began.

"Oh, father!" interrupted Freddy, finding his tongue at last, "do look
here! Did you ever see anything so splendid in your life? Where _did_
they come from?"

"Perhaps the letter will tell you," was all his father would say.

Freddy snatched up the big letter, broke the seal, and with sparkling
eyes read the following.

NEW YORK, _July --th, 1861_.
MY DEAR SON:

In consideration of your heroic determination to
enter the army in the service of your country, and
seeing how nobly you have prepared to engage in
the contest by making your hair look as if it had
been driven in or pulled out, I have thought best
to present you with this uniform to whip the
Southerners in; a suit of which I have also sent
to every _man_ in your regiment. As I entertain
scarcely a doubt that Old Abe will shortly summon
you to start down South to Dixie, I hope that you
will have a brave regiment, a pleasant encampment,
and a first-rate time. And that, in later years,
should it be necessary, you will _truly_
distinguish yourself, through God's assistance,
under the banner of our country, and stand up in
the field in the cause of Truth and Justice, is
the sincere wish of

Your affectionate Father,
L. JOURDAIN.

Freddy was delighted at this letter, with its mingled playfulness and
sincere patriotism. With all his fun, he was uncommonly intelligent, and
understood and appreciated many things which far older boys might have
failed to comprehend; and now his splendid blue eyes were raised to his
father's face, flashing with real enthusiasm; he felt and looked at that
moment, like his noble French ancestors, a born soldier.

But the serious mood was soon displaced by a fresh access of glee.

"Oh, thank you, papa!" he cried, "how very kind of you! How surprised
the boys will be! Hurrah! what a jolly time we shall have! and do you
think the President will really send for us? He will be a perfect
jay-bird of a President if he does!"

"No doubt he will be highly desirous to secure the services of the
gallant Dashahed Zouaves," replied his father, laughing; "but make haste
now, Fred, it's nearly breakfast time." So saying, he left the room.

Of course, the new cloth