our quarters was a Catholic church, attended by the ------
Fathers. I early made the acquaintance of one of them, who was
popularly known as Father _Friday_, this being the nearest approach to
the pronunciation of his peculiar German name to which the majority of
the people could arrive. In him I recognized my ideal of a Christian
gentleman, and as such I still revere his memory.

He was one of the handsomest men I ever saw--tall and of splendid
physique, with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a complexion naturally
fair, but bronzed by the sun. Though in reality he was as humble and
unassuming as any lay-brother in his community, his bearing was simply
regal.

He could not have helped it any more than he could help the impress of
nobility upon his fine features. The youngsters used to enjoy seeing
him pass the contribution box in church at special collections. It
must have been "an act" (as you convent girls say, Pollie). He would
move along in his superb manner, looking right over the heads of the
congregation, and disdaining to cast a glance at the "filthy lucre"
that was being heaped up in the box which from obedience he carried.
What were silver and gold, let alone the cheap paper currency of the
times, to him, who had given up wealth and princely rank to become a
religious! Yet, in fact, they were a great deal, since they meant help
for the needy--a church built, a hospital for the sick poor. In this
sense none appreciated more the value of money.

Father Friday was accustomed to travel about the country for miles,
hunting up those of his flock who, from the unsettled state of affairs,
either could not or would not come into the town to church. Like the
typical missionary, from necessity he always walked; though, in my
youthful enthusiasm, I used to think how grandly he would look upon a
charger and in the uniform of a general. In his old cassock, and
wearing a hat either of plain brown straw or black felt, according to
the season, he was as intrepid as a general, however; and went about
alone as serenely as if the times were most peaceful. Our colonel
often remonstrated with him for doing so, and finally insisted upon
appointing an orderly to attend him. Father Friday at first declined;
but upon hearing that the duty had been assigned to me, he in the end