established and ably conducted country newspaper. He had thrown himself
with successful energy into the formation of the regiment to which he
belonged. A prominent position was proffered him, but he sturdily
refused any place but the ranks, alleging that he had never drilled a
day in his life, and particularly insisting that those who had seen
service and were somewhat skilled in the tactics, although many of them
were far his inferiors in intelligence, should occupy the offices. From
his gentlemanly deportment and ability he was on familiar terms with the
officers, and popular among the men. Withal, he was a finely formed,
soldierly-looking man. In the early part of his service he was reserved
in his comments upon the conduct of the war, and considered, as he was
in fact, conservative,--setting the best possible example of
taciturnity, subordinate to the wisdom of his superiors.

"Harry, you have been detailed as a clerk about Brigade Head Quarters,"
said the Orderly Sergeant of his company, one morning, after he had been
in service about two months.

Harry did not like the separation from his Company in the least, but
notwithstanding, quietly reported for duty. Several days of desk
drudgery, most laborious to one fresh from out-door exercise, had
passed, when one morning about eight o'clock, a conceited coxcomb of an
aid, in slippers, entered the office-tent, and holding a pair of muddy
boots up, with an air of matter-of-course authority--ordered Harry to
blacken them, telling him at the same time, in a milder and lower tone,
that black Jim the cook had the brush and blackening.

"What, sir?" said Harry, rising like a rocket, his Saxon blood mounting
to the very roots of his red hair.

"I order you to black those boots, sir," was the repeated and more
insolent command.

"And I'll see you d----d first," retorted Harry, doubling his fist.

The aid not liking the furious flush upon Harry's face, with wise
discretion backed out, muttering after he was fairly outside of the
tent, something about a report to the Brigadier. Report he did, and very
shortly after there was a vacancy in his position upon the Staff of that
Officer. Harry, at his own request, was in the course of a week relieved
from duty, and restored to his Company. Ever after he had a tongue.

The reply of the Lieutenant to Harry's remarks has all this time been in
abeyance, however.

"Harry," said that officer, "we must follow the stars without murmur