g at the bell, that they
thought the President must have come to town to see the regiment off on
its travels; but, instead of Old Abe, Major Peter Schermerhorn (who
passed the week with an aunt in town, and only went down to Astoria on
Saturdays) popped into the room. He was dressed, like Freddy, in a bran
new Zouave suit, and the very first thing he said was, "Oh, Fred! only
see what I found in my room this morning;" and Peter stood on one leg,
and twirled round to show off his new clothes.

"So did I in mine!" said Freddy.

"Where could they have come from?" continued Peter. "I asked Aunt
Edith, and all she would tell me was that the box was sent last night,
from a friend. Have you any idea, Fred?"

Freddy burst out laughing. "They came from a good fairy," he said, "and
there he is!" and he pointed to his father, who pretended not to hear.

"Hurrah for Mr. Jourdain!" shouted Peter, tossing his cap in the air.

"Will you have some breakfast, Peter?" asked Mrs. Jourdain.

"Thank you, ma'am, I had my breakfast before I started, all alone by
myself--but," looking at the nice beefsteak, "I think I _could_ eat a
little more."

"How many apples, by the way Peter?" asked Bella, mischievously.

"Only two," he answered, quite seriously, "and a piece of taffy, and
two cents' worth of peanuts! that's all, I think; no, a cent's worth of
ice cream!"

"Of ice cream!" exclaimed Bella, "where can you get ice cream for a
cent?"

"Why, on the street corners--real good ice cream, too--don't you know
that?" and Peter put on an air of superior wisdom, as though he was a
knowing young gentleman, who understood better than anybody where nice
things were to be had.

"But come, Peter," said Mr. Jourdain, "I should like to hear something
more about your encampment. How long is your father willing you should
have it?"

"Father says, sir," replied Peter, "that we can stay until he leaves for
Niagara, which will be next week, I guess. We're to have our camp on the
lawn, most a quarter of a mile from the house, and some of our men are
fixing the tents this morning. There are to be eight of 'em--isn't that
gay, Fred? and we've got the smoke house by way of a guard tent beside;
but there--I forgot all this time that I have a letter from papa for
you, sir--here it is."

Mr. Jourdain opened the letter, and read as follows:

MY DEAR JOURDAIN:

I send you three words, through my harum-scarum
Peter, merely