e passed us, with a high bound he
seized the hat from Dandridge's head, threw the cap on the pavement, and
disappeared like a flash around the corner.

While seated in a confectionery, enjoying a watermelon we had purchased
at a nearby fruitstand, a gentleman came in and insisted on presenting
us with a bottle of blackberry brandy, which he recommended as an
excellent tonic. We declined his offer, a little suspicious as to the
nature of the liquor, but, as he accepted our invitation to partake of
our melon, we compromised by joining him in a drink of the brandy, and
found it so palatable we regretted not having accepted his proposed
present of the whole bottle. Here, with boyish delight, we laid in a
supply of confectionery.

Passing along the street soon after this, we were accosted by a
venerable-looking gentleman, who stopped us and inquired, very
modestly, if there was any way in which he could be of service to us. We
could suggest none. He then intimated that we might be a little short of
current funds. We could not deny that our funds were somewhat short and
not very current. He offered us some greenbacks, of which we accepted a
dollar, asking him to try one of our Confederate dollars instead, which
he declined to do, but expressed the hope, in a very delicate way, that
all of the Confederate soldiers would so conduct themselves as to show
the Marylanders of Union proclivities what gentlemen they really were.

Our next experience was rather trying, for me at least, as events will
show. Dandridge remembered that he had a lady friend in the city, and
proposed that we hunt her up and pay a call. We discussed the subject, I
thinking such assurance out of the question; but he said he knew her
"like a book," that she had visited at "The Bower," his family home;
would excuse our appearance, and be charmed to see us. He knew that,
when in Frederick City, she visited at a Mr. Webster's, whose handsome
residence we succeeded in locating, and were soon at the door. The bell
was answered by a tall, dignified-looking gentleman of about forty-five
years, with a full brown beard, who, standing in the half-open door,
looked inquiringly as to the object of our visit. Dandridge asked if
Miss---- was in. He replied she was, and waited as if inclined to ask,
"What business is that of yours?" Dandridge cut the interview short by
saying, "My name is Dandridge, and I wish to see her. Come in, Ned." We
walked in, and were asked to be s