to beg that Mrs. Jourdain and
yourself will feel no uneasiness concerning the
military expedition which has been the principal
subject of discussion in my household, and I
presume in yours also, since Thursday last. The
invincible Zouaves will be stationed too near the
house to make any danger possible, and as my
family are going to Niagara on Tuesday, and I
shall be left a "lone lorn creetur," it will be as
much an amusement as anything to make their safety
and happiness my special care.

Hoping that you will permit Fred to remain in my
charge a few days, I am, with regards to Mrs.
Jourdain,

Very sincerely yours,
H. SCHERMERHORN."

Ting-a-ling-ling went the front door bell, as if the bull in Cock Robin
had hold of the handle. Tramp, tramp, shuffle, shuffle, in the hall, and
then Joseph tapped at the door, and showed in a whole troop of merry,
noisy boys, all costumed a la Zouave, and with their hair shaved so
close that they had to frown very hard to keep their caps on.

The famous Dashahed Zouaves were all mustered, sure enough; and turned
out to consist of sixteen high privates, four captains, and a
standard-bearer, master Tom Pringle, with a perfectly magnificent
Star-spangled Banner in his hand, surmounted by an astonishing spread
eagle. Then came Major Peter Schermerhorn, who was the prime spirit of
mischief of the party, and last, though not least, the great Colonel
Freddy; who was dancing about in a high state of glee; while the rest of
the _men_, seeing that the _Colonel_ didn't regard dignity in the least,
had an impromptu Zouave drill (which consists principally in turning
somersaults) all round the dining room, the grown people looking on, in
agonies of suppressed laughter.

While this novel entertainment was in full swing, the bell tingled
again, and Joseph entered once more, to announce, "Master Frederic, the
escort and the band have _arriven_, and desire me to say that they are
awaiting your pleasure."

The escort and the band! Was there any end to wonders this morning? At
those magical words, the regiment couldn't resist giving three cheers
that nearly took the top of the house off; followed by three for Mr.
Jourdain, when Peter made a mock-heroic speech about the uniforms; and
finished off w