initial commit of ebook 32225HEAD main

author: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-14 19:57:14 -0700
committer: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-14 19:57:14 -0700
commit: a8312d7c17687003df91a416c93e951ce6edbaaf (patch)
tree: 5089d78f6c20e576250be97615779b490e979b5a
10 files changed, 26200 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/32225-8.txt b/32225-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b0184a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7815 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie at Viamede, by Martha Finley
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Elsie at Viamede
+
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+
+
+Release Date: May 2, 2010  [eBook #32225]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT VIAMEDE***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images
+generously made available by Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org)
+
+
+
+Note: Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      http://www.archive.org/details/elsieatviamede00finl
+
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE AT VIAMEDE
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS AND OTHER POPULAR BOOKS
+
+BY MARTHA FINLEY
+
+      _ELSIE DINSMORE._
+        _ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS._
+          _ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD._
+            _ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD._
+              _ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD._
+                _ELSIE'S CHILDREN._
+      _ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD._
+        _GRANDMOTHER ELSIE._
+          _ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS._
+            _ELSIE AT NANTUCKET._
+              _THE TWO ELSIES._
+                _ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN._
+      _ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN._
+        _CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE._
+          _ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS._
+            _ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS._
+              _ELSIE'S VACATION._
+                _ELSIE AT VIAMEDE._
+      _ELSIE AT ION._
+        _ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR._
+          _ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS._
+            _ELSIE AT HOME._
+              _ELSIE ON THE HUDSON._
+                _ELSIE IN THE SOUTH._
+                  _ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS._
+                    _ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP._
+                      _ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+      _MILDRED KEITH._
+        _MILDRED AT ROSELANDS._
+          _MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE._
+            _MILDRED AND ELSIE._
+              _MILDRED AT HOME._
+                _MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS._
+                  _MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+      _CASELLA._
+        _SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST._
+          _THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY._
+            _OUR FRED._
+              _AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY._
+                _WANTED, A PEDIGREE._
+                  _THE THORN IN THE NEST._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+ELSIE AT VIAMEDE
+
+by
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "The Mildred Books,"
+"Thorn in the Nest," Etc., Etc., Etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+New York
+Dodd, Mead & Company
+Publishers
+
+Copyright, 1892
+by Dodd, Mead & Company.
+All rights reserved.
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+IT was a beautiful evening at Viamede: the sun nearing its setting,
+shadows sleeping here and there upon the velvety flower-bespangled lawn,
+and filling the air with their delicious perfume, the waters of the
+bayou beyond reflecting the roseate hues of the sunset clouds, and the
+song of some negro oarsmen, in a passing boat, coming to the ear in
+pleasantly mellowed tones. Tea was over, and the family had all gathered
+upon the veranda overlooking the bayou. A momentary silence was broken
+by Rosie's pleasant voice:
+
+"Mamma, I wish you or grandpa, or the captain, would tell the story of
+Jackson's defence of New Orleans. Now while we are in the neighborhood
+we would all, I feel sure, find it very interesting. I think you have
+been going over Lossing's account of it, mamma," she added laughingly,
+"for I found his 'Pictorial History of the War of 1812' lying on the
+table in your room, with a mark in at that part."
+
+"Yes, I had been refreshing my memory in that way," returned her mother,
+smiling pleasantly into the dark eyes gazing so fondly and entreatingly
+into hers. "And," she added, "I have no objection to granting your
+request, except that I do not doubt that either your grandfather or the
+captain could do greater justice to the subject than I," glancing
+inquiringly from one to the other.
+
+"Captain, I move that you undertake the task," said Mr. Dinsmore. "You
+are, no doubt, better prepared to do it justice than I, and I would not
+have my daughter fatigued with the telling of so long a story."
+
+"Always so kindly careful of me, my dear father," remarked Mrs. Travilla
+in a softly spoken aside.
+
+"I am doubtful of my better preparation for the telling of the story,
+sir," returned the captain in his pleasant tones, "but if both you and
+mother are disinclined for the exertion I am willing to undertake the
+task."
+
+"Yes, do, captain; do, papa," came in eager tones from several young
+voices, and lifting baby Ned to one knee, Elsie to the other, while the
+rest of the young members of the household grouped themselves about him,
+he began his story after a slight pause to collect his thoughts.
+
+"You all, I think, have more or less knowledge of the War of 1812-14,
+which finished the work of separation from the mother country so nearly
+accomplished by the War of the Revolution. Upon the close of that
+earlier contest, England, it is true, acknowledged our independence, but
+evidently retained a hope of finally recovering her control here.
+
+"All through the intervening years, our sailors on our merchant vessels,
+and even, in some instances, those belonging to our navy, were subjected
+to insults and oppression when met on the high seas by the more powerful
+ones of the English. The conduct of British officers--claiming the right
+to search our vessels for deserters from theirs, and often seizing
+American born men as such--was most gallingly insulting; the wrongs thus
+inflicted upon our poor seamen were enough to rouse the anger and
+indignation of the meekest of men. The clearest proofs of citizenship
+availed nothing; they were seized, carried forcibly aboard the British
+ships, and, if they refused to serve their captors, were brutally
+flogged again and again.
+
+"But I will not go into details with which you are all more or less
+acquainted. We did not lack abundant cause for exasperation, and at
+length, though ill prepared for the struggle, our government declared
+war against Great Britain.
+
+"That war had lasted two years; both parties were weary of the struggle,
+and negotiations for peace were being carried on in Europe. In fact the
+treaty had been signed, December 24, in the city of Ghent, Belgium, but
+news did not travel in those days nearly so fast as it does now, and so
+it happened that the battle of New Orleans was fought two weeks
+afterward, January 8, 1815, both armies being still in ignorance of the
+conclusion of peace."
+
+"What a pity!" exclaimed Grace.
+
+"And Andrew Jackson was the commanding general?" remarked Walter in a
+tone between inquiry and assertion. "Was he an American by birth,
+Brother Levis?"
+
+"Yes; his parents were from Ireland, but he was born on the border
+between North and South Carolina, in 1767; so that he was old enough to
+remember some of the occurrences of the Revolutionary War; one of them
+being himself carried to Camden, South Carolina, as a prisoner, and
+there nearly starved to death and brutally treated by a British officer;
+cut with a sword because he refused to black his boots for him."
+
+"Was that so, sir?" queried Walter. "Well, I shouldn't wonder if the
+recollection of all that made him more ready to fight them in the next
+war, particularly at New Orleans, than he would have been otherwise."
+
+"No doubt," returned the captain. "Jackson was a man of great energy,
+determination, and persistence. It is said his maxim was, 'till all is
+done nothing is done.' In May of 1814 he was made a major-general in the
+regular army and appointed to the command of the Department of the
+South, the Seventh Military District, with his headquarters at Mobile,
+of which the Americans had taken possession as early as April, 1812.
+
+"Jackson's vigilance was sleepless. The Spanish had possession of
+Pensacola, and, though professing neutrality, were secretly favoring the
+British. Of this Jackson promptly informed our government, but at that
+time our War Department was strangely apathetic, and his communication
+was not responded to in any way.
+
+"But he had trusty spies, both white and dark-skinned, everywhere, who
+kept him informed of all that was taking place in the whole region
+around. He knew that British marines were allowed to land and encamp on
+shore; that Edward Nichols, their commander, was a guest of the Spanish
+governor, and the British flag was unfurled over one of the forts. Also,
+that Indians were invited to enroll themselves in the service of the
+British crown, and that Nichols had sent out a general order to his
+soldiers, and a proclamation to the people of Kentucky and Louisiana,
+announcing that the land and naval forces at Pensacola were only the van
+of a far larger number of vessels and troops which were intended for
+the subjugation of Louisiana and especially the city of New Orleans.
+
+"Jackson arrived in that city on the 2d of December, and prepared to
+defend it from the British, whom he had driven out of Florida. They had
+planned to take the lower Mississippi Valley, intending to keep
+possession of the western bank of the river. They had among them some of
+the finest of Wellington's troops, who, but a short time before, had
+been engaged in driving Napoleon out of Europe.
+
+"In December, 12,000 men under the command of Sir Edward Packenham,
+brother-in-law of Wellington, were landed below New Orleans. They had
+come from Jamaica across the Gulf of Mexico. Their expedition was a
+secret one, and they approached New Orleans midway between Mobile Bay
+and the Mississippi River, entering Lake Borgne and anchoring there.
+
+"A small American navy, composed of five gunboats, opposed their
+progress, but was soon dispersed by their superior force of fifty
+vessels, large and small. Then the British took full possession of the
+lake, and landed troops upon a lonely island called the Isle des Pois
+(or Pea Island).
+
+"Some Spaniards, who had formerly lived in New Orleans, told Cochrane of
+Bayou Bienvenu, at the northwestern extremity of Lake Borgne, by which
+he could nearly reach the city, the bayou being navigable for large
+barges to within a few miles of the Mississippi River.
+
+"A party was sent to explore it, and found that by following it and a
+canal they would reach a spot but half a mile from the river and nine
+miles below the city.
+
+"They hurried back to Cochrane with a report to that effect, and by the
+23d of December half of the army had reached the spot.
+
+"A few months before--September 1st--the British sloop of war _Sophia_,
+commanded by Captain Lockyer, had sailed from Pensacola with despatches
+for Jean Lafitte, inviting him and his band to enter the British
+service."
+
+"Lafitte! Who was he, Brother Levis?" queried Walter.
+
+"A Frenchman," replied the captain, "who, with his elder brother,
+Pierre, had come to New Orleans some six years before. They were
+blacksmiths, and for a time worked at their trade; but afterward they
+engaged in smuggling, and were leaders of a band of corsairs, seizing,
+it was said, merchantmen of different nations, even some belonging to
+the people of the United States, and for that they were outlawed, though
+there was some doubt that they were really guilty. But they carried on a
+contraband trade with some of the citizens of Louisiana, smuggling their
+wares into New Orleans through Bayou Teche, or Bayou Lafourche and
+Barataria Lake. That had brought them into trouble with the United
+States authorities, and the British thought to get the help of the
+buccaneers in their intended attack upon the city, where Pierre Lafitte
+was at that time a prisoner.
+
+"Captain Lockyer carried to Jean a letter from Colonel Nichols offering
+him a captain's commission in the British Navy and $30,000, and to his
+followers exemption from punishment for past deeds, indemnification for
+any losses, and rewards in money and lands, if they would go into the
+service of England's king.
+
+"Lockyer also brought another paper, in which they were threatened with
+extermination if they refused the offers in the first."
+
+"Were they frightened and bribed into doing what the British wished,
+sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"No," replied the captain; "they seized Captain Lockyer and his
+officers, and threatened to carry them to New Orleans as prisoners of
+war; but Lafitte persuaded them to give that up, and they released the
+officers. Lafitte pretended to treat with them, asking them to come back
+for his reply in ten days, and they were permitted to depart.
+
+"After they had gone, he wrote to a member of the legislature telling of
+the visit of the British officers, what they had said to him and his
+men, and sending with his letter the papers Captain Lockyer had left
+with him. He also offered his own and his men's services in defence of
+the city, on condition that past offences should never be brought up
+against them.
+
+"Troops were badly needed in the American army, and Governor Claiborne
+was inclined to accept Lafitte's offer; but the majority of his officers
+were opposed to so doing, thinking the papers sent were forgeries, and
+the story made up to prevent the destruction of the colony of outlaws,
+against whom an expedition was then fitting out. Lafitte knew of the
+preparations, but supposed they were for an attack upon the British.
+They, the members of the expedition, made a sudden descent upon
+Barataria, captured a large number of Lafitte's men, and carried them
+and a rich booty to New Orleans.
+
+"Some of the Baratarians escaped, Jean and Pierre Lafitte among them.
+They soon collected their men again near the mouth of Bayou Lafourche,
+and after General Jackson took command in New Orleans, again offered
+their services, which Jackson accepted, sending a part to man the
+redoubts on the river, and forming of the rest a corps which served the
+batteries with great skill.
+
+"In his letter at the time of sending information with regard to the
+attempt of the British to bribe him to enter their service, Jean Lafitte
+said: 'Though proscribed in my adopted country, I will never miss an
+occasion of serving her, or of proving that she has never ceased to be
+dear to me.'"
+
+"There!" exclaimed Lulu with enthusiasm, "I don't believe he was such a
+very bad man, after all."
+
+"Nor do I," her father said with a slight smile; then went on with his
+story.
+
+"Early on the 15th of December, Jackson, hearing of the capture of the
+gunboats, immediately set to work to fortify the city and make every
+possible preparation to repulse the expected attack of the enemy. He
+sent word to General Winchester, in command at Mobile, to be on the
+alert, and messengers to Generals Thomas and Coffee urging them to
+hasten with their commands to assist in the defence of the city.
+
+"Then he appointed, for the 18th, a grand review of all the troops in
+front of the Cathedral of St. Louis, in what is now Jackson Square, but
+at that time was called Place d'Armes.
+
+"All the people turned out to see the review. The danger was great, the
+military force with which to meet the foe small and weak, but Jackson
+made a stirring address, and his aide, Edward Livingston, read a
+thrilling and eloquent one.
+
+"They were successful in rousing both troops and populace to an intense
+enthusiasm, taking advantage of which, Jackson declared martial law and
+a suspension of the writ of _habeas corpus_."
+
+"What is that, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"It is a writ which in ordinary times may be given by a judge to have a
+prisoner brought before him that he may inquire into the cause of his
+detention and have him released if unlawfully detained. It is a most
+important safeguard to liberty, inherited by us from our English
+ancestors."
+
+"Then what right had Jackson to suspend it, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"A right given by the constitution of the United States, in which there
+is an express provision that it may be suspended in cases of rebellion
+or invasion, should the public safety demand it," replied the captain:
+then resumed his narrative.
+
+"After the review, Jean Lafitte again offered his own services and those
+of his men, urging their acceptance, and they were mustered into the
+ranks and appointed to important duty.
+
+"Jackson showed himself sleeplessly vigilant and wonderfully active,
+making every possible preparation to meet and repulse every coming foe.
+
+"On the evening of the 23d, the schooner _Carolina_, one of the two
+armed American vessels in the river, moved down and anchored within
+musket shot of the centre of the British camp. Half an hour later she
+opened a tremendous fire upon them from her batteries, and in ten
+minutes had killed or wounded a hundred or more men. The British
+answered with a shower of Congreve rockets and bullets, but with little
+or no effect, and in less than half an hour were driven in confusion
+from their camp.
+
+"They had scarcely recovered from that when they were startled by the
+sound of musketry in the direction of their outposts. Some prisoners
+whom General Keane had taken told him there were more than 12,000 troops
+in New Orleans, and he now felt convinced that such was the fact. He
+gave Thornton full liberty to do as he would.
+
+"Thornton moved forward and was presently met by a column under Jackson.
+There was some fierce fighting, and at length the British fell sullenly
+back. About half past nine the fighting was over; but two hours later,
+when all was becoming quiet in the camp, musket firing was heard in the
+distance. Some drafted militia, under General David Morgan, had heard
+the firing upon the _Carolina_ early in the evening, insisted upon being
+led against the enemy, and on their way had met some British pickets at
+Jumonsville and exchanged shots with them. By that advance against the
+foe, Jackson had saved New Orleans for the time, and now he set
+vigorously to work to prepare for another attack, for he knew there
+would be another. Also, that the men who were to make it were fresh from
+the battlefields of Europe--veteran troops not likely to be easily
+conquered or driven away. He omitted nothing which it was in his power
+to do for the defence of the city, setting his soldiers to casting up
+intrenchments along the line of the canal from the river to Cypress
+Swamp. They were in excellent spirits, and plied their spades with such
+energy and zeal that by sunset a breastwork three feet high might be
+seen along the whole line of his army.
+
+"The American troops were quite hilarious on that Christmas eve, the
+British soldiers gloomy and disheartened, having lost confidence in
+their commander, Keane, and finding themselves on wet ground, under a
+clouded sky, and in a chilly atmosphere; but the sudden arrival of their
+new commander, Sir Edward Packenham, in whose skill and bravery they had
+great confidence, filled them with joy.
+
+"But while the Americans were at work preparing for the coming conflict,
+the foe were not idle; day and night they were busy getting ready a
+heavy battery with which to attack the _Carolina_. On the morning of the
+27th, they had it finished, began firing hot shot upon her from a
+howitzer and several twelve and eighteen pounders, and soon succeeded in
+setting her on fire, so that she blew up.
+
+"It was a tremendous explosion, but fortunately her crew had abandoned
+her in time to escape it. The _Louisiana_, who had come down to her aid,
+was near sharing her fate, but, by great exertion on the part of her
+crew, she was towed out of reach of the enemy's shot, anchored nearly
+abreast of the American camp, on the other side of the river, and so
+saved to take a gallant part in the next day's fight. Packenham next
+ordered his men to move forward and carry the intrenchments of the
+Americans by storm. They numbered 8000, and toward evening the two
+columns, commanded respectively by Generals Gibbs and Keane, obeyed that
+order, moving forward, driving in the American pickets and outposts, and
+at twilight they encamped, some of them seeking repose while others
+began raising batteries near the river.
+
+"The Americans, however, kept them awake by quick, sharp attacks, which
+the British called 'barbarian warfare.'"
+
+"Barbarian warfare, indeed!" sniffed Walter. "I wonder if it was half so
+barbarous as what they employed the Indians to do to our people."
+
+"Ah, but you must remember that it makes a vast difference who does
+what, Walter," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Oh, yes, of course," returned the lad; and Captain Raymond went on with
+his story.
+
+"Jackson was busy getting ready to receive the enemy: watching their
+movements through a telescope, planting heavy guns, blowing up some
+buildings that would have interfered with the sweep of his artillery,
+and calling some Louisiana militia from the rear. By the time the
+British were ready to attack, he had 4000 men and twenty pieces of
+artillery ready to receive them. Also the _Louisiana_ was in a position
+to use her cannon with effect in giving them a warm reception.
+
+"As soon as the fog of early morning had passed away, they could be seen
+approaching in two columns, while a party of skirmishers, sent out by
+Gibbs, were ordered to turn the left flank of the Americans and attack
+their rear.
+
+"Just then a band of rough looking men came down the road from the
+direction of the city. They were Baratarians, who had run all the way
+from Fort St. John to take part in the fight, and Jackson was delighted
+to see them. He put them in charge of the twenty-four pounders and they
+did excellent service.
+
+"Next came the crew of the _Carolina_, under Lieutenants Norris and
+Crawley, and they were given charge of the howitzer on the right. A
+galling fire of musketry fell upon the British as they advanced in solid
+column, then the batteries of the _Louisiana_ and some of Jackson's
+heavy guns swept their lines with deadly effect, one of the shots from
+the _Louisiana_ killing and wounding fifteen men. The British rocketeers
+were busy on their side, too, but succeeded in inflicting very little
+damage upon the Americans.
+
+"But I must leave the rest of the story for another time, for I see we
+are about to have company," concluded the captain, as a carriage was
+seen coming swiftly up the driveway. It brought callers who remained
+until the hour for the retiring of the younger ones among his hearers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+THE next evening the Viamede family were again gathered upon the
+veranda, and, at the urgent request of the younger portion, seconded by
+that of the older ones, the captain resumed the thread of his narrative.
+
+"Keane's men," he said, "could no longer endure the terrible fire that
+was so rapidly thinning their ranks, and they were presently ordered to
+seek shelter in the little canals, where, in mud and water almost waist
+deep, they leaned forward, concealing themselves in the rushes which
+grew on the banks. They were Wellington's veterans, and must have felt
+humiliated enough to be thus compelled to flee before a few rough
+backwoodsmen, as they considered Jackson's troops.
+
+"In the meantime, Gibbs and Rennie were endeavoring to flank the
+American left, driving in the pickets till they were within a hundred
+yards of Carroll and his Tennesseeans. Carroll perceived their object
+and sent Colonel Henderson with 200 Tennesseeans to cut Rennie off from
+the main body of the enemy by gaining his rear. Henderson went too far,
+met a large British force, and he and five of his men were killed and
+several wounded. But Gibbs, seeing how hard the fight was going with
+Keane, ordered Rennie to fall back to his assistance. Rennie reluctantly
+obeyed, but only to be a witness of Keane's repulse. Packenham, deeply
+mortified by the unexpected disaster to his veterans, presently ordered
+his men to fall back, and retired to his headquarters at Villere's."
+
+"Had he lost many of his men that day, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"The British loss in the engagement is said to have been about one
+hundred and fifty," replied Captain Raymond; "that of the Americans nine
+killed and eight wounded. Packenham called a council of war, at which it
+was resolved to bring heavy siege guns from the navy and with them make
+another attempt to conquer the Americans and get possession of the city,
+which Packenham now began to see to be by no means the easy task he had
+at first imagined. He perceived that it was difficult, dangerous, and
+would require all the skill of which he was master; that his movements
+must be both courageous and persevering if he would save his army from
+destruction.
+
+"Jackson, too, was busy with his preparations, extending his line of
+intrenchments, placing guns, establishing batteries, and appointing
+those who were to command and work them.
+
+"A company of young men from the best families, under Captain Ogden,
+were made his body-guard and subject to his orders alone. They were
+posted in Macarte's garden.
+
+"Everybody was full of enthusiasm, active and alert. Particularly so
+were the Tennessee riflemen; they delighted in going on 'hunts,' as they
+called expeditions to pick off the sentinels of the enemy. So successful
+were they in this kind of warfare on Jackson's left, very near the
+swamp, that soon the British dared not post sentinels there. They (the
+British) threw up a strong redoubt there which Captain You and
+Lieutenant Crawley constantly battered with heavy shot from their
+cannon; but the British persevered, and by the end of the month had
+mounted several heavy guns, with which, on the 31st, they began a
+vigorous fire upon the Americans.
+
+"That night the whole of the British army moved forward to within a few
+hundred yards of the American lines, and in the gloom, began rapid work
+with spade and pickaxe. They brought up siege guns from the lake, and
+before dawn had finished three half-moon batteries at nearly equal
+distances apart, and six hundred yards from the American line.
+
+"They (the batteries) were made of earth, hogsheads of sugar, and
+whatever else could be laid hold of that would answer the purpose. Upon
+them they placed thirty pieces of heavy ordnance, manned by picked
+gunners of the fleet, who had served under Nelson, Collingwood, and St.
+Vincent.
+
+"That morning was the 1st of January, 1815. A thick fog hid the two
+armies from each other until after eight o'clock. Then a gentle breeze
+blew it aside, and the British began firing briskly upon the American
+works, doubtless feeling sure they would presently scatter them to the
+winds, and that their own army, placed ready in battle array, would then
+rush forward, overpower the Americans, and take the city.
+
+"Heavier and heavier grew their bombardment; the rocketeers sent an
+incessant shower of fiery missiles into the American lines and upon
+Jackson's headquarters at Macarte's, more than a hundred balls, shells,
+and rockets striking the building in the course of ten minutes. He and
+his staff immediately left the house, and in the meantime he had opened
+his heavy guns on the assailants.
+
+"The British were amazed to find heavy artillery thundering along the
+whole line, and wondered how and where the Americans had got their guns
+and gunners.
+
+"It was a terrible fight. Packenham sent a detachment of infantry to
+turn the American left, but they were driven back in terror by the
+Tennesseeans under Coffee. After that, the conflict was between the
+batteries alone, and before noon the fire of the British had sensibly
+abated. Then they abandoned their works and fled helter-skelter to the
+ditches for safety; for their demi-lunes were crushed and broken, the
+hogsheads, of which they were largely composed, having been reduced to
+splinters and the sugar that had filled them mixed with the earth. Some
+of their guns were dismounted, others careened so that it was very
+difficult to work them, while the fire of the Americans was still
+unceasing. At noon, as I have said, they gave up the contest. That night
+they crawled back and carried away some of their cannon, dragging them
+with difficulty over the wet ground, and leaving five of them a spoil to
+the Americans.
+
+"They (the British) were deeply chagrined by their repulse, had eaten
+nothing for sixty hours, nor had any sleep in all that time, so that
+their New Year's Day was even gloomier than their Christmas had been.
+
+"The Americans, on the other hand, were full of joy that they had been
+able to repulse their own and their country's foes; and their happiness
+was increased by the news that they were soon to have a re-enforcement,
+Brigadier-General John Adair arriving with the glad tidings that 2000
+drafted militia from Kentucky were coming to their assistance. These
+arrived on the 4th of the month, and 700 of them were sent to the front
+under Adair.
+
+"Packenham had lost some of his confidence in the ability of himself and
+his troops to conquer the Americans, but hoped to be more successful in
+a new effort. He decided to try to carry Jackson's lines on both sides
+of the river. He resolved to rebuild his two batteries near the levee,
+which had been destroyed by the Americans, mount them well, and employ
+them in assailing the American right, while Keane, with his corps, was
+to advance with fascines to fill the ditches, and scaling ladders with
+which to mount the embankments.
+
+"But first 1500 infantry, with some artillery, were to be sent under
+cover of night to attack Morgan, whose works were but feebly manned,
+and, getting possession, enfilade Jackson's line, while the main British
+army attacked it in front.
+
+"All the labor of completing these arrangements was finished on the 7th,
+and the army, now 10,000 strong, was in fine spirits, no doubt thinking
+they had an easy task before them. But Jackson saw through their
+designs, and was busily engaged in making his preparations. He had
+thrown up a redoubt on the edge of the river, and mounted it with cannon
+so as to enfilade the ditch in front of his line. He had, besides, eight
+batteries at proper distances from each other, and Patterson's marine
+battery across the river, mounting nine guns; also the _Louisiana_ near
+at hand and ready to take any part she could in assisting him.
+
+"The plain of Chalmette was in front of Jackson's line. His whole force
+on the New Orleans side of the river was about 5000; only 2200 of them
+were at his line; only 800 of them were regulars, most of them being new
+recruits commanded by young officers.
+
+"The British attempted to carry out Packenham's plans, but Thornton was
+delayed in reaching Morgan by the falling of the water in the canal and
+river, so that the sailors had to drag the boats through the mud in many
+places, and it was three o'clock in the morning before half his force
+had crossed. Besides, the powerful current of the Mississippi carried
+them down stream, and they were landed at least a mile and a half below
+the point at which they had intended to disembark, and the roar of the
+cannon on the plain of Chalmette was heard before all had landed. The
+British had formed in line and advanced to within 450 yards of the
+American intrenchments, and there, under Gibbs and Keane, they stood in
+the darkness, fog, and chilly air, listening for the boom of Thornton's
+guns.
+
+"The time must have seemed long to them, and doubtless they wondered
+what delayed him. But day began to dawn, the red coats of the enemy
+could be dimly seen by our troops through the fog, and Lieutenant
+Spotswood, of battery No. 7, opened the battle by sending one of his
+heavy shots in among them.
+
+"The fog rolled away, and the British line was seen extending two-thirds
+of the distance across the plain of Chalmette. A rocket was sent up from
+each end of the line and it broke into fragments, the men forming into
+columns by companies. Then Gibbs moved forward toward the wooded swamp,
+his troops, as they advanced, terribly pelted by the fire of the
+Americans, the batteries Nos. 6, 7, and 8 pouring shot incessantly into
+their line, making lanes through it.
+
+"Some sought shelter from the storm behind a projection of the swamp
+into the plain; but in vain. Whole platoons were prostrated, but their
+places were instantly filled by others.
+
+"The company who were to have brought the fascines and scaling ladders
+had forgotten them, and that, with the terrible fire of the American
+batteries, wrought some confusion in the ranks; but they pressed on
+bravely, cheering each other with loud huzzas, their front covered by
+blazing rockets. As rank after rank fell under the fire of the
+Americans, their places were instantly occupied by others, and the
+column pushed on toward the American batteries on the left and the
+weaker line defended by the Kentuckians and the Tennesseeans.
+
+"Those British troops were Wellington's veterans who had fought so
+bravely in Europe, and now, in spite of the awful slaughter in their
+ranks, they moved unflinchingly forward, without pause or recoil,
+stepping unhesitatingly over their fallen comrades, till they were
+within two hundred yards of our lines, when General Carroll's voice rang
+out in clear, clarion tones, 'Fire!' and, at the word, the Tennesseeans
+rose from behind their works, where they had lain concealed, and poured
+in a deadly fire, each man taking sure aim, and their bullets cutting
+down scores of the enemy.
+
+"Then, as the Tennesseeans fell back, the Kentuckians stepped quickly
+into their places and poured in their fire with equally deadly aim; then
+another rank followed, and still another, so that the fire slackened not
+for a moment, while at the same time grape and round shot from the
+batteries went crashing through the British ranks, making awful gaps in
+them.
+
+"It was enough to appall the stoutest heart, and their lines began to
+waver; but their officers encouraged them with the cry, 'Here comes the
+Forty-fourth with the fascines and the ladders!'"
+
+"Papa, what are fascines?" asked Grace.
+
+"Long faggots used for different purposes in engineering," he replied.
+"It was true they were coming with them, Packenham at their head,
+encouraging his men by stirring words and deeds; but presently a bullet
+struck his bridle arm, and his horse was shot under him. He quickly
+mounted a pony belonging to his favorite aid, but another shot disabled
+his right arm, and, as his pony was being led away to the rear, another
+passed through his thigh, killed the horse, and he and it fell to the
+ground together. He was carried to the rear and placed under an oak,
+where he soon died in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougall, the aid who had
+resigned the pony to him.
+
+"Other officers fell, till there were not enough to command. General
+Keane was shot through the neck, and the wound compelled him to leave
+the field. General Gibbs was mortally wounded and died the next day.
+Major Wilkinson, who then took command, fell on the parapet, mortally
+wounded; then the British fled in wild confusion."
+
+"But they had been very brave," remarked Grace. "What a pity it was that
+they had to fight in such a bad cause. Were there very many of them
+killed, papa?"
+
+"Yes, a great many. Of a regiment of brave Highlanders, with twenty-five
+officers, only nine officers and one hundred and thirty men could be
+mustered after the terrible fight was over. Another regiment had lost
+five hundred men.
+
+"While this fighting had been going on, another of their divisions of
+nearly one thousand men, led by Colonel Rennie, attacked an unfinished
+redoubt on Jackson's right and succeeded in driving out the Americans
+there, but could not hold it long, being terribly punished by Humphreys'
+batteries and the Seventh Regiment. Yet Rennie succeeded in scaling the
+parapet of the American redoubt. Beale's New Orleans Rifles poured such
+a tempest of shot upon the officers and men in the redoubt that nearly
+every one was killed or wounded. Rennie, who had just shouted, 'Hurrah,
+boys! the day is ours!' fell mortally wounded.
+
+"And now this attacking column also fell back, and by hastening to the
+plantation ditches, sought shelter from the terrible tempest of shot and
+shell coming from Jackson's lines.
+
+"General Lambert with his troops tried to come to the aid of Packenham,
+Gibbs, and Keane, but was able only to cover the retreat of their
+vanquished and flying columns."
+
+"And the victory was won then, papa?" queried Lulu.
+
+"Yes, though the battle had lasted but a short time; by half past eight
+A. M. the musketry fire had ceased, though the artillery kept theirs up
+till two o'clock in the afternoon."
+
+"Were both Americans and British playing their national airs while the
+fight was going on, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"The British had no music but a bugle," replied the captain, "not even a
+drum or a trumpet; but all through the fight, from the time they sent up
+their first signal rocket, the New Orleans Band was stationed near the
+spot where the American flag was flying, playing national airs to cheer
+and animate our soldiers."
+
+"Were not the British rather more successful in another part of the
+field, Captain?" asked Eva.
+
+"Yes," he replied; "in their attack upon the troops on the right bank of
+the river, they being only militia and few in number; also fatigued and
+poorly armed. Morgan, their commander, was compelled to spike his cannon
+and throw them into the river, his men being driven from their
+intrenchments.
+
+"Then Thornton, his assailant, pushed on to Patterson's battery, three
+hundred yards in the rear, and Patterson, threatened by a flank movement
+also, was compelled to spike his guns and flee on board of the
+_Louisiana_, his sailors helping to get her out of the reach of the foe.
+
+"But Thornton soon heard of the disasters of his comrades on the other
+side of the river, and received orders to rejoin them. Jackson had sent
+four hundred men to re-enforce Morgan, but there was now no need of
+their services. Thornton re-embarked his troops at twilight, the
+Americans repossessed themselves of their works, and Patterson removed
+the spikes from his guns, put his battery in better position, and at
+dawn informed Jackson of what he had done by heavy firing upon the
+British outposts at Bienvenu's.
+
+"In that battle of January 8, 1815, the British had lost twenty-six
+hundred men, seven hundred killed, fourteen hundred wounded, and five
+hundred made prisoners; while the Americans had only eight killed and
+thirteen wounded. Lossing tells us, 'The history of human warfare
+presents no parallel to this disparity in loss.'
+
+"In Thornton's attack, the British loss was a little more than one
+hundred; the American, one killed and five wounded. On that side of the
+river the British secured their only trophy of their efforts to capture
+New Orleans. So Lossing tells us, adding, 'It was a small flag, and now
+[1867], hangs conspicuously among other war trophies in Whitehall,
+London, with the inscription: "Taken at the battle of New Orleans,
+January 8, 1815."'"
+
+"That looks as though our British cousins must esteem it quite a triumph
+to be able to succeed in taking anything from Uncle Sam," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Yes," said Walter, "I think they compliment us by making so much of
+that one little trophy."
+
+"So do I," said Lulu. "Papa, is that the end of your story?"
+
+"No, not quite," replied the captain. "After the battle had come to an
+end, Jackson and his staff passed slowly along his whole line, speaking
+words of congratulation and praise to his brave troops, officers and
+men. Then the band struck up 'Hail Columbia,' and cheer after cheer for
+the hero went up from every part of the line. The citizens also, who had
+been anxiously and eagerly watching the battle from a distance, joined
+in the cheering. Then, after refreshing themselves with some food
+(doubtless having gone into the battle without waiting to eat their
+breakfast), the soldiers set to work to bury the dead of the enemy in
+front of Jackson's lines, and take care of the wounded.
+
+"General Lambert sent a flag of truce asking for an armistice in order
+to bury his dead, and Jackson granted it on condition that the British
+should not cross to the right bank of the river.
+
+"The next morning, detachments from both armies were drawn up in front
+of the American lines, at a distance of three hundred yards, then the
+dead bodies between that point and the intrenchments were carried by the
+Americans upon the very scaling ladders left there by the British, and
+delivered to them. They were buried on Bienvenu's plantation, and, as
+Lossing tells us, the graves were still there undisturbed when he
+visited the spot in 1861. He says also that it is regarded with
+superstitious awe by the negroes in the neighborhood.
+
+"The wounded who had been taken prisoners were carried to the barracks
+in New Orleans and tenderly cared for by the citizens. Some of the dead
+British officers were buried that night by torch light in the garden at
+Villere's; the bodies of others, among whom were Packenham, Rennie, and
+Gibbs, were sent to their friends in England."
+
+The captain paused, and Violet said playfully, "I fear we are fatiguing
+you, my dear; suppose you leave the rest of your story for another
+time."
+
+"And that we have some music now," added her mother, a suggestion which
+was immediately adopted, the whole party adjourning to the parlor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+THE captain opened the piano and glanced smilingly at his young wife.
+But Violet shook her head playfully. "I think mamma should be the player
+to-night," she said. "She has scarcely touched the piano for months, and
+I am really hungry to have her do so."
+
+"Will you give us some music, mother?" queried the captain, offering to
+lead her to the instrument.
+
+"Yes," she returned laughingly. "I could never wilfully allow my
+daughter to suffer from hunger when in my power to relieve it."
+
+"Patriotic songs first, please, mamma," entreated Walter, as she took
+her seat before the instrument. "I do believe we all feel like singing
+'Hail, Columbia!' and the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' At least I do, I am
+sure."
+
+"I presume we are all in a patriotic frame of mind to-night," she
+returned, giving him a smile of mingled love and pride as she struck a
+chord or two, then dashed off into "Yankee-doodle-dandy," with
+variations.
+
+"Hail Columbia!" and "Star-Spangled Banner" followed, old and young
+uniting together with enthusiasm in singing the patriotic words, but
+still other voices were unexpectedly heard joining in on the concluding
+strains:
+
+      "That star-spangled banner, oh, long may it wave
+       O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
+
+"Oh, Cousin Molly and Mr. Embury! Dick, too! and Betty!" cried Violet,
+hurrying with outstretched hand toward the doorway into the hall, where
+the cousins stood in a little group looking smilingly in upon them.
+"Come in; I am delighted to see you."
+
+The invitation was promptly accepted, and for the next few minutes there
+was a tumultuous exchange of joyous greetings.
+
+Dr. Percival and his half brother, Robert Johnson, had been spending
+some months together in Europe, their sister Betty visiting friends in
+Natchez through the winter, and only that morning the three had returned
+to Magnolia Hall, where Betty had a home with her sister Molly, and the
+brothers were always welcome guests.
+
+Presently all were seated and a very animated conversation ensued, the
+newly arrived having much to tell and many inquiries to make concerning
+absent friends and relatives.
+
+After a little it came out that Betty was engaged and shortly to be
+married, provided "Uncle Horace" was satisfied with regard to the
+suitableness of the match, of which no one acquainted with the
+reputation, family, and circumstances of the favored lover, felt any
+doubt.
+
+It was a love match on both sides; the gentleman, an American, engaged
+in a lucrative business, of irreproachable character and reputation,
+pleasing appearance and manners, in fact, all that could reasonably be
+desired, assured of which, Mr. Dinsmore gave a prompt consent, adding
+his warm congratulations, which Betty accepted with blushes and smiles.
+
+"I was not unprepared for this, Betty," he said with a smile, "having
+received a letter from the gentleman himself, asking for the hand of my
+niece, Miss Johnson."
+
+"O Betty, how nice!" cried Rosie with a gleeful laugh, and softly
+clapping her hands. "When is it to be? I hope before we leave for the
+North, for I, for one, want to see what a pretty bride you will make,
+and I dare say Mr. Norris, your favored suitor, feels in as great haste
+as I."
+
+"I am quite aware that I have no beauty to boast of, coz," laughed
+Betty, "but I believe it's a conceded point that a woman always looks
+her best at such a time, and in bridal attire. However that may be,
+though, I shall want you all present, so I will hurry my preparations in
+order that the great event may take place while you are here to have a
+share in it. By the way, I have laid my plans to have three bridesmaids
+and several maids of honor, and I have planned that they shall be my
+three young friends, Cousin Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland, and Lucilla
+Raymond," glancing from one to another as she spoke, then adding, "Now
+don't decline, any one of you, for I shall be mortally offended if you
+do."
+
+"No danger of that, unless compelled by some one of the older folks,"
+laughed Rosie, turning inquiringly toward her mother, while Evelyn
+colored and smiled, hesitated momentarily, then said in a noncommittal
+way, "You are very kind, Betty, but I'll have to think about it a little
+and ask permission."
+
+Lulu's face grew radiant with delight. "O Betty, how good of you!" she
+exclaimed. "Papa, may I?" turning a very pleading look upon him and
+hurrying to his side.
+
+He took her hand in his, smiling affectionately into the eager,
+entreating eyes. "I think you may, daughter," he said kindly, "since
+Cousin Betty is so good as to include you in the invitation. I see
+nothing in the way at present."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried joyously, then turned to listen with
+eager interest to an animated discussion going on among the ladies in
+regard to the most suitable and tasteful attire for bride and
+bridesmaids or maids of honor.
+
+"The bride will, of course, wear white," Violet was saying, "but it
+would be pretty and in accordance with the fashion for her maids of
+honor to dress in colors."
+
+"Yes," assented Rosie, "and I propose blue for Eva, delicate straw or
+canary color for Lu, who has a complexion just to suit, and pink for me.
+What do you say, girls?" turning to them where they stood side by side.
+
+"I like the idea," replied Evelyn, Lulu adding, "And so do I. Do you
+approve, papa?" hurrying to his side again.
+
+"Yes, daughter; if it pleases you and meets the approval of the ladies."
+
+"You are so good to me, dear papa!" she exclaimed with a look of
+gratitude and affection.
+
+But it was growing late, and leaving various matters to be settled in
+another interview to be held at an early day, the cousins bade good
+night and departed.
+
+"Papa, I do think I have just the best and kindest father in the whole
+world!" exclaimed Lulu, seating herself upon his knee and putting her
+arm about his neck, her lips to his cheek, when he had come to her room
+for the usual good-night bit of chat.
+
+"Rather strong, isn't it?" he queried laughingly, holding her close and
+returning her caress with interest.
+
+"Not too strong, you dear, dear papa!" she said, hugging him tighter.
+"Oh, if ever I'm disobedient or ill tempered again I ought to be
+severely punished."
+
+"My dear child," he said gravely, smoothing her hair with caressing hand
+as he spoke, "do not ever again give your father the pain of punishing
+you. Watch and pray, and try every day to grow into the likeness of the
+dear Master. It makes me happy that you want to please me, your earthly
+father, but I would have you care far more about pleasing and honoring
+Him."
+
+"I do care about that, papa. Oh, I want very much to have Him pleased
+with me, but next to that I want to please you, because you are such a
+good, kind father, and I love you so dearly."
+
+"Yes, daughter, and I esteem your love one of the great blessings of my
+life, while you are dearer to me than words can express: one of God's
+good gifts for which I am truly thankful. But I must now bid you
+good-night and leave you to rest, for it is growing late."
+
+"Yes, sir. But I feel as wide-awake as possible--I'm so excited thinking
+about Betty's wedding. So I wish you'd stay just a little bit longer.
+Can't you, papa?"
+
+"No, daughter, I must leave you and you must go to bed at once; try to
+banish exciting thoughts, and get to sleep."
+
+"I'll try my very best to obey my own dear father," she returned,
+looking up into his face with eyes full of ardent affection.
+
+He smiled, held her close for a moment, repeating his caresses, saying
+low and tenderly, "God bless and keep my dear daughter through the
+silent watches of the night, and wake her in the morning in health and
+strength, if it be His will." Then releasing her he left the room.
+
+She was soon in the land of dreams; the sun was shining when she awoke
+again.
+
+The wedding and matters connected with it were the principal topics of
+discourse at the breakfast table. Betty had expressed an ardent wish to
+have present at the ceremony all the relatives from the neighborhood of
+her old home, saying that she and Molly had already despatched
+invitations which she hoped would be accepted, and now it was settled
+that Mr. Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie should write at once, urging all to
+come to Viamede and remain till the summer heats would make it more
+prudent to return to a cooler climate. There was talk, too, of an
+entertainment to be given there to the bride and groom, of suitable
+wedding gifts, and also the attire of maids of honor.
+
+The young girls selected to take part in the ceremony were particularly
+interested, excitable Lulu especially so; she could hardly think of
+anything else, even in the school-room, and as a consequence recited so
+badly that her father looked very grave indeed, and when dismissing the
+others told her she must remain in the school-room studying, until she
+could recite each lesson very much more creditably to both herself and
+her teacher.
+
+"Yes, sir," she said in a low, unwilling tone, casting down her eyes and
+coloring with mortification; "but I think the lessons were dreadfully
+hard to-day, papa."
+
+"No, daughter, it is only that your mind is dwelling upon other things.
+You must learn to exercise better control over your thoughts and
+concentrate them always upon the business in hand."
+
+"But, papa, I'll never be able to learn the lessons before dinner time,
+and I am hungry now; are you going to make me fast till I recite
+perfectly?"
+
+"No, my child: you may eat when the rest of us do, and finish your tasks
+afterward. You may have a cracker now if you are hungry."
+
+"Oh, may I go and get her some, papa?" asked Grace, who had lingered
+behind the others, full of concern and sympathy for her sister, and was
+now standing close at his side.
+
+"Yes, my darling," he said, smiling upon the little girl, and smoothing
+her hair with softly caressing hand.
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir!" and away she ran, to return in a few moments with
+a plate of crackers, when she found Lulu alone, bending over a book,
+apparently studying with great diligence.
+
+"Oh, thank you, Grace!" she exclaimed; "you are ever so good. I was so
+taken up with the talk about the wedding at breakfast time, that I
+didn't eat nearly so much as usual. Some folks in papa's place would
+have made me fast till my lessons were learned; but he's such a good,
+kind father; isn't he?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" returned Grace emphatically, setting down the plate as
+she spoke. "Now I'll run away and let you learn your lesson."
+
+Lulu did not feel fully prepared for her recitations when the dinner
+bell rang, but, having her father's permission, she went to the table
+with the others. At the conclusion of the meal he inquired in an aside,
+his tone kind and pleasant, if she were ready for him.
+
+"No, sir," she replied, "not quite."
+
+"You may take half an hour to digest your dinner, then go back to your
+tasks," he said.
+
+"Yes, sir, I will," she answered, taking out the pretty little watch,
+which was one of his gifts, and noting the time. Then, in company with
+Rosie, Evelyn, and Grace, she went out upon the lawn and sauntered about
+under the trees, gathering flowers.
+
+She was careful to return to the school-room at the appointed hour.
+Presently her father followed her. "Are those lessons ready, daughter?"
+he asked in his usual kindly tones.
+
+"No, sir; not quite," she replied.
+
+"I am sorry," he said, "as if they were, I would hear them at once and
+you might make one of the party who are going over to Magnolia Hall."
+
+"Papa, I should so like to go along!" she exclaimed, looking up
+coaxingly into his face.
+
+"And I would be glad to give you the pleasure," he said with a slight
+sigh; "but you know I cannot do that, having already told you your
+lessons must be creditably recited before you can be allowed any further
+recreation."
+
+"They're so long and hard, papa," grumbled Lulu, looking wofully
+disappointed.
+
+"No, my child; with your usual attention you could easily have learned
+them before the regular school hours were over," he said. "I am not
+going with the others and will come for your recitation in another hour
+or perhaps sooner." So saying he turned and left the room.
+
+"Oh, dear! I do wish I was old enough not to have lessons to learn,"
+sighed Lulu. But seeing there was no escape, she turned to her tasks
+again, and when her father came in according to his promise, was able to
+say she was ready for him and to recite in a creditable manner. He gave
+the accustomed meed of praise, smiling kindly on her as he spoke.
+"There, daughter," he added, "you see what you can do when you give
+your mind to your work, and I hope that in future you will do so always
+at the proper time."
+
+"I hope so, papa; I do really mean to try," she replied, hanging her
+head and blushing. "Are the ladies and girls all gone?"
+
+"Yes; some time ago," he said. "I am sorry I could not let you go with
+the others, as I have no doubt you would have enjoyed doing so."
+
+"I hope you didn't stay at home just to hear my lessons, papa?" she said
+regretfully.
+
+"I might possibly have gone could I have taken my eldest daughter with
+me," he replied, "though there were other matters calling for my
+attention. However," he added with a smile, "you need not measure my
+disappointment by yours, as I am certain it was not nearly so great."
+
+At that moment a servant came to the door to tell the captain that a
+gentleman had called on business, and was in the library waiting to see
+him.
+
+"Very well; tell him I will be there presently," replied Captain
+Raymond. Then turning to Lulu, "You may amuse yourself as you like for
+an hour, then prepare your lessons for to-morrow."
+
+"Yes, sir," she answered, as he left the room, then put on her hat and
+taking a parasol wandered out upon the lawn.
+
+The captain had been giving the young people some lessons in botany, and
+the girls were vieing with each other as to who should gather into her
+herbarium the largest number of plants and flowers, particularly such as
+were to be found in that region, but never, or very rarely, in the more
+northern one they called their home. Lulu had found, and, from time to
+time, placed in her herbarium, several which she highly prized for both
+beauty and rarity, and now she went in quest of others.
+
+She had scarcely left the house when, much to her surprise, she met her
+baby brother and his nurse.
+
+"Why, Neddie dear, I thought you had gone----" but she paused, fearing
+to set the child to crying for his mother.
+
+"Marse Ned's sleeping when dey goes, Miss Lu; I spec's dey'll be back
+fo' long," said the nurse; and catching him up in her arms she began a
+romping play with him, her evident object to ward off thoughts of his
+absent mother.
+
+Lulu walked on, spent a half hour or more gathering flowers, then
+returned to the school-room, where she had left her herbarium lying on
+her desk. But Master Ned, there before her, had pulled it down on the
+floor, where he sat tearing out the plants which she had prepared and
+placed in it with so much labor and care.
+
+At that trying sight, Lulu's anger flamed out as it had not in years;
+not since the sad time when little Elsie was so nearly sacrificed to her
+eldest sister's lack of self-control.
+
+"You naughty, naughty, naughty boy!" she exclaimed, snatching the
+herbarium from the floor. "I'd just like to shake you well, and spank
+you, too. You deserve it richly, for you have no business to be here
+meddling with my things!"
+
+At that the baby boy set up a wail. Then their father's voice was heard
+from the veranda outside. "Come here to papa, Neddie boy," and the
+little fellow, who had now scrambled to his feet, hastened to obey.
+
+Lulu trembled and flushed hotly. "I wish I'd known papa was so near and
+I'd kept my temper, too," she sighed ruefully to herself, then set to
+work to repair damages to the best of her ability; but, as her passion
+cooled, with thoughts dwelling remorsefully upon her unkind treatment of
+her baby brother, also apprehensively on the consequent displeasure of
+her dearly loved father. She loved little Ned too, and heartily wished
+she had been more gentle and forbearing toward him.
+
+But her hour of recreation was past, and with Ned's baby prattle to his
+father, as he sat on his knee, coming to her ear through the open
+window, she sat down at her desk, took out her books, and tried to
+study; but it seemed impossible to fix her thoughts upon the business in
+hand, and presently hearing the patter of the little fellow's feet as he
+ran along the veranda, then out into the garden, she sprang up and
+followed him.
+
+"O Neddie dear," she said, catching him in her arms and giving him a
+hearty kiss, "sister is ever so sorry she was cross to you. Will you
+forgive her and love her still?"
+
+"Ess," returned the baby boy with hearty good will, putting his chubby
+arms about her neck and hugging her tight; then cooing sweetly, "Ned
+'oves oo, Lu."
+
+"And Lu loves you, Neddie darling," she returned, kissing him again and
+again.
+
+Then setting him down, she sped back to the school-room, took up her
+book, and made another attempt to study; but without success; laying it
+aside again almost immediately, she went in search of her father.
+
+He had left the veranda, but going on into the library, she found him in
+an easy chair, with a newspaper in his hand which he seemed to be
+reading with great attention, for he did not turn his head or eyes
+toward her as she drew near and stood at his side. She waited longingly
+for a recognition of her vicinity, but he gave none, seeming too intent
+upon his paper to be aware of it; and he had taught her that she must
+not rudely interrupt him or any grown person so engaged, but wait
+patiently till her presence was noted and inquiry made as to what she
+wished to say.
+
+The five or ten minutes she stood silently waiting seemed a long time to
+her impatient temperament. "Oh, would papa never give her an opportunity
+to speak to him?" At last, however, as he paused in his reading to turn
+his paper, she ventured a low breathed, "Papa."
+
+"Go instantly to your own room, taking your books with you, Lucilla, and
+don't venture to leave it till you have my permission," he said in
+stern, cold accents, and without giving her so much as a glance.
+
+She obeyed in silence. Reaching her own room she again opened her book
+and tried to study; but found herself so disturbed in mind that it was
+wellnigh impossible to take in the meaning of the words as she read them
+over and over. "I can't learn these lessons till I've made it up with
+papa," she sighed half aloud, and putting down the book opened her
+writing desk.
+
+In a few minutes she had written a very humble little note, saying how
+sorry she was for the indulgence of her passion and her unkindness to
+her darling little brother; but that she had asked and received his
+forgiveness; then sought her father to beg him to forgive her too, and
+tell him she was ready to submit to any punishment he thought best to
+inflict. But oh, might it not be something that would be over before the
+rest of the family should come home from their drive?
+
+She signed herself "Your penitent little daughter Lulu," folded the
+note, sealed it up in an envelope, and wrote her father's name on the
+outside.
+
+She could hear the prattle of her baby brother coming from the lawn. Her
+window opened upon an upper veranda, and going out there, she called
+softly, "Ned, Neddie dear!"
+
+The little fellow looked up and laughed. "Lu!" he called; then catching
+sight of the note in her hand, "What oo dot?" he queried.
+
+"A letter for papa," she replied. "Will you take it to him and ask him
+to please read it?"
+
+"Ess; fro it down," he said, holding up both hands to catch it. "Me will
+tate it to papa."
+
+It fell on the grass at his feet, he stooped and picked it up, then
+trotted away with it in his hand.
+
+Again Lulu took up her book and tried to study, but with no better
+success than before. "What will papa do and say to me?" she was asking
+herself. "Oh, I hope he won't keep me long in suspense! I don't believe
+he will; he never does, and--ah, yes, I hear his step."
+
+She rose hastily, hurried to the door and opened it. He stood on the
+threshold. "Papa," she said humbly, "I am very, very sorry I was
+passionate and cross to dear little Ned."
+
+"As I am," he replied, stepping in, securing the door, then taking her
+hand, leading her to the side of an easy chair and seating himself
+therein. "I was deeply grieved to hear my eldest daughter speak in such
+angry words and passionate tones to her baby brother. It not only gave
+the dear little fellow pain, but set him a very bad example which I
+greatly fear he will follow one of these days, so giving me the pain of
+punishing him and you that of seeing him punished!"
+
+"Papa, I am the one who ought to be punished," she burst out in her
+vehement way, "and I just hope you will punish me well. But oh, please
+don't say I shall not go to Cousin Betty's wedding, or not be one of her
+bridesmaids or maids of honor."
+
+He made no reply at first. There was a moment's silence, then she
+exclaimed, "Oh, papa, I just can't bear it! I'd even rather have the
+severest whipping you could give me."
+
+"You are a little too old for that now," he said in moved tones, drawing
+her to a seat upon his knee. "It has always been to me a hard trial to
+feel called upon to punish my dear child in that way; a sad task to have
+to do so in any way; and if you are a good girl from now on to the time
+of the wedding, you may accept Betty's kind invitation."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed!" she exclaimed. "I
+don't deserve to be allowed to, but oh, I do fully intend to rule my
+temper better in future!"
+
+"I hope so indeed; but you will not succeed if you try merely in your
+own strength. Our sufficiency is of God, and to Him alone must we look
+for strength to resist temptation and be steadfast in fighting the good
+fight of faith. Try, my dear child, to be always on your guard! 'Watch
+and pray,' is the Master's command, repeated again and again. 'Take ye
+heed, watch and pray.' ... 'Watch ye, therefore.' ... 'And what I say
+unto you I say unto all, Watch.' ... 'Watch ye and pray lest ye enter
+into temptation.'"
+
+"Papa, I do really mean to try very hard to rule my own spirit," she
+said humbly; "I have been trying."
+
+"Yes, dear child, I have not been blind to your efforts," he returned in
+tender tones. "I know you have tried, and I believe you will try still
+harder, and will at length come off conqueror. I fear I have not been so
+patient and forbearing with you to-day as I ought. I think now I should
+have let you speak when you came to me in the library a while ago. Your
+father is by no means perfect, and therefore has no right to expect
+perfection in his children."
+
+"But I had indulged my temper, papa, and did deserve to be punished for
+it."
+
+"Yes, that is true. But it is all forgiven now, and your father and his
+eldest daughter are at peace again," he added, giving her a loving
+embrace.
+
+"And that makes me so happy," she said, lifting her dewy eyes to his. "I
+am always very far from happy when I know that my dear father is
+displeased with me."
+
+"You love him, then?"
+
+"Oh, yes, yes, indeed! dearly! dearly!" she exclaimed, putting her arms
+about his neck and laying her cheek to his.
+
+He held her close for a moment, then saying, "Now I want you to spend an
+hour over your lessons for to-morrow, after which you and I will have a
+walk together," he left her.
+
+By tea time the family were all at home again, and their talk at the
+table was almost exclusively of the preparations for the approaching
+wedding.
+
+"Mamma," said Rosie at length, "I for one would dearly like to go to New
+Orleans and select dress and ornaments for myself; also a present for
+Betty."
+
+"I see no objection, if a proper escort can be provided," was the
+smiling rejoinder.
+
+"Suppose we make up a party to go there, do the necessary shopping, and
+visit the battle fields and everything of interest connected with them,"
+suggested Captain Raymond. "We can stay a day or two if necessary, and I
+think we'll all feel repaid."
+
+The proposal was received with enthusiasm by the younger portion of the
+family, and even the older ones had nothing to say against it. Lulu was
+silent, but sent a very wistful, pleading look in her father's
+direction. It was answered with a nod and smile, and her face grew
+radiant, for she knew that meant that she would be permitted to take the
+little trip with the others.
+
+"Dear papa, thank you ever so much," she said, following him into the
+library as they left the table.
+
+"For what?" he asked jestingly, laying a hand upon her head and smiling
+down into the happy, eager face.
+
+"Giving me permission to go with you and the rest to New Orleans."
+
+"Ah, did I do that?" he asked, sitting down and drawing her to a seat
+upon his knee.
+
+"Not in words, papa, but you looked it," she returned with a pleased
+laugh, putting her arm about his neck and kissing him with ardent
+affection. "Didn't you, now?"
+
+"I don't deny that I did, yet it depends largely upon the good conduct
+of my eldest daughter," he said in a graver tone, smoothing her hair
+caressingly as he spoke. "I hope she will show herself so sweet tempered
+and obedient that it may not be necessary to leave her behind because
+she is lacking in those good qualities."
+
+"Papa," she replied low and feelingly, "I will ask God to help me to be
+patient and good."
+
+"And if you ask for Jesus' sake, pleading his gracious promise, 'If ye
+ask anything in my name, I will do it,' your petition will be granted."
+
+At that moment the other girls came running in, Rose saying eagerly,
+"Oh, Brother Levis, we all hope you will be so kind as to go on with
+your historical stories of doings and happenings at New Orleans. Please
+treat us to some of them to-night, and let us have all before we visit
+their scenes, won't you?"
+
+"Certainly, Sister Rose," he replied, adding, "It looks very pleasant on
+the veranda now. Shall we establish ourselves there?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if you please," she said, dancing away, the others
+following.
+
+Presently all were quietly seated, the older people almost as eager for
+the story as were the young, and the captain began.
+
+"While the armies before New Orleans were burying their dead, others of
+the British troops were trying to secure for themselves the free
+navigation of the Mississippi below the city by capturing Fort St.
+Philip, which is in a direct line some seventy or eighty miles lower
+down the stream, and was considered by both British and Americans as the
+key of the State of Louisiana.
+
+"The fort was at that time garrisoned by three hundred and sixty-six men
+under the command of Major Overton of the rifle corps, with the addition
+of the crew of a gun-boat. Just about the time that the British killed
+in the battle of New Orleans were being carried by the Americans under
+Jackson to their comrades for burial, a little squadron of five English
+vessels appeared before the fort and anchored out of range of its heavy
+guns, the bomb vessels with their broadsides toward it; and at three
+o'clock they opened fire on it. Their bombardment went on with scarcely
+a pause till daybreak of the 18th, when they had sent more than a
+thousand shells, using for that purpose twenty thousand pounds of
+powder. They had sent, too, beside the shells, many round and grape
+shot.
+
+"During those nine days the Americans were in their battery, five of
+the days without shelter, exposed to cold and rain a part of the time;
+but only two of them were killed and seven wounded.
+
+"On the 18th, the British gave up the attempt. That same day a general
+exchange of prisoners took place, and that night the British stole
+noiselessly away. By morning they had reached Lake Borgne, sixty miles
+distant from their fleet.
+
+"They could not have felt very comfortable, as the wintry winds to which
+they were exposed were keen, and the American mounted men under Colonel
+De la Ronde, following them in their retreat, annoyed them not a little.
+
+"The British remained at Lake Borgne until the 27th, then boarded their
+fleet, which lay in the deep water between Ship and Cat Islands.
+
+"In the meantime Jackson had been guarding the approach to New Orleans
+lest they might return and make another effort against it. But on
+leaving that vicinity they went to Fort Bowyer, at the entrance to
+Mobile Bay, thirty miles distant from the city of that name, then but a
+village of less than one thousand inhabitants. The fort is now called
+Fort Morgan.
+
+"It was but a weak fortress, without bomb-proofs, and mounting only
+twenty guns, only two of them larger than twelve pounders, some of them
+less. It was under the command of Major Lawrence.
+
+"The British besieged it for nearly two days, when Lawrence, a gallant
+officer, was compelled to surrender to a vastly superior force.
+
+"It is altogether likely that the British would then have gone on to
+attack Mobile, had not news come of the treaty of peace between the
+United States and Great Britain.
+
+"The news of Jackson's gallant defence of New Orleans caused intense joy
+all over the Union, while in England it was heard with astonishment and
+chagrin."
+
+"They didn't know before how Americans could fight," said Walter with a
+look of exultation, "and they have never attacked us since."
+
+"No," said his mother, "and God grant that we and our kinsmen across the
+sea may ever henceforward live in peace with each other."
+
+"It seems a great pity that the news of peace had not come in time to
+prevent that dreadful battle of New Orleans and the after fighting of
+which you have just been telling us, Captain," remarked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes," he replied; "and yet, perhaps, it may have been of use in
+preventing another struggle between the two nations; we have had
+difficulties since, but fortunately they have thus far been settled
+without a resort to arms."
+
+"I suppose there was an exchange of prisoners?" Walter said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, though, in regard to some, the Dartmoor captives in especial, it
+was strangely slow."
+
+"Dartmoor, papa?" Grace said with inquiring look and tone.
+
+"Yes; Dartmoor is a desolate region in Devonshire; its prison, built
+originally for French prisoners of war, had thirty acres of ground
+enclosed by double walls, within which were seven distinct prisons.
+
+"At the close of the War of 1812-14 there were about six thousand
+prisoners there, twenty-five hundred of them impressed American seamen
+who had refused to fight against their country, having been forced into
+the British Navy and being still there at the beginning of the struggle.
+Some of the poor fellows, though, had been in Dartmoor Prison ten or
+eleven years. Think what an intense longing they must have felt for home
+and their own dear native land! How unbearable the delay to liberate
+them must have seemed! They were not even permitted to hear of the
+treaty of peace till three months after it had been signed. But after
+hearing of it, they were in daily expectation of being released, and
+just think how hope deferred must have made their hearts sick. Some of
+them showed a disposition to attempt an escape, and on the 4th of April
+they demanded bread, and refused to eat the hard biscuits that were
+given them instead.
+
+"Two evenings later they very reluctantly obeyed orders to retire to
+their quarters, some of them showing an inclination to mutiny, passing
+beyond the limits of their confinement, when, by the orders of Captain
+Shortland, commander of the prison, they were fired upon; then the
+firing was repeated by the soldiers without the shadow of an excuse, as
+was shown by the impartial report of a committee of investigation, the
+result of which was the killing of five men and the wounding of
+thirty-three."
+
+"I hope those soldiers were hung for it!" exclaimed Walter, his eyes
+flashing.
+
+"No," replied the captain, "the British authorities pronounced it
+'justifiable homicide'; which excited the hottest indignation on this
+side of the ocean; but now the memory of it has nearly passed away."
+
+"Now, Brother Levis, if you're not too tired, won't you please go on and
+tell us all about the taking of New Orleans in the last war?" asked
+Walter, looking persuasively into the captain's face.
+
+"Certainly, if all wish to hear it," was the pleasant toned reply; and
+all expressing themselves desirous to do so, he at once began.
+
+"Ship Island was appointed as the place of rendezvous for both land and
+naval forces, the last named under the command of Captain David G.
+Farragut, the others led by General Butler.
+
+"Farragut arrived in the harbor of the island, on the 20th of February,
+1862, on his flag-ship, the _Hartford_, in which he sailed on the 2d,
+from Hampton Roads, Virginia, but sickness had detained him for a time
+at Key West.
+
+"The vessels of which he had been given the command, taken collectively,
+were styled the Western Gulf Squadron. Farragut had been informed that a
+fleet of bomb vessels, under Commander David D. Porter, would be
+attached to his squadron. Porter was the son of Commodore David Porter,
+who had adopted Farragut when a little fellow and had him educated for
+the navy. It was he who commanded the _Essex_ in the War of 1812, and
+Farragut was with him, though then only in his twelfth year."
+
+"Then he must have been past sixty at the time of the taking of New
+Orleans," remarked Walter reflectively.
+
+"He and Porter joined forces at Key West," continued the captain.
+"Porter's fleet had been prepared at the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, exciting
+much interest and curiosity. There were twenty-one schooners of from two
+to three hundred tons each; they were made very strong and to draw as
+little water as possible. Each vessel carried two thirty-two pounder
+rifled cannon, and was armed besides with mortars of eight and a half
+tons weight that would throw a fifteen-inch shell which, when filled,
+weighed two hundred and twelve pounds.
+
+"Farragut's orders were to proceed up the Mississippi, reducing the
+forts on its banks, take possession of New Orleans, hoist the American
+flag there, and hold the place till more troops could be sent him.
+
+"An expedition was coming down the river from Cairo, and if that had not
+arrived he was to take advantage of the panic which his seizure of New
+Orleans would have caused, and push on up the river, destroying the
+rebel works. His orders from the Secretary of War were, 'Destroy the
+armed barriers which these deluded people have raised up against the
+power of the United States Government, and shoot down those who war
+against the Union; but cultivate with cordiality the first returning
+reason which is sure to follow your success.' Farragut, having received
+these orders, at once began carrying them out, with the aid of the plans
+of the works on the Mississippi which he had been directed to take,
+particularly of Fort St. Philip, furnished him by General Barnard, who
+had built it years before.
+
+"The plan made and carried out was to let Porter's fleet make the attack
+upon the forts first, while Farragut, with his larger and stronger
+vessels, should await the result just outside the range of the rebel
+guns; then, when Porter had succeeded in silencing them, Farragut was to
+push on up the river, clearing it of Confederate vessels, and cutting
+off the supplies of the fort. That accomplished, Butler was to land his
+troops in the rear of Fort St. Philip and try to carry it by assault.
+Those two forts, St. Philip and Jackson, were about thirty miles from
+the mouth of the river, Fort Jackson on the right bank, and Fort St.
+Philip on the left.
+
+"Ship Island, the place of rendezvous, is about one hundred miles
+northeast of the mouth of the Mississippi. In the last war with England,
+as I have told you, St. Philip had kept the British in check for nine
+days, though they threw one thousand shells into it.
+
+"Fort Jackson was a larger fortification, bastioned, built of brick,
+with casemates and glacis, rising twenty-five feet above the water. Some
+French and British officers, calling upon Farragut before the attack,
+having come from among the Confederates, while visiting whom they had
+seen and examined these forts with their defences, warned him that to
+attack them would only result in sure defeat; but the brave old hero
+replied that he had been sent there to try it on and would do so; or
+words to that effect.
+
+"The forts had one hundred and fifteen guns of various kinds and sizes,
+mostly smooth-bore thirty-two pounders. Above them lay the Confederate
+fleet of fifteen vessels, one of them an iron-clad ram, another a large,
+unfinished floating battery covered with railroad iron. Two hundred
+Confederate sharp-shooters kept constant watch along the river banks,
+and several fire-rafts were ready to be sent down among the Federal
+vessels. Both these and the sharp-shooters were below the forts. Also
+there were two iron chains stretched across the river, supported upon
+eight hulks which were anchored abreast.
+
+"Farragut's naval expedition was the largest that had ever sailed under
+the United States flag, consisting of six sloops of war, twenty-one
+mortar schooners, sixteen gun-boats, and other vessels, carrying in all
+two hundred guns.
+
+"But the vessels were built for the sea and were now to work in a much
+narrower space--a river with a shifting channel and obstructed by
+shoals.
+
+"To get the larger vessels over the bar at the southwest pass was a work
+of time and great labor. They had to be made as light as possible and
+then dragged through a foot of mud. Two weeks of such labor was required
+to get the _Pensacola_ over, and the _Colorado_ could not be taken over
+at all.
+
+"The mortar vessels were towed up stream and began to take their places.
+Porter disguised them with mud and the branches of trees, so that they
+could not be readily distinguished from the river banks, being moored
+under cover of the woods on the bank just below Fort Jackson. The
+stratagem was successful; his vessels were moored where he wished to
+have them, the nearest being two thousand eight hundred and fifty yards
+from Fort Jackson, and three thousand six hundred and eighty from Fort
+St. Philip.
+
+"On the opposite side of the river, and a little farther from the forts,
+Porter had his six remaining vessels stationed, screening them also with
+willows and reeds, and mooring them under cover of the woods to conceal
+their true character.
+
+"On the 18th of April, before nine o'clock in the morning, the attack
+was begun by a shot from Fort Jackson, then, as soon as Porter was
+ready, the _Owasco_ opened fire, and the fourteen mortar boats concealed
+by the woods, also the six in full sight of the forts, began their
+bombardment.
+
+"The gun-boats took part in the conflict by running up and firing heavy
+shells when the mortars needed relief. Porter was on the _Harriet Lane_,
+in a position to see what was the effect of the shells, and direct their
+aim accordingly.
+
+"The fight went on for several days, then Farragut, deeming there was
+small prospect of reducing the forts, prepared to carry out another part
+of his instructions by running past them. He called a council of the
+captains in the cabin of the _Hartford_, and it was then and there
+decided that the attempt should be made.
+
+"It was an intensely dark night, the wind blowing fiercely from the
+north, but Commander Bell with the _Winona_, the _Itasca_, _Kennebec_,
+_Iroquois_, and the _Pinola_ ran up to the boom. The _Pinola_ ran to the
+hulk under the guns of Fort Jackson, and an effort was made to destroy
+it with a petard, but failed. The _Itasca_ was lashed to the next hulk,
+but a rocket sent up from the fort showed her to the foe, who
+immediately opened a heavy fire upon her. But half an hour of active
+work with chisels, saws, and sledges parted the boom of chains and logs,
+and the hulk to which she was attached swung round and grounded her in
+the mud in shallow water. But the _Pinola_ rescued her.
+
+"Two hours later an immense fire-raft came roaring down the stream, but,
+like those sent before, it was caught by our men and rendered harmless.
+They would catch such things with grappling-irons, tow them to the
+shore, and leave them there to burn out harmlessly.
+
+"Day after day the bombardment went on, fire-rafts coming down the river
+every night, but Fort Jackson still held out, though its citadel had
+been set on fire by the shells from the mortar boats, and all the
+commissary stores and the clothing of the men destroyed; also the levee
+had been broken in scores of places by the exploding shells, so that the
+waters of the river flooded the parade ground and casemates.
+
+"By sunset on the 23d, Farragut was ready for his forward movement, but
+Porter, with his mortar boats, was to stay and cover the advance with
+his fire. Farragut, on board his flag-ship, the _Hartford_, was to lead
+the way with it, the _Brooklyn_, and the _Richmond_.
+
+"These vessels formed the first division, and were to keep near the
+right bank of the river, fighting Fort Jackson, while Captain Theodorus
+Bailey was to keep close to the western bank with his (the second)
+division, to fight Fort St. Philip. His vessels were the _Mississippi_,
+_Pensacola_, _Varuna_, _Oneida_, _Katahdin_, _Kineo_, _Wissahickon_,
+_Portsmouth_.
+
+"Captain Bell still commanded the same vessels which I just mentioned as
+his, and his appointed duty was to attack the Confederate fleet above
+the forts, to keep the channel of the river, and push right on, paying
+no attention to the forts themselves.
+
+"In obedience to these orders, the _Itasca_ ran up to the boom, and at
+eleven o'clock showed a night signal that the channel was clear of
+obstruction excepting the hulks, which, with care, might be passed
+safely.
+
+"A heavy fog, and the settling of the smoke from the steamers upon the
+waters, made the night a very dark one. No sound came from the forts,
+yet active preparations were going on in them for the approaching
+struggle, and their fleet was stationed near them in readiness to assist
+in the effort to prevent the Union vessels from ascending the river.
+
+"At one o'clock every one on the Union ships was called to action, but
+the fleet remained stationary until two, and at half past three
+Farragut's and Bailey's divisions were moving up the river, each on its
+appointed side, and at the rate of four miles an hour.
+
+"Then Porter's mortars, still at their moorings below the forts, opened
+upon those forts a terrible storm, sending as many as, if not more than,
+half a dozen shells, with their fiery trails, screaming through the air
+at the same moment.
+
+"But no sound came from the forts until they discovered Captain Bailey's
+ship, the _Cayuga_, just as she had passed the boom, when they brought
+their heavy guns to bear upon her, and broke the long silence with their
+roar.
+
+"When she was close under Fort St. Philip she replied with heavy
+broadsides of grape and canister as she passed on up the river.
+
+"The other vessels of Bailey's division followed closely after, each
+imitating the _Cayuga's_ example in delivering a broadside as she passed
+the forts, which they did almost unharmed, with the exception of the
+_Portsmouth_, a sailing vessel, which lost her tow, on firing her
+broadside, and drifted down the river.
+
+"Captain Bell and his division were not quite so fortunate. Three of his
+vessels passed the forts, but the _Itasca_ received a storm of shot, one
+of which pierced her boiler, and she drifted helplessly down the river.
+The _Kennebec_ lost her way among the obstructions and went back to her
+moorings below; the _Winona_, too, recoiled from the storm.
+
+"In the meantime, Farragut was in the fore rigging of the _Hartford_,
+watching with intense interest, through his night glass, the movements
+of the vessels under the command of Bailey and Bell, while the vessels
+he commanded in person were slowly nearing Fort Jackson. He was within a
+mile and a quarter of it when its heavy guns opened upon him. They were
+well aimed, and the _Hartford_ was struck several times.
+
+"Farragut replied with two guns which he had placed upon his forecastle,
+while at the same time he pushed on directly for the fort. When within a
+half mile of it he sheered off and gave them heavy broadsides of grape
+and canister; so heavy that they were driven from all their barbette
+guns. But the casemate guns were kept in full play, and the fight became
+a very severe one.
+
+"The _Richmond_ soon joined in it; the _Brooklyn_ got entangled with
+some of the hulks that bore up the chain, and so lagged behind. She had
+just succeeded in freeing herself from them, when the Confederate ram
+_Manassas_ came furiously down upon her, and when within about ten feet,
+fired a heavy bolt at her from its trap-door, aiming for her smoke
+stack; but fortunately the shot lodged in some sand-bags that protected
+her steam-drum.
+
+"The next moment the ram butted into the _Brooklyn's_ starboard gangway;
+but she was so effectually protected by chain armor that the _Manassas_
+glanced off and disappeared in the darkness.
+
+"All this time a raking fire from the fort had been pouring upon the
+_Brooklyn_, and just as she escaped from the _Manassas_ a large
+Confederate steamer attacked her. She pushed slowly on in the darkness,
+after giving the steamer a broadside that set it on fire and speedily
+destroyed it, and suddenly found herself abreast of Fort St. Philip.
+
+"She was very close to it, and speedily brought all her guns to bear
+upon it in a tremendous broadside.
+
+"In his report Captain Craven said, 'I had the satisfaction of
+completely silencing that work before I left it, my men in the tops
+witnessing, in the flashes of the shrapnel, the enemy running like sheep
+for more comfortable quarters.'
+
+"While the _Brooklyn_ was going through all this, Farragut was having
+what he called 'a rough time of it.' While he was battling with the
+forts, a huge fire-raft, pushed by the _Manassas_, came suddenly upon
+him all ablaze, and in trying to avoid it the _Hartford_ got aground,
+and the incendiary came crashing alongside of her.
+
+"In telling of it Farragut said, 'In a moment the ship was one blaze all
+along the port side, half way up the main and mizzen tops. But thanks to
+the good organization of the fire department, by Lieutenant Thornton,
+the flames were extinguished, and at the same time we backed off and got
+clear of the raft. All this time we were pouring shells into the forts
+and they into us; now and then a rebel steamer would get under our fire
+and receive our salutation of a broadside.' The fleet had not fairly
+passed the forts when the Confederate ram and gun-boats hastened to take
+part in the battle.
+
+"The scene was now both grand and awful. Just think of two hundred and
+sixty great guns and twenty mortars constantly firing, and shells
+exploding in and around the forts; it 'shook land and water like an
+earthquake,' Lossing tells us, 'and the surface of the river was strewn
+with dead and helpless fishes.' Major Bell, of Butler's staff, wrote of
+it, 'Combine all that you have ever heard of thunder, and add to it all
+you have ever seen of lightning, and you have, perhaps, a conception of
+the scene. And,' continues our historian, 'all this destructive energy,
+the blazing fire-rafts and floating volcanoes sending forth fire and
+smoke and bolts of death, the thundering forts, and the ponderous rams,
+were crowded, in the greatest darkness just before dawn, within the
+space of a narrow river, "too narrow," said Farragut, "for more than two
+or three vessels to act to advantage. My greatest fear was that we
+should fire into each other; and Captain Wainwright and myself were
+hallooing ourselves hoarse at the men not to fire into our ships."'
+
+"The _Cayuga_ met the flotilla of Confederate rams and gun-boats as soon
+as she passed Fort St. Phillip. For a few minutes there were eighteen
+Confederate vessels intent upon her destruction."
+
+"Was the _Manassas_ one of the eighteen, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"Yes," replied the captain, "and the floating battery _Louisiana_ was
+another. Captain Mitchell was the name of her commander, and he was
+also commandant of the remaining sixteen vessels of that rebel fleet.
+
+"Captain Bailey could not fight so many at once without some assistance,
+so used his skill in avoiding the butting of the rams and the efforts to
+board his vessel. At the same time he was making such good use of his
+guns that, while saving his own vessels, he compelled three of the
+Confederate gun-boats to surrender to him before Captain Boggs and
+Captain Lee, of the _Varuna_ and the _Oneida_ came to his assistance.
+
+"The _Cayuga_ had then been struck forty-two times and a good deal
+damaged in spars and rigging, but, in accordance with Farragut's orders,
+she moved up the river as leader of the fleet.
+
+"It was upon the _Varuna_ that the enemy next poured out the vials of
+his wrath. In his report of the fight Captain Boggs, her commander, said
+that immediately after passing the forts he found himself 'amid a nest
+of rebel steamers.' He rushed into their midst, giving each a broadside
+as he passed. The first of those steamers seemed to be crowded with
+troops. One of the _Varuna's_ shots exploded her boiler and she drifted
+ashore. Next a gun-boat and three other vessels were driven ashore in
+flames, and presently they blew up, one after another.
+
+"Then the _Varuna_ was furiously attacked by the _Governor Moore_,
+commanded by Beverly Kennon, one who had left the United States service
+for that of the rebels. His vessel raked along the _Varuna's_ port,
+killing four men and wounding nine. Captain Boggs sent a three-inch
+shell into her, abaft her armor, and several shots from the after rifled
+gun, which partially disabled her, and she dropped out of action.
+
+"In the meantime, another ram struck the _Varuna_ under water with its
+iron prow, giving her a heavy blow in the port gangway. The _Varuna_
+answered with a shot, but it glanced harmlessly from the armored prow of
+the rebel ram, and it, backing off a shorting distance, shot forward
+again, gave the _Varuna_ another blow in the same place, and crushed in
+her side.
+
+"But the ram had become entangled, and was drawn around to the side of
+the _Varuna_, and Captain Boggs gave her five eighteen shells abaft her
+armor from his port guns. In telling of it afterward he said, 'This
+settled her and drove her ashore in flames.'
+
+"But his own vessel was sinking; so he ran her into the bank, let go her
+anchor, and tied her bow up to the trees, but all the time kept his guns
+at work crippling the _Moore_.
+
+"He did not cease firing till the water was over the gun-tracks, but
+then turned his attention to getting his wounded and the crew out of the
+vessel.
+
+"Just then, Captain Lee, commander of the _Oneida_, came to his
+assistance. But Boggs waved him after the _Moore_, which was then in
+flames and presently surrendered to the _Oneida_. Kennon, her commander,
+had done a cowardly deed in setting her on fire and fleeing, leaving his
+wounded to the horrible fate of perishing in the flames. The surrender
+was, therefore, made by her second officer.
+
+"That ended the fight on the Mississippi River; it had been a desperate
+one, but lasted only an hour and a half, though nearly the whole of the
+rebel fleet was destroyed. The National loss was thirty killed and not
+more than one hundred and twenty-five wounded."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+CAPTAIN RAYMOND paused, seemingly lost in thought. All waited in silence
+for a moment, then Violet, laying a hand on his arm, for she was seated
+close at his side, said with a loving smile into his eyes:
+
+"My dear, I fear we have been tiring you."
+
+"Oh no, not at all!" he replied, coming out of his revery and taking
+possession of the pretty hand with a quiet air of ownership.
+
+"I am sure nobody else is," said Walter; "so please go on, sir, won't
+you? and tell us all about the taking of the forts and the city."
+
+"I will," replied the captain. "By the way, I want to tell you about a
+powder boy on board of the _Varuna_, Oscar Peck, a lad of only thirteen
+years, who showed coolness and bravery which would have entitled a man
+to praise.
+
+"Captain Boggs was very much pleased with him, and in his report to
+Farragut praised him warmly. He said that seeing the lad pass quickly he
+asked where he was going in such a hurry. 'To get a passing box, sir,'
+replied the lad; 'the other was smashed by a ball.' When the _Varuna_
+went down Oscar disappeared. He had been standing by one of the guns
+and was thrown into the water by the movement of the vessel. But in a
+few minutes he was seen swimming toward the wreck. Captain Boggs was
+standing on a part of the ship that was still above water, when the lad
+climbed up by his side, gave the usual salute, and said, 'All right,
+sir, I report myself on board.'"
+
+"Ah," cried Walter exultantly, "he was a plucky American boy! I'm proud
+of him."
+
+"Yes," said the captain, "and the more men and boys we have of a similar
+spirit the better for our dear land.
+
+"But to go on with my story. Captain Bailey moved on up the river with
+his crippled vessel, the _Cayuga_, leaving the _Varuna_ to continue the
+fight at the forts.
+
+"A short distance above Fort St. Philip was the Quarantine Station.
+Opposite to it was a Confederate battery in charge of several companies
+of sharp-shooters, commanded by Colonel Szymanski, a Pole.
+
+"On perceiving the approach of the _Cayuga_, they tried to flee, but a
+volley of canister-shot from her guns called a halt, and they were taken
+prisoners of war.
+
+"By that time the battle at the forts was over and the remaining twelve
+ships presently joined the _Cayuga_. Then the dead were carried ashore
+and buried."
+
+"And where was Butler all this time, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"He had been busy preparing for his part of the work while the naval
+officers were doing theirs," was the reply. "His men were in the
+transports at the passes and could hear distinctly the booming of the
+guns and mortars, but the general was at that time on the _Saxon_, which
+was following close in the rear of Bailey's division, until the plunging
+of shot and shell into the water around her warned Butler that he had
+gone far enough. He then ordered the _Saxon_ to drop a little astern, an
+order which was by no means disagreeable to her captain and was promptly
+obeyed, for he had on board eight hundred barrels of gunpowder; a
+dangerous cargo, indeed, when exposed to the fiery missiles of the
+enemy."
+
+"Wasn't it?" exclaimed Rosie.
+
+"Where was Porter just then, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"He and his mortar fleet were still below the forts," replied the
+captain, "and just as Butler had ordered his vessel away from that
+dangerous spot, the rebel monitor _Manassas_ came moving down into the
+midst of his fleet. She had just been terribly pounded by the
+_Mississippi_ and was a helpless wreck, but that was not perceived at
+first, and some of the mortars opened fire upon her, but stopped when
+they saw what was her condition: her hull battered and pierced, her
+pipes twisted and riddled by shot, smoke pouring from every opening. In
+a few minutes her only gun went off, flames burst out from stern,
+trap-door, and bow port, and she went hissing to the bottom of the
+river.
+
+"Butler now hurried to his transports and took them to Sable Island,
+twelve miles in the rear of Fort St. Philip. From there they went in
+small boats, through the narrow and shallow bayous, piloted by
+Lieutenant Weitzel. It was a most fatiguing journey, the men sometimes
+having to drag their boats through cold, muddy water waist deep. But the
+brave, patriotic fellows worked on with a will, and by the night of the
+27th they were at the Quarantine, ready to begin the assault on Fort St.
+Philip the next day, when they were landed under cover of the guns of
+the _Mississippi_ and the _Kineo_. Butler sent a small force to the
+other side of the river above Fort Jackson, which Porter had been
+pounding terribly with the shells from his mortars. On the 26th, Porter
+sent a flag of truce with a demand for the surrender of the fort, saying
+that Farragut had reached New Orleans and taken possession.
+
+"Colonel Higginson, the commander of the fort, replied that he had no
+official report of that surrender, and that until he should receive such
+he would not surrender the fort; he could not entertain such a
+proposition for a moment.
+
+"On the same day, General Duncan, commander of the coast defences, but
+at that time in Fort Jackson, sent out an address to the soldiers,
+saying, 'The safety of New Orleans and the cause of the Southern
+Confederacy, our homes, families, and everything dear to man yet depend
+upon our exertions. We are just as capable of repelling the enemy to-day
+as we were before the bombardment.'
+
+"Thus he urged them to fight on. But they did not all agree with the
+views he expressed. They could see the blackened fragments of vessels
+and other property strewing the waters of the river as it flowed swiftly
+by, and the sight convinced them of the truth of the report which had
+reached them of the fall of New Orleans. They had heard, too, of the
+arrival of Butler's troops in the rear of Fort St. Philip.
+
+"Doubtless they talked it all over among themselves that night, as a
+large number of them mutinied, spiked the guns bearing up the river, and
+the next day went out and surrendered themselves to Butler's pickets on
+that side of the river, saying they had been impressed, and would not
+fight the government any longer. Their loss made the surrender of the
+fort a necessity, and Colonel Higginson accepted the generous terms
+offered him by Porter. He and Duncan went on board the _Harriet Lane_
+and the terms of surrender were reduced to writing.
+
+"While that was going on in her cabin, a dastardly deed was done by the
+Confederate officer Mitchell, who, as I have said, commanded the battery
+called the _Louisiana_. It lay above the forts. He had it towed out into
+the strong current, set on fire and abandoned, leaving the guns all
+shotted, expecting she would float down and explode among Porter's
+mortar fleet; but a good Providence caused the explosion to come before
+she reached the fleet. It took place when she was abreast of Fort St.
+Philip, and a soldier, one of its garrison, was killed by a flying
+fragment. Then she went to the bottom, and the rest of the Confederate
+steamers surrendered.
+
+"Porter and his mortar fleet were still below the forts, but Farragut
+had now thirteen of his vessels safely above them and was ready to move
+upon New Orleans.
+
+"Half an hour after he reached the Quarantine, he sent Captain Boggs to
+Butler with despatches. Boggs went in a small boat through shallow
+bayous in the rear of Fort St. Philip, and, as I have already said, the
+next day Butler and his troops arrived at the Quarantine in readiness to
+assault the forts.
+
+"Fort St. Philip was as perfect when taken by the Union forces as before
+the fight, and Fort Jackson was injured only in its interior works.
+
+"The entire loss of the Nationals in all this fighting was 40 killed and
+177 wounded. No reliable report was given of the Confederate losses in
+killed and wounded. The number of prisoners amounted to nearly one
+thousand.
+
+"General Lovell, who had command of the Confederate troops at New
+Orleans, had gone down the river in his steamer _Doubloon_, and arrived
+just as the National fleet was passing the forts. He was near being
+captured in the terrible fight that followed, but escaped to the shore
+and hurried back to New Orleans as fast as courier horses could carry
+him.
+
+"A rumor of the fight and its results had already reached the city, and
+when he confirmed it a scene of wild excitement ensued; soldiers hurried
+to and fro, women were in the street bareheaded, brandishing pistols,
+and screaming, 'Burn the city! Never mind us! Burn the city!'
+
+"Merchants fled from their stores, and military officers impressed
+vehicles to carry cotton to the levees to be burned. Four millions of
+dollars in specie was sent out of the city by railway; foreigners
+crowded to the consulates to deposit money and other valuables for
+safety, and Twiggs, the traitor, fled, leaving to the care of a young
+woman the two swords that had been awarded him for his services in
+Mexico.
+
+"Lovell believed that he had not a sufficient number of troops to
+defend the city, and convinced the city authorities that such was the
+fact. Then he proceeded to disband the conscripts and to send munitions
+of war, stores of provisions, and other valuable property to the country
+by railroad and steamboats. Some of the white troops went to Camp Moore,
+seventy-eight miles distant, by the railroad, but the negro soldiers
+refused to go.
+
+"The next morning Farragut came on up the river, meeting on the way
+blazing ships filled with cotton floating down the stream. Then
+presently he discovered the Chalmette batteries on both sides of the
+river only a few miles below the city. The river was so full that the
+waters gave him complete command of those confederate works, and,
+causing his vessels to move in two lines, he set himself to the task of
+disabling them.
+
+"Captain Bailey in the _Cayuga_ was pressing gallantly forward and did
+not notice the signal to the vessels to move in close order. He was so
+far ahead of the others that the fire of the enemy was for a time
+concentrated upon his vessel; for twenty minutes she sustained a heavy
+cross fire alone. But Farragut hastened forward with the _Hartford_,
+and, as he passed the _Cayuga_, he gave the batteries heavy broadsides
+of grape, shell and shrapnel; so heavy were they that the first
+discharge drove the Confederates from their guns. The other vessels of
+the fleet followed the _Hartford's_ example, and in twenty minutes the
+batteries were silenced and the men running for their lives.
+
+"Oh, what a fearful scene our vessels passed through! The surface of the
+river was strewn with blazing cotton bales, burning steamers and
+fire-rafts, all together sending up clouds of dense black smoke. But
+they were nearing the city, these National vessels, and the news that
+such was the case had caused another great panic, and, by order of the
+Governor of Louisiana and General Lovell, the destruction of property
+went on more rapidly than before. Great quantities of cotton, sugar, and
+other staple commodities of that region of country, were set on fire, so
+that for a distance of five miles there seemed to be a continuous sheet
+of flame accompanied by dense clouds of smoke; for the people, foolishly
+believed that the Government, like themselves, regarded cotton as king,
+and that it was one of the chief objects for which the National troops
+were sent there. So they brought it in huge loads to the levee, piled it
+up there, and burnt not less than fifteen hundred bales, worth about
+$1,500,000. For the same reason they burned more than a dozen large
+ships, some of which were loaded with cotton, as well as many
+magnificent steamboats, unfinished gun-boats, and other vessels, sending
+them down the river wrapped in flames; hoping that in addition to
+destroying the property the Federals were after, they might succeed in
+setting fire to and destroying their ships and boats.
+
+"But the vessels of Farragut's squadron all escaped that danger, and in
+the afternoon, during a fierce thunderstorm, they anchored before the
+city.
+
+"Captain Bailey was sent ashore with a flag and a summons from Farragut
+for the surrender of the city; also a demand that the Confederate flag
+should be taken down from the public buildings and replaced by the stars
+and stripes.
+
+"Escorted by sensible citizens he made his way to the City Hall, through
+a cursing and hissing crowd. Lovell, who was still there, positively
+refused to surrender, but seeing that he was powerless to defend the
+city he said so and, advising the mayor not to surrender or allow the
+flags to be taken down, he withdrew with his troops.
+
+"The mayor was foolish enough to follow that very foolish advice, and
+sent to Farragut a silly letter saying that though he and his people
+could not prevent the occupation of their city by the United States,
+they would not transfer their allegiance to that government, which they
+had already deliberately repudiated.
+
+"While this was going on troops from the _Pensacola_ had landed and
+hoisted the United States flag over the Government Mint; but scarcely
+had they retired from the spot when the flag was torn down by some young
+men and dragged through the streets in derision."
+
+"Our flag! the glorious stripes and stars!" exclaimed Lulu, her eyes
+flashing; "I hope they didn't escape punishment for such an outrage as
+that?"
+
+"One of them, a gambler, William B. Mumford by name, afterward paid the
+penalty for that and other crimes, on the scaffold," replied her father.
+"A few hours after the pulling down of that flag, General Butler arrived
+and joined Farragut on the _Hartford_. On the 29th, Butler reported to
+the Secretary of War, and, referring to the treatment of the flag, said,
+'This outrage will be punished in such a manner as in my judgment will
+caution both the perpetrators and the abettors of the act, so that they
+shall fear the stripes, if they do not reverence the stars, of our
+banner.'
+
+"The secessionists expressed much exultation over the treatment of the
+flag and admiration of the rebellious deed.
+
+"Farragut was very patient with the rebels, particularly the silly
+mayor; in reply to whose abusive letter he spoke of the insults and
+indignities to the flag and to his officers, adding, 'All of which go to
+show that the fire of this fleet may be drawn upon the city at any
+moment, and in such an event the levee would, in all probability, be
+cut by the shells and an amount of distress ensue to the innocent
+population which I have heretofore endeavored to assure you that I
+desire by all means to avoid. The election therefore is with you; but it
+becomes me to notify you to remove the women and children, from the city
+within forty-eight hours, if I have rightly understood your
+determination.'
+
+"To this the foolish mayor sent a most absurd reply, saying that
+Farragut wanted to humble and disgrace the people, and talking nonsense
+about 'murdering women and children.' It was a decidedly insolent
+epistle; but the commander of a French ship of war, that had just come
+in, was still more impertinent. He wrote to Farragut that his government
+had sent him to protect the 30,000 of its subjects in New Orleans. And
+that he should demand sixty days, instead of forty-eight hours as the
+time to be given for the evacuation of the city, his letter closed with
+a threat: 'If it is your resolution to bombard the city, do it; but I
+wish to state that you will have to account for the barbarous act to the
+power which I represent.'
+
+"Farragut was much perplexed, and troubled with doubts as to what to do,
+but was soon greatly relieved by the news of the surrender of the forts
+below, making it almost certain that Butler would soon be there to
+relieve him of the care of the city, and with that in prospect he was
+able to quietly await the arrival of the land forces.
+
+"The people of New Orleans believed it impossible that those forts could
+be taken, and deemed it safe to indulge in their defiant attitude toward
+the Federal forces already at their doors; but this unwelcome news
+convinced them of the folly and danger of further resistance and
+defiance of the General Government, and a sort of apology was made to
+Farragut for the pulling down of the flag from the Mint; it was said to
+have been the unauthorized act of the men who performed it.
+
+"The next day Captain Bell landed with a hundred marines, hauled down
+the emblems of rebellion on the Mint and Custom House, flung to the
+breeze the National flag in their places, then locking the Custom House
+door, carried the key to his vessel.
+
+"There was a military organization in New Orleans, called the European
+Brigade, composed of British, French, and Spanish aliens, whose
+ostensible purpose was to aid the authorities in protecting the citizens
+from unruly members; but now finding their occupation almost at an end,
+its English members voted at their armory that, as they would have no
+further use for their weapons and accoutrements, they should be sent to
+Beauregard's army at Corinth, as 'a slight token of their affection for
+the Confederate States.'"
+
+"I should say that was but a poor sort of neutrality," remarked Rosie.
+
+"So I think," responded the captain; then went on with his story.
+
+"Only a few hours after Mumford and his mates had pulled down the flag,
+Butler arrived, joined Farragut on the _Hartford_, and presently made to
+the Secretary of War the report of which I have already spoken.
+
+"He hurried back to his troops and made arrangements for their immediate
+advance up the river. On the first of May he appeared before New Orleans
+with his transports bearing two thousand men; the general with his wife,
+his staff, and one thousand four hundred troops, was on the
+_Mississippi_, the vessel in which he had sailed from Hampton Roads
+sixty-five days before.
+
+"At four o'clock on the afternoon of that day the troops began to land:
+first, a company of the Thirty-first Massachusetts, presently followed
+by the rest of the regiment, the Fourth Wisconsin, and Everett's battery
+of heavy field guns.
+
+"They formed in procession, acting as an escort to General Butler and
+General Williams and his staff, and marched through several streets to
+the Custom House, their band playing the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' They
+had been given strict directions not to resent any insults that might be
+offered by the vast crowd gathered in the streets, unless ordered so to
+do; if a shot should be fired from any house, they were to halt, arrest
+the inmates, and destroy the building.
+
+"Their patience was greatly tried during that short march, the crowd
+constantly growing greater and more boisterous and pouring out upon them
+volleys of abusive epithets, both vulgar and profane, applying them to
+the general as well as his troops."
+
+"I think anybody but an American would have ordered his soldiers to fire
+upon them for that," remarked Walter. "Did they do no fighting at all at
+the time, sir?"
+
+"No," replied the captain; "they were obedient to the orders of their
+superior officers and brave enough to endure the undeserved abuse in
+silence.
+
+"At length their destination was reached, Captain Everett posted his
+cannon around the Custom House, quarters there were given to the
+Massachusetts regiment, and the city was comparatively quiet through the
+night.
+
+"General Butler passed the night on board the _Mississippi_, and at an
+early hour in the evening sent out a proclamation to the citizens of New
+Orleans. It was first sent to the office of the _True Delta_ to be
+printed; but the proprietor flatly refused to use his types in such an
+act of submission to Federal rule."
+
+"I hope he wasn't allowed to do as he pleased about it?" growled Walter.
+
+"I think hardly," returned the captain with an amused smile. "Some two
+hours later a file of soldiers were in his office, half a dozen of whom
+were printers, and in a very short time the proclamation was sent out in
+printed form.
+
+"Meanwhile the Federal officers had taken possession of their city
+quarters. General Butler was at the St. Charles Hotel, and invited the
+city authorities to a conference with him there. That very foolish
+mayor, Monroe, told the messenger sent to him that his place of business
+was at the City Hall. He was answered by a suggestion that such a reply
+was not likely to prove satisfying to the commanding general, and then
+prudently decided to go and wait on General Butler at the St. Charles.
+
+"Some of his friends accompanied him; among them Pierre Soul�, who had
+been a representative to Congress before the war.
+
+"General Butler and these callers had a talk together in regard to the
+proper relations existing between the General Government and the city of
+New Orleans, Butler maintaining that the authority of the Government of
+the United States was and ought to be supreme; it had a right to demand
+the allegiance of the people, and that no other authority could be
+allowed to conflict with it in ruling the city.
+
+"The mayor, Soul�, and his friends, on the contrary, insisted that
+Louisiana was an independent sovereignty and that to her alone the
+people owed their allegiance. They asserted that the National troops
+were invaders, the people doing right in treating them with contempt and
+abhorrence, and that they would be fully justified in driving them away
+if it were in their power to do so.
+
+"While this hot discussion was going on, a messenger came from General
+Williams, who had command of the regiment protecting headquarters,
+saying that he feared he could not control the mob which had collected
+in the street.
+
+"Butler calmly replied: 'Give my compliments to General Williams, and
+tell him if he finds he cannot control the mob, to open upon them with
+artillery.'
+
+"At that the mayor and his friends sprang to their feet, exclaiming
+excitedly, 'Don't do that, General.' Butler asked, 'Why not?' and went
+on, 'The mob must be controlled. We can't have a disturbance in the
+street.'
+
+"At that the mayor stepped out upon the balcony and spoke to the mob,
+telling them of the general's orders and advising them to disperse.
+
+"At that interview General Butler read to his callers the proclamation
+he was about to issue. Soul� told him it would give great offence, and
+that the people would never submit to its demands; for they were not
+conquered and could not be expected to act as a conquered people would.
+'Withdraw your troops and leave the city government to manage its own
+affairs,' he said. 'If the troops remain there will certainly be
+trouble.'"
+
+"And Butler, of course, did as he was told," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Not exactly," returned the captain. "'I did not expect to hear from Mr.
+Soul� a threat on this occasion,' he said. 'I have long been accustomed
+to hear threats from Southern gentlemen in political conventions, but
+let me assure the gentlemen present that the time for tactics of that
+nature has passed, never to return. New Orleans _is_ a conquered city.
+If not, why are we here? How did we get here? Have you opened your arms
+and bid us welcome? Are we here by your consent? Would you, or would you
+not, expel us if you could? New Orleans has been conquered by the forces
+of the United States, and by the laws of all nations lies subject to the
+will of the conquerors.'"
+
+"Some of the New Orleans people, especially the women, behaved very
+badly, did they not, captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; though no man was injured by the troops, who behaved in a
+perfectly orderly manner; no woman was treated with the slightest
+disrespect, though the women were very offensive in their manifestations
+of contempt of the officers, not omitting even the commanding officer
+himself. They would leave street cars and church pews when a Federal
+officer entered them; the sidewalks also, going round the gentlemen,
+turning up their noses and sometimes uttering abusive words; they wore
+secession colors in their bonnets, sang rebel songs, and turned their
+backs on passing soldiers, when out on their balconies, and played airs
+that were used with rebel words; indeed they tried to show in every
+possible way their contempt and aversion for the Union officers and
+soldiers. At length a woman of the 'dominant class,' meeting two Union
+officers on the street, spit in their faces. Then General Butler decided
+to at once put a stop to such proceedings, and on the 5th of May he
+issued order No. 28, which had the desired effect."
+
+"What was it, papa? What did he order the people, or the soldiers, to
+do?" queried Lulu.
+
+"The amount of the order was that every woman who should behave as that
+one had, insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the
+United States, should be regarded and held liable to be treated as not
+of good moral character. The mayor made it the subject of another
+impudent and absurd letter to General Butler, for which he was arrested,
+but he was soon released again upon making a humble apology."
+
+"Did they let him be mayor again, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"No; instead General G. F. Sheply of Maine, was appointed Military
+Governor of New Orleans, and made an excellent one, having the city made
+cleaner, and in consequence more wholesome, than it had been for years,
+if ever before. Soon after that William B. Mumford was arrested, tried
+by a military court for treason in having torn down the flag, found
+guilty, and hanged."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+THERE was a moment of silence broken by Lulu with an eager exclamation.
+"Oh, papa, don't you remember that when we were at Saratoga last summer
+you promised that sometime you would tell us about the fighting in the
+Revolution near and at Fort Schuyler? and won't you please do so now?"
+
+"I will if the others wish to hear it," he replied, and a general eager
+assent being given he at once began the story.
+
+"Fort Schuyler," he said, "at first called Fort Stanwix, in honor of the
+general of that name, who directed the work of its erection, stood at
+the head of boat navigation on the Mohawk, where the village of Rome now
+is. It cost the British and Colonial Government two hundred and
+sixty-six thousand four hundred dollars and was a strong post of
+resistance to attack from the French in Canada, with whom, as you all
+know, I think, the colonists were often at war, on their own account or
+that of the mother country, and a powerful protection to the Indian
+trade. It commanded the portage between Lake Ontario and the Mohawk
+valley, the theatre of many stirring events during the War of the
+Revolution. Indians and Tories kept in terror the people who lived there
+and were loyal to the cause of their country. There were daylight
+struggles and stealthy midnight attacks in such numbers that Tryon
+County came to be spoken of as 'the dark and bloody ground.'
+
+"Congress perceiving the importance of defending the northern and
+western frontiers of New York from incursions by the British and
+Indians, sent General Schuyler to strengthen old Fort Stanwix, which had
+been allowed to fall into a state of decay so that it was little more
+than a ruin, and, if he found it necessary, to erect other
+fortifications.
+
+"General Phillip Schuyler was a gentleman of fortune, of military skill,
+experience, sound judgment, and lofty patriotism. Lossing tells us that,
+'for causes quite inexplicable, he was superseded in effect by Gates in
+March 1777, but reinstated in May, and that no appointment could have
+been more acceptable to the people of northern New York, who were at
+that time in a state of great excitement and alarm.'
+
+"In recent campaigns against the French and Indians on Lakes Champlain
+and George, General Schuyler had done great service to the colony and
+the people along the northern frontier. That of itself was sufficient
+cause for attachment to him, besides his many virtues, which had
+endeared him to all who knew him. And in fighting the British he would
+be defending his own home and large landed estate.
+
+"In March, 1777, Burgoyne arrived at Quebec, bearing the commission of a
+lieutenant-general, and by the first of June a force of seven thousand
+men was collected for him and mustered at St. John's at the foot of Lake
+Champlain. Also the British Lieutenant-colonel St. Leger, was sent with
+a force of seven hundred rangers up the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario to
+Oswego. He was to gather the Indians, make friends with them, and get
+them to act as his allies; then to sweep the valley of the Mohawk, with
+the help of Johnson and his Tories, take Fort Schuyler, and afterward
+join Burgoyne.
+
+"Colonel Peter Gansevoort was at that time in command of Fort Schuyler.
+The people of Tryon County, hearing of St. Leger's movement, and that a
+descent was to be made upon them by the way of Oswego, were greatly
+alarmed. In June a man from Canada was arrested as a spy and from him
+the Americans learned that a detachment of British, Canadians, and
+Indians was coming against them on their way to join Burgoyne at
+Albany."
+
+"But Burgoyne never got there--to Albany--until he went as a prisoner;
+did he, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"No, my boy, he was defeated and made prisoner while on his way to the
+city. The battle of Saratoga was a disastrous one to the invaders of our
+land.
+
+"The intelligence of which I just spoke as given by the spy was
+afterward confirmed by Thomas Spencer, a friendly Oneida half breed
+sachem, who was sent to Canada as a secret emissary and there became
+acquainted with the plans of Burgoyne.
+
+"For a time the loyal people, the Whigs, who were for their native land
+and not for the English king who had been showing himself a tyrant and
+oppressor, were almost paralyzed with alarm. Fort Schuyler was still
+unfinished and the garrison feeble. But Colonel Gansevoort was hopeful,
+vigilant, and active. He wrote urgently to General Schuyler for aid, and
+the general made a like appeal to the Provincial Congress of New York,
+and the General Congress. But it was too late for them to send him help
+before the attack would be made.
+
+"On the 2d of August Brant and Lieutenant Bird began the investment of
+the fort, and on that very day Gansevoort and his little garrison of
+seven hundred and fifty men received a re-enforcement of two hundred men
+under Lieutenant-colonel Melon, and two bateaux loaded with provisions
+and military stores; a most welcome addition to the scant supplies in
+the fort.
+
+"The next day Colonel St. Leger arrived with the rest of his troops. The
+siege was begun on the 4th. The Indians, hiding in the bushes, wounded
+some of our men who were at work on the parapets, and a few bombs were
+thrown into the fort.
+
+"The next day it was the same; the Indians spread themselves about
+through the woods encircling the fort, and all through the night tried
+to intimidate the Americans by their hideous yells.
+
+"On that very day General Herkimer was coming to its aid with more than
+eight hundred men of the militia of Tryon County. He was near Oriskany,
+a little village eight miles eastward from the fort; from there he sent
+a messenger to tell Colonel Gansevoort that he was approaching, and
+asking to be informed of the man's arrival by the firing of three guns
+in quick succession, knowing that they could be heard at Oriskany. But
+unfortunately his messenger did not reach the fort until the next day,
+and while Herkimer, who though brave was cautious, decided to halt till
+he should hear the signal or receive re-enforcements, some of his
+officers and men were impatient to push on.
+
+"Herkimer would not consent, and two of his colonels, Paris and Cox,
+called him a coward and a Tory. Herkimer replied calmly, 'I am placed
+over you as a father and guardian and shall not lead you into
+difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you.'
+
+"But they continued their taunts and demands till he was stung by them
+into giving the command, 'March on!'
+
+"St. Leger knew of the advance of Herkimer and his troops and sent a
+division of Johnston's Greens, under Major Watts, Brant with a strong
+body of Indians, and Colonel Butler with his rangers, to intercept him
+and prevent his making an attack upon the entrenchments which he had
+made about Fort Schuyler.
+
+"Gansevoort noticed the silence in the enemy's camp, and also the
+movement of his troops down toward the river along the margin of the
+wood. When the courier came with the message from Herkimer he understood
+the meaning of it all, and immediately fired the signal guns.
+
+"Herkimer had said in his message that he intended, on hearing the
+signals, to cut his way through the camp of the enemy to the fort, and
+asked that a sortie from it should be made at the same time.
+
+"As quickly as possible Gansevoort had it made. A detachment of two
+hundred men, of his own and Wesson's regiments, with an iron
+three-pounder, were detailed for the duty; then fifty more were added
+for the protection of the cannon and to assist in whatever way they
+could. Colonel Marinus Willett was given the command.
+
+"It rained heavily while the necessary preparations were going on in the
+fort, but the moment it ceased Willett and his men hastened out and
+attacked the enemy furiously.
+
+"The advanced guard were driven in, and so sudden and impetuous was the
+charge that Sir John Johnson had no time to put on his coat. He tried to
+bring his troops into order, but they were so panic stricken that they
+fled, and he with them. They crossed the river to St. Leger's camp and
+the Indians concealed themselves in the deep forest.
+
+"The Americans took much plunder; all Sir John's baggage and his papers,
+as well as those of other officers, giving valuable information to the
+garrison of Fort Schuyler; also the British colors, all of which--there
+were five--the Americans presently raised upon their flagstaff, beneath
+their own rude flag--fashioned, as I have already told some of you, out
+of strips of red and white obtained by tearing up men's shirts for the
+one, and joining bits of scarlet cloth for the other; while a blue cloak
+belonging to Captain Abraham Swartwout, of Dutchess County, then in the
+fort, was used to form the ground for the white stars, and the staff
+upon which all these hung was in full view of the enemy. Then the whole
+garrison mounted the parapets and made the forest ring with three loud
+cheers.
+
+"While all this was going on in and around the fort, General Herkimer
+and his men were coming toward it through the woods. It was a dark,
+sultry morning. The troops were chiefly militia regiments and marched in
+an irregular, careless way, neglecting proper precautions.
+
+"Brant and his Tories took advantage of this carelessness, hid
+themselves in a ravine which crossed Herkimer's path, and had a thick
+growth of underwood along its margin, which made it easy for them to
+conceal themselves, and when all except the rear-guard of the
+unsuspecting Americans had entered the ravine, where the ground was
+marshy and crossed by a causeway of earth and logs, Brant gave a signal,
+immediately followed by a warwhoop, and the savages fell upon our poor
+men with spear, hatchet, and rifle-ball; as Lossing says, 'like hail
+from the clouds that hovered over them.'
+
+"The rear-guard fled and left the others to their fate, yet perhaps
+suffered more from the pursuing Indians than they would if they had
+stood their ground, helping their fellows. The attack had been so sudden
+that there was great confusion in the ranks; but they presently
+recovered and fought like veterans; fought bravely for their lives, and
+for their country."
+
+"And were many of them killed, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes," replied the captain sighing; "the slaughter was dreadful, and the
+good general was soon among the wounded. A musket ball passed through
+his horse, killing it and sadly wounding him, shattering his leg just
+below the knee. He at once ordered the saddle taken from his horse and
+placed against a large beech tree near by, and there he sat during the
+rest of the fight, calmly giving his orders while the enemy's bullets
+whistled around him like sleet, killing and wounding his men on every
+side."
+
+"He was no coward after all," exclaimed Walter, his eyes shining. "But
+did any of our men escape being killed, sir?"
+
+"After a little they formed themselves into circles," continued the
+captain, "so meeting the enemy at all points, and their fire became so
+destructive that the Tories and the Johnson Greens charged with the
+bayonet, and the patriots being equally prompt to defend themselves, it
+became a terrible hand to hand fight.
+
+"It was at length stopped by the shower that had delayed the sortie from
+the fort; both parties seeking shelter under the trees. Then, as soon as
+the shower was over, Colonel Willett made his sally from the fort,
+attacking Johnson's camp, and the battle at Oriskany was renewed.
+
+"It is said to have been the bloodiest of the war in proportion to the
+numbers engaged. It is stated that about one-third of the militia fell
+on the battle ground, and as many more were mortally wounded or carried
+into captivity. About fifty wounded were carried from the field on
+litters, General Herkimer among them. He was taken to his own home,
+where he died ten days afterward."
+
+"But who gained the victory, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"The Americans, the others having fled; but they were unable to
+accomplish the object of the expedition--the relief of Fort Schuyler.
+And surrounded as they were by the enemy, the men in the fort could gain
+no intelligence as to the result of the fight at Oriskany, and St. Leger
+took advantage of their ignorance to falsely represent the British to
+have been the victors to the total defeat of the Americans, and announce
+a victorious advance by Burgoyne.
+
+"Two American officers, Colonel Billenger and Major Frey, who had been
+taken prisoners, were forced to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort,
+containing many misrepresentations and advising him to surrender. This
+Colonel Butler delivered to Gansevoort and verbally demanded his
+surrender.
+
+"Gansevoort refused, saying he would not answer such a summons verbally
+made unless by St. Leger himself.
+
+"The next morning Butler and two other officers drew near the fort
+carrying a white flag, and asked to be admitted as bearers of a message
+to the commander of the fort.
+
+"The request was granted, but they were first blindfolded, then
+conducted to the dining room of the fort, where they were received by
+Gansevoort, the windows of the room being closed and candles lighted."
+
+"What was that for, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"To prevent them from seeing what was the condition of things within the
+fort," replied her father.
+
+"And was Gansevoort alone with them, papa?"
+
+"No; he had with him Colonels Willett and Mellen. Butler and his
+companions were politely received, and one of them, Major Ancram by
+name, made a little speech, telling of the humanity of St. Leger's
+feelings, and his desire to prevent bloodshed; that he found it
+difficult to keep the Indians in check, and that the only salvation of
+the garrison was an immediate surrender of the fort and all its stores.
+Officers and soldiers would be allowed to keep their baggage and other
+private property, and their personal safety would be guaranteed. He
+added that he hoped these honorable terms would be immediately
+accepted, for if not it would not be in St. Leger's power to offer them
+again."
+
+"So the Americans of course were afraid to reject them?" sniffed Walter.
+
+"Hardly," returned the captain with a smile. "But that was not all
+Ancram said with a view to inducing them to do so. He went on to say
+that the Indians were eager to march down the country, laying it waste
+and killing the inhabitants; that Herkimer's relief corps had been
+totally destroyed, Burgoyne had possession of Albany, and there was no
+longer any hope for this garrison."
+
+"What a liar he was, that Ancram!" exclaimed Walter. "Why, Burgoyne had
+not even got as far as Saratoga then."
+
+"No," responded the captain, "and the bright and plucky officers of Fort
+Schuyler, to whom he was speaking, were not so easily hood-winked; they
+saw through his designs, and were not to be deceived by the falsehoods
+and misrepresentations of his address.
+
+"It was Colonel Willett who, with the approval of Gansevoort, made
+answer, speaking, as Lossing says, with 'emphasis,' and looking Ancram
+full in the face.
+
+"'Do I understand you, sir? I think you say that you came from a British
+colonel, who is commander of the army that invests this fort; and, by
+your uniform, you appear to be an officer in the British service. You
+have made a long speech on the occasion of your visit, which, stripped
+of all its superfluities, amounts to this: that you come from a British
+colonel to the commandant of this garrison, to tell him that, if he does
+not deliver up the garrison into the hands of your colonel, he will send
+his Indians to murder our women and children. You will please to
+reflect, sir, that their blood will be upon your heads, not upon ours.
+We are doing our duty; this garrison is committed to our care, and we
+will take care of it. After you get out of it, you may turn round and
+look at its outside, but never expect to come in again unless you come a
+prisoner. I consider the message you have brought a degrading one for a
+British officer to send, and by no means reputable for a British officer
+to carry. For my own part, I declare, before I would consent to deliver
+this garrison to such a murdering set as your army, by your own account,
+consists of, I would suffer my body to be filled with splinters and set
+on fire, as you know has at times been practiced by such hordes of women
+and children killers as belong to your army.'"
+
+"Good!" said Walter; "and the other two American officers, I suppose,
+agreed with him."
+
+"Yes," Captain Raymond replied, "and they all felt satisfied that they
+would not be so urgently pressed to surrender at once, and on conditions
+so favorable, if their prospects were as dark as their besiegers would
+have them believe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+"ST. LEGER made another effort to induce them to do so," continued
+Captain Raymond. "On the 9th he sent a written demand offering about the
+same terms as before.
+
+"Gansevoort replied in writing: 'Sir, your letter of this date I have
+received, in answer to which I say, that it is my determined resolution,
+with the force under my command, to defend this fort to the last
+extremity, in behalf of the United States, who have placed me here to
+defend it against all their enemies.'"
+
+"Did the British give it up then, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"No; they began digging and making preparations to run a mine under the
+strongest bastion of the fort, while at the same time they sent out an
+address to the people of Tryon County, signed by Clause, Johnson, and
+Butler, urging them to submit to British rule, asserting that they
+themselves were desirous to have peace, and threatening that in case of
+refusal all the horrors of Indian cruelty would be visited upon them.
+Also they called upon the principal men of the valley to come up to
+Fort Schuyler and compel its garrison to surrender, as they would be
+forced to do in the end."
+
+"Did the men in the fort give up then, papa?" queried Grace.
+
+"No, no indeed, little daughter!" he replied. "They were brave men, and
+staunch patriots, and had no intention to surrender so long as they
+could possibly hold out; but fearing ammunition might give out, their
+supply of provisions too, they resolved to send word to General
+Schuyler, who was then at Stillwater, asking for aid from him in their
+sore extremity.
+
+"Of course it would be a hazardous attempt, but Colonel Willett offered
+to be the messenger, and one stormy night he and Lieutenant Stockwell
+left the fort at ten o'clock by the sally-port, each armed with a spear,
+and crept along the morass on hands and knees, to the river, which they
+crossed upon a log. Their way lay through a tangled wood and they soon
+lost it. The bark of a dog presently warned them that they were near an
+Indian camp, and fearing to either advance or retreat they stood still
+there for several hours.
+
+"But at length the dawn of day showed them where they were, so that they
+were able to find the right road and pursue their way. They took a
+zigzag course, now on land, now through the bed of a stream, to foil any
+attempt on the part of some possible pursuer to gain upon them by the
+scent of their footsteps.
+
+"They arrived safely at the German Flats, mounted fleet horses, and sped
+down the valley to the quarters of General Schuyler. On arriving they
+learned that he had already heard of the defeat of Herkimer, and was
+preparing to send succor to the besieged in the fort.
+
+"Meanwhile St. Leger was pressing his siege, and the garrison, hearing
+nothing of the successful journey of their messengers, or of aid coming
+to them from any quarter, many of them began to grow despondent and to
+hint to their commander that it might be best to surrender, as their
+supply of both provisions and ammunition was getting low.
+
+"But Gansevoort was too brave and hopeful to think of so doing. He told
+the despondent ones that in case help did not arrive before their
+supplies were exhausted, they would sally forth in the night and cut
+their way through the enemy's camp.
+
+"But relief came in an unexpected manner, that always reminds me of that
+siege of Samaria by the host of the Syrians, in the days of Elisha the
+prophet of Israel, and the way the Lord took to deliver them, causing
+'the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots and a noise of horses, even the
+noise of a great host; and they said one to another, Lo, the King of
+Israel hath hired against us the Kings of the Hittites and the Kings of
+the Egyptians to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the
+twilight, and left their tents and their horses, and there asses, even
+the camp as it was, and fled for their lives.' For suddenly and
+mysteriously the British, Indians, and Tories besieging Fort Schuyler
+did the same--fled, leaving tents, artillery, and camp equipage behind
+them."
+
+"Why, papa, how very strange!" exclaimed Lulu, "were they really
+frightened in the same way?"
+
+"Not exactly the same but somewhat like it," replied her father.
+"General Schuyler, then at the mouth of the Mohawk, had made an appeal
+to his men for volunteers to go to the relief of Gansevoort and his men,
+now besieged by the enemy in Fort Schuyler, and Arnold and his troops,
+most of them Massachusetts men, responded with alacrity and, joined by
+the First New York regiment, they marched at once.
+
+"Arnold's force was much smaller than that of St. Leger's and he
+resorted to stratagem as the only means of securing his end. A half
+idiot, a nephew of General Herkimer, named Hon-Yost Schuyler, a coarse,
+ignorant fellow, had been taken prisoner along with that Walter Butler
+who had been arrested while carrying to the people of Tryon County the
+call for them to force the defenders of Fort Schuyler to surrender,
+tried and condemned as a spy.
+
+"The same thing had befallen Hon-Yost, but his mother plead for him, and
+though at first Arnold was inexorable, he at length agreed to release
+the fellow on condition that he would go to Fort Schuyler and alarm St.
+Leger with the story that the Americans were coming against him in force
+to compel the raising of the siege.
+
+"Hon-Yost seemed not at all unwilling, readily gave the required
+promise, and his mother offered to remain as a hostage for his faithful
+performance of the duty; but Arnold chose instead Nicholas, the brother
+of Hon-Yost, as his security.
+
+"Hon-Yost managed the business with great adroitness. Before leaving he
+had seven bullets shot through his coat, which he showed to the British
+and Indians on arriving at their encampment as proof of 'a terrible
+engagement with the enemy.' He was acquainted with many of the Indians,
+and when he came rushing into the camp almost out of breath with haste
+and fright, apparently, telling this story, with the added information
+that the Americans were coming and he had barely escaped with his life,
+his hearers were very much alarmed.
+
+"They asked what were the numbers of the Americans, and in reply he
+shook his head mysteriously, pointing as he did so to the leaves on the
+trees, as if he would say that they were numberless.
+
+"The Indians, who had been uneasy and moody ever since the battle of
+Oriskany, and were at the moment of Hon-Yost's arrival holding a pow-wow
+to plead with the 'Great Spirit' to guide and direct them, at once
+resolved to flee, and told St. Leger of their decision.
+
+"He sent for Hon-Yost, questioned him, and was told that Arnold would be
+there in twenty-four hours with two thousand men.
+
+"Hon-Yost had come in to the camp alone, he and the Oneida chief having
+laid their plans before hand, the chief to arrive a little later than
+the other, so that they would not appear to be in collusion, and just as
+Hon-Yost finished his story to St. Leger, the chief and two or three
+straggling Indians of his tribe, who had joined him on his way, came in
+with the same story of the near approach of a large body of Americans.
+One told St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men with him; another
+that the army of Burgoyne was cut to pieces. They pretended that a bird
+had brought them news that the valley below was swarming with warriors.
+
+"The savages were now thoroughly alarmed, and all the bribes and
+promises of St. Leger could not induce them to remain any longer; they
+suspected foul play and would not touch the strong drink he offered, and
+when, finding that they would go, he asked them to take the rear in
+retreating, they indignantly refused, saying, 'You mean to sacrifice us.
+When you marched down you said there would be no fighting for Indians;
+we might go down and smoke our pipes; numbers of our warriors have been
+killed, and you mean to sacrifice us also.'
+
+"The council broke up, the Indians fled, the panic was communicated to
+the rest of the army, and they fled in terror to their boats on Oneida
+Lake, the Indians making merry over their flight, hurrying on after them
+with the warning cry: 'They are coming, they are coming!' So alarmed
+were the Tories and British troops that they threw away their knapsacks
+and their arms as they ran. Also the Indians killed or robbed many of
+them and took their boats, so that St. Leger said, 'they became more
+formidable than the enemy we had to expect.'"
+
+"And did the Americans chase them that time, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; Gansevoort at once sent word to Arnold that the British were
+retreating, and Arnold sent nine hundred men in pursuit. The next day he
+himself reached the fort; but he and his men presently marched back to
+the main army, then at Stillwater, leaving Colonel Willett in command of
+Fort Schuyler.
+
+"So ended the siege of which Lossing says that 'in its progress were
+shown the courage, skill, and endurance of the Americans everywhere so
+remarkable in the revolution.'"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Walter; "but will you please tell what became of
+Hon-Yost?"
+
+"Yes; he went with the British as far as Wood Creek, then managed to
+desert and at once carried the news of Arnold's approach to Fort
+Schuyler. He went back to Fort Dayton, afterward fled with his family
+and fourteen of his Tory friends, and joined Sir John Johnson. When the
+war was over he returned to the valley, where he died in 1818."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+"NOW, papa, if you're not too tired won't you please tell us about the
+writing of the 'Star-Spangled Banner'?" pleaded Lulu, with a smiling,
+coaxing look up into her father's face.
+
+"I am not too tired, and if all wish to hear it, will willingly tell the
+story to the best of my ability," he replied, taking in his and softly
+patting the hand she had laid on his knee.
+
+"I'm sure we will all be glad to hear it, sir," said Walter. "It
+happened in the War of 1812, didn't it?"
+
+"Yes. The British had taken Washington, where they had behaved more like
+vandals than civilized men, burning and destroying both public buildings
+and private property--the Capitol, the President's house, the Arsenal,
+the library of Congress, and barracks for nearly three thousand troops;
+besides private property--a large ropewalk, some houses on Capitol Hill,
+and a tavern; all of which they burned. The light of the fire was seen
+at Baltimore, and the news of the capture of Washington caused intense
+excitement there; particularly because it was known that the British
+were so much exasperated at the Baltimoreans on account of its being
+the place whence had been sent out many swift clipper-built vessels and
+expert seamen who had struck heavy blows at British commerce on the high
+seas.
+
+"Baltimore is on the Patapsco River, ten miles from Chesapeake Bay. The
+narrow strait connecting harbor and bay is defended by Fort McHenry,
+which stood there at that time. It was expected that Baltimore would be
+the next point of attack by the enemy, and there was, of course, great
+excitement.
+
+"General Samuel Smith, who had been a revolutionary officer, at once
+exerted himself to prepare both Baltimore and Annapolis for successful
+defence. He was a fine officer. You all perhaps remember him as
+commander at Fort Mifflin when attacked by the British and Hessians in
+the Revolutionary War. He had been active in this war also, ever since
+the appearance of a British squadron in the Chesapeake, in the spring of
+the previous year, 1813."
+
+"And this was in the fall of 1814, was it not, captain?" queried Evelyn.
+
+"Yes, early in September. In the spring of 1813 it was rumored that the
+British were coming to attack the city, and several persons were
+arrested as traitors and spies. Also five thousand men were quickly in
+arms ready to defend the city, and companies of militia came pouring in
+from the country. All this within a few hours.
+
+"Then General Striker's brigade and other military bodies, to the number
+of five thousand and with forty pieces of artillery, were reviewed. The
+marine artillery of Baltimore was one hundred and sixty in number,
+commanded by Captain George Stiles, and composed of masters and master's
+mates of vessels there. It was a corps celebrated for its gallantry, and
+was armed with forty-two pounders.
+
+"Finding the city so well prepared to give them a warm reception the
+British abandoned their intention to attack it, went to sea, and
+Baltimore enjoyed a season of repose. But, as I have been telling you,
+they returned after the capture of Washington, and again the people set
+to work at preparations for defence.
+
+"General Smith was made first in command of all the military force
+intended to insure the safety of the city. But it is with the attack
+upon Fort McHenry and its repulse that we are concerned. The fort was
+garrisoned by about a thousand men under the command of Major George
+Armistead."
+
+"Regulars, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Some were, others volunteers," replied the captain. "There were,
+besides, four land batteries to assist in the work. But I will not go
+into particulars in regard to them, as I know they would be rather
+uninteresting to the greater part of my listeners.
+
+"It was on Sunday evening, September 11, that the British were seen in
+strong force at the mouth of the Patapsco, preparing to land at North
+Point, fifteen miles from the city by land, twelve by water. Their fleet
+anchored off that point, two miles from the shore. It was a beautiful
+night, a full moon shining in a cloudless sky, and the air balmy.
+
+"Ross intended to take Baltimore by surprise, and had boasted that he
+would eat his Sunday dinner there. At two o'clock in the morning the
+boats were lowered from his ships, and seamen and land troops went on
+shore, protected by several gun brigs anchored very near. The men were
+armed, of course, and each boat had a carronade ready for action.
+Admiral Cockburn and General Ross were on shore by about seven o'clock
+with 5000 land troops, 2000 seamen, and 2000 marines.
+
+"Their intention was to march rapidly upon Baltimore and take it by
+surprise, therefore they carried as little baggage as possible, and only
+eighty rounds apiece of ammunition. At the same time a frigate was sent
+to make soundings in the channel leading to Baltimore, as the navy was
+intended to take part in the attack upon the city."
+
+"Oh, wasn't everybody terribly frightened, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"There was a good deal of alarm," replied the captain, "and many of the
+citizens fled, with their valuables, to places in the interior of the
+country, filling the hotels for nearly a hundred miles north of the
+city.
+
+"I will not at present go into the details of the battle of North Point,
+which immediately followed, but will tell of what was going on upon the
+water.
+
+"The British frigates, schooners, sloops, and bomb-ketches had passed
+into the Patapsco early in the morning, while Ross was moving from North
+Point, and anchored off Fort McHenry, but beyond the reach of its guns.
+The bomb and rocket vessels were so posted as to act upon Fort McHenry
+and the fortifications on the hill, commanded by Rodgers. The frigates
+were stationed farther outward, the water being too shallow to allow
+them to approach within four or five miles of the city, or two and a
+half of the fort.
+
+"Besides, the Americans had sunk twenty-four vessels in the narrow
+channel between Fort McHenry and Lazaretto Point, to prevent the passage
+of the vessels of the enemy.
+
+"That night was spent by the British fleet in preparations for the
+morrow's attack upon the fort and the entrenchments on the hill, and on
+the morning of the 13th their bomb-vessels opened a heavy fire upon the
+American works, about seven o'clock, and at a distance of two miles.
+They kept up a heavy bombardment until three o'clock in the afternoon.
+
+"Armistead at once opened the batteries of Fort McHenry upon them, but,
+after keeping up a brisk fire for some time, discovered that his
+missiles fell short and were harmless. It was a great disappointment to
+find that he must endure the tremendous shower of the shells of the
+enemy without being able to return it in kind, or do anything whatever
+to check it. But our brave fellows kept at their posts, enduring the
+storm with great courage and fortitude.
+
+"At length a bomb-shell dismounted one of the twenty-four pounders,
+killing Lieutenant Claggett and wounding several of his men. That caused
+some confusion, which Cochrane perceived, and, hoping to profit by it,
+he ordered three of his bomb-vessels to move up nearer the fort,
+thinking to thus increase the effectiveness of his guns.
+
+"No movement could have been more acceptable to Armistead, and he
+quickly took advantage of it, ordering a general cannonade and
+bombardment from every part of the fort, thus punishing the enemy so
+severely that in less than half an hour he fell back to his old
+anchorage.
+
+"One of their rocket vessels was so badly injured that, to save her from
+being entirely destroyed, a number of small boats had to be sent to tow
+her out of the reach of Armistead's guns. The garrison gave three cheers
+and ceased firing.
+
+"The British vessels returned to their former stations and again opened
+fire, keeping up, with very little intermission, a furious bombardment
+until past midnight, when it was discovered that they (the British) had
+sent a pretty large force up the Patapsco to capture Fort Covington,
+commanded by Lieutenant Newcomb, of the United States Navy, and the City
+Battery, then attack Fort McHenry in the rear. For this purpose there
+had been sent one thousand two hundred and fifty men in barges, with
+scaling ladders and other implements for storming the fort. But
+providentially their errand was made known to the garrison of Fort
+McHenry in good season by the throwing up of rockets to examine the
+shores, and not the fort alone but also two redoubts on the Patapsco
+immediately opened a heavy fire upon them, and drove them away.
+
+"So heavy was the firing that the houses of Baltimore were shaken to
+their very foundations. Lossing tells us that Rodgers's men in Fort
+Covington worked their guns with effect, but to Webster's continuous
+cannonade with his six gun battery Armistead said he was persuaded the
+country was much indebted for the final repulse of the enemy. The
+historian adds that he thinks it not too much to say that Webster's
+gallant conduct on that occasion saved both Fort McHenry and the city."
+
+"Were any of the British killed, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes, a large number; also two of their vessels were sunk."
+
+"And did they go on firing at the fort?"
+
+"They did, until seven o'clock in the morning of the 14th, then ceased
+entirely."
+
+"Oh, papa, you have not told us of the writing of the 'Star-Spangled
+Banner'!" exclaimed Lulu. "Wasn't it that night it was written?"
+
+"Yes; by Mr. Francis S. Key, a resident of Georgetown in the District of
+Columbia, who was at that time a volunteer in the light artillery
+commanded by Major Peter.
+
+"When the British returned to their vessels after the capture of
+Washington, they carried with them Dr. Beanes, a well known physician of
+Upper Marlborough. Cockburn carried him away on board the flag-ship of
+Admiral Cochrane, in spite of the intercession of his friends.
+
+"Then Mr. Key was entreated by the friends to go to Cochrane and
+intercede for the doctor's release. Key consented, obtained permission
+of the President, and went under a flag of truce in the cartel ship
+_Minden_ in company with General Skinner.
+
+"When they reached the British fleet it was at the mouth of the Potomac,
+preparing to attack Baltimore, and though Cochrane agreed to release Dr.
+Beanes, he refused to let him or his friends return then. They were
+placed on board the _Surprise_ and courteously treated. The fleet sailed
+up to the Patapsco, and they were transferred to their own vessel, but
+with a guard of marines to prevent them from landing and communicating
+with their friends and countrymen.
+
+"Their vessel was anchored in sight of Fort McHenry, and from her deck
+the Americans watched the fight, oh, so anxiously! and though it was, as
+I have said, over before midnight, those anxious watchers did not know
+until morning how it had ended--whether by surrender of the fort, or the
+abandonment on the part of the enemy of the attempt to take it. It was
+with very anxious hearts they waited for the coming of the dawn, but at
+last, in the dim light, as the day began to break, their eyes were
+gladdened by the sight, through their glasses directed toward Fort
+McHenry, of the beautiful stars and stripes 'still there,' and to their
+great joy they soon learned that the attack on Baltimore had failed,
+that Ross was killed, and the British were returning to their vessels.
+
+"It was while pacing the deck during the bombardment, full of anxiety
+for the result, that Mr. Key composed that song so dear to the American
+heart, 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'"
+
+"Oh, let us sing it!" exclaimed Lulu, and with one consent, patriotic
+enthusiasm swelling in every breast, they did so, the voices of old and
+young uniting in the soul-stirring words.
+
+  "Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
+    What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
+   Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
+    O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
+              And the rockets' red glare
+              The bombs bursting in air,
+   Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
+   Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
+
+  "On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
+    Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
+   What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
+    As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
+              Now it catches the gleam
+              Of the morning's first beam,
+   In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream;
+   'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh, long may it wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
+
+  "And where are the foes who so vauntingly swore
+    That the havoc of war, and the battle's confusion,
+   A home and a country should leave us no more?
+    Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution;
+              No refuge could save
+              The hireling and slave,
+   From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave;
+   And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
+
+  "Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
+    Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
+   Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
+    Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
+              Then conquer we must
+              When our cause it is just,
+   And this be our motto, 'In God is our trust';
+   And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
+
+A moment of silence followed the dying away of the last strains, then
+Captain Raymond resumed his narrative:
+
+"The first rough notes of the song were written by Key upon the back of
+a letter he happened to have in his pocket, and after his arrival in
+Baltimore he wrote it out in full. The next morning he read it to his
+uncle, Judge Nicholson, one of the gallant defenders of the fort, asking
+his opinion of it. The judge was delighted with it, took it to the
+printing office of Captain Benjamin Edes, and directed copies to be
+struck off in handbill form. That was done, the handbills were
+distributed, and it was sung first in the street, in front of Edes'
+office, by James Lawrenson, a lad but twelve years of age. That was on
+the second day after the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The song was 'set
+up,' printed, and distributed by another lad seventeen or eighteen years
+old, named Samuel Sands. It created intense enthusiasm, was sung nightly
+at the theater, and everywhere in public and private."
+
+"Papa," asked Lulu, "what became of that very star-spangled banner Mr.
+Key was looking for when he wrote the song?"
+
+"I presume it is still in existence," replied her father. "Lossing says
+it was shown him in Baltimore, during the Civil War, by Christopher
+Hughes Armistead, the son of the gallant defender of the fort, and that
+it had in it eleven holes made by the shot of the British during the
+bombardment."
+
+"Had not the British made very sure beforehand of being able to take
+Baltimore, Captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; and their intention was to make it the base for future operations.
+As early as the 17th of June a London paper said, 'In the diplomatic
+circles it is rumored that our naval and military commanders on the
+American station have no power to conclude any armistice or suspension
+of arms. They carry with them certain terms which will be offered to the
+American government at the point of the bayonet. There is reason to
+believe that America will be left in a much worse situation, as a naval
+and commercial power, than she was at the commencement of the war."
+
+"Ah, but they crowed too soon--before they were out of the woods,"
+laughed Walter. "They needed the lesson they got at Baltimore, and the
+one Jackson gave them some months later at New Orleans."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+"CAPTAIN, I fear we have been imposing sadly upon good nature in asking
+so much history of you in one evening," remarked Grandma Elsie; "and you
+have been extremely kind in complying with the request."
+
+"It has been a pleasure to me, mother," he returned. "There is hardly a
+subject more interesting to me than the history of my dear native land,
+and it is my ardent desire to train and teach my children to be
+earnestly, intelligently patriotic."
+
+"Including your pupils in the list, I presume, sir?" supplemented Rosie,
+with a saucy smile up into his face.
+
+"Of course, little sister, and as many others as I can influence," was
+his pleasant toned rejoinder. "But I am happy to believe that there are
+few Americans who are not ardent lovers of their own country,
+considering it the best the sun shines upon."
+
+"As it certainly is, sir!" exclaimed Walter. "I'm more thankful than
+words can express that God gave me my birth in the United States of
+America."
+
+"As I have no doubt we all are, little brother," said Violet. "But to
+change the subject: when shall we take that delightful trip to New
+Orleans? I suppose the sooner the better, that we may not be too much
+hurried with the necessary dressmaking?"
+
+"I think so," said her mother, "for both the reason you have given and
+because the weather will soon become unpleasantly warm for shopping in
+the city."
+
+"You are going with us, mamma?" queried Rosie.
+
+"I really have not thought of it, and probably it would be more prudent
+for me to stay quietly where I am, Rosie dear," she replied.
+
+"Oh, mamma, we must have you along if you are able to go!" exclaimed
+Walter. "Please do say that you will."
+
+"Yes, mamma dear, I think it would do you good," said Violet; and all
+the young folks joined urgently in the request that she would make one
+of the party.
+
+"Perhaps you might, Elsie," her father said in reply to an inquiring
+look directed to him. "I incline to the opinion that such a change,
+after your long seclusion here, might, probably would be, of benefit."
+
+"Possibly, father," she said, "though I had been thinking my staying at
+home might make Vi more comfortable in leaving her little ones for a
+day or two."
+
+"I do not care to go, and will gladly take charge of the babies if Vi
+and the captain will trust me with them," Grandma Rose hastened to say,
+and was warmly thanked by both parents, and assured that they would have
+no hesitation in doing so except on the score of giving her too much
+care and trouble and missing her pleasant companionship on the
+contemplated trip.
+
+However, after some further discussion of the matter, it was decided
+that Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore would remain at Viamede in charge of house
+and little ones during the short absence of the others on the
+contemplated trip.
+
+"Papa, dear papa," Lulu said, with tears shining in her eyes, and
+putting her arms lovingly about his neck when he had come into her room
+to bid her good-night, as his custom was, "you are so good to me, your
+own bad, quick-tempered little daughter! Oh, I do want to be good and
+make you glad that I belong to you."
+
+"I am that, my darling, in spite of all your faults," he said, caressing
+her tenderly. "You are very dear to your father's heart, and I am not
+without hope that you will one day gain full control of the temper which
+causes so much pain to both you and me."
+
+"Oh, I do hope I shall, papa, and I want you to punish me every time I
+indulge it," she said, "but I'm so glad, so thankful to you that you
+have said I may go with you and the others to-morrow. I feel that I
+don't deserve it in the least, but I do intend to try as hard as
+possible to rule my own spirit in future."
+
+"I am glad to hear it, daughter," the captain responded, imprinting a
+kiss upon her forehead. "But I must leave you now, for it is growing
+late and you ought to be in bed, that you may be ready to rise betimes
+in the morning."
+
+"Yes, sir; but oh, do stay one minute longer; I--I----" she paused,
+blushing and a trifle shame faced.
+
+"What is it, daughter?" he asked, smoothing her hair and cheek
+caressingly. "Never be afraid to tell your father all that is in your
+heart."
+
+"Yes, sir; I don't think I'm really afraid--yes, I am a little afraid
+you might be displeased, and I don't want to do anything to vex or
+trouble my dear, kind father, but if you're willing, papa, I would like
+to be allowed to choose for myself what I'm to wear to the wedding."
+
+"Your taste and wishes shall certainly be consulted, daughter," he
+replied kindly, "yet I am not prepared to promise that you may have in
+every case exactly what you would prefer; we must take your mamma and
+Grandma Elsie into our counsels in order to make sure of getting what
+will be most becoming and appropriate."
+
+"Dear me, I would like to be grown up enough to be considered capable of
+choosing things for myself!" she exclaimed with rueful look and tone.
+"But oh, don't be grieved and troubled," as her ear caught the sound of
+a low breathed sigh; "I'm determined I will be good about it. It
+certainly would be a very great shame if I were anything else, papa,
+after all your undeserved goodness to me."
+
+"I do not like to refuse my dear child anything she asks," he said,
+drawing her into a closer embrace, "but I know too much indulgence would
+not be for her happiness in the end. And since life is short and
+uncertain with us all, it may be that she will not be long troubled by
+being subject to her father's control."
+
+"Oh, papa, please don't talk so!" she exclaimed, sudden tears springing
+to her eyes. "I can't bear to think of ever losing my own dear, dear
+father. I hope God may let you live till he is ready to take me too."
+
+"If he sees best I hope we may long be spared to each other," the
+captain said, holding her close to his heart. "But now about the matter
+of which we were speaking. Wise as my dear eldest daughter considers
+herself, her father thinks Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi, by reason of
+their superior age and knowledge, will be better capable of judging what
+will be most suitable for her to wear as one of the bride's-maids. And
+as they are very tasteful in their own dress, and her father is ready to
+go to any reasonable expense that his dear little girl may be suitably
+and tastefully attired, also entirely willing to allow her to decide for
+herself wherever there is a choice between two or more equally suitable
+articles, do you not think, as he does, that she should be ready and
+willing to take what the ladies and he deem most suitable in other
+things which she would perhaps prefer to have somewhat different?"
+
+"Yes, you dear papa," she returned, with a look of ardent affection into
+his eyes. "I do always find out in the end that you know best; and I'd
+even rather wear any of the dresses I have now than not have you pleased
+with me; for I know I'm never the least bit happy when you are
+displeased with me."
+
+"Neither am I," he sighed; "it troubles me more than I can tell when my
+dear daughter Lulu is disobedient and wilful. But it is high time you
+were in bed and resting. God our heavenly Father bless my dear child and
+keep her safely through the silent watches of the night." And, bestowing
+upon her another tender embrace, he released her and left the room.
+
+She was quite ready for bed, and as she laid her head on her pillow,
+"Lulu Raymond," she said to herself, "if you do the least thing to vex
+or trouble that dear father of yours, no punishment he could possibly
+inflict would be equal to your deserts."
+
+In another minute she was fast asleep, nor did she move again till
+awakened by some slight sound to find the sun already shining in at her
+windows.
+
+Her father had directed her the night before what to wear as most
+suitable for making the trip to the city and back again, and she now
+made her toilet in haste, but with the care that he required, and which
+her own neat taste made desirable. She had just finished when he came
+in.
+
+"That is right," he said, with an approving smile, and bending down to
+give her the usual morning caress; "my little girl looks neat and
+bright, and I hope is quite well."
+
+"Yes, papa," she returned, putting her arms round his neck and her lips
+to his in an ardent kiss; "and are you and all the rest?"
+
+"All, so far as I know, and all who are to take the little trip with us
+full of pleasurable excitement. We must now go down to breakfast, which
+is earlier than usual this morning, for we expect the boat in an hour or
+so."
+
+He took her hand and led her from the room as he spoke. "The others have
+nearly all gone down already," he added, "and there is the bell now; so
+we have no time to lose."
+
+Lulu was full of pleasurable excitement. "Oh, I'm so glad and so
+thankful to you, papa, that you will let me go!" she exclaimed, lifting
+to his eyes sparkling with joyous anticipation; "for I know I don't
+deserve it in the very least. But I do intend to be as pleasant tempered
+and obedient as possible."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter, or expect to have any trouble with you," he
+said kindly.
+
+But now they had reached the dining room door, morning salutations were
+exchanged as the different members of the family came flocking in, all
+quickly took their places at the table, the blessing was asked, and the
+meal began.
+
+The talk was almost exclusively of what would probably be seen and done
+during the trip by those who were to take it, suitable gifts for the
+bride that was to be, and necessary or desirable shopping for themselves
+and those remaining at home.
+
+Lulu, sitting beside her father, asked in a low aside, "Papa, may I buy
+a handsome present for Cousin Betty? I've had occasion to spend hardly
+any pocket-money since we have been here; so I think I've enough to get
+her something handsome."
+
+"I shall be pleased to have you do so," he replied, with a pleasant
+smile.
+
+"And I may choose it myself?"
+
+"Yes; but don't you think it would be well to get some assistance from
+the rest of us in making your choice?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir; yes indeed. I really would not want to buy anything you
+and Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi thought unsuitable, or that would not be
+likely to please Cousin Betty."
+
+"And may I too, papa?" asked Grace, who, seated close to his other side,
+had overheard the bit of low toned talk.
+
+"Yes, yes indeed, little daughter," he replied, laying a caressing hand
+upon her head for an instant.
+
+An hour later the little party were all on board the boat steaming away
+in the direction of the Gulf, and the talk was more of the beautiful
+country they were passing through than of the history of that portion
+yet to be visited. Their route grew more interesting to the young
+people, and indeed to all, as they came upon scenes made memorable by
+events in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and that of 1812-14.
+
+As they passed up the river, the captain pointed out Forts St. Philip
+and Jackson, and other localities connected with the doings and
+happenings of those times, all gazing upon them as scenes to be
+indelibly impressed upon the memory of every lover of our dear native
+land.
+
+The localities about New Orleans connected with the struggle there
+against British invaders and aggressors, received due attention also,
+and were regarded with equal interest by the young girls and Walter, to
+say nothing of the older members of the party.
+
+Lulu and Grace, not to speak of Rosie and Evelyn, who were allowed more
+latitude in their selection, or of Walter, who was more than willing to
+trust to "mamma's taste" rather than his own, readily adopted the
+opinions of papa, Grandma Elsie, and Mamma Vi.
+
+On the evening of their second day in the city they went to their hotel,
+weary enough, to enjoy a few hours of rest.
+
+"Mamma dear," said Violet, glancing at her mother's face as they entered
+the lower hall, "you do look so fatigued; let us step into this parlor
+and rest a little before going to our rooms."
+
+"Perhaps it would be as well to do so," replied Mrs. Travilla, following
+her daughter into the room and sinking wearily into an easy chair which
+Violet drew forward for her.
+
+"Oh, dear Grandma Elsie, how tired you do look!" exclaimed Grace; and
+Walter, speaking at the same instant, said in a tone of deep concern,
+"Oh, mamma, how pale you are! You must be ill. I wish Cousin Arthur, or
+some other good doctor, was here to do something to make you feel
+better."
+
+"Mamma, dear mamma, I fear you are really ill!" exclaimed Rosie in a
+tone of anxiety, while Lulu ran back into the hall in search of her
+father, who had stepped aside to the clerk's desk to attend to some
+business matter; for to her he was a tower of strength to be flown to in
+every need.
+
+But an elderly lady and gentleman, the only other occupants of the
+parlor at the moment, hastily rose and drew near the little group, the
+lady saying in a tone of mingled concern and delight, "It is my Cousin
+Elsie--Mrs. Travilla--I am sure! You know me, dear cousin? Mildred
+Keith--Mrs. Dr. Landreth? And this is my husband, the doctor. I think he
+could do something to relieve you."
+
+"Cousin Mildred! Oh, what a joyful surprise! how glad I am to see you!"
+exclaimed Mrs. Travilla, the color coming back to her cheek, and the
+light to her eyes, as she raised herself to a sitting posture and threw
+her arms about Mildred's neck.
+
+The two held each other in a long, tender embrace, hardly conscious for
+the moment of the presence of the others, who stood looking on in
+surprise and delight, Captain Raymond and Lulu having joined the group.
+
+Then mutual introductions and joyous greetings followed, questions
+about absent dear ones were asked and answered, and each party learned
+that the other was in the city for but a brief sojourn, purposing to go
+thence to Viamede or its near vicinity.
+
+And in the meanwhile Mrs. Travilla seemed to have forgotten her
+weariness and exhaustion, and was looking more than ordinarily young and
+bright.
+
+Dr. Landreth remarked it with a pleased smile. "I am glad to meet you,
+Cousin Elsie," he said, "though you seem no longer in need of my
+services as physician."
+
+"No indeed, Cousin Charlie," she returned brightly; "you are so
+excellent a doctor that your very presence--especially when accompanied
+by that of your wife"--with a smiling glance at Mildred--"does one good
+like a medicine."
+
+"Still, if you will allow it, I will prescribe, were it only to keep my
+hand in," he said: "an hour's rest on a couch in your own room, to be
+followed by a good, substantial meal either there or at the table with
+the rest of us."
+
+"Exactly the prescription I should give were I your physician, mother,"
+said Captain Raymond. "May I not assist you to your room?"
+
+"Yes," she said with a smile. "As I know Dr. Landreth to be an excellent
+physician I shall follow his advice, confidently expecting to profit by
+so doing. Doctor," turning to him, "we have a pleasant private parlor
+where we take our meals and enjoy each other's society in the intervals
+of sight-seeing, shopping, etc. I hope you and Cousin Mildred will join
+us at meal-times, and all times when you find it agreeable, making
+yourselves perfectly at home. Now good-by for the present. I hope to be
+able, after an hour's rest, to join you all at the tea-table."
+
+With evident pleasure her invitation was accepted; an hour later she
+made her appearance in the parlor, much refreshed by rest and sleep; a
+tempting meal was partaken of by all, with evident appetite, the
+remainder of the evening passed in delightful social intercourse, and
+all retired early that they might be ready for a long day of interesting
+and, to the children especially, captivating shopping; for, as Rosie
+remarked, "Nothing could be more enjoyable than the business of
+selecting wedding gifts and pretty things to be worn at the wedding
+festivities."
+
+She was delighted with her own finery and presents for Betty, selected
+by herself with her mother's assistance, Violet occasionally giving her
+opinion or advice, Mrs. Landreth and the gentlemen doing the same when
+asked. They consisted of handsome jewelry and silver.
+
+Walter, too, chose, with his mother's help, a set of gold lined silver
+spoons for his cousin Betty. Evelyn's gift was a handsome silver pie
+knife and salt spoons. Lulu, too, and Grace, gave silver, also a pair of
+beautiful gold bracelets. The captain's own gift was an expensive set of
+jewelry; Violet's a lovely bridal veil; Grandma Elsie's a beautiful and
+costly diamond pin, to which she afterward added a check for five
+thousand dollars. Also Dr. and Mrs. Landreth bought as their gift some
+very handsome articles of dress and house furnishing.
+
+The shopping and a little sight-seeing filled up the time till Saturday,
+when they returned to Viamede by the same boat that had brought the
+captain and his party to the city.
+
+It was a very warm and joyous welcome that awaited them there from
+Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore, and little Elsie and Ned Raymond, and none
+the less joyous was the greeting given to Dr. and Mrs. Landreth by their
+relatives and old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+To each of the four it was a delightful reunion, and much of the evening
+was passed in recalling the events of their intercourse in those early
+days when Elsie and her cousin Annis were happy children together, these
+older ones gay, young married folks, the eldest son of each couple but a
+baby boy, though now each was the head of a young family of his own.
+
+These reminiscences were very interesting to themselves, Grandma Elsie,
+and the Keiths, who had been invited to Viamede to take tea with these
+relatives, and who were to go to the parsonage after a short stay with
+these others.
+
+But after a little the young folks grew tired of listening to the talk,
+and sought out another part of the veranda where they could converse
+among themselves without disturbing their elders.
+
+Captain Raymond's eyes followed the movements of his little girls with a
+look of fond fatherly pride, not without a shade of anxiety as they
+noted the weariness in Grace's face, and presently he rose and drew near
+the little group.
+
+"Gracie, my darling, do you not want to go to your bed?" he asked. "I
+think my little girl is looking tired and would be better for a long
+night's rest."
+
+"Yes, papa, I am 'most too tired to keep my eyes open," she replied,
+with a faint smile up into his face.
+
+"Then come, my pet," he said, bending down and taking her in his arms;
+"I will carry you to your room and bid the others good-night for you
+when I come down again; you are too tired to wait to do that yourself,"
+and he carried her away.
+
+Lulu sprang up and ran after them. "Shall I go too, papa?" she asked.
+
+"If you, too, feel too tired to stay up for prayers," he answered
+pleasantly; "otherwise I would not have you absent from that service."
+
+"Yes, sir, I'm not too tired. Good-night, Gracie," she said, and ran
+back to her mates.
+
+Their tongues were running on the old theme of the wedding so soon to
+take place, gifts to the bride, and dresses to be worn by her and her
+attendants. But all of them were pretty well worn out with the shopping
+and traveling gone through in the last few days, seeing which their
+elders thought best to hold the evening service a little earlier than
+usual, then retired to rest.
+
+"Papa, please may I ask a few questions now, before you leave me?" Lulu
+entreated when he came in to bid her good-night.
+
+"Yes," he replied with an amused look; "that is number one, and how many
+are to follow?" seating himself and drawing her to his knee.
+
+"Oh, I don't know exactly, sir; it will depend somewhat upon the
+answers, I think," she returned laughingly, putting an arm round his
+neck and kissing him with ardent affection.
+
+"Then let me go through the ordeal as soon as possible," he responded,
+patting her cheek and pressing his lips to hers.
+
+"I hope it won't be a very dreadful ordeal to you, papa," she said,
+smiling up into his eyes. "Firstly, then, are we to have school as
+usual between this and the time of the wedding?"
+
+"Yes," was the prompt, decided reply.
+
+"Oh, dear!" she said between a sigh and a laugh, "I 'most wish you were
+one of the fathers that could be coaxed. But oh, please don't begin to
+look sorry and grave. I'm determined I will be good about that and
+everything; just as good as I know how to be; and if I'm not I just hope
+you'll punish me well, only not by refusing to allow me to act as
+bridesmaid to Cousin Betty."
+
+"Love to your father and a desire to please him seems to me a far better
+motive for good behavior than fear of punishment," he said with grave
+look and tone.
+
+"Yes, sir; and that is my motive; please believe it, my own dear, dear
+father," she said, lifting dewy eyes to his.
+
+"Then I have strong hope that my pleasure in the coming festivities will
+not be spoiled by having a naughty, rebellious little daughter to deal
+with, or an idle one, either. Now what else?"
+
+"Only this, papa: that if you should have letters to write you will let
+me help you, using my typewriter, you know."
+
+"Thank you, my dear little helpful daughter. Should I find that I have
+letters you could answer for me in that way, I will call upon you for
+your offered assistance, as I well know it will be a pleasure to you to
+render it," he replied, with a smile and another tender caress. "And I
+hope you feel no doubt that it is not for lack of love for his dear
+child that your father refuses the holiday you have asked for."
+
+"No indeed, papa. I know you love me dearly. It would break my heart to
+think you didn't."
+
+"As it would mine to think my little girl did not love me. Now you must
+go at once to bed. Good-night and pleasant dreams."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+IT was early morning at Ion, breakfast awaiting the return of Mr. Edward
+Travilla, who had ridden into the village on some business errand,
+leaving word that he would be back within the hour to partake of the
+morning meal with his wife.
+
+Zoe, tastefully attired, was on the veranda, and the twin babies, fresh
+from their bath, looking, the young mother averred, like little angels
+in their dainty white robes, were toddling about there, laughing,
+cooing, and prattling. They were the idols of her heart. She romped and
+played with them now, but with frequent pauses to listen for the sound
+of a horse's hoofs or gaze down the avenue, saying in joyous tones to
+the babies, "Papa is coming, coming soon; dear, dear papa! and mamma and
+his darlings will be so glad to see him. Ah, there he is at last!" she
+added at length, as a horseman turned in at the great gates and came at
+a quick canter up the avenue.
+
+He lifted his hat with a bow and smile to his wife as he drew near; then
+alighting at the steps, where a servant took the reins and led the horse
+away, he hastily ascended them, and the next moment was seated with a
+little one upon each knee.
+
+"Papa's darlings!" he said, caressing them in turn; "papa's dear pets!"
+
+"Tell papa we have been wanting him," said Zoe, standing alongside,
+smoothing Edward's hair with softly caressing hand, and smiling down
+fondly into the faces of the three; "tell him he stayed so long we did
+not know how to wait."
+
+"I must acknowledge I am a trifle late, my dear," Edward said, smiling
+up into the pretty, rosy face, "detained by business; but here is my
+atonement," handing her a telegram which he took from his pocket.
+
+Zoe read it aloud. It was an invitation to a wedding (whose it did not
+say), at Viamede to take place in three weeks from that day.
+
+"Why, who on earth can be going to be married?" she exclaimed in
+surprise. "Rosie? Evelyn? Lulu? Every one of them is too young." Then
+with a look into Edward's laughing eyes, "Now you needn't laugh, Ned. I
+know and acknowledge that Rosie is a little older than I was when we
+married, but we would not have made such haste except under those
+peculiar circumstances."
+
+"Quite true, my dear," he responded. "But I suppose you will hardly
+think it necessary to decline the invitation on that account?"
+
+"Oh, no indeed," was the quick, laughing rejoinder. "I am altogether in
+favor of accepting--shall begin my preparations at once. But there's the
+breakfast bell."
+
+When they had fairly begun their meal the subject was renewed, Edward
+remarking, "My dear, you will want a new dress. If you like we will
+drive into the city this morning, make necessary purchases, and at once
+set Alma or some other dressmaker at work."
+
+"Oh, thank you, dear Ned," she returned, her eyes shining with pleasure;
+"no woman ever had a more generous husband than mine. But there are so
+many ways for your money to go, and I have several that would be, with
+remodelling and retrimming, tasteful, handsome, and becoming as any new
+one."
+
+"But you must have a new one, my love," Edward replied decidedly. "I can
+easily afford it, and it is a great pleasure to me to see my little wife
+well and becomingly dressed."
+
+"A very nice speech, my dear husband," returned Zoe laughingly, "and
+really I have not the heart to refuse you the pleasure of seeing your
+wife arrayed in finery just suited to your taste. So I am very glad you
+are willing to go with me and assist in the selection. Shall we take the
+babies along?"
+
+"To help with the shopping? I doubt if we would find them of much
+assistance."
+
+"They are good little things though, and would not be any hindrance,"
+returned the young mother laughingly. "But the trip might interfere with
+their morning nap, so if you think best we will leave the darlings at
+home."
+
+"I really think they would have a more comfortable time," Edward said;
+"we also. Hark! there's the telephone. Excuse me a moment, my dear."
+
+"Certainly, my love, but as I may possibly be the one wanted, I'll go
+along; by your leave," she added laughingly, running after him as he
+left the room.
+
+The call proved to be from Mrs. Elsie Leland. A telegram from Viamede
+had reached them also, and they would be at Ion in the course of an hour
+to talk over necessary arrangements for the journey, if, as they
+supposed, Edward and Zoe would like to take it in company with them.
+They too were invited, of course?
+
+"Yes," Edward answered; "mamma would certainly not neglect her eldest
+son at such a time. Come over as soon as you like, prepared to drive
+into the city with us to make necessary purchases before setting the
+dressmakers at work upon suitable adornments for the ladies of our
+party."
+
+"Nothing to be bought for the gentlemen, I suppose?" was Elsie's
+response, accompanied by a low, sweet laugh. "Will be happy to accept
+your invitation. Good-by till then."
+
+"Now let us go back and finish our breakfast," said Zoe. "If the Lelands
+are to be here in half an hour we have no time to spare."
+
+They were turning away when the bell rang again.
+
+It was Ella Conly who called this time. The same invitation for herself
+and brothers had just been received. They knew that Ned and Zoe must of
+course have shared the summons to Viamede, and, if convenient, they
+would call at Ion after tea that evening to talk over plans and
+preparations.
+
+They were cordially urged to do so. Then Edward called to his Uncle
+Horace at the Oaks, his Aunt Rose at the Laurels, and Aunt Lora Howard
+at Pinegrove, and learned to his satisfaction that all had received, and
+would accept the same invitation. But they had not yet settled upon
+their plans in regard to needed preparations and the time of setting out
+upon their journey.
+
+Edward suggested that it might be satisfactory for all to meet at Ion
+that evening and talk the matter over, an invitation which was promptly
+accepted by all.
+
+"Now let us finish our breakfast," Edward said, leading the way back to
+the table.
+
+"Yes," said Zoe, "for I am sure that I for one have no time to waste if
+I'm to be ready to start for the city in an hour."
+
+She was ready, however, when, in less than an hour, the Fairview
+carriage drove up bringing the Lelands. Elsie declined an invitation to
+alight. "We have none too much time now," she said, "for shopping cannot
+always be done in haste, and we are not making a very early start. Just
+get in here with us, you two, will you not? There is plenty of room, and
+we can talk over matters and settle plans as we drive."
+
+"A very good idea, and we are much obliged," returned Edward, handing
+Zoe in and taking a seat by her side.
+
+"Who is to be married, Elsie?" asked Zoe. "Surely it could not be mamma
+herself?" she added, with a light laugh. "I feel quite sure she would
+not accept the best and greatest man upon earth."
+
+"And I feel as sure of that as you do," said Mrs. Leland. "She thinks of
+my father not as lost to her but waiting for her to rejoin him in the
+better land. I have been trying to think who the coming bride is to be,
+and suppose it is Betty Johnson."
+
+"But it may be that the groom and not the bride belongs to our family,"
+remarked Lester. "Who more likely than Dick Percival?"
+
+"Why, yes, to be sure!" exclaimed Edward. "It is about time Dick had a
+wife. And mother would of course be interested and ready to do anything
+in her power to make it pleasant for him and her."
+
+"Well, I should really like to know something more about it before
+choosing gifts for her," remarked Zoe.
+
+"I too," said Elsie.
+
+"Then suppose we let that wait for another day, and content ourselves
+with purchasing what is needed for the adorning of you two ladies,"
+suggested Edward; and that was what, after a little further
+consultation, was decided upon.
+
+The city was reached in safety, and some hours later they returned, as
+Zoe said, "Laden with lovely things for their own adornment."
+
+The babies were on the veranda waiting, watching eagerly for papa and
+mamma, who, their nurse kept telling them, would soon be seen coming up
+the avenue. When they did appear, alighting from the Fairview carriage,
+they were recognized with a glad cry, and Zoe, forgetting her weariness,
+ran to the little ones, embraced first one and then the other, put a toy
+in the hand of each, spent another minute or two caressing them, then
+hurried to her own apartments to dress for tea and the family gathering
+expected in the evening.
+
+Elsie and her husband had driven home, but would return for the
+informal assembly of the members of the connection.
+
+The guests came early, Ella Conley and her brothers from Roselands being
+the first. Ella was in high glee. She had long felt an ardent desire to
+visit Viamede, and now hailed with delight the opportunity to do so. The
+circumstances of both brothers had greatly improved; they were disposed
+to be very generous to the only sister remaining at home with them, and
+had told her she must have a new, handsome dress for the wedding, and
+everything else she needed to fit her out well for the journey and a
+sojourn of some weeks at Viamede.
+
+Zoe felt flattered by being consulted in regard to necessary or
+desirable purchases, and greatly enjoyed exhibiting her own, and
+describing Elsie's, of that day.
+
+Then the other families, or delegates from them, arrived in rapid
+succession, and a merry sociable interview ensued. All were quite
+resolved, should nothing interfere, to accept the invitation to Viamede,
+but some of them could not yet decide upon the exact time when they
+would be prepared to leave their homes for that distant point, and for
+an absence of several weeks. But the Ion, Oaks, Fairview, and Roselands
+people would all go in two weeks in company.
+
+It was still early, when wheels were heard approaching from the
+direction of the village, a hack turned in at the gate, drove rapidly up
+the avenue, halted at the veranda steps, and an old gentleman alighted.
+
+"Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Elsie Leland, Edward, and Zoe in a breath,
+and they and the others gathered about him with words of cordial
+greeting and welcome.
+
+"You have given us a most pleasant surprise, Cousin Ronald," Edward said
+when the old gentleman was comfortably seated in an easy chair. "You
+have not been to tea?"
+
+"Yes, laddie, I took that in the village yonder where I alighted frae
+the cars. But the auld folks seem to be missing here," glancing about in
+search of them as he spoke. "I dinna see your honored grandsire, his
+wife, or my sweet Cousin Elsie, your mither. The bairns Rosie and
+Walter, too, are not here; what's become o' them a', laddie? They're no
+ill, I hope?"
+
+"They were quite well at last accounts, sir," replied Edward. "They have
+spent the winter and early spring at Viamede, and will not return for
+some weeks yet."
+
+"Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha!" murmured the old gentleman reflectively. "It's
+no the best o' news to me--an auld mon who has been wearyin' for a sight
+o' your mother's sweet face."
+
+"Don't say that, cousin, for we are going there ourselves, and shall be
+glad indeed to take you with us. I know of no one who would be a more
+welcome guest to my mother."
+
+"Have a care, sir, that ye dinna tempt an auld mon too far," laughed
+Cousin Ronald.
+
+"Oh, but you must go with us, sir," said Zoe. "What would mamma say if
+we failed to bring you? Besides, we want your company even if mamma
+would not be displeased were you not with us."
+
+"Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! Weel, my bonny leddy, I can no refuse an
+invitation that holds out so great a prospect of enjoyment."
+
+"No, you must not think of refusing, Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Edward
+and his sister Elsie, speaking simultaneously.
+
+"Indeed no," said Mr. Horace Dinsmore; "we can assure you of a hearty
+welcome, and my sister, as Zoe says, would be by no means pleased should
+we fail to take you along with us. But since the first division of our
+company does not start for two weeks, there will be abundance of time to
+hear from her on the subject."
+
+"Certainly there will, uncle," responded Edward. "I shall write to mamma
+to-night. Several of us have heard from her to-day by telegraph, Cousin
+Ronald, and we think we shall surely have letters soon."
+
+Then followed the story of the telegrams received that day, and the
+guesses and surmises as to whose wedding they were invited to attend.
+
+Mr. Lilburn was evidently much interested and more than willing to yield
+to their persuasions to accompany them to Viamede.
+
+"Well, friends and cousins," he said, "there is scarce anything I can
+think of at this moment that would delight me more than to gang with you
+to see them at that lovely spot--an earthly paradise, as it may well be
+called. I am somewhat fatigued the now, but rest for a few days--the
+days that must come and go afore you start--will no doubt supply the
+needed strength for the new journey; and the wedding festivities to
+follow will not come amiss even to a man of my ain venerable age."
+
+"No, indeed!" exclaimed Zoe, "I should think not. Surely people of any
+age may enjoy gay and festive scenes and doings. It has always been a
+source of regret to me that Edward's and my nuptials were graced by none
+of them."
+
+"Possibly there may be better luck for you next time, my dear," remarked
+Edward laughingly.
+
+"Indeed I want no next time," she returned with spirit. "I've no
+intention of trying a second husband lest I might do worse than I did in
+taking you."
+
+"It strikes me there might be a possibility of doing very much worse,
+my dear niece," remarked Mr. Horace Dinsmore pleasantly.
+
+"As it does me," responded Zoe, with a proudly affectionate look into
+her young husband's eyes.
+
+"I am glad to hear it," was his answering remark, given with a smiling,
+affectionate glance into the bright, sweet face.
+
+For the next two weeks Zoe and the other ladies of the connection were
+very delightfully busy with their preparations for the wedding.
+
+Letters had come telling that Betty was, as had been conjectured, the
+prospective bride; also who was to be the groom, where the ceremony was
+to take place, the bridal feast to be partaken of, with other
+interesting particulars. The dresses of bride, bridesmaids, and maids of
+honor were not described, as they would be seen by all the relatives at,
+if not before, the wedding.
+
+The journey to New Orleans was made by rail; from there they took a
+steamboat for Berwick Bay, preferring to make the rest of the journey by
+water. The party consisted of the Dinsmores, Lelands, Travillas,
+Conleys, and their Aunt Adelaide, Mrs. Allison of Philadelphia, who had
+come on from her home shortly before to join these relatives in their
+trip to Louisiana; for she too had been urgently invited to attend the
+wedding; and last but not least was Mr. Ronald Lilburn.
+
+They were a cheerful set, the younger ones quite gay and mirthful. There
+were a few other passengers, among whom was a lady clad in deep
+mourning--widow's weeds--who kept her face carefully concealed by her
+thick crape veil and sat apart, seeming to studiously avoid all contact
+with her fellow voyagers; observing which they refrained from making
+advances toward acquaintanceship. But now and then Dr. Conley turned an
+observing eye upon her. There was a droop about her figure that struck
+him as an indication of illness or exhaustion from some other cause.
+
+At length he rose, and stepping to her side, said in a low sympathizing
+tone, "I fear you are ill, madam. I am a physician, and if I can do
+anything for you my services are at your command."
+
+She made an inarticulate reply, in tones quivering with emotion,
+staggered to her feet as she spoke, made one step forward and would have
+fallen had he not caught her with his arm.
+
+Her head dropped upon his shoulder, and instantly the other members of
+his party gathered about them with hurried, excited exclamations. "What
+is the matter?" "Is she ill?" "Do you know her, Art? She has fainted,
+has she not?" The last exclamation and query came from the lips of Mrs.
+Elsie Leland.
+
+"Yes; she is quite unconscious," was Arthur's low toned reply "and this
+thick, heavy veil is smothering her."
+
+The next instant he had succeeded in disentangling it. With a quick
+movement he threw it back, lifted the seemingly lifeless form, laid it
+on a settee with the head low, laid his finger on her pulse for an
+instant, then began compressing the ribs and allowing them to expand
+again.
+
+"I will have to loosen her clothing," he said, leaning over her to do
+so; then for the first time catching sight of her face, he started back
+with a low, pained exclamation: "My sister Virginia! is it possible!"
+
+"Virginia!" exclaimed Adelaide and Calhoun in a breath; for both were
+standing near; "can it be?" The others exchanged glances of
+astonishment; then Ella asked in low, terrified tones, "O Art, is
+she--is she dead? Poor, poor Virgie!"
+
+"No; it is only a faint," he answered, going on with his efforts to
+restore consciousness, in which he was presently successful.
+
+Virginia's eyes opened, looked up into his with evident recognition,
+then closed, while tears stole down her cheeks. He leant over her in
+brotherly solicitude.
+
+"Virgie, my poor, dear sister," he said in tones tremulous with emotion,
+"you are with relatives and friends who will gladly do anything and
+everything in their power for your comfort and happiness. I think you
+are not well----"
+
+She seemed to be making an effort to speak, and, leaving his sentence
+unfinished, he bent down over her with his ear almost touching her lips.
+
+"Starving," was the whispered word that came in reply, and he started
+back aghast, his features working with emotion.
+
+"Can it be possible!" was his half suppressed exclamation.
+
+"What is it?" asked Calhoun; "what does she say?"
+
+"She is faint and ill with hunger," returned his brother in a moved
+tone. "Get me a glass of hot milk as quickly as you can, Cal," and
+Calhoun hurried away in quest of it.
+
+In a very few minutes he was back again with a large tumbler of rich,
+sweet milk, which Virginia drank with avidity. Some more substantial
+food was then given her, and after a little she was able to exchange
+greetings with the other relatives on board and to give some account of
+herself.
+
+"Henry Neuville is dead, and I set out on my journey to beg a home with
+Isa as soon as I had seen him laid decently away," she said. "I have no
+means at all--unfortunate creature that I am--but perhaps I can make
+myself useful enough to earn my bread."
+
+"And your brothers will be both able and willing to clothe you," said
+the doctor, Calhoun adding, "certainly; and to give you a home, too,
+should Isa and her husband find it inconvenient to do so."
+
+At that tears coursed down Virginia's cheeks.
+
+"You are good, kind brothers," she said; "far better to me than I
+deserve. But living with a man of the stamp of Henry Neuville has taught
+me how to appreciate true gentlemen."
+
+"O Virgie, did he die as he had lived?" asked her cousin Elsie.
+
+"I saw no sign of repentance or reformation," returned Virginia; "he
+died of drink and with curses on his tongue. I can't mourn his loss; how
+could I? but I'm the most unfortunate woman--the poorest in the whole
+connection. I wasn't brought up to support myself either, and can't do
+it."
+
+"Perhaps you may learn how," said Zoe encouragingly. "There are many
+avenues to self-support now open to women, you know."
+
+A look of disgust and annoyance was Virginia's only response to that.
+
+A few moments of silence ensued, broken only by the prattle of the
+little ones, then there was a sudden sound as of some heavy body
+plunging into the water, and a shrill cry: "Man overboard!"
+
+A great commotion instantly followed, the captain giving his orders to
+lower a boat and go in search of the man, and at the same time slowing
+the movements of the steamer.
+
+Our party were much interested and excited, most of them full of concern
+for the drowning one, who seemed to have strangely disappeared, for not
+a trace of him could be seen as the boat was rowed hither and thither;
+and at length, resigning all hope of finding even the lifeless body, the
+men returned to the larger vessel to report their failure.
+
+The ladies were in tears, and as the captain drew near, Zoe asked in
+tones tremulous with emotion, "Is there no hope at all of saving the
+poor fellow, captain?"
+
+"I'm afraid he's gone to the bottom, ma'am, though it's odd he couldn't
+keep up for the few minutes it took to launch the boat; but I suppose
+the wheel must have struck him. By the way," he added, as if struck by a
+sudden thought, "I don't know yet who it was. I must have the crew
+mustered on deck and see who is missing."
+
+He proceeded to do so at once, when to the surprise of all it was
+discovered that no one was missing.
+
+"A stowaway, evidently!" growled the captain, "and he's got his
+desserts; though I wouldn't have let him drown if I could have helped
+it."
+
+At that instant a light broke upon Edward Travilla and Dr. Conley, and
+both turned hastily toward their guest, Mr. Ronald Lilburn.
+
+He was sitting near, quietly listening to the talk, his features
+expressing grave concern, yet they could perceive a sparkle of fun in
+his eye.
+
+Edward stepped to his side, and, bending down over him, spoke in an
+undertone close to his ear. "I think you could tell us something of the
+man, Cousin Ronald."
+
+"I, laddie? What would I ken o' the folk i' this part o' the world?"
+queried the old gentleman, raising his eyebrows in mock surprise.
+
+"Ah, sir, who is to say he belonged to this part of the world?" laughed
+Edward. "I must own that I strongly suspect he was a countryman of
+yours; a Scotchman, at least."
+
+Then going to the side of his wife he said a word or two in an undertone
+that chased away her tears, while she sent a laughing glance in Cousin
+Ronald's direction.
+
+But they were drawing near their journey's end, and presently everything
+else seemed to be forgotten in gazing upon the ever changing beauties of
+the landscape as they threaded their way through lake and lakelet, past
+swamp, forest, plain, and plantation. They gazed with delight upon the
+cool, shady dells carpeted with a rich growth of flowers, miles upon
+miles of smoothly shaven lawns, velvety green and shaded by magnificent
+oaks and magnolias, lordly villas peering through groves of orange
+trees, tall white sugarhouses, and the long rows of cabins of the
+laborers, forming all together a panorama of surpassing loveliness.
+
+"Oh, it is an earthly paradise, is it not, Ned?" cried Zoe, clasping her
+hands in an ecstacy of delight.
+
+"Very, very beautiful," he responded, his eyes shining with pleasure.
+"But you know this is not, like yours, my first sight of it; I spent a
+very happy winter here in the days when my dear and honored father was
+with us."
+
+"And I," said his sister Elsie, softly sighing at the thought that that
+loved parent had left them to return no more. "It will not seem the same
+without him; yet with so many dear ones left--especially our dear, dear
+mother--our visit can hardly be otherwise than most enjoyable. Ah, Ned,
+is not that our own orange orchard just coming into view?"
+
+"It is, my dear sister; we will be there in a very few minutes now."
+
+"At home and with mamma!" she exclaimed in joyous tones; then called to
+her little sons, "Come here, Ned and Eric. We are almost at dear
+grandmamma's house, and she will soon have you in her arms."
+
+At that the little fellows came running to her with a joyous shout, for
+they dearly loved their Grandma Elsie, and to their infant minds the
+time of separation from her had seemed very long.
+
+To their Aunt Adelaide, the Conleys--Arthur excepted--and the young
+Dinsmores the scenes were equally new, and called forth from one and all
+demonstrations of admiration and delight. Very soon the boat reached and
+rounded to at the landing, where were gathered all the members of the
+Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and parsonage families to meet and welcome these
+dear ones from their own old homes farther to the north.
+
+It was an altogether joyous meeting, Cousin Ronald and Virginia, as well
+as the rest, receiving most kind and cordial greeting, though the latter
+was an entirely unexpected guest.
+
+Isadore took her sister in her arms, kissed and wept over her as a near
+and dear one who had gone through great trials during the years of their
+separation.
+
+"What a long, long while it is since we parted, and what sore trials you
+have gone through in the meantime, Virgie!" she sighed. "Ah, I hope the
+future may have better things in store for you."
+
+"I should say it ought indeed, considering all I've had to suffer in the
+past," returned Virginia. "I've come to beg a home with you, Isa, as you
+might have had to of me if I had been the lucky one in the matter of
+drawing a prize in the matrimonial lottery."
+
+"I will try to do the very best I can for you, Virgie," was Isadore's
+pleasant toned reply, though it was not with unmingled satisfaction that
+she saw opening before her the prospect of receiving this selfish,
+indolent sister into her peaceful, well regulated household as a
+permanent addition to it.
+
+Zoe was in ecstasies over the beauties of Viamede--the large, palatial
+mansion, the beautiful grounds, the lovely scenery.
+
+"Oh, mamma," she exclaimed, pausing on the veranda to take a general
+survey, "it is just too lovely for anything! It really exceeds my
+expectations, though they were raised very high by all I have heard of
+the beauties of Viamede. I wonder you can ever resign yourself to
+leaving it for a longer time than the hot season, when it is not so
+healthy as your more northern home."
+
+"Yes, I sometimes wonder at myself," Elsie said with a smile; "and yet
+both Ion and the Oaks are very dear to me--so many happy years of my
+life have been passed in them. Ah, no, I could not give up those dear
+homes entirely any more than I could this."
+
+"Ah, you are a most fortunate woman, cousin mine," remarked Mr. Lilburn,
+standing by, "and worthy of it all; no one more so."
+
+"Ah, Cousin Ronald, you, like all the rest of my friends, are only too
+ready to pass my imperfections by and see only virtues; some of them
+altogether imaginary, I fear," she returned with a smile. "I cannot tell
+you how glad I am to see you here again, and I hope you may so greatly
+enjoy your sojourn among us that you will be pleased to repeat your
+visit whenever opportunity offers."
+
+"Ah, many thanks, cousin, but have a care lest you should be in danger
+of seeing me here oftener than will be found agreeable," was his
+laughing reply.
+
+At that Elsie only shook her head with a playful smile, then turned to
+baby Lilly, who was reaching out her little arms to grandma, crying,
+"Take! take, gamma!"
+
+"No, no, mother dear," Edward said, coming up to them and taking his
+little daughter from the nurse's arms, "I can't have you wearying
+yourself with her." Then to the child, "Papa is going to carry you
+upstairs, little pet. Dear grandma has been sick and is not strong
+enough to carry you about. The friends and relatives will all be here
+for some time, mother?" turning to her again.
+
+"Yes," she replied; "they will all stay to tea."
+
+"And Zoe and I will join you and them again in a few minutes," he said,
+moving on through the hall, in the direction of the stairway.
+
+All scattered to their rooms then, but reassembled on the veranda some
+few minutes before the call to the tea-table. It was a large, merry,
+informal tea-party, Grandma Elsie having been most hospitably urgent
+that everyone should stay, partake with her and the others who had been
+making Viamede their home for months past, and spend the evening.
+
+The approaching wedding and matters connected with it were naturally the
+principal themes of discourse, and Betty was good-humoredly rallied on
+the conquest she had made and the pleasant prospect of having a home of
+her own with at least one loyal subject. Zoe insisted on a description
+of the trousseau, especially the wedding dress.
+
+"Drive over to Magnolia Hall day after to-morrow and you shall see
+everything for yourself, Zoe," Betty said, laughing and blushing; "at
+least all but the gifts which have not yet come in."
+
+"Thank you; I think I'll accept that invitation," returned Zoe. "But I
+suppose there is something to be seen here?"
+
+"Yes; the dresses of the bridesmaids and maids of honor," said Rosie;
+"and we who are to wear them think them quite beautiful. Don't we,
+girls?" turning toward Evelyn and Lulu, who answered with an emphatic,
+"Yes, indeed!"
+
+"Suppose you come and take a look at them, Zoe," proposed Rosie, as they
+left the table, and Zoe promptly accepted the invitation, Betty, Elsie
+Leland, Ella, and Virginia, and the Dinsmore cousins going along.
+
+"Oh, they are lovely!" was the united exclamation at sight of the
+dresses, Zoe adding, "I can't say which is handsomest."
+
+"That's just how it is with me," laughed Betty; "but I own to thinking
+the bride's dress a trifle handsomer than any of these."
+
+"Ah, yes; but just think how we may outshine you when our turns come to
+wear a wedding dress," said Rosie. "I mean to have one that shall be a
+marvel of beauty and taste. Don't you, Eva and Lu?"
+
+"I very much doubt whether I shall ever have any," replied Evelyn, with
+her grave, sweet smile.
+
+"If you don't it will be your own fault, I am sure," said Rosie. "And it
+will be just the same with Lu."
+
+"I'm not going to get married ever!" cried Lulu emphatically. "I
+wouldn't leave my father for all the rest of the men in all the world."
+
+"Ah, your father is glad to hear it," said a voice close at her side,
+while a hand was laid affectionately on her shoulder. "But my dear
+eldest daughter is still quite too young to be even thinking of such
+things."
+
+"Then I won't think of them if I can help it, papa dear," she said,
+lifting loving, smiling eyes to his face, "for indeed I do want to obey
+even your slightest wish."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter," he returned, pressing affectionately the
+hand she had slipped into his.
+
+"Now, Elsie," said Zoe, addressing Mrs. Leland, "let us show our wedding
+finery. You, Ella Conley, I suppose won't care to open your trunks, as
+they are to be carried over to the Parsonage."
+
+"They have already gone," said Isadore, she also having joined the party
+of inspection, "but the finery can be shown there just as well."
+
+"Yes, it can wait," returned Ella, "and will perhaps be all the more
+appreciated for not being seen along with so many other beauties."
+
+"I am the only one who has no finery to exhibit," remarked Virginia in
+an ill used tone. But they were already on the way to Mrs. Leland's room
+and no one seemed to hear or heed the complaint, everybody being too
+much engrossed with the business in hand to take notice of her
+ill-humor.
+
+But it was Saturday evening and the Parsonage and Magnolia Hall people
+returned to their homes at an early hour, taking their guests with them.
+
+"Now, daughter," Captain Raymond said, turning to Lulu as the last
+carriage disappeared from sight, "go at once to your own room and
+prepare for bed."
+
+"Yes, sir; and must I say good-night now to you?" she asked in a low
+tone, close at his ear.
+
+"No," he returned, with a smile, "I will be with you presently for a few
+minutes."
+
+She looked her thanks, and hastened to obey.
+
+"I am quite ready for bed, papa," she said when he came into her room.
+"Please mayn't I sit on your knee for five or ten minutes?"
+
+"That is just what I want you to do," he said, taking possession of an
+easy chair and drawing her to the coveted place. "I must have a little
+talk with my dear eldest daughter," he continued, smoothing her hair and
+cheek caressingly.
+
+"What about, papa dear?" she asked, nestling closer in his arms. "I
+haven't been misbehaving, have I? You are not displeased with me, are
+you?"
+
+"No, dear child; only afraid that you may be caring too much about dress
+and finery, and that perhaps I am not altogether blameless in regard to
+that--that I may not have guarded my dear little girl against it as I
+should."
+
+"I am afraid that perhaps I do care too much about it, papa dear," she
+sighed, hanging her head, while blushes dyed her cheek; "but I'm sure it
+is all my own fault, not yours at all; so please don't feel badly about
+it."
+
+He took up her Bible, opened it, and read, "Whose adorning, let it not
+be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,
+or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart,
+in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet
+spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this
+manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned
+themselves."
+
+"Papa, is it wrong to wear nice, pretty clothes, and to enjoy having
+them?" she asked, as he closed the book and laid it aside. "Is that what
+is meant in those verses?"
+
+"I think not," he said; "if I understood it in that way I should feel it
+wrong to allow a daughter of mine to wear them. I think it means that
+you are not to care too much about such adornment, but more, much more,
+for that other and greater adornment, even the hidden man of the heart,
+the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, remembering that in the sight
+of God it is of great price, worth infinitely more than any ornament of
+gold, the richest jewels, or the finest attire. Cultivate that with all
+diligence, my own darling child, if you desire to please and honor your
+heavenly Father and make yourself even dearer than you now are to your
+earthly one, and lovelier in his eyes."
+
+"Oh, I do, papa! I do want to please and honor God, and you too; I want
+to be just a joy and blessing and comfort to you, my own dear, dear
+father! I don't think you have any idea how very, very dearly I love
+you, papa," putting her arms about his neck and kissing him over and
+over again. "Gracie and I think--indeed we feel quite sure--that no
+other children ever had such a dear, good, kind father as ours. And I
+know Max thinks the same."
+
+"Well, daughter, I delight in having you and all my children think so,
+however mistaken you maybe," he said, with a pleased smile, holding her
+close and returning her caresses; "and it certainly is the earnest
+desire of my heart to be the best, kindest, and dearest of fathers to
+the darling children God has given me."
+
+"As I am sure you are, dear papa," she said. "I never have any doubt of
+it at all, even when you punish me. And, papa," she added, with an
+effort, "if you think finery bad for me, I am willing to be dressed just
+as plainly as you think best."
+
+"That is my own dear little girl," he returned, with a gratified look;
+"but I have not been dressing you better--more richly, gayly, or
+tastefully--than seems to me right and proper; also, I think quite as
+much sin may be committed by being proud of plainness in dress as proud
+of wearing finery. What I am aiming at is to have my little daughter
+look upon dress as a secondary matter, and feel far more anxious to be
+one who is pleasing in the sight of her heavenly Father than one admired
+and envied by some earthly creature as the possessor of wealth, and fine
+or costly raiment. In short, I want you to feel that the style and
+richness of your attire is a matter of little consequence, while to live
+in the light of God's countenance, pleasing and honoring him and growing
+in holiness and conformity to his will, is to be desired and striven for
+beyond everything else."
+
+"Yes, papa," she said softly, "I will ask God to help me to do so; and
+you will pray for me too, won't you?"
+
+"Indeed I will, my darling; we will kneel down and ask him now; ask for
+help to keep from indulging in worldly mindedness and vanity, and that
+our earnest desire and effort may ever be to serve and honor and glorify
+him in all our words and ways."
+
+"My own dear father," she said, when they had risen from their knees, "I
+am sure that if I don't grow up a good Christian the fault will not be
+yours." Then, glancing at the bed where Grace lay in a profound sleep,
+"I am so glad and thankful that I am not feeble like poor, dear Gracie,
+because if I had to go to bed and to sleep so early as she almost always
+does, I'd miss these nice talks from you. But, fortunately, she doesn't
+need so much help to be good as I do. Ah, papa, I've given you a great
+deal more trouble to train me up right than she ever has, or will."
+
+"My darling," he said, "if you only grow up to be a noble, useful
+Christian woman, such as I hope one day to see you, I shall feel more
+than repaid for all the anxiety, care, and trouble of your training."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+GUESTS and entertainers, old and young, went to church the next morning,
+riding, driving, or walking, as best suited the inclination of each.
+
+In the afternoon there was the usual gathering of the house servants and
+field hands on the lawn, near the veranda, where the family and guests
+were seated, and Mr. Dinsmore, Dr. Landreth, and Captain Raymond each
+gave them a little talk suited to their capacities, and the sacredness
+of the day, and their needs as members of the fallen race of man.
+
+The captain, standing before them with an open Bible in his hand, said,
+"My friends, I want to talk with you a little, about some of the words
+spoken by the Apostle Paul when he was taking leave of the elders of the
+Church at Ephesus. He told them that he had been testifying both to the
+Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our
+Lord Jesus Christ. Now, what is meant by repentance toward God? It is a
+feeling of true sorrow for our sins against him (and everything wrong we
+have done, or thought, or felt was a sin against God). And what is it to
+have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ? To believe in him as one
+abundantly able and willing to save us--to save us from sin, from the
+love of it, and the punishment due to us for it. We are all sinners; we
+have all come short of the glory of God, neglecting many things that we
+ought to have done, and doing very many things that we ought not to have
+done. We are all born with a sinful nature, and God only can change it,
+so that we will hate sin and love holiness: he only can give us true
+faith in his dear Son the Lord Christ.
+
+"'By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
+the gift of God.' We are saved by grace; it is only of God's undeserved
+goodness, not because we have done or can do anything pleasing in his
+sight. Paul speaks in this same chapter of the Gospel of the grace of
+God. Gospel means good news, and what could be better news than that?
+that God offers us salvation of his free, unmerited grace? What an offer
+that is! salvation as his free, undeserved gift, without money, and
+without price. His offer is, 'Come unto me and be ye saved all ye ends
+of the earth.' No one is left out; this wonderful offer is to each one
+of us, and to every other inhabitant of this world, so that if any one
+fails to be saved, the fault will be all his own. For God has said, 'I
+have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth: wherefore turn
+yourselves and live ye.' And oh, how plain he has made it that he does
+love us and would have us live! 'For God so loved the world that he gave
+his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
+perish, but have everlasting life.'"
+
+The service was not a long one, and when it was over the captain
+repaired to the school-room with Lulu and Grace to hear them recite
+their Bible verses and catechism.
+
+When that duty had been attended to, "Now, daughters," he said, "if you
+have anything to say, or questions suitable to the sacredness of the day
+to ask, I am ready to listen and reply to the best of my ability; but
+even a child may ask a question that a grown person cannot answer," he
+added with a smile.
+
+"Indeed, papa," said Grace, putting an arm round his neck and laying her
+cheek lovingly to his, "I think you do know 'most everything; and I'm
+oh! so glad God gave you to me for my own father."
+
+"I know you are, Gracie, I'm sure of it; but you can't be gladder than I
+am that he is my father, too," said Lulu, lifting to his eyes full of
+filial love and reverence.
+
+"Nor than I am that these two little girls are my very own," responded
+the captain, holding both in a close embrace. "But now for the
+questions."
+
+"I have one to ask, papa," said Lulu. "It is, what does the Bible mean
+by growing in grace?"
+
+"Growing in likeness to Jesus and in conformity to his will; having more
+and more of the love and fear of God in our hearts; more faith and
+patience, and more love to our fellow-creatures; for the more we love
+the Master, the more will we love those whom he died to redeem."
+
+"And the more we love him, the more we will try to be like him?" Lulu
+said in a tone of mingled assertion and inquiry.
+
+"Yes, my child; and it is the dearest wish of my heart that I may see my
+children thus growing in grace, and in likeness to the dear Master."
+
+"Papa, I want to," said Grace softly; "oh, I want to, very much!"
+
+"Then ask God to help you, my darling, remembering that he is the hearer
+and answerer of prayer."
+
+"And you will ask him for both of us, won't you, papa?"
+
+"I will, I do, my darling; there is never a day when I do not pray
+earnestly for each one of my dear children, that God will make them his
+own true followers and keep them in every time of trial and temptation,
+taking them safely to heaven at last. Life in this world is exceedingly
+short compared with the eternal existence which awaits us all in
+another--that life of infinite joy and blessedness at God's right hand,
+or of everlasting, untold misery, unending, inconceivable anguish, in
+the blackness of darkness, shut out forever from his presence," he added
+in moved tones. "God in his infinite goodness and mercy grant that the
+first and not the last may be the portion of each one of my beloved
+children!"
+
+"Oh, papa," said Grace softly, "how can any one help loving the dear
+Saviour who died that we might go to heaven and not to that other awful
+place!"
+
+"Oh," said Lulu, "I do want to love him more and serve him better! When
+I think of his wonderful goodness and love to us poor sinners, I'm just
+as ashamed as I can be that I don't love him at all as I ought, and am
+so often ill-tempered and selfish and bad. Papa, I do really think it is
+kind and good in you to punish me when I deserve it, and need it to make
+me a better girl."
+
+"And I shall be very glad indeed if you never again make it necessary
+for me to do so," he responded.
+
+"I do hope I won't," she returned. "Papa, I'm very much afraid I'll be
+thinking and talking to-day about the wedding and what everybody is
+going to wear at it, and I know I won't be in half so much danger of
+doing so if I keep close to you; so mayn't I?"
+
+"Yes, daughter; I am always glad to have you near me," he said kindly;
+"and it pleases me that you are desirous to avoid temptation to do
+wrong."
+
+"And you are just as willing to let me keep near you, papa?" Grace said
+inquiringly, and with a wistful, pleading look up into his face.
+
+"Certainly, my dear little daughter. I love you not a whit less than I
+do your sister," he said, drawing her into a closer embrace. "However,
+you may both stay here reading your Bibles and Sunday school books for a
+half hour longer. Then I will come for you and you may spend the rest of
+the day as close to your father's side as you choose." With that he left
+them.
+
+"Such a dear, good father as ours is!" exclaimed Lulu, gazing after him
+with loving, admiring eyes.
+
+"Yes, indeed! I am sure there couldn't be a better or dearer one. Oh, I
+do love him so!" said Grace, turning over the leaves of her Bible.
+"Let's read verse about, Lu."
+
+"I'm agreed; and let it be the Book of Esther. I do think that is such a
+lovely story."
+
+"So it is; and so is Ruth, and that's shorter. I don't believe we'll
+have time to read all of Esther before papa comes for us."
+
+"Maybe not," assented Lulu; "so we will read Ruth."
+
+They had finished the story and were talking it over together when
+their father came. It was then nearly tea time.
+
+Sacred music filled up most of the evening, and all the young girls and
+boys retired early to bed that they might be ready for the pleasures and
+employments of the coming day. The older people sat somewhat longer upon
+the veranda, conversing upon topics suited to the sacredness of the day.
+They were Christians, and loved to speak of the Master and the things
+concerning his kingdom.
+
+"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord
+hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him
+for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. And they
+shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my
+jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth
+him."
+
+As usual, Lulu was up early the next morning, and joined her father in a
+walk under the trees along the bank of the bayou.
+
+"Well, daughter, has the rest of the Sabbath made you ready for work in
+the school-room again?" he asked, smiling down affectionately into her
+face, rosy, bright, and happy with health and gay spirits.
+
+"Yes, papa, I feel more like it than I did on Saturday," she answered,
+lifting to his sparkling eyes, full of affection.
+
+"I rejoice to hear it," he said; "for it is by no means a pleasant task
+to me when I have to compel a pupil--whether one of my own children or
+the child of someone else--against his or her inclination; though I
+enjoy teaching when all are happy and interested."
+
+"As we all ought to be when we have such a good, kind, wise teacher,
+dear papa," she returned. "It will be difficult, very difficult, I'm
+afraid, to give my mind to lessons when we are all so much taken up with
+the preparations for the wedding, but I'm determined to try my very best
+to do so to please my dearest, kindest, best of fathers," lifting his
+hand to her lips.
+
+"A father who would far rather be obeyed from love than fear," he said,
+with a tender, loving look down into her face.
+
+"Yes, I know you would, papa, and my love for you is, oh! ever so much
+stronger than my fear; though I own I am afraid of your displeasure and
+punishments, for I know you can punish severely when you think it your
+duty and for my good; but I respect and love you too a great deal more
+than I would or could if you indulged me in bad behavior."
+
+"I don't doubt it," he said; "and I, as I have often told you, punish
+you when I deem it needful, because I know you will be the happier in
+the end for being compelled to try to conquer your faults; happier than
+you ever could be if allowed to indulge them."
+
+"Yes, papa, I know that is so; I am never at all happy when indulging
+wrong tempers and feelings," she acknowledged, with another loving look
+up into his face.
+
+At that moment they were joined by Evelyn and Rosie.
+
+"Brother Levis," said Rosie, "you surely are not going to be so
+unreasonable and tyrannical as to require lessons of us to-day?"
+
+"I'm afraid I am, little sister," he replied, with a smile, "and I hope
+you are not going to be so naughty and rebellious as to require any kind
+of discipline?"
+
+"I don't know," she said, with a pretended pout; "I feel no inclination
+at all toward lessons, but a very strong one in favor of a ride or drive
+over to Magnolia Hall."
+
+"Which can be gratified when study and recitations have been duly
+attended to," returned the captain; "and if in need of an escort you may
+call upon me for that service."
+
+"Oh, a thousand thanks! that will do very well indeed!" she exclaimed in
+a tone of relief and pleasure.
+
+"And all the good and industrious little girls may go along," added the
+captain, with a smiling look into Lulu's eagerly inquiring face.
+
+"Thank you, papa; thank you very much!" she exclaimed joyously. "I do
+want to go, and intend to be as industrious as possible, and as good and
+obedient, so that you can take me. And you'll take Gracie too if she
+wants to go, won't you?"
+
+"Certainly," he said; "Gracie deserves all the indulgences and pleasures
+I can give her."
+
+"You are very kind indeed, Captain, to spend so much of your time in
+teaching us to-day; for I feel very sure you would enjoy going to
+Magnolia Hall with the other gentlemen and the ladies this morning,"
+remarked Evelyn, with a grateful, affectionate look up into his face.
+
+"Thank you, my dear," he replied. "It would be pleasant to me to go, but
+it is also a pleasure to help my own children, and other appreciative
+pupils, to climb the hill of science."
+
+Just then Grace and little Elsie came running to meet them, and the next
+minute the breakfast bell summoned them all to the house.
+
+After breakfast followed family worship, school, play-time, then dinner,
+and, late in the afternoon, the pleasant drive through the woods to
+Magnolia Hall. It was only for a call, however, and at tea-time the
+Viamede family and all their guests gathered about the table there.
+
+From then until the wedding day the young folks were in a state of
+pleasurable excitement, though the captain kept his pupils steadily at
+their work, and they found it not impossible to fix their minds upon
+their studies for a portion of each day. The other relatives invited had
+arrived, and in a few days the marriage was to take place.
+
+It was Saturday morning. Scarcely two hours had been spent in the
+school-room when the captain dismissed his pupils, telling them, with
+his pleasant smile, that they had done very well indeed, and would be
+allowed a holiday until the wedding festivities were over, an
+announcement no one was sorry to hear, although he had made the lessons
+interesting and enjoyable to them as ever since undertaking the work of
+teaching them. All returned warm thanks, and Rosie, Evelyn, and Walter
+hastened from the room, which Captain Raymond had already left; but his
+two little girls lingered there a while longer, putting their desks in
+perfect order.
+
+"Gracie," said Lulu, "how much money have you left?"
+
+"Not a single cent," was the reply in a rather rueful tone; "and I
+suppose yours is all gone too?"
+
+"Yes; every cent of it. I feel as poor as a church mouse."
+
+"But we are not wanting to buy anything just now, and papa will be
+giving us some pocket-money again pretty soon," returned Grace in a
+determinedly cheerful tone.
+
+"Yes, so he will! Oh, what a dear, good, kind father he is! I really
+don't believe there are very many girls of our ages that get so much
+pocket-money every week. And papa gave us so much extra money too, to
+use in buying our gifts for Cousin Betty."
+
+"Oh, yes, and now I think of it, I don't believe we ought to expect any
+more pocket-money for a good while. Do you, Lu?"
+
+"No, I don't; for this wedding's costing a good deal--to papa as well as
+other folks; and the journey home will cost ever so much, besides all
+that papa paid to bring us here. Then, too, he's going to see Max again
+after we get home, and will maybe take one or both of us along--if we're
+good."
+
+"Oh, do you think so?" exclaimed Grace. "Oh, I'd love to see Maxie! but
+if only one of us can go it ought to be you, because you're the oldest,
+and so well that it wouldn't give papa half so much trouble to take care
+of you as of me."
+
+"I'm just sure papa doesn't think it any trouble to take care of you,
+Gracie," returned Lulu in her quick, earnest way. "And you are a better
+girl than I, therefore more deserving of such indulgences."
+
+"That's a mistake of yours, Lu," said Grace; "you've been good as gold
+ever since we came to Viamede--as well as before--and helped papa with
+your typewriter, while I haven't done anything but wait on him a
+little, and try to learn my lessons well, and amuse the little ones
+sometimes."
+
+Lulu's face had grown very red while Grace was speaking, and she hung
+her head in a shamefaced, remorseful way.
+
+"No, Gracie," she said in a low, mortified tone, "I haven't been half so
+good as you think; I displeased papa very much that day when you all
+went to Magnolia Hall, and I had to stay at home and learn my lessons
+over. I was very angry and cross with dear little Ned because he meddled
+with my herbarium, which I had carelessly left lying out on my desk. If
+papa had punished me very severely it would have been no more than I
+deserved, but all he did was to send me to my room for a while till I
+told him how sorry I was and asked forgiveness of him, and Neddie, too."
+
+Grace looked surprised. "No, I never heard a word of it before," she
+said; "but I'm sure you did all you could when you asked forgiveness of
+both of them--papa and Neddie."
+
+The little girls had no idea that their father was within hearing, yet
+such was the case, and their little talk pleased him greatly.
+
+"The darlings!" he said to himself, "they shall not be long penniless,
+for their father thinks them very worthy to be trusted with
+pocket-money. Two more unselfish children I am sure it would be hard to
+find."
+
+With that he rose and went to the library, to which they presently
+followed him, asking if there were anything he wanted them to do.
+
+"Why, it is your play-time, daughters," he returned, with a loving smile
+into the bright young faces.
+
+"But we'd like to do something to help you, dear papa," Grace said,
+laying her small, white hand on his arm, and looking lovingly up into
+his face.
+
+"Yes, indeed we would, papa," said Lulu, standing on his other side, and
+putting her arm round his neck. "Please, if you have letters to answer,
+mayn't I write them for you on my typewriter?"
+
+"Does my dear eldest daughter deem that a privilege?" he asked, smiling
+down into her beseeching eyes, while he put one arm round her, the other
+about Grace's waist, and drew both in between his knees, kissing first
+one and then the other.
+
+"Indeed I do, papa," Lulu answered in an earnest tone; "it's very sweet
+to me to feel that I am of even a little use to my dear, dear father,
+who does so much for me, taking so much trouble to teach me, and gives
+me so many, many nice things to eat, to wear, to read, and to amuse
+myself with--so many that it would take quite a long while to count them
+all up."
+
+"Ah, that reminds me," he said, taking out his pocket-book, "I shouldn't
+wonder if my little girls had about emptied their purses in buying gifts
+for the bride that is to be, and so forth. Get them out and let me see
+what can be done toward replenishing them."
+
+He noted with pleasure that as he spoke each young face grew very
+bright.
+
+"We've left them upstairs, papa," said Lulu, "and though you're ever so
+kind," hugging and kissing him again, "we don't want to take any more
+now when you have to spend so very much on the wedding, and to take us
+all home to Woodburn."
+
+"No, indeed we don't, you dear, dear papa," chimed in Grace, nestling
+closer to him and patting his cheek lovingly.
+
+"My precious darlings!" he said, holding them close, "your father can
+spare it without denying himself or anybody else anything at all
+needful; and he feels very sure that he could not get more enjoyment out
+of it in any other way. So get your purses and bring them here to me,"
+he concluded, releasing them from his embrace.
+
+They ran joyfully to do his bidding, and on their return each found a
+little pile of money waiting for her--two clean, fresh one dollar
+bills, two silver half dollars, four quarters, and ten dimes; all
+looking as if just issued from the mint.
+
+"Oh! oh! oh!" they cried, "how much! and all so bright and new!" Lulu
+adding, "Papa, are you quite, quite sure you can really spare all this
+without being--embarrassed?"
+
+"Yes, quite sure," he returned, regarding her with a twinkle of fun in
+his eyes; "I really think I should not be greatly embarrassed if called
+upon for twice as much."
+
+At that Lulu drew a long breath of relief, while Grace threw her arms
+about his neck, saying, "You dear, dear papa! I don't believe any other
+children ever had such a good, kind father as ours."
+
+"Well, now, I really hope there are a great many other fathers quite as
+good and kind as yours," he said, with a smile, pinching the round, rosy
+cheek, kissing the ruby lips, and fondly stroking the soft, shining
+curls of her pretty head.
+
+"I hope so," said Lulu, "but I'm just sure there's not another one I
+could love so, so dearly as ours. I do think God was very good to me in
+making me yours, papa. Your very own little daughter."
+
+"And me too," said Grace.
+
+"Yes; good to me as well as to you," responded the captain, "for my
+darlings seem to me the dearest, most lovable children in the world.
+Well, Lulu daughter, you may help me with your machine for a half hour,
+if you wish."
+
+"Oh, yes, papa; yes, indeed! I'll be glad to!" she exclaimed, hastening
+to uncover it, put in the paper, and seat herself before it, while her
+father took up a letter, glanced over the contents, then began his
+dictation.
+
+It was a business note and had no interest for Grace, who presently
+wandered out upon the veranda with her well filled purse in her hand.
+
+Grandma Elsie sat there alone, reading. "What a bright, happy face, my
+little Gracie," she said, glancing up from her book as the child drew
+near. "Has some special good come to you, dear?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; see!" exclaimed the little girl, displaying her well filled
+purse; "it was empty, and my dear papa has just filled it. You see,
+Grandma Elsie," drawing near and lowering her voice, "I was wanting to
+buy a few things for good-by presents to some of the poor old colored
+folks, but I'd spent every cent of my money and thought I'd have to give
+it up; and I'm oh, so glad that I won't have to now. And--Oh, Grandma
+Elsie, you and mamma will help me to think what will be best to get for
+them, won't you?"
+
+"I will be very glad to do anything I can to help you, dear child,"
+replied Grandma Elsie in her low, sweet tones, and softly stroking the
+golden curls as the little girl stood close at her side. "Suppose you
+get a pencil and paper from the school-room and make out a list of those
+to whom you wish to give, and opposite to each name the gift that seems
+most suitable."
+
+Grace's reply was a joyful assent, and she hurried away in search of the
+required articles.
+
+She was not gone more than a very few minutes, but on her return found
+that her Mamma Vi, Rosie, and Evelyn had joined Grandma Elsie on the
+veranda, had been told by her what was the business in hand, and were
+desirous to have a share in it.
+
+They had a pleasant time over their lists, each making out one for
+herself, while Lulu finished the work she had undertaken for her father.
+They decided to write to the city for what was wanted, and that anyone
+else who wished could send at the same time; so that matter was
+satisfactorily disposed of.
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, struck by a sudden thought, "suppose I run to the
+library and tell papa and Lu about it, and get him to tell her what to
+say, and let her write on the typewriter for the things?"
+
+Everyone thought it an excellent idea, and Grace immediately carried it
+out.
+
+"I quite approve," her father said, when she had told her story and made
+her request.
+
+"I too," said Lulu, "and I'll join you if papa will help me to decide
+what to buy. I'll write the letter too, if he will tell me what to say."
+
+"I am entirely willing to do both, daughter," he said. "Let us set to
+work at once, as it will soon be dinner-time, and I want to take my
+little girls out for a drive this afternoon."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa, thank you very much!" they cried in joyous tones.
+
+"Is anybody else going, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"Your Grandma Elsie, Mamma Vi, and our little ones, in our carriage; as
+many more as may wish to go either in other carriages or on horseback.
+Perhaps you would prefer to ride your pony?"
+
+"No, sir; not if you are to be in the carriage I may ride in."
+
+"Ah, you are very fond of being with your father," he said, with a
+pleased smile.
+
+"Yes, sir; yes, indeed! just as close as I can get," stroking and
+patting his cheek, then pressing her lips to it in an ardent kiss.
+
+"And it's exactly the same with me, you dear, darling papa!" exclaimed
+Grace, putting an arm round his neck. "And it's exactly the same with
+every one of your children from big Maxie down to baby Ned."
+
+"I believe it is, and it makes me very happy to think so," he replied.
+"But now, my dears, we must to work on our list of articles."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+IT was a large party that set out from Viamede shortly after leaving the
+dinner-table. Most of the young people--among them Chester, Frank, Maud,
+and Sydney Dinsmore, Evelyn Leland, Rosie and Walter Travilla--preferred
+riding.
+
+These, having swifter steeds, presently distanced the rest of the
+riders, as well as those who were driving, and in passing a plantation,
+which was the home of Nettie Vance, an old school-mate of the Viamede
+young folks at the time, several years before, of their attendance at
+Oakdale Academy, they were joined by her and a young man whom she
+introduced as her brother, both well mounted and looking merry and
+happy.
+
+"Bob and I were just starting out for a ride," she said, "and consider
+ourselves fortunate in meeting with such good company. May I take my
+place alongside of you, Miss Leland? I have a bit of news to tell which
+I think will interest you and Miss Travilla. It is that Signor Foresti,
+who, as you will doubtless remember, was a teacher of music--anything
+but an agreeable one, by the way--at Oakdale Academy when we were there
+together, is quite ill, partly from an accident, partly from drink, and
+extremely poor. I must say I hardly pity him very much for that last,
+but I do feel sorry for his wife and children."
+
+"I too," said Evelyn. "I wish it were in my power to relieve them, but
+my purse is about empty just at present. However, I will report the
+matter at Viamede, and I am sure the kind friends there will see that
+something is done toward supplying their pressing needs."
+
+"Yes," returned Nettie, "I have heard a great deal of the kindness and
+benevolence of Mrs. Travilla and her father; of Captain Raymond's also;
+though I for one could hardly blame him if he utterly refused to give
+any assistance to a man who had abused his daughter as Foresti did
+Lulu."
+
+"Nor I," said Evelyn; "yet I feel almost certain that he will assist
+Foresti. He would not let the wife and children suffer for the man's ill
+deeds, nor indeed the man himself, unless I am greatly mistaken; for the
+captain is a truly Christian gentleman."
+
+"Indeed he is," said Rosie, "and very benevolent; exceedingly kind to
+the poor; to anyone who is in distress of any kind. I am very proud of
+that brother-in-law of mine, Nettie, and don't care who knows it."
+
+"I do not wonder at that," returned Nettie. "I certainly should be if he
+were mine; it is very plain from the way in which Lulu and Gracie look
+at him that they are both fond and proud of their father."
+
+"Nor do I wonder at it," said Robert Vance, joining in the conversation.
+"Nettie pointed him out to me at church last Sunday, and I remarked then
+that he was as fine looking a man as ever I saw; tall, straight,
+handsome in feature, and of most noble countenance."
+
+"Thank you," Rosie said, with a smile and a bow. "I think him all that,
+and as noble in character as in looks. It is my opinion that my sister
+Violet drew a prize in the matrimonial lottery; and the captain also,
+for Vi is in every way worthy of him."
+
+"Surely," returned the young man, "one glance at her is sufficient to
+assure one of that."
+
+Rosie and Evelyn then asked where the Forestis were to be found, and
+what were their most pressing needs, and having learned those
+particulars, promised that someone from Viamede would call to see and
+relieve them, Rosie adding, with a smile, "We, as you probably know, are
+busy with preparations for a wedding in the family, yet I have no doubt
+some one or more among us could find time to attend to this call for
+help."
+
+"Yes," said Walter, who had been quietly listening to the talk, "mamma
+will be sure to find time for such an act of kindness; she always does."
+
+"I am sure of it," responded Nettie heartily, "from her sweet looks and
+all I have heard of her. And so your cousin, Miss Johnson, is going to
+be married?" she added, looking at Rosie. "We received our invitations
+yesterday, and are busy with our preparations. It must be delightful to
+have such a thing coming off in the family; particularly to be the
+bride; for I hear it is to be quite a grand affair and the match an
+excellent one."
+
+"Yes," returned Rosie, "we are all much pleased with what we have heard
+of the gentleman, and I hope they are going to be very happy together."
+
+"I hope so, indeed," responded Nettie. "I am but slightly acquainted
+with Miss Johnson, but have always liked her looks."
+
+It was near tea-time when the Viamede party reached home again; the
+ladies and little girls had barely time to dress for the evening before
+the summons to the table.
+
+It was while all where seated about it that Rosie and Evelyn told of the
+news learned from Nettie Vance in regard to Signor Foresti and his
+family.
+
+"Ah, poor things! we must do something for them," Grandma Elsie said,
+when the story was finished. "Papa, shall we stop there to-morrow on
+our way to or from church? It would be a work of mercy suited to the
+day, I think. Do not you?"
+
+"Yes," replied Mr. Dinsmore; "and it might be well to carry a basket of
+provisions with us."
+
+Lulu had listened in silence while the others were talking, and all
+through the evening she had but little to say, seeming much of the time
+lost in thought, though usually she was quite talkative, unless, as
+occasionally happened, checked by a slight reminder from her father that
+it would be more becoming in a child of her age to show herself a quiet
+listener to older people.
+
+The captain noticed her abstraction, but, guessing at the cause, said
+nothing about it till they were alone together in her bedroom; then,
+drawing her to his knee, "My little girl has been unusually silent this
+evening," he said. "Is anything wrong with her?"
+
+She drew a long sigh. "I have been trying to decide a question of duty,
+papa," she said, "and, please--I'd like you to tell me what to do."
+
+"In regard to what, daughter?"
+
+"Giving a part of my money--the money you put into my purse this
+morning--to--to the Forestis."
+
+"I think it would be right and kind for you to do so. Do not you?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and I will do it," she said with sudden determination. "It
+will be returning good for evil, as the Bible bids us; won't it, papa?"
+
+"Yes; and I think will help you to forgive the man for his ill treatment
+of my dear little daughter," drawing her closer and kissing her fondly.
+
+"Yes, sir; even the resolve has made me feel more kindly toward him. How
+much ought I to give, papa? I hardly think I'll have very much left
+after I've paid for the presents I've sent for, for the servants here."
+
+"No, not a very great deal, I presume; but you are not likely to need
+much before there will be more pocket-money coming to you."
+
+"Oh, no, sir, I'll not, of course, because my dear, dear father provides
+everything I need to eat or wear, and pays my travelling expenses too,
+so that I'm not really obliged to spend anything on myself," she said,
+putting an arm about his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to his.
+"Papa, do you think a dollar will be enough for me to give the
+Forestis?"
+
+"You may decide that question for yourself, my darling," he said,
+patting her cheek and stroking her hair; "I leave it entirely to you to
+give much, little, or nothing, as conscience and inclination dictate."
+
+"Thank you, papa; you are very kind to say that; but please tell me if
+you think a dollar will be enough for me?"
+
+"Yes, I do," was his reply, and Lulu looked satisfied and relieved.
+
+"I'm glad, papa," she said, "for I really do not know that I shall have
+more than that left after paying for the presents for the servants; and
+of course I can't give more than I have."
+
+"Quite true," he returned, with a slight smile. "I would have you make
+it a rule never to go into debt for your own gratification or for any
+other object. 'Out of debt, out of danger,' is an old and wise saying.
+Now, daughter, it is time to say good-night; but first let me remind you
+that to-morrow is the Lord's day, and to be kept holy. Try not to think
+of the exciting events expected in the coming week, but to spend the
+time in the worship of God and the study of his word, that you may grow
+in grace and conformity to his will, thus becoming 'meet for the
+inheritance of the saints in light,' and ready, when he shall call you
+away from earth, to dwell forever with him in that holy, happy land
+where sin and sorrow are unknown. We will kneel down together now for a
+moment and ask him to help us both to do so, 'running with patience the
+race set before us, ever looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
+our faith.'"
+
+Sunday was passed by the Viamede family in the usual quiet way, most of
+its hours filled up with divine service in the sanctuary or at home,
+and all retired to rest at an early hour, to rise the next morning in
+renewed health and strength, the children rejoicing in their holiday and
+the near approach of the wedding festivities.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore had the day before, on their way to church, called
+upon the Italian music teacher, taking with them delicacies for the sick
+man, and other articles of food for the rest of the family; some money
+also, in which was included Lulu's dollar; and finding the services of a
+physician were needed, had engaged to send one.
+
+Dr. Dick Percival undertook the errand, made a professional call, and on
+his return reported the man quite ill, but likely to recover with good
+and competent nursing. He went over again on Monday morning, but called
+first at Viamede to report to his uncle Dinsmore and the captain.
+
+Lulu was present at the interview and heard with interest all that
+Cousin Dick had to tell about the signor and his family.
+
+"There are three children," said Dick--"forlorn looking little
+creatures, with apparently no playthings except a few broken bits of
+china, and for doll babies, some corn cobs wrapped in rags."
+
+"Oh, papa," exclaimed little Elsie, seated upon her father's knee,
+"mayn't I send dem some of my dollies?"
+
+"Yes, if you want to do so," he replied, smiling upon her, and smoothing
+her curls caressingly with his hand.
+
+"And I will hunt up some playthings for them too, if I may, papa," said
+Lulu.
+
+"Certainly," he said; "you may do so at once, and we three and Gracie
+will drive over there in the carriage, which I will order immediately;
+that is, if Cousin Dick does not object to our company?"
+
+"Not by any means, Captain; I shall be delighted to have it," said Dr.
+Percival. "And will you drive over with me, Art?" turning to Dr. Conley.
+
+"With pleasure, Dick," was the reply, and in a short time all were on
+their way, the children well laden with toys and sweets for the little
+Forestis.
+
+Violet had been invited to accompany her husband, but declined because
+of some preparations still to be made for the wedding. Little Ned,
+however, had no such excuse, and gladly made one of the merry little
+party in his father's carriage.
+
+Dr. Percival, having other patients needing his attention, said he
+intended to make but a short call upon the Italian, and the captain did
+not think it worth while for his children to alight; but from the
+carriage they witnessed with delight the pleasure conferred upon the
+little Forestis by their gifts.
+
+Captain Raymond left them for a few moments while he went in to see the
+sick man, to whom he spoke with the utmost kindness, condoling with him
+on his sufferings, and inquiring if they were very great.
+
+"De bains ish ver bad, sare," replied the man, with a heavy sigh. Then,
+with an earnest look into the captain's face, his own flushing hotly,
+"You, sare, ish de fader off Mees Lu Raymond?" he said inquiringly.
+
+"I am, sir," replied the captain with some sternness of look and tone.
+
+"Mees Lu, she bees one goot leetle girl for send me that monish
+yesterday," continued Foresti; "dot make me ver sorry I haf so leetle
+batience mit her dat time she sthrike me mit de music book."
+
+"Yes," said Captain Raymond, "and I trust that when you are again able
+to teach you will try to be more patient and forbearing with your
+pupils. It will be better for both you and them."
+
+"Yes, sare, I vill try dat blan; but mine batience bees sorely dried mit
+de mishtakes off dose careless bupils I haf to teach."
+
+"I dare say that is true," said the captain, "but one who finds it
+impossible to have patience with pupils, should try some other way of
+making a livelihood than by teaching."
+
+In another minute or two the captain left--not waiting for the doctors,
+who were, as he knew, going in another direction--re-entered his
+carriage, and started on the return trip to Viamede.
+
+"Papa," asked Lulu, "can't we take a little different route going home?"
+
+"Yes," he replied in an indulgent tone, and gave the necessary
+directions to the driver.
+
+It was a pleasant, shady road into which they presently turned, and the
+children chatted and laughed right merrily, receiving no rebuke from
+their father and fearing none.
+
+They had not gone far on that road when they espied two horsemen
+approaching from the opposite direction.
+
+"Oh," cried little Elsie, "here come Cousin Ronald and Uncle Horace."
+
+"An unexpected meeting, Captain," Mr. Dinsmore remarked, with a bow and
+smile as they drew near.
+
+"But none the less pleasant," returned Captain Raymond.
+
+"Very true, sir," said Mr. Lilburn, bowing and smiling in his turn.
+
+"For the captain and you young folks, no doubt, but a trifle less
+delightful for us who have the load to carry," seemed to come from the
+mouth of one of the horses as he tossed his head to shake off a fly.
+
+"True enough, Selim. You doubtless envy me with only this gentleman to
+carry; and I pity you from the bottom of my heart; only that it must be
+good fun to hear those little folks chatting and laughing," was the
+answering remark apparently made by the horse ridden by Mr. Lilburn,
+speaking as they passed the captain's carriage.
+
+Lulu and Grace clapped their hands, laughing merrily, while baby Ned
+exclaimed, with a look of astonishment, "Me didn't fink horsey could
+talk like udder folks!"
+
+"Oh, yes! but why did they never do it before?" cried little Elsie.
+"Papa, did you know they could talk?"
+
+"I never heard them do so before, daughter," the captain said, with an
+amused smile down into the earnest, surprised little face, "and I
+suspect that it is only when Cousin Ronald is about that they can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+RIDES, drives, sports of various kinds, and preparations for the
+wedding, made the time pass very rapidly and pleasantly to the young
+folks at Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and the Parsonage, until at length all
+was in readiness for the expected festivities.
+
+The ceremony was to be performed at the church, the Rev. Cyril Keith
+officiating, and to be immediately succeeded by a wedding breakfast on
+the lawn at Magnolia Hall. That was to be about noon, so did not
+interfere with the usual morning meal and family devotions at Viamede.
+
+When these had been attended to, the ladies and young girls scattered to
+their rooms to dress for the important occasion.
+
+It had been arranged that Grace Raymond and Rose Lacy were to act as
+flower girls, dressed in white tarlatan, and white hats trimmed with
+white ribbon, and each carrying a basket filled with white roses, white
+japonicas, and smilax. Rose Travilla, Evelyn Leland, and Lulu Raymond,
+dressed as had been planned at the first, were to act as bridesmaids,
+while Lora Howard, Maud and Sydney Dinsmore, were to be maids of honor,
+dressed in white, and carrying bouquets of white flowers.
+
+Betty's own dress was a rich white silk, trimmed with elegant and costly
+lace--the gift of her brother-in-law, Mr. Embury--and a tulle veil,
+fastened to her head with a wreath of orange blossoms. Her bouquet was
+of bride roses and smilax. The Dinsmore and Howard cousins were to act
+as ushers and groomsmen.
+
+All this had been satisfactorily arranged, and rehearsals gone through
+with several times at Magnolia Hall and Viamede, that each one might be
+perfect in his or her part; otherwise timid little Gracie could not have
+been induced to undertake her share in the ceremony.
+
+When she and Lulu were dressed for the occasion they went in search of
+their father to ask his opinion of their appearance and attire. He
+scanned each daintily attired, graceful little figure with a look of
+proud, fond affection, clasped them in his arms and kissed them
+tenderly.
+
+"My darlings look very sweet in their father's eyes," he said; "but do
+not be too proud of your appearance, for fathers are apt to see their
+own children through rose-colored glasses; and it is not very likely
+that you will attract particular attention among so many attendants upon
+the bride, who will doubtless be gazed upon more admiringly and
+critically than anyone else."
+
+"I'm ever so glad of that, papa," Gracie said, with a sigh of relief;
+"because I don't like to be viewed with a critic's eye," she concluded
+with a merry, though slightly disturbed little laugh.
+
+"Well, dear child, just try to forget yourself, and I have no doubt
+everything will go right," he said, drawing both her and Lulu closer
+into his arms for a little more petting and caressing.
+
+That was interrupted by the entrance of their mamma Vi, coming upon the
+same errand that had brought them.
+
+"Will I do, my dear?" she asked, with a bright, winsome smile.
+
+"Ah, my Violet, my sweet and beautiful flower," he returned, regarding
+her with ardently admiring eyes, "I fear you will outshine the bride.
+You look very like one yourself, except a most becoming air of maturity;
+scarcely older and certainly not less beautiful than when you gave
+yourself to me."
+
+"And accepted you in return; deeds which I have never yet for a moment
+regretted," she said, with a coquettish smile up into his face; for he
+had put his little girls gently aside and risen to take a critical
+survey of his young and beautiful wife.
+
+"And never shall if in my power to prevent it, my love, my darling," he
+said low and tenderly, laying a hand upon her shoulder, and bending
+down to press a fond kiss upon her lips.
+
+They were in the library, whither the captain had gone, after arraying
+himself for the wedding festival, to wait for the ladies and damsels who
+were to go under his care.
+
+"Ah, Brother Levis, I have caught you in the very act," laughed Rosie,
+dancing into the room, already in bridesmaid's attire, and looking but
+little less attractive than Violet herself.
+
+"Ah! and what of that, little sister?" he asked. "Who has a better right
+than her husband to bestow caresses upon a beautiful and attractive
+woman?"
+
+"Captain Raymond, being my teacher, has an undoubted right to question
+me in the school-room," laughed Rosie, with an arch look up into his
+face, "but--I don't know that he has here and now. Now please let me
+have your candid opinion of my dress and appearance."
+
+"You will do very well, little sister; there is no fault to be found
+with your appearance, so far as I can see," he answered in a
+non-committal tone, and with a mischievous twinkle of fun in his eye.
+
+At that Rosie pretended to pout. "You keep all your compliments for Vi,"
+she said. "But--ah, here comes Eva, and I wonder if you can afford one
+to her. She is certainly worthy of it."
+
+Evelyn did indeed look sweet and fair in a becoming white chip hat and
+her pretty dress of pale blue silk trimmed with lovely lace.
+
+Rosie's own dress was a delicate pink; Lulu's canary color; all of the
+same material.
+
+"That she is, in my opinion," returned the captain, bestowing a fatherly
+caress upon the young orphan girl, then offering the same to Rosie.
+
+"Well, now, you are a nice brother--my big, big brother, you remember,"
+she laughed, "so I won't repulse you; help yourself and let us have it
+over."
+
+Just at that moment her mother came in, dressed for the wedding in a
+beautiful pearl-colored silk and point lace, a knot of white roses at
+her throat and in her belt, her lovely and abundant golden brown hair
+simply and tastefully arranged.
+
+"Mamma!" exclaimed Violet, "you are the most beautiful and tastefully
+attired one among us!"
+
+"In the partial eyes of my daughter Violet," was the smiling rejoinder.
+"But to me her youthful beauty far exceeds her mother's fading charms."
+
+"I incline to the opinion that the fading is perceptible to no eyes but
+your own, mother," remarked the captain gallantly.
+
+"I also," said Violet; "a richer, riper bloom is all that I can see."
+
+"Or that anybody else can," added Walter, who, ready dressed for the
+wedding, had entered the room just in time to catch Violet's first
+exclamation.
+
+Then the other members of the family and the guests came flocking in,
+the carriages were announced as waiting for their living freight, and
+presently all were seated in them and on their way to the church, which
+they found crowded with invited guests and other spectators.
+
+The ceremony was short, but impressive. Bride, bridesmaids, flower
+girls, and maids of honor were all looking their best, and behaved
+admirably; groom, groomsmen, and ushers also, among whom were a brother
+and an intimate friend of the bridegroom, the young cousins Arthur and
+Walter Howard, Chester and Frank Dinsmore, and little Walter Travilla.
+
+Old Mr. Dinsmore, the uncle and guardian of the bride, gave her away,
+and was the first to salute, and call her by her new name on the
+completion of the ceremony, the first to congratulate the groom, and
+wish them a great deal of happiness.
+
+Other affectionate greetings and best wishes followed in quick
+succession; then the carriages were re-entered, and all drove to
+Magnolia Hall to partake of the wedding breakfast.
+
+The place was looking its very loveliest: the grass on the lawn like a
+velvet carpet of emerald green, spangled with many flowers of varied
+hues, which filled the air with delicious perfume, and there, scattered
+about underneath the magnolia, orange, and other beautiful shade trees,
+were many small tables resplendent with the finest napery, shining
+silver, cut glass, and delicate china, and loaded with delicate and
+delicious viands.
+
+Presently every table was surrounded by a merry group quite disposed to
+do justice to the tempting fare, and the air filled with the pleasant
+hum of happy voices and low, gleeful laughter.
+
+The bride and groom, with their attendants, were seated about two tables
+not many feet apart, while the older members of the Viamede family and
+Cousin Ronald occupied another, quite near to both; and Mr. Embury and
+his Molly, with the Parsonage family, Virginia and the older Embury
+children, filled a third, not far from either of the others, when
+presently Nero, a great big Newfoundland dog belonging to Mr. Embury,
+showed himself at his master's side, looking up wistfully into his face.
+
+"I'm hungry, good master," were the words that seemed to come from his
+lips, "and surely your faithful dog might have a taste of this feast."
+
+At that some of the guests looked startled and astounded, too much
+surprised to speak, but Mr. Embury, who was not ignorant of Cousin
+Ronald's talents, though a little startled at first, recovered his wits
+instantly, and replying, "Certainly, certainly, Nero; that's only fair,"
+handed the dog a generous bit of chicken, and bade him carry it to a
+distance and eat it. An order which was promptly obeyed.
+
+"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! that's a bright and capable dog, Mr. Embury,"
+remarked Cousin Ronald, elevating his eyebrows in mock surprise. "What
+would you take for him, sir?"
+
+"He is not for sale, Mr. Lilburn," was Mr. Embury's grave rejoinder.
+"You must surely see for yourself, sir, that he is no ordinary dog, but
+an uncommonly valuable animal. There are not many of his race who can
+speak so plainly."
+
+"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! that is very true, sir. I don't wonder you are
+not inclined to part with him, for it is no easy matter to find a dog
+that can speak such good English, nor for that matter any other
+language."
+
+"No, sir, they are scarce indeed," said Mr. Embury, "and I had no idea
+Nero was one of them until he spoke just now."
+
+"Ah, I'm afraid the power of speech will be lost by him as suddenly as
+it was found," remarked Mrs. Embury with a low, gleeful laugh.
+
+"There must certainly be a ventriloquist among us," remarked the groom,
+with a searching look at Cousin Ronald.
+
+"Ah, do you really think so, sir?" inquired Mr. Lilburn gravely, "and
+would you do me the favor to point him out?"
+
+"Well, sir, I cannot say that I am absolutely certain, but strongly
+incline to the opinion that he sits in the chair occupied by yourself."
+
+"Indeed, sir, I didna think I filled the place so ill that room could be
+found in it for another mon!" exclaimed Mr. Lilburn, again raising his
+eyebrows like one astonished, then sending a downward glance over his
+own portly person, and assuming so comical an expression of countenance
+that no one could see it without smiling or laughing outright.
+
+So fully was he absorbing the attention of all that no one noticed the
+return of Nero until words were again heard apparently issuing from his
+lips.
+
+"That was a nice morsel, master, but not enough to satisfy the appetite
+of a dog of my size; so another bit, sir, if you please."
+
+"Yes, sir, you shall have it, since you ask so politely," returned Mr.
+Embury, handing him another and larger piece of the chicken, "but carry
+it off where there will be no danger of contact with wedding finery."
+
+Nero obeyed, and as he trotted away, a voice that seemed to come from
+behind Mr. Embury, said whiningly:
+
+"I'm hungry too, sir, and surely a human creature should be treated at
+least as well as a dog."
+
+At that Mr. Embury turned suddenly round as if to see the speaker,
+nearly everyone else doing likewise, but no beggar was in sight.
+
+"Well, sir," he said, "I cannot give to an invisible suppliant; show
+yourself if you want anything."
+
+"Sir," replied the voice, now seeming to come from a clump of bushes
+near at hand, "I'm not used to begging, and don't want to be seen. Can
+you not send a servant here with a plateful of your most toothsome
+viands?"
+
+"Quite a modest request, sir," returned Mr. Embury, laughing. "But I
+think you will have to wait till the servants have more leisure; at
+present they are all fully occupied in waiting upon my guests."
+
+"But then you'll let him have something to eat, won't you, papa?"
+pleaded little Mary Embury. "You never do turn anybody away hungry."
+
+"Certainly not, little daughter; if he could be found he should be fed."
+
+"But shan't I drive him out, sir?" queried a servant man; "we doan' want
+no beggahs 'bout yar. Dey mout help deirselfs to some o' de silvah when
+nobody aint lookin'."
+
+"Well, Bill, you might drive him out; he's perhaps a tramp watching his
+opportunity to help himself."
+
+Bill, well pleased with the errand, set down with alacrity the dish he
+carried, and hurried toward the clump of bushes that apparently
+concealed the tramp. "Ki, you ole tief you!" he cried, "git long out ob
+dis; nobody doan' want yo' hyar! I'se break yo' skull fo' yo' ef ye doan
+be gone putty quick!"
+
+He pulled apart the bushes as he spoke, but instantly started back in
+astonishment and terror as he perceived that no one was concealed there.
+
+"Whar dat fellah dun gone?" he exclaimed. "Dis chile doan' see nobody
+dar nohow 'tall!"
+
+"Ha, ha! you don't look in the right place," cried the same voice that
+had begged for food a moment before, the speaker seeming to be directly
+behind him; and Bill wheeled about with unusual alacrity with the
+intention of seizing his tormentor, but turned almost white with terror
+on perceiving that no one was there.
+
+"Wha--wha--wha dat raskil done gone?" he exclaimed, "t'ot he right dar,
+an' he aint nowhar 'bout."
+
+"Never mind, Bill; it seems he has saved you the trouble of driving him
+off," said Mr. Embury, "and you may come back to your duties. More
+coffee is wanted here."
+
+Bill obeyed, but on his return with the coffee kept glancing
+apprehensively in the direction of the bushes.
+
+"I wonder where the man did go!" exclaimed little Mary presently. "I've
+been watching, and don't know how he could get away without being seen."
+
+"Beggars are sometimes very quick at hiding, little lassie," remarked
+Mr. Lilburn.
+
+"Ha, ha! so they are!" cried the voice of the beggar, sounding as though
+he stood just behind her chair.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, with a start and a backward glance. "Why, where is
+he? I don't see him at all."
+
+"Don't be frightened, daughter," Mr. Embury said in an encouraging tone.
+
+"No, bit lassie, he's not dangerous," remarked Mr. Lilburn, with a
+reassuring smile.
+
+"Oh, do you know him, sir?" she asked, looking up inquiringly into his
+face.
+
+"I didna see him," replied the old gentleman laughingly, "but judging by
+his voice I think I know who he is--a quiet, inoffensive countrymon o'
+me ain."
+
+"Ah, yes, a rather intimate acquaintance of yours, sir, is he not?"
+queried Norton, with a searching look into the face of the old
+gentleman and a half mocking smile.
+
+"I think I may have heard the voice before, sir," Mr. Lilburn replied
+with unmoved countenance. "It is not unusual for beggars to accost one
+who is by no means o' the same class as themselves. In fact, as ony body
+can see, it would be useless to ask alms o' those no richer than
+themselves."
+
+"Ah, true enough, sir!" was the reply.
+
+Meanwhile, many mirthful glances had been exchanged by
+those--particularly the young folks--acquainted with the secret of
+Cousin Ronald's peculiar talent, and the guests at more distant tables
+were looking on with a good deal of curiosity. Bill was presently
+questioned as he passed them on his way to and from the kitchen. "What
+was it you saw yonder in that bush, Bill?"
+
+"Nothin' 'tall, sah."
+
+"But you seemed frightened; you looked scared."
+
+"Dat's de reason, sah; somebody talkin' an' nobody dare."
+
+"Why, how was that, Bill?" queried another voice.
+
+"Dunno, sah; maybe witches roun'; 'spect dat de splanation ob de
+mattah."
+
+"Oh, of course," laughed the gentleman; "but one hardly expects such
+company at a wedding."
+
+Questions were put to Mr. and Mrs. Embury and others as the guests drew
+together again upon the conclusion of the meal, but no satisfactory
+answers were elicited.
+
+A reception occupied some hours after that, then all returned to their
+homes, to meet again at Viamede in the evening, where a beautiful and
+bountiful entertainment awaited them.
+
+The next evening a smaller party was given at the Parsonage, and on the
+following afternoon the bride and groom took their departure for a
+little trip northward, expecting to settle down in their own home upon
+their return.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+IT was only the next day after the departure of Betty and her husband
+that a letter was received by Mrs. Cyril Keith, informing her of the
+death of her aunt Delaford, leaving the bulk of her large fortune to
+her, and a fat legacy to each of the Conley brothers--Calhoun, Arthur,
+Walter, and Ralph--and the sisters Virginia and Ella.
+
+Isadore was well satisfied with the provisions of the will, as were the
+others also, with the exception of Virginia, who frowned and grumbled
+audibly that she herself might have been made to share equally with
+Isadore, who had a good home and husband already, therefore really
+needed less than herself, "lone and lorn, and poor as a church mouse."
+
+"But you have no children, Virgie," said her cousin Elsie, in whose
+presence the remark was made, "no one to support but yourself; and the
+interest of this money will be sufficient for your comfortable
+maintenance."
+
+"Possibly, if I had a home, as Isa has; but not without," returned
+Virginia in a pettish tone, while her eyes flashed angrily.
+
+Elsie bore patiently with the rebuff, and said no more at that time, but
+considered the matter earnestly, carefully, and prayerfully, in the
+privacy of her own room, then had a talk about it with her father,
+without whose approval she seldom took a step of any great importance.
+
+Finding him alone on the veranda, "Papa," she said, taking a seat by his
+side, "I want a few minutes' chat with you before we are joined by
+anyone else. You heard Virginia's complaint of yesterday--that she had
+no home of her own. I have been thinking it over, also of the fact that
+Dick and Bob are in the same condition, and it has occurred to me that I
+might invite them to take possession here while we are absent at our
+more northern home, giving employment to the servants, keeping the house
+in repair, and the grounds in order; that is, merely overseeing the work
+and looking to me for the means necessary to cover the expense, I to
+retain my present satisfactory overseer, and pay his wages out of the
+returns from the crops; also those of the laborers."
+
+"You mean that you would simply give a home here to your cousins?"
+returned Mr. Dinsmore interrogatively.
+
+"Yes, sir; a home without expense--except, perhaps, some small increase
+of the wages of the servants in consideration of the additional work
+made for them, and a share of the fruits, vegetables, fowls, and so
+forth, raised upon the plantation."
+
+"A share? meaning all they might want to use? the 'and so forth' I
+suppose, meaning milk, cream, butter, and eggs?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I should call it a very generous offer, and I have no objection to
+bring it forward, seeing that you are well able to afford it, if it is
+your pleasure so to do."
+
+"I am glad my project meets with your approval," she said, with a smile,
+"for otherwise, as I think you know, papa, it would never be carried
+out. Ah, how thankful I should be, and I hope I am, that I have been
+given the financial ability to do such kindness to others!"
+
+"Yes," he said, with an affectionate smile into the soft brown eyes
+looking into his; "I know of no one who enjoys doing kindness more than
+my dear eldest daughter.
+
+"What a delightful winter and early spring we have had here," he
+continued after a pause; "but it is now growing so warm that I think we
+must soon be moving northward."
+
+"Yes, sir; when the last arrivals have had a week or more of the
+enjoyment to be found in this lovely region of country."
+
+"Yes; they are enjoying it," he said, with a pleased smile; "the younger
+ones especially, the children of your brother and sister not less than
+the others. And by the way, daughter, I think you will be doing no
+little kindness to your cousins Cyril and Isadore by giving Virginia a
+home here."
+
+"Yes, I think their home life will be more peaceful," she said in
+assent. "Poor Virgie seems to be not of--the happiest or most contented
+disposition."
+
+"No, she never was," said Mr. Dinsmore; "a discontented, fretful,
+complaining creature she has always been since I have known her, and she
+was a very little child when our acquaintance began."
+
+In the course of that day Elsie's plans were made known to the Keiths,
+Virginia, and her cousins Dick Percival and his half-brother Bob
+Johnson, joyfully accepted by the two gentlemen, and half ungraciously
+by Virginia, who said complainingly, that "Viamede was a pretty enough
+place, to be sure, but would be dreadfully lonesome for her when the
+boys were away."
+
+"Then you can amuse yourself with a book from the library, a ride or
+drive, as the horses and carriages will be left here for your use and
+that of Dick and Bob," Elsie answered pleasantly, while Isadore,
+blushing vividly for her sister, exclaimed, "O Virgie, you could not
+have a lovelier, sweeter home, and I think Cousin Elsie is wonderfully
+kind to offer it!"
+
+"Of course, I'm greatly obliged to her," Virginia said, coloring
+slightly as though a trifle ashamed of her want of appreciation of the
+kind offer "and I'll not damage anything, so that the house will be none
+the worse for my occupancy, but possibly a little better."
+
+"Yes, perhaps it may," Elsie said pleasantly, "though the servants
+usually left in charge are careful about airing it and keeping
+everything neat and clean. I really think you will have no trouble with
+your housekeeping, Virgie."
+
+"That seems a pleasant prospect, for I never liked housekeeping,"
+returned Virginia, "and I really am much obliged to you, Cousin Elsie."
+
+"You are very welcome, and I hope will be happy here," was the kindly
+reply.
+
+Another fortnight of constant intercourse between the three
+places--Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and the Parsonage--of rides, drives,
+walks, sailing or rowing about on the lagoon, and every other pleasure
+and entertainment that could be devised, then the party began to break
+up, those from the north returning to their homes, most of them by rail,
+as the speediest and the most convenient mode of travel. However, Mr.
+and Mrs. Dinsmore, Evelyn, Grandma Elsie and her youngest two, Cousin
+Ronald and the Woodburn family, returned together by sea, making use of
+the captain's yacht, which he had ordered to be sent to him in season
+for the trip by the Gulf and ocean.
+
+There was no urgent need of haste, and the captain did not deny that he
+was conscious of a longing to be, for a time, again in command of a
+vessel sailing over the briny deep; besides, it would be less fatiguing
+for the little ones, to say nothing of their elders.
+
+The little girls were full of delight at the prospect of both the voyage
+and the return to their lovely homes, yet could not leave beautiful
+Viamede without deep regret.
+
+It was the last evening but one of their stay; all were gathered upon
+the veranda looking out upon the lagoon sparkling in the moonlight, and
+the velvety flower-bespangled lawn, with its many grand and beautiful
+old trees. The little ones had already gone to their nests, but Evelyn,
+Lulu, and Grace were sitting with the older people, Grace on her
+father's knee, the other two together close at hand.
+
+There had been some cheerful chat, followed by a silence of several
+minutes. It was broken by a slight scuffling sound, as of a negro's
+footstep, in the rear of Elsie's chair, then a voice said in mournful
+accents, "Scuse de in'truption, missus, but dis chile want to 'spress to
+you uns dat we uns all a'most heart-broke t'inkin' how you's gwine 'way
+an' p'r'arps won't be comin' heah no mo' till de ol'est ob us done gone
+foreber out dis wicked worl'."
+
+Before the sentence was completed every eye had turned in the direction
+of the sounds; but nothing was to be seen of the speaker.
+
+"Oh, that was you, Cousin Ronald," laughed Rosie, recovering from the
+momentary start given her by the seemingly mysterious disappearance of
+the speaker.
+
+"Ah, Rosie, my bonnie lassie, how can you treat your auld kinsman so ill
+as to suspect him of murdering the king's English in that style?"
+queried the old gentleman in hurt, indignant tones.
+
+"Because, my poor abused cousin, I am utterly unable to account in any
+other way for the phenomenon of an invisible speaker so close at hand."
+
+Cousin Ronald made no reply, for at that instant there came a sound of
+bitter sobbing, apparently from behind a tree a few feet from the
+veranda's edge, then a wailing cry, "Oh, Miss Elsie, Massa Dinsmore, and
+de res' ob you dar, doan' go for to leab dis po' chile! She cayn't stan'
+it nohow 'tall! her ole heart like to break! Doan' go way, massa an'
+missus; stay hyah wid de niggahs dat lubs you so!"
+
+"Oh, Cousin Ronald, don't!" Elsie said in half tremulous tones. "It
+seems too real, and almost breaks my heart; for I am greatly attached
+to many of these poor old men and women."
+
+"Then I think they will not distress you with any more complaints and
+entreaties to-night, sweet cousin," returned the old gentleman in
+pleasant, though half regretful tones.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+THE next day the servants were gathered on the lawn and presented with
+the parting gifts procured for them by the ladies and little girls,
+which they received with many thanks and demonstrations of delight. But
+the following morning, when the time of parting had really come, there
+were some tears shed by the old retainers, yet they were greatly cheered
+by the assurances of their loved mistress, her father, and Captain
+Raymond, that in all probability it would not be very long before the
+family would be there again for a season.
+
+The feelings of the departing ones were of a mingled character--regret
+at leaving lovely Viamede, and joy in the prospect of soon being again
+in their own sweet homes farther north.
+
+The weather was delightful, light fleecy clouds tempering the heat of
+the sun; the fields and plantations clothed in the richest verdure of
+spring; the air filled with the perfume of flowers and vocal with the
+songs of birds; then on reaching Bayou Teche they found their own yacht,
+the _Dolphin_, awaiting them.
+
+The young folks of the party greeted her with a clapping of hands and
+many another demonstration of delight, and soon all were on board, and
+she was steaming out through the bay, into the Gulf beyond, her
+passengers, from Grandpa Dinsmore down to baby Ned, grouped together on
+deck underneath an awning.
+
+"We are in the Gulf now, aren't we, sir?" asked Walter at length,
+addressing the captain.
+
+"Yes, my boy," was the pleasant toned reply; "and are there any places
+along its coast that you or any of the others would particularly like to
+see?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir; yes, indeed!" exclaimed Walter with enthusiasm. "I for
+one would like greatly to see Mobile Bay with its fort. Morgan is the
+name?"
+
+"Yes; Fort Morgan is at the extremity of Mobile Point, where Fort Bowyer
+stood in the War of 1812-14. You remember what happened there at that
+time?"
+
+"It was attacked by the British, wasn't it, sir?"
+
+"Yes; in September, 1814, by a British squadron of two brigs and two
+sloops of war, aided by a land force of one hundred and thirty marines
+and six hundred Indians, led by Captain Woodbine, who had been trying to
+drill them at Pensacola.
+
+"Florida did not belong to us at that time; the Spaniards had made a
+settlement at Pensacola in 1696, were still there at the time of our
+last war with England, and favored the British, who there, as well as in
+other parts of Florida, organized expeditions against the United States,
+the Spanish governor, though professing neutrality, evidently siding
+with and giving them aid and comfort."
+
+"And when then did we get possession of Florida, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"In July of 1821," answered the captain.
+
+"Didn't Jackson capture Pensacola at one time during that war with
+England, Captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; in the attack about which Walter was just asking, before Lafitte
+forwarded to New Orleans those documents showing how the British were
+trying to get him into their service, Jackson had perceived that the
+Spaniards were, as I have said, secretly siding with the British, and
+now, with the positive proof furnished by those papers before him, he
+squarely accused Manrequez, the Spanish governor at Pensacola, of bad
+faith.
+
+"Then followed a spicy correspondence, which Jackson closed by writing
+to the governor, 'In future I beg you to withhold your insulting charges
+against my government for one more inclined to listen to slander than I
+am; nor consider me any more a diplomatic character unless so proclaimed
+from the mouth of my cannon.'
+
+"Then he set to work to raise troops, and in a very short time had two
+thousand sturdy young Tennesseeans ready for the field.
+
+"But before these reached Mobile, hostilities had begun. Jackson himself
+went there early in August, and on his arrival perceived that an attempt
+would be made by the British to seize it as soon as their talked of
+great expedition should be ready to move.
+
+"Fort Bowyer was but a small and weak fortification; had no bomb-proofs,
+and but twenty guns, only two of them larger than twelve pounders, some
+still smaller in size.
+
+"Yet small and weak as was the fort, it was the chief defence of Mobile;
+so Jackson threw into it a hundred and thirty of his Second Regular
+Infantry, under Major William Lawrence, who was as gallant an officer as
+any in the service.
+
+"Lawrence at once made every preparation in his power to resist the
+expected attack. But before he could complete his work, on the morning
+of the 12th of September, the British Lieutenant-colonel Nichols
+appeared on the peninsula back of the fort, with, as I have said, his
+marines and Indians, the latter under the command of Captain Woodbine,
+who had been drilling them at Pensacola.
+
+"Later in the evening of the same day the four British vessels of which
+I spoke appeared in sight, and anchored within six miles of Mobile
+Point. They were a part of a squadron of nine vessels in Pensacola Bay,
+under the command of Captain Percy.
+
+"Our little garrison slept upon their arms that night. The next morning
+Nichols caused a howitzer to be dragged to a sheltered point within
+seven hundred yards of the fort, and threw some shells and solid shot
+from it, but without doing much damage."
+
+"And our fellows fired back at him, of course?" exclaimed Walter
+excitedly.
+
+"Yes, but their fire was equally harmless; but later in the day
+Lawrence's guns quickly dispersed some of Percy's men who were
+attempting to cast up intrenchments, and in the same way several light
+boats, whose men were engaged in sounding the channel nearest the fort.
+
+"The next day was occupied in very much the same way, but on the third
+the garrison perceived that an assault was to be made from both land and
+water. At two o'clock the vessels were seen approaching, and Lawrence
+called a council of officers.
+
+"All were determined to resist to the last, and if finally compelled to
+surrender, to do so only on condition that officers and privates should
+retain their arms and private property, be treated as prisoners of war,
+and protected from the savages.
+
+"The words adopted as the signal for the day were, 'don't give up the
+fort.'
+
+"At half past four the battle began, the four vessels opening fire
+simultaneously, and pouring broadside after broadside upon the fort,
+which returned a fearful fire from its circular battery.
+
+"While this was going on in front, Captain Woodbine was assailing our
+men in the rear, from behind his sand-dune, with a howitzer and a
+twelve-pounder.
+
+"So the battle raged for an hour; then the flag of the _Hermes_ was shot
+away, and Lawrence stopped firing to learn if she had surrendered; but
+the _Caron_ fired another broadside, and the fight went on with renewed
+vigor. Soon a shot cut the cable of the _Hermes_, and she floated away
+with the current, her head toward the fort, and her decks swept of men
+and everything by a raking fire from the fort.
+
+"Then the fort's flag-staff was shot away and her ensign fell, but the
+British, instead of following Lawrence's humane example, redoubled their
+fire. At the same time, Woodbine, supposing that the fort had
+surrendered, hastened toward it with his Indians, but they were driven
+back by a storm of grape-shot, and almost immediately the flag was seen
+again floating over the fort at the end of the staff to which Major
+Lawrence had nailed it."
+
+"And was that the end of the fight, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"Very nearly, if not quite," he replied. "Two of the attacking vessels
+presently withdrew, leaving the helpless _Hermes_ behind; she finally
+grounded upon a sand-bank, when Percy fired and abandoned her. Near
+midnight her magazine exploded."
+
+"I should think that was a great victory; was it not, Brother Levis?"
+queried Walter.
+
+"I think it was," the captain said. "The result was very mortifying to
+the British. It was entirely unexpected, and Percy had said that he
+would allow the garrison only twenty minutes to capitulate. It is not
+surprising that he expected to take the weak little fort, with its
+feeble garrison of one hundred and thirty, when he brought against it
+over thirteen hundred men and ninety-two pieces of artillery.
+
+"The Americans lost only eight men, one-half of whom were killed. The
+assailants lost two hundred and thirty-two, one hundred and sixty-two of
+them killed.
+
+"One result of that fight was that the Indians lost faith in the
+invincibility of the British, and many of them deserted, and sought
+safety from the anger of Jackson by concealing themselves in the
+interior of their broad country."
+
+"Papa," said Grace earnestly, "did not God help our cause because we
+were in the right?"
+
+"No doubt of it, daughter," replied the captain; "ours was a righteous
+cause, a resistance to intolerable oppression and wrong, as our poor
+sailors felt it to be when a British man-of-war would stop our
+merchantmen on the high seas and force into their service any man whom
+they choose to say was an Englishman.
+
+"But I need not enlarge upon that subject to my present audience, as I
+am convinced that you all know of and appreciate that bitter wrong.
+
+"To resume. The Americans were highly gratified with the result of the
+conflict at Fort Bowyer, and their zeal was greatly quickened for
+volunteering for the defence of New Orleans, whose citizens testified
+their appreciation of Major Lawrence's achievement by resolving to
+present him with an elegant sword in the name of their city."
+
+"Was there not a second attack by the British upon Fort Bowyer,
+Captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; after their defeat at New Orleans. That, you will remember, was on
+the 8th of January, 1815. They reached their fleet, lying in the deep
+water between Ship and Cat Islands, on the 29th of that month, Fort
+Bowyer on the 9th of February, and besieged it for nearly two days, when
+Major Lawrence found himself compelled to surrender to a superior force.
+That left Mobile at the mercy of the foe, but just then came the news
+of peace, concluded at Ghent nearly two months before."
+
+"But wasn't there some fighting done there or at Mobile in the Civil
+War, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; on August 5, 1864, the government forces under Farragut attacked
+the Confederate defences there, consisting principally of the two forts,
+Morgan on the eastern side of the bay, and Gaines on the western, about
+three miles apart.
+
+"A line of piles and a double one of torpedoes stretched nearly across
+from Fort Gaines to Fort Morgan, leaving only a narrow channel between
+that fort and the point of termination. It was through that channel,
+indicated by a red buoy, that blockade runners passed in and out, and
+inside of these defences lay the Confederate ironclad _Tennessee_, and
+three wooden gun-boats. It was early in the morning of that August day
+that Farragut's signal was given, for the advance of his seven sloops of
+war. The firing was heavy and destructive on both sides. But I will not
+go into particulars at this time, only saying that the result was in
+favor of the Federals; but the victory cost many lives--of Federals 335
+men, of whom 113 were drowned in the _Tecumseh_--the leading monitor,
+which had struck a torpedo and gone down--and 52 killed by shot, while
+the Confederate loss was 10 killed, 16 wounded, and 280 prisoners,
+besides the loss in the forts, which is unknown."
+
+Just at this point a passing vessel attracted the attention of the
+captain and his listeners, and the conversation was not renewed until
+after dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+IT was Mrs. Travilla, or Grandma Elsie, as Lulu and Grace called her,
+who that afternoon started the captain upon the historical sketches so
+greatly enjoyed by the younger part of the company, to say nothing of
+the older ones.
+
+"We will pass near enough to Forts Gaines and Morgan to get a view of
+them--the outside at least--will we not, Captain?" she asked, with a
+smile.
+
+"Yes, mother," he replied. "Pensacola also, whither, as I have said, the
+British went after their fruitless attack upon Fort Bowyer--now Fort
+Morgan--then occupied by the Spaniards under Manrequez, and where they
+were publicly received as friends and allies.
+
+"All that, and the revelations of Jean Lafitte concerning their attempt
+to engage him and his outlaws to help them in their contemplated attack
+upon New Orleans, kindled the hottest indignation in the minds of
+Jackson and the people of the Southwest. The general issued a
+proclamation in retort for one sent out by the British officer Nichols
+shortly before, in which he had made inflammatory appeals to the
+French, who were prejudiced against the Americans, and the Kentuckians,
+who were discontented because of a seeming neglect by their
+government--a state of things largely owing to the arts of ambitious
+politicians.
+
+"Nichols had also sent out Indian runners to excite their fellows
+against the Americans, and in that way he gathered nearly a thousand
+Creeks and Seminoles at Pensacola, where they were supplied with
+abundance of arms and ammunition.
+
+"Jackson, in his proclamation--told of all this the conduct of the
+British, and the perfidy of the Spaniards--and called upon the people of
+Louisiana to 'arouse for the defence of their threatened country.'"
+
+"And did they do it, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"Yes; they were thoroughly roused and much excited by the threatening
+aspect of affairs, and at once set vigorously to work to prepare for
+determined resistance to the threatened invasion of their country and
+their homes.
+
+"Jackson was impatient to march on Pensacola and break up that
+rendezvous of the enemies of the United States, but it was slow work to
+get his troops together, and November had come before he had his forces
+ready for the attack.
+
+"At last, however, he had four thousand men gathered at Fort Montgomery,
+due north from Pensacola, and on the 3d of the month they marched for
+that place, some Mississippi dragoons leading the way.
+
+"On the evening of the 6th, Jackson, with his whole army, encamped
+within two miles of their destination. Major Pierre was sent to the
+Spanish governor with a flag of truce, and a message from his general
+saying that he had not come to injure the town, or make war upon a
+neutral power, but to deprive the enemies of the republic of a place of
+refuge. Pierre was also told to demand the surrender of the forts.
+
+"The British, however, were in possession of Fort St. Michael, over
+which their's and the Spanish flags had been waving together until the
+day before, and as soon as the American flag of truce was seen
+approaching, it was fired upon from the fort by a twelve-pounder.
+
+"Pierre returned to Jackson and reported these facts; then Jackson sent
+to the governor a Spaniard whom he had captured on the way, demanding an
+explanation.
+
+"The governor asserted that he knew nothing of the outrage, and promised
+that another flag should be respected.
+
+"At midnight Pierre, sent again by Jackson, called once more upon the
+governor with a proposal that American garrisons should be allowed to
+take possession of the forts until Manrequez could man them with a
+sufficient number of Spanish troops to enable him to maintain the
+neutrality of his government against violations of it by the British,
+who had taken possession of the fortresses, it seemed, in spite of the
+Spanish governor's protests, the American troops to be withdrawn as soon
+as the additional Spanish ones arrived.
+
+"The governor rejected the propositions and before dawn three thousand
+of the Americans were marching upon Pensacola. They passed along the
+beach, but the sand was so deep that they could not drag their cannon
+through it. Then the centre of their column charged gallantly into the
+town, but on reaching the principal street they were met by a shower of
+musketry from the gardens and houses, while a two-gun battery opened
+upon them with balls and grape-shot.
+
+"But Captain Laval and his company charged and captured the battery,
+when the governor quickly showed himself with a flag, and promised to
+comply with any terms offered if Jackson would spare the town."
+
+"I hope Jackson wasn't too good to him," laughed Rosie.
+
+"The surrender of all the forts was what Jackson demanded and received,"
+replied the captain. "But one, six miles away, called Fort Barancas, and
+commanding the harbor, in which the British vessels lay, was still in
+the hands of the enemy. Jackson determined to march suddenly upon it
+the next morning, seize it, turn its guns on the British vessels, and
+capture or injure them before they could escape.
+
+"But before morning the British squadron had gone, carrying with it
+Colonel Nichols, Captain Woodbine, the Spanish commandant of the fort,
+and about four hundred men, besides a considerable number of Indians;
+and before leaving they had blown up the fort.
+
+"Jackson suspected that they had gone to make another attack upon Fort
+Bowyer and the town of Mobile, so hurried away in that direction,
+leaving Manrequez angry and indignant at this treatment of himself by
+the British, and the Indians filled with the idea that it would be very
+imprudent for them to again defy the wrath of Andrew Jackson; much
+dejected and alarmed, they scattered themselves through the forests.
+
+"As for Jackson, when he reached Mobile, on the 11th of November, he
+received messages urging him to hasten to the defence of New Orleans.
+
+"He left that place on the 21st, reached it on the 2d of December--but
+of what he accomplished there I have already told you."
+
+"Yes, papa," said Lulu; "I'll never forget that interesting story. But
+do tell me, will we pass near enough to Mobile to see those forts?"
+
+"Yes," he said; then turning to Grandma Elsie, asked, "Mother, would
+you like to stop and visit the forts?"
+
+"I am willing if the rest wish it," she replied; "but otherwise would
+prefer to press on toward home, my Ion home, which, now that we have
+left Viamede fairly behind, I begin to long to see again."
+
+"That being the case I am sure no one of us will wish to stop," returned
+the captain gallantly, a sentiment at once re-echoed by Mr. Dinsmore and
+all present.
+
+"We are nearing there now, are we not, my dear?" asked Violet.
+
+"Yes; we are moving rapidly, and if all goes well may expect to see the
+forts early this evening."
+
+There was an exclamation of pleasure from several of the young people;
+then Lulu asked, "Papa, are there not some other historical places we
+shall have to pass while we are in the Gulf or after we reach the
+ocean?"
+
+"Quite a number, daughter, but we will not delay our voyage in order to
+visit them at this time."
+
+"Perhaps some other day, then?" she returned inquiringly, smiling up
+into his face as she spoke.
+
+"Very possibly," he returned, smoothing her hair with caressing hand;
+for she was, as usual, close at his side.
+
+A pause in the talk was at length broken by a remark from Cousin Ronald.
+
+"You had some great men among your Union officers, Captain, in both army
+and navy, in the days of that terrible Civil War."
+
+"We had indeed, sir," was the hearty response; "a number of them in both
+arms of the service, and none more worthy of respect and admiration than
+Farragut, who did such splendid service at both New Orleans and Mobile
+Bay, to say nothing of other places. The city of Mobile could not be
+captured as New Orleans had been, by reason of shoal water and
+obstructions in the channel, but the passage of blockade runners,
+carrying supplies to the Confederacy, was stopped, which was the main
+object of the expedition."
+
+"Yes, he did good service to his country," returned Mr. Lilburn,
+"although, if I mistake not, he was a Southerner."
+
+"He was born in Tennessee," replied Captain Raymond. "In the winter of
+1860-61 he was on waiting orders at Norfolk, Virginia, where he watched
+with intense interest the movements of the Southern States, and
+especially the effort to carry Virginia out of the Union into the
+Confederacy; and when that was accomplished he remarked that 'the State
+had been dragooned out of the Union.'
+
+"He talked very freely on the subject, and was told that a person with
+such sentiments as his 'could not live in Norfolk.' 'Well, then,' he
+replied, 'I can live somewhere else,' and that very evening left the
+place, with his wife and son. That was the 18th of April, 1861. He went
+first to Baltimore, but afterward took a cottage at Hastings-on-the-Hudson.
+
+"The next December he was summoned to Washington, and on the 2d of
+February sailed from Hampton Roads for New Orleans."
+
+"Where he certainly did splendid service to his country," remarked Mr.
+Lilburn. "I hope she appreciated it."
+
+"I think she did," returned the captain; "he received many marks of the
+people's appreciation, among them a purse of $50,000, which was
+presented him for the purchase of a home in New York City."
+
+"Did he live to see the end of the war, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; he was on the James River with General Gordon when Richmond was
+taken, and on hearing the news the two rode there post-haste, reaching
+the city a little ahead of President Lincoln. A few days after that the
+naval and military officers at Norfolk, with some of the citizens who
+had remained true to the Union, gave him a public reception.
+
+"Farragut was one of the speakers, and in the course of his remarks
+said: 'This meeting recalls to me the most momentous events of my life,
+when I listened in this place till the small hours of the morning, and
+returned home with the feeling that Virginia was safe and firm in her
+place in the Union. Our Union members of the convention were elected by
+an overwhelming majority, and we believed that every thing was right.
+Judge, then, of our astonishment in finding, a few days later, that the
+State had been voted out by a miserable minority, for want of firmness
+and resolution on the part of those whom we trusted to represent us
+there, and that Virginia had been dragooned out of the Union. I was told
+by a brother officer that the State had seceded, and that I must either
+resign and turn traitor to the government which had supported me from
+childhood, or I must leave this place.
+
+"'Thank God, I was not long in making my decision. I have spent half my
+life in revolutionary countries, and I know the horrors of civil war;
+and I told the people what I had seen and what they would experience.
+They laughed at me, and called me "granny," and "croaker"; and I said,
+"I cannot live here, and will seek some other place where I can live." I
+suppose they said I left my country for my country's good, and I thank
+God I did.'"
+
+"A countryman to be proud of," remarked Mr. Lilburn.
+
+"Oh, I wish I could have seen him!" exclaimed Grace. "Papa, wasn't he a
+Christian man?"
+
+"I think so, daughter," replied the captain. "He is said to have had a
+strong religious nature and a firm reliance upon Providence, believing
+in God's constant guidance."
+
+"Do you remember," said Grandma Elsie, "those lines of Oliver Wendell
+Holmes' written in honor of Admiral Farragut, and read at a dinner given
+him, in which this passage occurs?
+
+          "Fast, fast are lessening in the light
+             The names of high renown,
+           Van Tromp's proud besom pales from sight,
+             Old _Benbow's_ half hull down.
+
+          "Scarce one tall frigate walks the sea,
+             Or skirts the safer shores,
+           Of all that bore to victory
+             Our stout old commodores.
+
+          "Hull, Bainbridge, Porter--where are they?
+             The answering billows roll,
+           Still bright in memory's sunset ray,
+             God rest each gallant soul!
+
+          "A brighter name must dim their light,
+             With more than noontide ray:
+           The Viking of the river fight,
+             The Conqueror of the bay.
+
+          "I give the name that fits him best--
+             Ay, better than his own--
+           The Sea-King of the sovereign West,
+             Who made his mast a throne."
+
+"A fine poem indeed, and with a subject worthy of all its praise,"
+remarked Cousin Ronald, as Mrs. Travilla ceased. "No wonder you are
+proud of him, cousins, for he was, as I said a moment since, one to be
+proud of; I should be proud indeed of him were he a countryman of mine."
+
+"As each one of us--his countrymen and women--certainly is," said Mr.
+Dinsmore.
+
+There was a silence of a few moments, presently broken by the captain.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I think there are few, if any, of his countrymen, who
+are not proud of our grand naval hero, Farragut; and there were others
+among our naval heroes of that day, almost, if not quite, as worthy of
+our affectionate admiration. Captain, afterward Admiral, Bailey, for
+instance, who was second in command at the taking of New Orleans,
+leading, in the _Cayuga_, the right column of the fleet of government
+vessels in the passage of Forts St. Philip and Jackson, the capture of
+the Chalmette batteries and the city.
+
+"As you probably remember, he passed up ahead of the fleet, through the
+fire of the forts, the Confederate vessels, the rams, fire-rafts,
+blazing cotton bales, and dense clouds of smoke, meeting the attacks of
+all unaided.
+
+"Also it was he who was sent by Farragut in company with only one other
+man, Lieutenant George H. Perkins, to demand the surrender of the city,
+the taking down of the Confederate flag, and the hoisting in its stead
+of the Stars and Stripes.
+
+"It certainly required no small amount of courage to pass through those
+city streets surrounded by a hooting, yelling, cursing crowd,
+threatening them with drawn pistols and other weapons.
+
+"And who can fail to admire the words of Bailey, in his official report
+of the victory: 'It was a contest of iron hearts in wooden ships against
+iron-clads with iron beaks--and the iron hearts won?'
+
+"And not less admirable was his modest behavior at a dinner given him at
+the Astor House, when called upon to reply to the toast of 'The Navy.'"
+
+"Ah, what was that, sir?" asked Mr. Lilburn, pricking up his ears.
+
+"I was reading an account of it only the other day," pursued Captain
+Raymond. "The old hero straightened himself up, and began, 'Mr.
+President and gentlemen--hem--thank ye.' Then made a long pause,
+glancing up and down the table. 'Well, I suppose you want to hear about
+that New Orleans affair?' he continued. At that there were cries of
+'Yes! yes!' and a great stamping of feet. So Bailey went on; 'Well,
+d'ye see, this was the way of it. We were lying down the river below the
+forts, and Farragut, he--he signalled us to go in and take 'em. Being as
+we were already hove short, it didn't take much time to get under way,
+so that wasn't so much of a job as ye seem to think. And then the
+engineers, they ran the ships, so all we had to do was to blaze away
+when we got up to the forts, and take 'em, according to orders. That's
+just all there was about it.' And he sat down amid thunders of
+applause."
+
+"Ah ha, um h'm, ah ha! a nice, modest fellow he must have been,"
+remarked Cousin Ronald, nodding reflectively, over his cane.
+
+The call to tea interrupted the conversation, but on leaving the table
+all gathered upon the deck again to watch the sunset, the rising of the
+moon, and for the forts, Morgan and Gaines, which they were now rapidly
+nearing, and upon which all gazed with interest as the captain pointed
+them out and the vessel steamed slowly past.
+
+"Ah, what a terrible thing is war!" sighed Grandma Elsie. "God forbid
+that this dear land should ever again be visited with that fearful
+scourge!"
+
+"Ah, I can say amen to that!" Mrs. Dinsmore exclaimed, low and
+tremulously, thinking of the dear young brothers who had fallen victims
+in that unnatural strife. "We cannot be thankful enough for the peace
+and prosperity that now bless our native land."
+
+"No; and may it ever continue," added her husband. "Her growth and
+prosperity since that fearful struggle ended have been something
+wonderful."
+
+A few moments of silence followed, the vessel moving swiftly on her way,
+and a gentle breeze fanning the cheeks of her passengers as they sat
+there placidly gazing out over the moonlit waters, then the quiet was
+suddenly broken in upon by a loud guffaw, followed by a drunken shout.
+
+"Aint I fooled ye nice, now? Ye didn't know I was aboard, capting, nor
+any o' the rest o' ye. Ye didn't guess ye'd got a free passenger aboard
+'sides that old Scotch feller a-settin' yander a-looking like he feels
+hisself as good 's any o' the rest, ef he don't pay nothin' fer his
+trip."
+
+Everyone started and turned in the direction of the sounds.
+
+"A stowaway!" exclaimed Captain Raymond. "The voice seems to come from
+the hold. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen; I must see to his case, and
+that we are secured from the danger of a visit from him, as he is
+evidently a drunken wretch," and with the words he hastened away in the
+direction of the sounds.
+
+"Ha, ha! I hear ye, capting!" shouted the voice; "but drunken wretch or
+not, I wouldn't harm a hair o' any o' yer heads. All I'm a-wantin' is a
+free passage up furder north, where I come from."
+
+"Oh, mamma, I'm so frightened! so 'fraid the bad man will hurt my dear
+papa," cried little Elsie, clinging to her mother, while tears filled
+her sweet blue eyes.
+
+"No, papa will whip de naughty mans," said Ned, shaking his baby fist in
+the direction of the sounds.
+
+"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! little laddie; I have no doubt your papa is
+bigger and stronger than the naughty mans," said Cousin Ronald, "and if
+he catches the good-for-nothing scamp, can whip him within an inch of
+his life."
+
+At that Walter burst into a laugh. "Now, Cousin Ronald," he said, "I'd
+not be a bit surprised to learn that you are well acquainted with that
+scamp. However, I'll run after Brother Levis to see the fun, if there is
+any, but I'm sure nobody need be one bit afraid," and with that away he
+ran.
+
+"Ah, Cousin Ronald," began Violet, laughing, the others joining in with
+her, and all entirely occupied in looking at the old gentleman, whose
+face, however, could be but indistinctly seen, as he had so placed
+himself that the moonlight did not fall fully upon it, "confess
+that----"
+
+But she got no further. A shout of drunken laughter from the other side
+of the vessel again startled them.
+
+"Ha, ha! the capting's gone in the wrong direction to catch this
+customer. But he needn't to hunt me up. I'm a real harmless kind o'
+chap, an' wouldn't hurt a hair o' any o' your heads."
+
+Again every head was turned in the direction of the sounds, but seeing
+no one they all burst into gleeful laughter, in which the captain
+presently joined, having returned from his bootless search, fully
+convinced that it need be carried no farther.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+IT was a bright, sweet May morning. _Reveille_ sounded at the Naval
+Academy at Annapolis, and with the first tap of the drum Max woke and
+sprang from his bed. He glanced from the window as he hurried on his
+clothes, and a low exclamation of surprise and delight burst from his
+lips.
+
+"What now, Raymond?" queried Hunt, who was dressing with equal
+expedition.
+
+"The _Dolphin_! the _Dolphin_!" cried Max, in a joyful, exultant tone.
+"She lies at anchor down yonder, and I haven't a doubt that I shall see
+my father and all the rest presently."
+
+"Possible? What a fortunate fellow you are, Raymond," returned Hunt,
+hurrying to the window to take a hasty peep. "Sure enough! and what a
+beauty she is, that _Dolphin_! and the captain will be here presently
+getting you leave to spend the day on board; and it being Saturday, and
+he and the commandant old friends, there'll be no trouble in managing
+it. Accept my most hearty congratulations, old fellow."
+
+"Thank you," said Max, vainly trying to suppress his excitement, for
+his affectionate, boyish heart was bounding with joy at the thought of
+presently seeing all his loved ones; most of all, the father who was to
+him the personification of all that was good, honorable, brave, noble,
+and true; the father to whom, he knew beyond a doubt, he himself was an
+object of strong parental affection and pride.
+
+"And it's fortunate for you that I'm the fellow to set the room to
+rights on this memorable occasion," continued Hunt. "I say, Raymond, I
+think you must have been born under a lucky star."
+
+"Ah, yes, old fellow," laughed Max, "I rather suspect that's what's the
+matter. But hark! what's that?" as approaching footsteps were heard in
+the hall without.
+
+A rap quickly followed. Max flew to the door and threw it open, to find
+a messenger there from the commandant requiring his presence immediately
+in the grounds below.
+
+Little doubting what awaited him, Max obeyed the summons with joyful
+alacrity, running down one flight of stairs after another till the
+lowest hall was reached, then out into the grounds, sending an eagerly
+inquiring look from side to side.
+
+Ah, yes, in the shade of a tree, yonder, a few yards from the door-way,
+stood the commandant in earnest conversation with another gentleman,
+not in uniform, but of decidedly soldierly bearing. Max recognized the
+face and form on the instant, and flew to meet him.
+
+Both gentlemen turned at the sound of the approaching footsteps.
+
+Max hastily saluted his superior officer, saying half breathlessly, "I
+am here, sir."
+
+"So I see, Raymond," was the smiling rejoinder, "and for the present I
+resign you to this gentleman's care," turning toward the captain.
+
+Max's hand was instantly clasped in that of his father, who held it fast
+and, bending down, kissed his son with ardent affection, saying, with
+emotion, and in low, earnest tones, "My boy, my dear, dear boy!"
+
+"Papa, papa!" cried Max, his voice, too, trembling with feeling and
+excitement, "I never was gladder in my life!"
+
+"I am very glad for you, Max," said the commandant, in kindly
+sympathizing tones. "And Raymond, let me assure you that the lad is
+worthy of every indulgence that could be afforded him; a more
+industrious or better behaved cadet I have never had under my care.
+Hoping to see you again in the course of the day, I bid you
+good-morning. You also, Max," and with a bow and smile he left father
+and son alone together.
+
+"So good a report of his eldest son makes your father a very happy man,
+Max," the captain said, pressing the hand he held, and gazing into the
+rosy, boyish face with eyes brimful of fatherly love and pride.
+
+"Thank you for saying it, papa," returned Max, flushing with joy; "but
+with such a father I ought to be a better and brighter boy than I am.
+But I do try, papa, and I mean always to try to honor you by being and
+doing all I know you would wish."
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it, my son," the captain said, again
+affectionately pressing the lad's hand, then letting it go; "but now I
+must return to the _Dolphin_, taking my eldest son with me if he wishes
+me to do so."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa!" cried the boy, ready to dance with delight; "but
+may I go back to my room for a moment first? I'm afraid that in my hurry
+to obey the summons of the commandant, I haven't left everything quite
+in ship shape."
+
+"Yes, go, son," replied his father; "and if your morning devotions have
+not been attended to, do not neglect them any longer. I will wait for
+you here under the trees. By the way, I am to hear your recitations for
+this morning, so you may bring the needed books with you."
+
+"Yes, sir," returned Max, and hurried away, his father looking after him
+with proudly beaming eyes till the lithe, graceful young figure
+disappeared within the door-way, then taking a morning paper from his
+pocket, he seated himself on a bench beneath a tree to await the lad's
+return.
+
+He had not long to wait; in a few minutes Max was again at his side, and
+the two were wending their way toward the row-boat that was to take them
+to the _Dolphin_, anchored some distance out in the stream.
+
+All was so still and quiet in and about the vessel that morning that her
+passengers slept later than usual, but Lulu, as generally happened, was
+one of the earliest risers, and had not been up long before she hastened
+to the deck to exchange the accustomed morning greeting with her father.
+But, to her surprise and disappointment, a hasty glance about the deck
+showed her that he was not there.
+
+"Why, what is the matter?" she said to herself. "I'm afraid papa must be
+sick, for I do not know what else would keep him in his stateroom till
+this time of day. But," with another sweeping glance from side to side,
+"we're certainly anchored; and where? Why, it looks like--yes, it is
+Annapolis!" hearing the splash of oars and catching sight of a row-boat
+with several persons in it, "for there's papa, and Max with him. Oh, oh,
+oh, how glad I am!" and with the words she ran to the side of the vessel
+and the next minute was in Max's arms.
+
+It was a very hearty embrace on the part of both, their father standing
+by and watching them with shining eyes.
+
+"O Maxie, how you have grown!" exclaimed Lulu, gently withdrawing
+herself from his embrace and scanning him with keen scrutiny from head
+to foot; "you look every inch a naval cadet."
+
+"Do I?" he queried laughingly. "Thank you, for I consider it a decided
+compliment. And you too have changed; you are taller, and look more than
+ever like papa."
+
+"O Max, you could not say anything that would please me better than
+that," she exclaimed, flushing with pleasure; "and I can return the
+compliment with interest. I think you will look exactly like our dear
+father when you are his age," turning toward the captain, and lifting
+her eyes to his full of ardent filial affection; for he was standing
+there regarding both with fatherly tenderness, and pride in their
+youthful comeliness of form and feature.
+
+"My dear, dear children!" he said, bending down to give Lulu the usual
+morning caress, "your mutual love makes me very happy. May it never be
+less than it is now!"
+
+At that moment Violet, Grace, and the two little ones joined them, and
+more hearty, loving embraces followed, all, except Violet, being as much
+taken by surprise at the sight of Max as Lulu had been.
+
+Grace almost cried with joy as Max caught her in his arms and hugged her
+close, kissing her sweet lips again and again.
+
+"I doubt," he said laughingly, as he let her go, "if there is another
+fellow at the Academy who has such sisters as mine, or such a young,
+pretty mamma, or darling baby brother and sister," kissing each in turn;
+"and," looking up into his father's face, a telltale moisture gathering
+in his eyes, "I'm perfectly certain there's not one can show a father to
+be so proud of."
+
+"Ah, my dear boy, Love is blind to defects and very keen-sighted as
+regards good and admirable qualities in those she favors," was the
+captain's answering remark.
+
+"What a surprise you have given us, papa!" exclaimed Lulu; "me at least,
+for I hadn't the least idea we were coming here."
+
+"No, but some of the rest of us knew," said Violet, with a merry little
+laugh; "your father told me of his intentions last night--as a secret,
+however, for he wanted to give you and Gracie a pleasant surprise."
+
+"And it was certainly a pleasant one to me," said Max. "Papa, thank you
+ever so much."
+
+"Did you get leave for him to stay all day, papa?" asked Lulu in a tone
+that seemed to say she hoped so with all her heart.
+
+"He will be with us through the day, except during the two hours of
+drill, which we will all go to see; also all day to-morrow," was the
+captain's reply to that, and it seemed to give pleasure to all who heard
+it: all the passengers on board, for by that time the others had come up
+to the deck, and one after another gave Max a pleased and hearty
+greeting--the older people as one they had expected to see, the younger
+with joyful surprise. They gathered about him, some of them--Walter in
+especial--with many questions in regard to the daily routine of life at
+the Academy, all of which Max answered readily and to the best of his
+ability.
+
+"Haven't you lessons to say to-day?" queried Walter.
+
+"Yes, but I'm to recite them to papa," Max replied, with a pleased,
+smiling glance into his father's face.
+
+"You may well look pleased, Max, for he's an excellent teacher, as all
+his Viamede pupils can testify," remarked Rosie demurely.
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember now that he has been teaching you all while you
+were down there," said Max. "Well, I never saw a better teacher, though
+perhaps, being his son and very fond of him, it's possible I may be a
+partial judge."
+
+"Quite possible, my boy," laughed his father, "and I think no one of my
+pupils is disposed to view me with a critic's eye."
+
+"You need not say the rest of it, papa," said Lulu, "for I'm sure you
+haven't any imperfections to be passed by."
+
+"Quite right, Lu," laughed Violet.
+
+But at that moment came the call to breakfast, a summons everyone was
+ready to obey with alacrity. They had a pleasant, social time about the
+table; the fare was excellent, appetites were of the best, and everyone
+was in fine spirits and high good-humor.
+
+Max was called upon to answer so many questions with regard to life at
+the Naval Academy, and his replies were listened to with so much
+deference, that the captain began to fear his boy might become
+insufferably conceited. Disturbed by that fear, he watched him so
+closely and with so grave an air that at length Max noticed it, and was
+much disturbed with the fear that he had unwittingly done or said
+something to hurt or displease his dearly loved father.
+
+He took the first opportunity--following the captain about the vessel,
+after breakfast and family prayers were over, till they found themselves
+alone together for a moment--to inquire, in a tone of much concern, if
+it were so.
+
+"No, my son, not at all," was the kindly reply, "but I felt a little
+anxious lest my boy should be spoiled and made conceited by being
+applied to by older people for so much information."
+
+"I hope not, papa; I know very well it was only because I've been living
+there and they haven't; and that every one of them knows far more than
+I do about many another thing."
+
+"Quite true, my son," the captain said, with a smile, adding, "and now
+you may get out your books and look over those lessons, as I shall soon
+be ready to hear them."
+
+"Yes, sir; it will be really a great treat to recite to my old tutor
+once more," returned the lad, with a look of relief and pleasure. "I am
+very glad indeed that he is not displeased with me as I feared."
+
+"Very far from it, my dear boy," was the captain's kindly rejoinder;
+"the account given me to-day by the commandant, of your conduct and
+attention to your studies, was most gratifying to my pride in my eldest
+son."
+
+Those words, and also the warm praise bestowed upon his recitations when
+they had been heard, filled the boy's heart with happiness. His father
+returned to the Academy with him at the hour for drill, but the others
+witnessed it from the deck of the _Dolphin_. At its conclusion, Captain
+Raymond and his son returned to the yacht, Max having permission to
+remain there until near ten o'clock on Sunday night.
+
+A trip up the river had been planned for the afternoon, and anchor was
+weighed and the yacht started as soon as her commander and his son had
+come aboard.
+
+All were seated upon the deck under an awning, greatly enjoying a
+delicious breeze, the dancing and sparkling of the water, and the
+distant view of the shore arrayed in the lovely verdure of spring.
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, and Mrs. Raymond sat together, busy with
+fancy work and chatting cheerily, while the younger ones had their
+drawing materials or books--except Grace, who was dressing a doll for
+little Elsie. Few of them, however, were accomplishing a great deal,
+there being so small necessity for the employment and so many things to
+withdraw their attention from it.
+
+Max speedily made his way to Mrs. Travilla's side. She looked up from
+her work, and greeted him with her sweet smile. "It is quite delightful
+to have you among us again, my dear boy," she said, taking his hand and
+pressing it affectionately in hers.
+
+"Thank you, dear Grandma Elsie," he returned, his eyes sparkling; "it is
+a great pleasure to hear you say so, though I don't know how to believe
+that you can enjoy it half so much as I do."
+
+"I am glad to hear that you do, laddie," she said brightly. "Now suppose
+we have a bit of chat together. Take that camp chair by your
+grandmother's side and tell her how you enjoy that artillery exercise
+you have just been going through."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am," said Max laughingly, as he took the seat indicated.
+"It's really delightful to be treated as a relative by so dear and sweet
+a lady, but you do look so young that it seems almost ridiculous for a
+great fellow like me to call you grandma."
+
+"Does it? Why, your father calls me mother, and to be so related to him
+surely must make me your grandmother."
+
+"But you are not really old enough to be his mother, and I am his oldest
+child."
+
+"And begin to feel yourself something of a man, since you are not called
+Max, but Mr. Raymond at the Academy yonder?" she returned in a playfully
+interrogative tone.
+
+Max seemed to consider a moment, then smiling, but blushing vividly,
+"I'm afraid I must plead guilty to that charge, Grandma Elsie," he said
+with some hesitation.
+
+"What is that, Max?" asked his father, drawing near just in time to
+catch the last words.
+
+"That I begin to feel that--as if I'm a--at least almost--a man, sir,"
+answered the lad, stammering and coloring with mortification.
+
+"Ah, that's not so very bad, my boy," laughed his father. "I believe
+that at your age I was more certain of being one than you are--really
+feeling rather more fully convinced of my wisdom and consequence than I
+am now."
+
+"Were you indeed, papa? then there is hope for me," returned the lad,
+with a pleased look. "I was really afraid you would think me abominably
+conceited."
+
+"No, dear boy, none of us think you that," said Mrs. Travilla, again
+smiling sweetly upon him. "But you have not yet answered my query as to
+how you enjoyed the artillery exercise we have just seen you go
+through."
+
+"Oh, I like it!" returned Max, his eyes sparkling. "And I don't think I
+shall ever regret my choice of a profession if I succeed in passing, and
+become as good an officer as my father has been," looking up into the
+captain's face with a smile full of affection and proud appreciation.
+
+"Now I fear my boy is talking of something that he knows very little
+about," said the captain, a twinkle of fun in his eye. "Who told you,
+Max, that your father had been a good officer?"
+
+"My commandant, sir, who knows all about it, or at least thinks he
+does."
+
+At that instant there was a sound like the splashing of oars on the
+farther side of the vessel, and a boyish voice called out, "Ahoy there,
+Raymond! A message from the commandant!"
+
+"Oh, I hope it isn't to call you back, Maxie!" exclaimed Lulu, springing
+up and following Max and her father as they hastened to that side of
+the vessel, expecting to see a row-boat there with a messenger from the
+Academy.
+
+But no boat of that kind was in sight. Could it have passed around the
+vessel? Max hurried to the other side to make sure but no boat was
+there.
+
+"Oh!" he exclaimed, with a merry laugh, "it was Mr. Lilburn," and he
+turned a smiling, amused face toward the old gentleman, who had
+followed, and now stood close at his side.
+
+"Eh, laddie! what was Mr. Lilburn?" queried the accused. "That I'm no
+down there in a boat is surely evident to all who can see me standing
+here. Are ye no ashamed to so falsely accuse an auld friend who wad
+never do harm to you or yours?"
+
+Then a voice seemed to come from a distant part of the vessel. "Ah, sir,
+ye ken that ye're known to be up to such tricks. All only to make fun
+for your friends, though, not to cause fright or harm to anyone--unless
+it might be a gambler or some other rascal."
+
+"Hear that, now, cousin!" cried Mr. Lilburn. "Somebody seems ready to do
+justice to the auld man our fine young cadet here is so ready to suspect
+and accuse."
+
+By this time all the other passengers had joined them, everybody but the
+very little ones understood the joke, and it was received with merry
+peals of laughter.
+
+To Max the afternoon and evening seemed to pass very quickly, so
+delightful was it to be once more surrounded by his dear ones, not the
+least pleasant part being a half hour spent alone with his father after
+the others had retired; he had so many little confidences that he would
+not willingly have shared with anyone else, and they were heard with so
+much evident interest, such hearty sympathy, and replied to with such
+good and kindly advice. Max was even more firmly convinced than ever
+before that such another dear, kind, and lovable father as his was
+nowhere to be found.
+
+And, by the way, the captain was almost equally sure that no other man
+had a son quite so bright, handsome, intelligent, noble, industrious,
+and in every way worthy to be the pride of his father's heart, as this
+dear lad who was his own.
+
+"God, even the God of his fathers, keep my dear boy in every hour of
+trial and temptation, and help him to walk steadily in the strait and
+narrow way that leads to everlasting life," he said with emotion when
+bidding his son goodnight. "Keep close to the dear Master, my son, ever
+striving to serve and honor him in all your words and ways, and all will
+be well with you at the last."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+THE captain, Max, and Lulu were all three early on deck the next
+morning--as lovely a May morning as ever was seen. The sun had but just
+showed his face above the horizon when Lulu mounted the companion-way to
+the deck, but she found her father and brother already there, sitting
+side by side, both looking very happy and content.
+
+"Good-morning, papa and Max," she said, hurrying toward them.
+
+The salutation was returned by both in cheery, pleasant tones.
+
+"I thought I'd be the very first on deck; but here you both are before
+me," she added as she gained her father's side.
+
+"But pleased to have you join us," he said, drawing her to a seat upon
+his knee. "A sweet Sabbath morning, is it not? And how did my little
+girl sleep?"
+
+"As well as possible, thank you, papa. It is much cooler here than at
+Viamede now, and a delightful breeze came in at the window. But I almost
+always sleep well, and that is something to be thankful for, isn't it?"
+
+"It is, indeed," he responded. "May my dear eldest daughter never be
+kept awake by the reproaches of a guilty conscience, cares and
+anxieties, or physical distress; though that last I can hardly hope she
+will escape always until she reaches that blessed land where 'the
+inhabitant shall not say, I am sick.'"
+
+"Yes, sir," she said, "I ought to be very thankful that I am so healthy;
+I hope I am; but any kind of physical pain I have ever been tried with
+is far easier for me to bear than the reproaches of a guilty conscience.
+I can never forget how hard they were to endure after I had hurt dear
+little Elsie so because I was in a passion."
+
+"I can't bear to think of that time," said Max; "so let us talk of
+something else. The view here is lovely, is it not, papa?"
+
+"Oh," cried Lu in surprise, "we are at anchor again in the river at
+Annapolis, aren't we, papa?"
+
+"Yes; I brought you all back here in the night, to spend the Sabbath. I
+think we will go into the city to church this morning, and have some
+religious exercises on the vessel this afternoon and evening."
+
+"Oh, I like that plan, papa," said Max, "especially the afternoon part,
+for I am really hungry for one of those interesting Bible lessons with
+you for my teacher."
+
+"Yes, Maxie, I pity you that you can't share them with Gracie and me
+every Sunday," said Lulu. "Papa, won't you give us--Max and Gracie and
+me--a private Bible lesson all to ourselves after the service for the
+grown folks, sailors and all, has been held, just as you used to do when
+we were all at home at Woodburn?"
+
+"Quite willingly, if my children wish it; indeed, it is what I had
+contemplated doing," replied the captain; "for we cannot better employ
+the hours of the holy Sabbath than in the study of God's Word, which he
+has given us to be a 'lamp to our feet and a light to our path' that we
+may journey safely to that happy land where sin and sorrow are unknown.
+
+"Never forget, my children, that we are but strangers and pilgrims upon
+this earth, only passing through it on our way to an eternal home of
+either everlasting blessedness or never ending woe--a home where all is
+holiness, joy, peace, and love, or to that other world of unending
+remorse and anguish, 'the blackness of darkness forever.'"
+
+"It is very difficult to keep that always in mind, papa," said Max. "I
+hope you will often ask God to help us--me especially--to remember it
+constantly, and live, not for time, but for eternity."
+
+"I do, my dear boy; there is never a day when I do not ask my heavenly
+Father to guard and guide each one of my dear children and give them a
+home with him at last. But we must all strive to enter in at the strait
+gate, remembering the warning of Jesus, 'Strait is the gate, and narrow
+is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.'"
+
+Violet joined them at that moment, then the rest of the party, one after
+another. Then came the call to breakfast; and soon after leaving the
+table, and the holding of the regular morning service on the vessel,
+nearly everyone went ashore and to church.
+
+At the close of the exercises there, they returned to the _Dolphin_,
+dined, a little later assembled under the awning on the deck, and being
+presently joined by the greater part of the crew, another short service,
+consisting of the reading of the Scriptures, with explanatory remarks,
+prayer, and the singing of hymns, followed.
+
+After that, the captain took his three older children aside and gave
+them, as in the dear old times at Woodburn, a Bible lesson, in which
+they were free to ask of him as many questions as they would.
+
+"Papa," said Grace, "I was reading in Isaiah this morning this verse,
+'Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a
+foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure
+foundation.' Does it mean the dear Lord Jesus, papa?"
+
+"Yes, daughter; in both the Old and New Testaments Christ Jesus is
+called a Foundation. The foundation of a building is the part that
+supports all the rest; and that Jesus is to all his Church, his people.
+He is the foundation of all the comforts, hopes, happiness of the
+Christian; the foundation of the covenant God has made with his Church;
+the foundation of all the sweet and precious promises of God's Word; a
+sure foundation on which his people may securely rest, knowing that he
+will never deceive, fail, or forsake anyone who trusts in him. He is the
+only Saviour, the head of the Church, the only Mediator between God and
+man.
+
+"We are not to look too much to our feelings, doings, prayers, or even
+our faith, but on the finished work of Christ. We can have assurance of
+hope, but must attain to it by resting upon God's word of promise,
+remembering that it is Christ's righteousness which God accepts, not
+ours, so imperfect, so unworthy of mention.
+
+"In that way only can we have peace and safety, for our own
+righteousness is but as filthy rags, exceedingly offensive in the sight
+of God, who is 'of purer eyes than to behold sin, and cannot look upon
+iniquity,' so utterly abhorrent is it to his holy nature.
+
+"The Bible tells us, 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
+life; he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath
+of God abideth on him.'"
+
+"Papa," said Grace, low and feelingly, "those are dreadful words, 'the
+wrath of God abideth on him.'"
+
+"They are indeed," he said. "The one great question is, 'Do you believe
+on the Son of God?' There in Egypt, when God sent those plagues upon
+Pharaoh and his people, it was not the feelings of the Israelites that
+saved them, but the blood on the door-posts, symbolizing the blood of
+Christ, which would in future ages be offered to satisfy the demands of
+God's broken law; and it was when he saw that blood that the angel
+passed over, harming them not.
+
+"The scape-goat too, was a type of Christ bearing the sins of the people
+away into the wilderness; if our sins are laid on Jesus they will come
+no more into remembrance before our righteous Judge, but covered with
+the beautiful robe of his righteousness, God will treat us as if it were
+our very own. Ah, my beloved children, it is the dearest wish of your
+father's heart that each one of you may have that righteousness put upon
+you!"
+
+A slight pause; then Grace said in low, clear, and joyous tones, "Papa,
+I think we have. I feel that I do love Jesus and trust in him, and so do
+Max and Lulu, I believe."
+
+"I do," said Max with feeling. "I know I am very, very far from
+perfect, but I do desire above everything else to be a follower of
+Jesus, and known as such; to live near him, and honor him in all my
+words and ways."
+
+"My boy, nothing could have made me happier than that confession from
+your lips," his father said with emotion. "And it is no less a joy of
+heart to me to know that my dear little Grace is a follower of Jesus."
+He drew her nearer as he spoke, then turned loving, questioning eyes
+upon Lulu.
+
+"Papa," she said in tremulous tones, "I--I feel that I am not worthy to
+be called one of Jesus' disciples, but I do love him, and long to grow
+in likeness to him. I do ask him very, very often to take away all the
+evil that is in me, and make me just what he would have me to be."
+
+"And he will hear your prayer, he will grant your petition," her father
+replied in moved tones. "Oh, my dear children, your father's heart is
+full of thankfulness that he has reason to hope and believe that you are
+all true followers of the blessed Master, and that we may all live and
+love together, not in this world only, but also in the next."
+
+To Max that delightful day and evening seemed very short. He was
+surprised when his father, glancing at his watch, said, "It is half past
+nine, my son. Say good-night and good-by to your friends here, for we
+must go back to the Academy. It need not be a very sad parting," he
+added, with a smile, "as you may expect to see some, if not all, of us
+next month, at the time of the commencement exercises."
+
+"Thank you, papa; that is good news," said the lad, his countenance
+brightening very much, "for it is the greatest treat to a fellow to see
+home folks once in a while."
+
+"I know that, my boy. I haven't forgotten the feelings of a cadet, which
+are pretty much like those of other lads."
+
+The farewells were quickly spoken, father and son entered the waiting
+row-boat, and in a few minutes were at the Academy.
+
+Captain Raymond bade his son good-by at the door, reminding him in
+cheerful tones that he might hope to see him, and perhaps the entire
+Woodburn family, again in a few weeks.
+
+With that pleasant prospect in view, Max went to his room in excellent
+spirits. He found Hunt already there.
+
+"Hello, Max! glad to see you back again," he exclaimed in a tone of
+hearty good-will. "Had a royal time of it, I suppose?"
+
+"Delightful!" cried Max gayly; "and the best of it is that my father
+holds out the prospect of another visit from our whole family at the
+time of the June commencement, which you know is not so very far off."
+
+"Well, I must say you're a lucky dog, Raymond," returned Hunt. "I wish I
+had the same prospect of seeing my folks; but they're too far off, and
+money's too scarce."
+
+Violet was alone on deck when her husband returned to the yacht, the
+others having retired to the cabin or their state-rooms.
+
+"Waiting for me, love?" he asked, as he stepped to her side and passed
+an arm round her waist.
+
+"Yes," she said; "the air is so pleasant here, and I thought it would be
+really delightful for us two to have the deck entirely to ourselves for
+a while."
+
+"Nothing could be pleasanter to me, dearest," he said, giving her his
+arm and beginning a leisurely promenade.
+
+"And you have left Max at the Academy again?" she said interrogatively.
+"How manly he grows, the dear fellow! and so handsome; he's a son to be
+proud of, Levis."
+
+"So his father thinks," returned the captain, with a low, happy little
+laugh. "My dear boy is one of God's good gifts to me."
+
+"And how evidently he admires and loves his father--as he well may, I
+think. He grows more and more like you in looks, too, Levis. I can
+imagine that at his age you were just what he is now."
+
+"No, my dear; if I am not much mistaken he is both a handsomer and a
+better lad than his father was at the same age."
+
+"Doubtless not half so conceited and vain as his father was then or is
+now," she returned, with her low, sweet silvery laugh. "There must have
+been a vast improvement, however, before I had the happiness of making
+his acquaintance."
+
+"Max's?" he queried with mock gravity.
+
+"The acquaintance of Max's father, sir," she replied demurely. "I have
+known the captain now for five years, and can truly say I have never
+seen him show such vanity and conceit as you are pleased to charge him
+with, or at least to say were once among his attributes; and I will not
+have him slandered, even by you."
+
+"Very well, then, let us change the subject of discourse."
+
+"Agreed. How soon do we leave Annapolis to pursue our homeward way?"
+
+"A little after midnight, if that plan suits my wife's wishes."
+
+"Entirely. But you are not going to remain on deck till then?"
+
+"Probably. I feel no inclination for sleep at present, and the air
+outside here is, as you remarked a moment since, delightful."
+
+"Especially when enjoyed in such good company, I presume?"
+
+"Yes, that makes a vast difference, of course, yet I can hardly ask you
+to stay very long with me; cannot have the cruelty to rob my heart's
+best treasure--my young and lovely wife--of her beauty sleep."
+
+"What a gallant speech!" she laughed; "it surely deserves the reward of
+at least another half hour of her delectable society. Ah, my best and
+dearest of husbands," she added in a more serious tone, "there is
+nothing else in the world I so keenly enjoy as these rare times when I
+can have you all to myself."
+
+"Yet I cannot believe they are ever more enjoyable to you than to me, my
+love," he returned; "sweet as your society was to me in the days of our
+courtship, it is, I think, even sweeter now. And I hope mine is not less
+enjoyable to you."
+
+"Indeed, no," she said earnestly; "you seem to grow dearer and more
+lovable every day that we live together; a blessing far, far beyond my
+deserts. Oh, I can never cease to marvel that I have won so great a
+prize in the matrimonial lottery."
+
+"It is wondrous strange," he returned, with a happy laugh, "that a
+young, beautiful girl, belonging to one of the very best families in the
+land, and who might have had her pick and choice among its most
+desirable matches, should have been able to secure a middle-aged widower
+with three children. You may well wonder at so great good fortune
+falling to your lot, lady mine," with a strong emphasis upon that last
+word.
+
+"Ah, my husband, you could hardly bestow upon me a sweeter name than
+that," she said softly, and with a bright, winsome look up into his
+face. "It is so sweet to belong to you, and to have you belong to me.
+And then our darling children are such treasures."
+
+"Yes; our two dear babies."
+
+"Ah, yes; but I meant to include the others also; for I surely may claim
+now that even Lulu loves me, not as a mother exactly, but as a dear
+older sister."
+
+"Yes, I am certain of it, dearest," he said in tones expressing
+heart-felt happiness; "she shows it in many ways, and however many and
+serious her faults may be, hypocrisy and deceit are not among them."
+
+"No, indeed! I never knew anyone more perfectly free from those
+faults--so perfectly open and candid. I am sure that if her life were in
+peril she would not be deceitful or untrue in order to save it."
+
+"Thank you, my love," he said with emotion. "I share that belief, and it
+has been a great consolation to me when sorely distressed by her very
+serious faults."
+
+"But she is overcoming those under her father's wise and affectionate
+training."
+
+"I think she is," he said; "she is certainly struggling hard against
+them, though the training you speak of, has, I fear, been far from
+faultless."
+
+"Ah, you have not so much confidence in her father's wisdom as I have,"
+returned Violet, with a smile and a look up into his face which
+expressed a world of loving appreciation.
+
+The conversation then turned upon other themes not unsuited to the
+sacredness of the day; they seated themselves and sang a hymn or two
+together, then Violet went below and sought her berth, to be followed an
+hour later by her husband.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+THE next morning the _Dolphin's_ passengers, on awaking, found her
+speeding on her homeward way. No one regretted it, for all were full of
+joy at the thought of seeing home again, delightful as had been their
+sojourn at lovely Viamede and on the vessel.
+
+It was still early in the day when they reached their wharf, but
+carriages from Ion, Fairview, and Woodburn were in waiting, conveyances
+for the luggage also, and in a very short time they had left the city
+behind, and were whirling rapidly over the familiar road toward the
+loved homes they had left some months before--a happy company, the
+younger ones full of mirth and gayety.
+
+The grounds belonging to each estate were looking their loveliest, and
+the returning travelers were greeted with the warmest of welcomes. Zoe
+and Edward had reached Ion some days in advance of the others, and seen
+to it that everything there was in perfect order, while at Woodburn such
+matters had received careful attention from Christine and Alma.
+
+"Welcome home, my love," the captain said to his wife as the carriage
+turned in at the great gates. "And you too, my darlings," addressing his
+children. "Is it almost as lovely here as at Viamede?"
+
+"Oh, yes; yes, indeed, papa!" they responded, baby Ned adding, "Oh, me
+so blad to det home adain."
+
+Then a joyous bark was heard, and Prince, Max's dog, came bounding to
+meet them.
+
+"Oh, dere our big doggie Prince!" cried Ned, with a joyous laugh, and
+clapping his chubby hands. "Maxie dere too, papa?"
+
+"No, Neddie boy; we have left Brother Maxie behind at Annapolis,"
+answered his father; then as the carriage came to a standstill, he threw
+open the door, exclaiming, "Home at last!" sprang to the ground, and
+proceeded to hand out wife and children.
+
+"Yes," said Violet, who, as well as the children, had been gazing with
+delight upon the grounds from the carriage window, "and I for one am as
+glad as I was to see Viamede on our arrival there. How very lovely
+everything is looking! Ah, Christine and Alma," as the two came hurrying
+out to greet the returned travellers, "I hope you are well? What good
+care you have taken of everything in our absence."
+
+"Thanks, Mrs. Raymond; it is very kind in you to notice it; and we are
+delighted to see you all at home again," the two women returned,
+smiling with pleasure over the arrival and Violet's appreciative words,
+to which the captain added his hearty commendation, and the children
+glad, warm greetings.
+
+Prince's actions, in the meantime, told the same story of his feelings;
+he was fawning upon one and another, capering about and wagging his tail
+with many a joyous bark that seemed to say, "I am very glad, very happy
+to see you all here again," and receiving much loving stroking and
+patting in return.
+
+The servants, too, came crowding about, with smiling faces and
+exclamations of joy and thankfulness. "Bress de Lawd yous all safe home
+agin!" "We's pow'ful glad to see you, cap'n, Miss Wi'let, an' all ob de
+chillens!"
+
+"Dis chile 'specs yo's pow'ful hungry, Miss Wi'let an' de res'; but de
+dinnah's 'mos' ready fo' to dish up," remarked the cook.
+
+"Oh, we are not starving, by any means, Aunt Judy," returned Violet. "We
+had an excellent and abundant breakfast on board the _Dolphin_, and it
+is hardly the regular dinner hour yet."
+
+"And oh, papa, mayn't we run about everywhere and look at everything?"
+asked Lulu and Grace half breathlessly.
+
+"Certainly, daughters," he replied, smiling affectionately into the
+eager upturned faces, "though as dinner is so nearly ready, I think it
+might be well to first take off your hats and make yourselves neat for
+the table; then keep within doors until after the meal."
+
+"Oh, yes, sir," cried Lulu, "and there is no place we want to see more
+than our own rooms. So come, Gracie, let's hurry up there. Hark! there's
+my Polly screaming 'Lu! Lu!' She seems to know I've got home. Who can
+have told her? And where's your kitten?"
+
+"Here," returned Gracie; "don't you see I've got her in my arms? and I
+do believe she's glad to see me. Oh, you pretty pet! I often wanted to
+see you while I was away."
+
+They were hurrying up the stairs while they talked, and presently
+reached their own little sitting room. "Oh!" they cried in a breath,
+"how sweet and lovely it does look!" Then they made a hasty circuit of
+Lulu's bedroom and the little tower room opening into it, exclaiming
+again and again at the beauty of the furnishings, as though they had
+never seen them before, and the extreme neatness which attested the good
+housekeeping of Christine.
+
+Last of all they entered Grace's bedroom, to find its appearance quite
+as inviting as that of the others.
+
+"How sweet it does look, Lu!" exclaimed Grace. "Oh, I do think we have
+just the sweetest home, as well as the dearest, kindest father in the
+whole world!"
+
+"Of course we have," returned Lulu. "I'd a thousand times rather be his
+child than any king's daughter."
+
+"Would you, indeed, my dear child?" asked a familiar voice close behind
+her, while a kind hand was laid upon each shoulder. "Well, my darlings,
+contentment is better than wealth, and most assuredly your father would
+not exchange you for any king's daughters, or the children of any other
+man."
+
+As he spoke he bent down to press a fatherly kiss upon Lulu's lips, then
+putting an arm round Grace, caressed her in like manner.
+
+"Now make yourselves neat for the dinner-table, daughters," he said,
+"and after the meal, if you wish you may spend the whole afternoon in
+going over the house and grounds."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa," they exclaimed, looking full of delight.
+
+"Lu! Lu!" called Polly from the sitting room, "what you 'bout? Polly
+wants a cracker."
+
+"O Polly, I beg your pardon; but you have been so quiet ever since I
+came in that I really forgot all about you," laughed Lulu, running
+toward the cage, followed by her father and Grace. "So you want a
+cracker, do you?"
+
+"You shall have it, Polly," the captain said, opening the door of a
+small cupboard where things of that sort were wont to be kept. "Yes,
+here is a paper of them," taking one out and handing it to the parrot,
+who promptly took it in one claw, and, standing on the other foot, began
+biting off bits and disposing of them with a comically serious air and
+evident enjoyment.
+
+Just then the little ones came running in, eager to see Polly and hear
+her talk. But she was too much absorbed with her cracker to vouchsafe
+them a single word.
+
+"Is mamma ready for dinner, Elsie?" the captain asked presently.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Violet's own voice from the doorway; "and there is
+the bell."
+
+"Then we will go down at once," said the captain, picking up Elsie and
+Ned, and following his wife down the stairs, Lulu and Grace bringing up
+the rear.
+
+The diningroom looked very attractive as they entered it; there was
+perfect neatness and order, vases of freshly cut flowers stood here and
+there, delighting the senses with their beauty and fragrance, and
+forming a lovely decoration for the table, which presented a most
+inviting appearance thus ornamented and set out with delicate china,
+snowy damask, and glittering cut glass and silver ware.
+
+Everyone regarded it with evident satisfaction, Violet saying gayly,
+"After all, my dear, can any lovelier or better place be found than
+this--our own sweet home?"
+
+"There is no dearer spot on earth to me, my love," he answered, with a
+smile that spoke fond affection, and delight in her appreciation of his
+efforts for her happiness and enjoyment.
+
+"I think no place on earth could be more beautiful than Viamede,"
+remarked Lulu; "but this is more charming because it is our very own."
+
+"Yes," chimed in Grace, "papa's and mamma's and ours. It is ever so good
+in you, papa, to let us own it too."
+
+"Ah?" he returned laughingly, "but that is because I own you, you know."
+
+He had lifted baby Ned to his high chair, and now all seated themselves
+and the blessing was asked.
+
+They were a lively, happy little dinner-party, the children allowed a
+share in the conversation.
+
+"Papa," asked Grace at length, "are we to begin lessons to-morrow?"
+
+"No," he replied, "I will give you two days to run about and see
+everything here, at Ion, Fairview, the Oaks, and so forth. Then you must
+settle down to work and be very good and industrious if you want to be
+of the Annapolis party in June."
+
+"Oh, that will be so delightful, papa, and we do intend to be as good
+and industrious as possible!" she exclaimed, Lulu adding, "I am sure I
+do, and if I should deserve punishment, papa," she went on in an
+undertone hardly audible to anyone but him, for as usual she was seated
+close at his right hand, "please do make it something else than being
+left at home."
+
+"I have little fear of being compelled to punish you in that way or any
+other, daughter," he replied, giving her a loving look.
+
+"Thank you, dear papa; it is so kind in you to say that; and Gracie and
+I do just love to belong to you," raising her voice a little, "Don't we,
+Gracie?"
+
+"I do, I'm sure," returned Grace, with a loving smile up into her
+father's face.
+
+"Well, what shall we do this afternoon?" queried Violet. "I for one feel
+inclined to go all over the house and grounds, to look at every dear,
+familiar spot."
+
+"Well, my dear, then that is what we will do," responded her husband;
+"and the children may go with us or refrain, as they please," with a
+smiling glance from Lulu to Grace, which both answered with an eagerly
+expressed desire to accompany him and Violet; Grace adding, "But I do
+want to see Elf and Fairy more than anything else."
+
+"Well, dear child," said her father, "they are disporting themselves
+out yonder in the meadow, and you may run out to look at and pet them as
+soon as we leave the table, if you wish."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa, that is just what I'd like to do!" she replied.
+
+"And I think all the rest of us will be glad to go with you," said
+Violet.
+
+Ned, however, presently began to nod, and had to be carried away to his
+crib before the others were quite ready to leave the table.
+
+"I think Elsie, too, looks as if she would enjoy a nap more than
+anything else," remarked the captain, with a kind look at his youngest
+daughter, who seemed to be very nearly nodding over her plate.
+
+"Oh, no, papa!" she said straightening up and opening her eyes very
+wide; "please, I want to see the ponies first."
+
+"Very well, so you shall, and the nap can come afterward," he returned
+in an indulgent tone.
+
+"Then, as we are all done eating, shall we not go at once, my dear?"
+asked Violet.
+
+"I think it would be well to do so," he returned. "Put on your hats,
+children, and we will go."
+
+Elf and Fairy seemed glad to see their young mistresses, who stroked,
+patted, and fed them with bits of sugar. The next thing was to explore
+every nook and corner of the grounds, which to them all looked lovelier
+than ever.
+
+Then they returned to the house, little Elsie willingly submitted to
+being laid in her crib, for she was very sleepy, and the captain,
+Violet, Lulu, and Grace went over the whole house, finding it in
+beautiful order, and saying to each other that it seemed a sweeter home
+than ever.
+
+By that time there were callers from Ion, the Oaks, Roselands, and the
+Laurels, those from Ion bringing the news that Grandma Elsie invited all
+to a family reunion to be held at her home on the afternoon and evening
+of the next day. An invitation that every member of the Woodburn family
+was glad to accept.
+
+"Ah, Brother Levis," said Rosie coaxingly, "you surely will not be so
+unkind as to require lessons of us to-morrow?"
+
+"No, little sister, to-morrow and the next day may be given up to
+amusement; but after that I shall hope and expect to have some very
+industrious pupils."
+
+"As you certainly shall," she replied, with a grave, emphatic nod; "I am
+glad of the promised holiday; duly grateful for it, too, as I presume
+all your scholars are."
+
+"Yes, yes, indeed we are, sir!" was the hearty response from Evelyn and
+Walter, Lulu and Grace adding, "And so are we, papa."
+
+The callers left early, declining an invitation to stay to tea; the
+family partook of their evening meal; Grace and the little ones, wearied
+with their journey, the excitement of the homecoming, and seeing so much
+company, went early to bed; an errand took the captain into the village
+for a short season, and Violet and Lulu were left for an hour or more to
+each other's society.
+
+They were on the veranda together, pacing slowly back and forth, each
+with an arm about the other's waist.
+
+"Oh, Mamma Vi, isn't it just delightful to be at home again?" exclaimed
+Lulu.
+
+"Yes, indeed! when the home is such an one as ours, and with such a man
+as your father at the head of affairs," returned Violet. "Lu dear, I'm
+so glad that you and all his children love him as you do, though really
+I do not see how any one of you could help it."
+
+"Nor do I, Mamma Vi; and I'm very glad that you love him so too; that
+makes me love you even better than I could if you didn't appreciate him
+so highly. But we can't love him so dearly without loving one another;
+can we?"
+
+"No, certainly not; I am very fond of all five of his children as well
+as of their father," Violet replied, with her low, sweet laugh.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. Inconsistent hyphenation
+was retained.
+
+Page 27, "suceeeded" changed to "succeeded" (Rennie succeeded in)
+
+Page 76, "surrrender" changed to "surrender" (would not surrender the)
+
+Page 77, "mutined" changed to "mutinied" (them mutinied, spiked)
+
+Page 80, "confederates" changed to "Confederates" (drove the
+Confederates)
+
+Page 81, "quantites" changed to "quantities" (Great quantities of
+cotton)
+
+Page 82, "strips" changed to "stripes" (by the stars and stripes)
+
+Page 94, "sufficent" changed to "sufficient" (sufficient cause for)
+
+Page 102, "Ganesvoort" changed to "Gansevoort" (delivered to Gansevoort)
+
+Page 133, "whereever" changed to "wherever" (for herself wherever)
+
+Page 140, "y" changed to "by" (profit by so doing)
+
+Page 146, "he" changed to "be" (would be back)
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT VIAMEDE***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 32225-8.txt or 32225-8.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/2/2/32225
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/32225-8.zip b/32225-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b96ff59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225-8.zip
diff --git a/32225-h.zip b/32225-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87680a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225-h.zip
diff --git a/32225-h/32225-h.htm b/32225-h/32225-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b45db30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225-h/32225-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,10554 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Elsie at Viamede, by Martha Finley</title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+    p {margin-top: .75em;
+       text-align: justify;
+       text-indent: 1.25em;
+       margin-bottom: .75em;
+        }
+    img {border: 0;}
+    .tnote      {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+                  padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;}
+    ins {text-decoration:none;  border-bottom: thin dotted gray;}
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         clear: both;
+         }
+    hr { width: 33%;
+	 margin-top: 2em;
+	 margin-bottom: 2em;
+         margin-left: auto;
+         margin-right: auto;
+         clear: both;
+       }
+
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+
+    .pagenum  { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+            /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+                position: absolute;
+                left: 92%;
+                font-size: smaller;
+                text-align: right;
+              } /* page numbers */
+     .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;}
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    .caption  {font-weight: bold; font-size: 70%;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+    .poem      {margin-left: 25%;  text-align: left;}
+    .poem2   {margin-left: 20%;  text-align: left;}
+
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              margin-top: 3em;
+              margin-bottom: 0em;
+              margin-left: auto;
+              margin-right: auto;
+              height: 4px;
+              border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */
+              border-style: solid;
+              border-color: #000000;
+              clear: both; }
+    pre      {font-size: 85%;}
+    </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie at Viamede, by Martha Finley</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Elsie at Viamede</p>
+<p>Author: Martha Finley</p>
+<p>Release Date: May 2, 2010  [eBook #32225]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT VIAMEDE***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/c/">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br />
+    from page images generously made available by<br />
+    Internet Archive<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.archive.org/">http://www.archive.org</a>)</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/elsieatviamede00finl">
+      http://www.archive.org/details/elsieatviamede00finl</a>
+	</td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h1>Elsie at Viamede</h1>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 258px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="258" height="400" alt="ELSIE AT VIAMEDE" title="" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class='center'><br />A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS<br />AND OTHER POPULAR BOOKS
+
+<small>BY</small><br />
+<big>MARTHA FINLEY</big></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Elsie books">
+<tr><td align='left'><i>ELSIE DINSMORE.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>ELSIE'S CHILDREN.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>GRANDMOTHER ELSIE.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>ELSIE AT NANTUCKET.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>THE TWO ELSIES.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>ELSIE'S VACATION.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>ELSIE AT ION.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>ELSIE AT HOME.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>ELSIE ON THE HUDSON.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>ELSIE IN THE SOUTH.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 7em;"><i>ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 8em;"><i>ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES.</i></span></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Mildred books">
+<tr><td align='left'><i>MILDRED KEITH.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>MILDRED AT ROSELANDS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>MILDRED AND ELSIE.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>MILDRED AT HOME.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER.</i></span></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Other books">
+<tr><td align='left'><i>CASELLA.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>OUR FRED.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>WANTED, A PEDIGREE.</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>THE THORN IN THE NEST.</i></span></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>ELSIE AT VIAMEDE</h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+<h2>MARTHA FINLEY</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<span class="smcap">Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "The Mildred Books,"<br />
+"Thorn in the Nest," etc., etc., etc.</span><br />
+<br />
+<br /><br /><br /><br />
+NEW YORK<br />
+DODD, MEAD &amp; COMPANY<br />
+PUBLISHERS<br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='copyright'>
+<span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1892<br />
+<br />
+BY<br />
+DODD, MEAD &amp; COMPANY.<br />
+<br />
+<i>All rights reserved.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+<h2>ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a beautiful evening at Viamede: the
+sun nearing its setting, shadows sleeping here
+and there upon the velvety flower-bespangled
+lawn, and filling the air with their delicious
+perfume, the waters of the bayou beyond reflecting
+the roseate hues of the sunset clouds,
+and the song of some negro oarsmen, in a passing
+boat, coming to the ear in pleasantly mellowed
+tones. Tea was over, and the family had
+all gathered upon the veranda overlooking the
+bayou. A momentary silence was broken by
+Rosie's pleasant voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, I wish you or grandpa, or the captain,
+would tell the story of Jackson's defence
+of New Orleans. Now while we are in the
+neighborhood we would all, I feel sure, find it
+very interesting. I think you have been going
+over Lossing's account of it, mamma," she
+added laughingly, "for I found his 'Pictorial
+History of the War of 1812' lying on the table
+in your room, with a mark in at that part."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I had been refreshing my memory in
+that way," returned her mother, smiling pleasantly
+into the dark eyes gazing so fondly and
+entreatingly into hers. "And," she added, "I
+have no objection to granting your request, except
+that I do not doubt that either your grandfather
+or the captain could do greater justice to
+the subject than I," glancing inquiringly from
+one to the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain, I move that you undertake the
+task," said Mr. Dinsmore. "You are, no doubt,
+better prepared to do it justice than I, and I
+would not have my daughter fatigued with the
+telling of so long a story."</p>
+
+<p>"Always so kindly careful of me, my dear
+father," remarked Mrs. Travilla in a softly
+spoken aside.</p>
+
+<p>"I am doubtful of my better preparation for
+the telling of the story, sir," returned the
+captain in his pleasant tones, "but if both you
+and mother are disinclined for the exertion I
+am willing to undertake the task."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, do, captain; do, papa," came in eager
+tones from several young voices, and lifting
+baby Ned to one knee, Elsie to the other, while
+the rest of the young members of the household
+grouped themselves about him, he began his
+story after a slight pause to collect his thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"You all, I think, have more or less knowledge
+of the War of 1812-14, which finished the work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
+of separation from the mother country so nearly
+accomplished by the War of the Revolution.
+Upon the close of that earlier contest, England,
+it is true, acknowledged our independence, but
+evidently retained a hope of finally recovering
+her control here.</p>
+
+<p>"All through the intervening years, our sailors
+on our merchant vessels, and even, in some instances,
+those belonging to our navy, were subjected
+to insults and oppression when met on
+the high seas by the more powerful ones of the
+English. The conduct of British officers&mdash;claiming
+the right to search our vessels for deserters
+from theirs, and often seizing American
+born men as such&mdash;was most gallingly insulting;
+the wrongs thus inflicted upon our poor seamen
+were enough to rouse the anger and indignation
+of the meekest of men. The clearest proofs of
+citizenship availed nothing; they were seized,
+carried forcibly aboard the British ships, and,
+if they refused to serve their captors, were
+brutally flogged again and again.</p>
+
+<p>"But I will not go into details with which you
+are all more or less acquainted. We did not
+lack abundant cause for exasperation, and at
+length, though ill prepared for the struggle, our
+government declared war against Great Britain.</p>
+
+<p>"That war had lasted two years; both parties
+were weary of the struggle, and negotiations
+for peace were being carried on in Europe. In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
+fact the treaty had been signed, December
+24, in the city of Ghent, Belgium, but news
+did not travel in those days nearly so fast as it
+does now, and so it happened that the battle
+of New Orleans was fought two weeks afterward,
+January 8, 1815, both armies being
+still in ignorance of the conclusion of peace."</p>
+
+<p>"What a pity!" exclaimed Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"And Andrew Jackson was the commanding
+general?" remarked Walter in a tone between
+inquiry and assertion. "Was he an American
+by birth, Brother Levis?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; his parents were from Ireland, but he
+was born on the border between North and
+South Carolina, in 1767; so that he was old
+enough to remember some of the occurrences of
+the Revolutionary War; one of them being himself
+carried to Camden, South Carolina, as a
+prisoner, and there nearly starved to death and
+brutally treated by a British officer; cut with a
+sword because he refused to black his boots
+for him."</p>
+
+<p>"Was that so, sir?" queried Walter. "Well,
+I shouldn't wonder if the recollection of all that
+made him more ready to fight them in the next
+war, particularly at New Orleans, than he would
+have been otherwise."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt," returned the captain. "Jackson
+was a man of great energy, determination, and
+persistence. It is said his maxim was, 'till all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>
+is done nothing is done.' In May of 1814 he
+was made a major-general in the regular army
+and appointed to the command of the Department
+of the South, the Seventh Military District,
+with his headquarters at Mobile, of which
+the Americans had taken possession as early as
+April, 1812.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson's vigilance was sleepless. The
+Spanish had possession of Pensacola, and,
+though professing neutrality, were secretly favoring
+the British. Of this Jackson promptly
+informed our government, but at that time our
+War Department was strangely apathetic, and
+his communication was not responded to in any
+way.</p>
+
+<p>"But he had trusty spies, both white and
+dark-skinned, everywhere, who kept him informed
+of all that was taking place in the whole
+region around. He knew that British marines
+were allowed to land and encamp on shore; that
+Edward Nichols, their commander, was a guest
+of the Spanish governor, and the British flag
+was unfurled over one of the forts. Also, that
+Indians were invited to enroll themselves in the
+service of the British crown, and that Nichols
+had sent out a general order to his soldiers, and
+a proclamation to the people of Kentucky and
+Louisiana, announcing that the land and naval
+forces at Pensacola were only the van of a far
+larger number of vessels and troops which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>
+were intended for the subjugation of Louisiana
+and especially the city of New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson arrived in that city on the 2d of
+December, and prepared to defend it from
+the British, whom he had driven out of Florida.
+They had planned to take the lower Mississippi
+Valley, intending to keep possession of the western
+bank of the river. They had among them
+some of the finest of Wellington's troops, who,
+but a short time before, had been engaged in
+driving Napoleon out of Europe.</p>
+
+<p>"In December, 12,000 men under the command
+of Sir Edward Packenham, brother-in-law
+of Wellington, were landed below New Orleans.
+They had come from Jamaica across the Gulf of
+Mexico. Their expedition was a secret one, and
+they approached New Orleans midway between
+Mobile Bay and the Mississippi River, entering
+Lake Borgne and anchoring there.</p>
+
+<p>"A small American navy, composed of five
+gunboats, opposed their progress, but was soon
+dispersed by their superior force of fifty vessels,
+large and small. Then the British took full possession
+of the lake, and landed troops upon a
+lonely island called the Isle des Pois (or Pea
+Island).</p>
+
+<p>"Some Spaniards, who had formerly lived in
+New Orleans, told Cochrane of Bayou Bienvenu,
+at the northwestern extremity of Lake Borgne,
+by which he could nearly reach the city, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+bayou being navigable for large barges to within
+a few miles of the Mississippi River.</p>
+
+<p>"A party was sent to explore it, and found
+that by following it and a canal they would
+reach a spot but half a mile from the river and
+nine miles below the city.</p>
+
+<p>"They hurried back to Cochrane with a report
+to that effect, and by the 23d of December half
+of the army had reached the spot.</p>
+
+<p>"A few months before&mdash;September 1st&mdash;the
+British sloop of war <i>Sophia</i>, commanded by
+Captain Lockyer, had sailed from Pensacola
+with despatches for Jean Lafitte, inviting him
+and his band to enter the British service."</p>
+
+<p>"Lafitte! Who was he, Brother Levis?"
+queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"A Frenchman," replied the captain, "who,
+with his elder brother, Pierre, had come to
+New Orleans some six years before. They
+were blacksmiths, and for a time worked at their
+trade; but afterward they engaged in smuggling,
+and were leaders of a band of corsairs,
+seizing, it was said, merchantmen of different
+nations, even some belonging to the people of the
+United States, and for that they were outlawed,
+though there was some doubt that they were
+really guilty. But they carried on a contraband
+trade with some of the citizens of Louisiana,
+smuggling their wares into New Orleans
+through Bayou Teche, or Bayou Lafourche and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+Barataria Lake. That had brought them into
+trouble with the United States authorities, and
+the British thought to get the help of the buccaneers
+in their intended attack upon the city,
+where Pierre Lafitte was at that time a prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Lockyer carried to Jean a letter
+from Colonel Nichols offering him a captain's
+commission in the British Navy and $30,000,
+and to his followers exemption from punishment
+for past deeds, indemnification for any
+losses, and rewards in money and lands, if they
+would go into the service of England's king.</p>
+
+<p>"Lockyer also brought another paper, in
+which they were threatened with extermination
+if they refused the offers in the first."</p>
+
+<p>"Were they frightened and bribed into doing
+what the British wished, sir?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the captain; "they seized Captain
+Lockyer and his officers, and threatened
+to carry them to New Orleans as prisoners of
+war; but Lafitte persuaded them to give that
+up, and they released the officers. Lafitte pretended
+to treat with them, asking them to come
+back for his reply in ten days, and they were
+permitted to depart.</p>
+
+<p>"After they had gone, he wrote to a member
+of the legislature telling of the visit of the
+British officers, what they had said to him and
+his men, and sending with his letter the papers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+Captain Lockyer had left with him. He also
+offered his own and his men's services in defence
+of the city, on condition that past offences
+should never be brought up against them.</p>
+
+<p>"Troops were badly needed in the American
+army, and Governor Claiborne was inclined to
+accept Lafitte's offer; but the majority of his
+officers were opposed to so doing, thinking the
+papers sent were forgeries, and the story made
+up to prevent the destruction of the colony of
+outlaws, against whom an expedition was then
+fitting out. Lafitte knew of the preparations,
+but supposed they were for an attack upon the
+British. They, the members of the expedition,
+made a sudden descent upon Barataria, captured
+a large number of Lafitte's men, and carried
+them and a rich booty to New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of the Baratarians escaped, Jean and
+Pierre Lafitte among them. They soon collected
+their men again near the mouth of Bayou Lafourche,
+and after General Jackson took command
+in New Orleans, again offered their services,
+which Jackson accepted, sending a part to
+man the redoubts on the river, and forming of
+the rest a corps which served the batteries with
+great skill.</p>
+
+<p>"In his letter at the time of sending information
+with regard to the attempt of the British
+to bribe him to enter their service, Jean Lafitte
+said: 'Though proscribed in my adopted country,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+I will never miss an occasion of serving her,
+or of proving that she has never ceased to be
+dear to me.'"</p>
+
+<p>"There!" exclaimed Lulu with enthusiasm,
+"I don't believe he was such a very bad man,
+after all."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor do I," her father said with a slight
+smile; then went on with his story.</p>
+
+<p>"Early on the 15th of December, Jackson,
+hearing of the capture of the gunboats, immediately
+set to work to fortify the city and make
+every possible preparation to repulse the expected
+attack of the enemy. He sent word to General
+Winchester, in command at Mobile, to be on
+the alert, and messengers to Generals Thomas
+and Coffee urging them to hasten with their
+commands to assist in the defence of the city.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he appointed, for the 18th, a grand review
+of all the troops in front of the Cathedral
+of St. Louis, in what is now Jackson Square,
+but at that time was called Place d'Armes.</p>
+
+<p>"All the people turned out to see the review.
+The danger was great, the military force with
+which to meet the foe small and weak, but
+Jackson made a stirring address, and his aide,
+Edward Livingston, read a thrilling and eloquent
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"They were successful in rousing both troops
+and populace to an intense enthusiasm, taking
+advantage of which, Jackson declared martial<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+law and a suspension of the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that, papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a writ which in ordinary times may be
+given by a judge to have a prisoner brought
+before him that he may inquire into the cause
+of his detention and have him released if unlawfully
+detained. It is a most important safeguard
+to liberty, inherited by us from our English
+ancestors."</p>
+
+<p>"Then what right had Jackson to suspend it,
+sir?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"A right given by the constitution of the
+United States, in which there is an express provision
+that it may be suspended in cases of rebellion
+or invasion, should the public safety
+demand it," replied the captain: then resumed
+his narrative.</p>
+
+<p>"After the review, Jean Lafitte again offered
+his own services and those of his men, urging
+their acceptance, and they were mustered into
+the ranks and appointed to important duty.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson showed himself sleeplessly vigilant
+and wonderfully active, making every possible
+preparation to meet and repulse every coming
+foe.</p>
+
+<p>"On the evening of the 23d, the schooner
+<i>Carolina</i>, one of the two armed American vessels
+in the river, moved down and anchored
+within musket shot of the centre of the British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+camp. Half an hour later she opened a tremendous
+fire upon them from her batteries, and in
+ten minutes had killed or wounded a hundred
+or more men. The British answered with a
+shower of Congreve rockets and bullets, but
+with little or no effect, and in less than half an
+hour were driven in confusion from their camp.</p>
+
+<p>"They had scarcely recovered from that when
+they were startled by the sound of musketry in
+the direction of their outposts. Some prisoners
+whom General Keane had taken told him there
+were more than 12,000 troops in New Orleans,
+and he now felt convinced that such was the
+fact. He gave Thornton full liberty to do as he
+would.</p>
+
+<p>"Thornton moved forward and was presently
+met by a column under Jackson. There was
+some fierce fighting, and at length the British fell
+sullenly back. About half past nine the fighting
+was over; but two hours later, when all was becoming
+quiet in the camp, musket firing was heard
+in the distance. Some drafted militia, under
+General David Morgan, had heard the firing
+upon the <i>Carolina</i> early in the evening, insisted
+upon being led against the enemy, and on their
+way had met some British pickets at Jumonsville
+and exchanged shots with them. By
+that advance against the foe, Jackson had saved
+New Orleans for the time, and now he set vigorously
+to work to prepare for another attack, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+he knew there would be another. Also, that the
+men who were to make it were fresh from the
+battlefields of Europe&mdash;veteran troops not
+likely to be easily conquered or driven away.
+He omitted nothing which it was in his power
+to do for the defence of the city, setting his
+soldiers to casting up intrenchments along the
+line of the canal from the river to Cypress
+Swamp. They were in excellent spirits, and
+plied their spades with such energy and zeal
+that by sunset a breastwork three feet high
+might be seen along the whole line of his army.</p>
+
+<p>"The American troops were quite hilarious on
+that Christmas eve, the British soldiers gloomy
+and disheartened, having lost confidence in their
+commander, Keane, and finding themselves
+on wet ground, under a clouded sky, and in a
+chilly atmosphere; but the sudden arrival of
+their new commander, Sir Edward Packenham,
+in whose skill and bravery they had great confidence,
+filled them with joy.</p>
+
+<p>"But while the Americans were at work preparing
+for the coming conflict, the foe were not
+idle; day and night they were busy getting
+ready a heavy battery with which to attack the
+<i>Carolina</i>. On the morning of the 27th, they
+had it finished, began firing hot shot upon her
+from a howitzer and several twelve and eighteen
+pounders, and soon succeeded in setting her on
+fire, so that she blew up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It was a tremendous explosion, but fortunately
+her crew had abandoned her in time to
+escape it. The <i>Louisiana</i>, who had come down
+to her aid, was near sharing her fate, but, by
+great exertion on the part of her crew, she was
+towed out of reach of the enemy's shot, anchored
+nearly abreast of the American camp, on the
+other side of the river, and so saved to take a
+gallant part in the next day's fight. Packenham
+next ordered his men to move forward and carry
+the intrenchments of the Americans by storm.
+They numbered 8000, and toward evening the
+two columns, commanded respectively by Generals
+Gibbs and Keane, obeyed that order, moving
+forward, driving in the American pickets
+and outposts, and at twilight they encamped,
+some of them seeking repose while others began
+raising batteries near the river.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans, however, kept them awake
+by quick, sharp attacks, which the British called
+'barbarian warfare.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Barbarian warfare, indeed!" sniffed
+Walter. "I wonder if it was half so barbarous
+as what they employed the Indians to do to our
+people."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but you must remember that it makes a
+vast difference who does what, Walter," laughed
+Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, of course," returned the lad; and
+Captain Raymond went on with his story.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Jackson was busy getting ready to receive
+the enemy: watching their movements through
+a telescope, planting heavy guns, blowing up
+some buildings that would have interfered with
+the sweep of his artillery, and calling some
+Louisiana militia from the rear. By the time
+the British were ready to attack, he had 4000
+men and twenty pieces of artillery ready to receive
+them. Also the <i>Louisiana</i> was in a position
+to use her cannon with effect in giving
+them a warm reception.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as the fog of early morning had
+passed away, they could be seen approaching in
+two columns, while a party of skirmishers, sent
+out by Gibbs, were ordered to turn the left flank
+of the Americans and attack their rear.</p>
+
+<p>"Just then a band of rough looking men came
+down the road from the direction of the city.
+They were Baratarians, who had run all the way
+from Fort St. John to take part in the fight, and
+Jackson was delighted to see them. He put
+them in charge of the twenty-four pounders and
+they did excellent service.</p>
+
+<p>"Next came the crew of the <i>Carolina</i>, under
+Lieutenants Norris and Crawley, and they were
+given charge of the howitzer on the right. A
+galling fire of musketry fell upon the British as
+they advanced in solid column, then the batteries
+of the <i>Louisiana</i> and some of Jackson's heavy
+guns swept their lines with deadly effect, one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+of the shots from the <i>Louisiana</i> killing and
+wounding fifteen men. The British rocketeers
+were busy on their side, too, but succeeded in
+inflicting very little damage upon the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"But I must leave the rest of the story for
+another time, for I see we are about to have company,"
+concluded the captain, as a carriage was
+seen coming swiftly up the driveway. It
+brought callers who remained until the hour for
+the retiring of the younger ones among his
+hearers.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next evening the Viamede family were
+again gathered upon the veranda, and, at the urgent
+request of the younger portion, seconded
+by that of the older ones, the captain resumed
+the thread of his narrative.</p>
+
+<p>"Keane's men," he said, "could no longer endure
+the terrible fire that was so rapidly thinning
+their ranks, and they were presently ordered to
+seek shelter in the little canals, where, in mud
+and water almost waist deep, they leaned forward,
+concealing themselves in the rushes which
+grew on the banks. They were Wellington's
+veterans, and must have felt humiliated enough
+to be thus compelled to flee before a few rough
+backwoodsmen, as they considered Jackson's
+troops.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime, Gibbs and Rennie were endeavoring
+to flank the American left, driving
+in the pickets till they were within a hundred
+yards of Carroll and his Tennesseeans. Carroll
+perceived their object and sent Colonel Henderson
+with 200 Tennesseeans to cut Rennie off from
+the main body of the enemy by gaining his rear.
+Henderson went too far, met a large British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+force, and he and five of his men were killed and
+several wounded. But Gibbs, seeing how hard
+the fight was going with Keane, ordered Rennie
+to fall back to his assistance. Rennie reluctantly
+obeyed, but only to be a witness of Keane's
+repulse. Packenham, deeply mortified by the
+unexpected disaster to his veterans, presently
+ordered his men to fall back, and retired to his
+headquarters at Villere's."</p>
+
+<p>"Had he lost many of his men that day, sir?"
+queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"The British loss in the engagement is said
+to have been about one hundred and fifty," replied
+Captain Raymond; "that of the Americans
+nine killed and eight wounded. Packenham
+called a council of war, at which it was resolved
+to bring heavy siege guns from the
+navy and with them make another attempt to
+conquer the Americans and get possession of
+the city, which Packenham now began to see to
+be by no means the easy task he had at first
+imagined. He perceived that it was difficult,
+dangerous, and would require all the skill of
+which he was master; that his movements must
+be both courageous and persevering if he would
+save his army from destruction.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson, too, was busy with his preparations,
+extending his line of intrenchments, placing
+guns, establishing batteries, and appointing
+those who were to command and work them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A company of young men from the best
+families, under Captain Ogden, were made his
+body-guard and subject to his orders alone.
+They were posted in Macarte's garden.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody was full of enthusiasm, active
+and alert. Particularly so were the Tennessee
+riflemen; they delighted in going on 'hunts,' as
+they called expeditions to pick off the sentinels
+of the enemy. So successful were they in this
+kind of warfare on Jackson's left, very near the
+swamp, that soon the British dared not post
+sentinels there. They (the British) threw up a
+strong redoubt there which Captain You and
+Lieutenant Crawley constantly battered with
+heavy shot from their cannon; but the British
+persevered, and by the end of the month had
+mounted several heavy guns, with which, on
+the 31st, they began a vigorous fire upon the
+Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"That night the whole of the British army
+moved forward to within a few hundred yards
+of the American lines, and in the gloom, began
+rapid work with spade and pickaxe. They
+brought up siege guns from the lake, and before
+dawn had finished three half-moon batteries at
+nearly equal distances apart, and six hundred
+yards from the American line.</p>
+
+<p>"They (the batteries) were made of earth,
+hogsheads of sugar, and whatever else could be
+laid hold of that would answer the purpose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+Upon them they placed thirty pieces of heavy
+ordnance, manned by picked gunners of the
+fleet, who had served under Nelson, Collingwood,
+and St. Vincent.</p>
+
+<p>"That morning was the 1st of January, 1815.
+A thick fog hid the two armies from each other
+until after eight o'clock. Then a gentle breeze
+blew it aside, and the British began firing briskly
+upon the American works, doubtless feeling
+sure they would presently scatter them to the
+winds, and that their own army, placed ready
+in battle array, would then rush forward, overpower
+the Americans, and take the city.</p>
+
+<p>"Heavier and heavier grew their bombardment;
+the rocketeers sent an incessant shower of
+fiery missiles into the American lines and upon
+Jackson's headquarters at Macarte's, more than
+a hundred balls, shells, and rockets striking the
+building in the course of ten minutes. He and
+his staff immediately left the house, and in the
+meantime he had opened his heavy guns on the
+assailants.</p>
+
+<p>"The British were amazed to find heavy artillery
+thundering along the whole line, and
+wondered how and where the Americans had
+got their guns and gunners.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a terrible fight. Packenham sent a
+detachment of infantry to turn the American
+left, but they were driven back in terror by the
+Tennesseeans under Coffee. After that, the conflict<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+was between the batteries alone, and before
+noon the fire of the British had sensibly abated.
+Then they abandoned their works and fled
+helter-skelter to the ditches for safety; for their
+demi-lunes were crushed and broken, the hogsheads,
+of which they were largely composed,
+having been reduced to splinters and the sugar
+that had filled them mixed with the earth.
+Some of their guns were dismounted, others
+careened so that it was very difficult to work
+them, while the fire of the Americans was
+still unceasing. At noon, as I have said,
+they gave up the contest. That night they
+crawled back and carried away some of their
+cannon, dragging them with difficulty over the
+wet ground, and leaving five of them a spoil
+to the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"They (the British) were deeply chagrined by
+their repulse, had eaten nothing for sixty hours,
+nor had any sleep in all that time, so that their
+New Year's Day was even gloomier than their
+Christmas had been.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans, on the other hand, were full
+of joy that they had been able to repulse their
+own and their country's foes; and their happiness
+was increased by the news that they were
+soon to have a re-enforcement, Brigadier-General
+John Adair arriving with the glad tidings
+that 2000 drafted militia from Kentucky were
+coming to their assistance. These arrived on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+4th of the month, and 700 of them were sent
+to the front under Adair.</p>
+
+<p>"Packenham had lost some of his confidence in
+the ability of himself and his troops to conquer
+the Americans, but hoped to be more successful
+in a new effort. He decided to try to carry
+Jackson's lines on both sides of the river. He
+resolved to rebuild his two batteries near the
+levee, which had been destroyed by the Americans,
+mount them well, and employ them in assailing
+the American right, while Keane, with
+his corps, was to advance with fascines to fill
+the ditches, and scaling ladders with which to
+mount the embankments.</p>
+
+<p>"But first 1500 infantry, with some artillery,
+were to be sent under cover of night to attack
+Morgan, whose works were but feebly manned,
+and, getting possession, enfilade Jackson's line,
+while the main British army attacked it in
+front.</p>
+
+<p>"All the labor of completing these arrangements
+was finished on the 7th, and the
+army, now 10,000 strong, was in fine spirits,
+no doubt thinking they had an easy task before
+them. But Jackson saw through their designs,
+and was busily engaged in making his preparations.
+He had thrown up a redoubt on the
+edge of the river, and mounted it with cannon so
+as to enfilade the ditch in front of his line. He
+had, besides, eight batteries at proper distances<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+from each other, and Patterson's marine battery
+across the river, mounting nine guns; also the
+<i>Louisiana</i> near at hand and ready to take any
+part she could in assisting him.</p>
+
+<p>"The plain of Chalmette was in front of Jackson's
+line. His whole force on the New
+Orleans side of the river was about 5000; only
+2200 of them were at his line; only 800 of them
+were regulars, most of them being new recruits
+commanded by young officers.</p>
+
+<p>"The British attempted to carry out Packenham's
+plans, but Thornton was delayed in
+reaching Morgan by the falling of the water in
+the canal and river, so that the sailors had to drag
+the boats through the mud in many places, and
+it was three o'clock in the morning before half
+his force had crossed. Besides, the powerful
+current of the Mississippi carried them down
+stream, and they were landed at least a mile
+and a half below the point at which they had intended
+to disembark, and the roar of the cannon
+on the plain of Chalmette was heard before
+all had landed. The British had formed in line
+and advanced to within 450 yards of the American
+intrenchments, and there, under Gibbs and
+Keane, they stood in the darkness, fog, and
+chilly air, listening for the boom of Thornton's
+guns.</p>
+
+<p>"The time must have seemed long to them,
+and doubtless they wondered what delayed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+him. But day began to dawn, the red coats of
+the enemy could be dimly seen by our troops
+through the fog, and Lieutenant Spotswood,
+of battery No. 7, opened the battle by sending
+one of his heavy shots in among them.</p>
+
+<p>"The fog rolled away, and the British line was
+seen extending two-thirds of the distance across
+the plain of Chalmette. A rocket was sent up
+from each end of the line and it broke into
+fragments, the men forming into columns by
+companies. Then Gibbs moved forward toward
+the wooded swamp, his troops, as they advanced,
+terribly pelted by the fire of the Americans,
+the batteries Nos. 6, 7, and 8 pouring shot incessantly
+into their line, making lanes through
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"Some sought shelter from the storm behind
+a projection of the swamp into the plain; but in
+vain. Whole platoons were prostrated, but
+their places were instantly filled by others.</p>
+
+<p>"The company who were to have brought the
+fascines and scaling ladders had forgotten them,
+and that, with the terrible fire of the American
+batteries, wrought some confusion in the ranks;
+but they pressed on bravely, cheering each other
+with loud huzzas, their front covered by blazing
+rockets. As rank after rank fell under the fire
+of the Americans, their places were instantly
+occupied by others, and the column pushed on
+toward the American batteries on the left and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+the weaker line defended by the Kentuckians
+and the Tennesseeans.</p>
+
+<p>"Those British troops were Wellington's
+veterans who had fought so bravely in Europe,
+and now, in spite of the awful slaughter in their
+ranks, they moved unflinchingly forward, without
+pause or recoil, stepping unhesitatingly over
+their fallen comrades, till they were within two
+hundred yards of our lines, when General Carroll's
+voice rang out in clear, clarion tones,
+'Fire!' and, at the word, the Tennesseeans rose
+from behind their works, where they had lain
+concealed, and poured in a deadly fire, each man
+taking sure aim, and their bullets cutting down
+scores of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, as the Tennesseeans fell back, the Kentuckians
+stepped quickly into their places and
+poured in their fire with equally deadly aim;
+then another rank followed, and still another, so
+that the fire slackened not for a moment, while
+at the same time grape and round shot from
+the batteries went crashing through the British
+ranks, making awful gaps in them.</p>
+
+<p>"It was enough to appall the stoutest heart,
+and their lines began to waver; but their officers
+encouraged them with the cry, 'Here comes the
+Forty-fourth with the fascines and the ladders!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, what are fascines?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Long faggots used for different purposes in
+engineering," he replied. "It was true they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+were coming with them, Packenham at their
+head, encouraging his men by stirring words and
+deeds; but presently a bullet struck his bridle
+arm, and his horse was shot under him. He
+quickly mounted a pony belonging to his favorite
+aid, but another shot disabled his right arm,
+and, as his pony was being led away to the rear,
+another passed through his thigh, killed the
+horse, and he and it fell to the ground together.
+He was carried to the rear and placed under an
+oak, where he soon died in the arms of Sir Duncan
+McDougall, the aid who had resigned the
+pony to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Other officers fell, till there were not enough
+to command. General Keane was shot through
+the neck, and the wound compelled him to leave
+the field. General Gibbs was mortally wounded
+and died the next day. Major Wilkinson, who
+then took command, fell on the parapet, mortally
+wounded; then the British fled in wild
+confusion."</p>
+
+<p>"But they had been very brave," remarked
+Grace. "What a pity it was that they had to
+fight in such a bad cause. Were there very
+many of them killed, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a great many. Of a regiment of brave
+Highlanders, with twenty-five officers, only nine
+officers and one hundred and thirty men could be
+mustered after the terrible fight was over. Another
+regiment had lost five hundred men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"While this fighting had been going on, another
+of their divisions of nearly one thousand
+men, led by Colonel Rennie, attacked an unfinished
+redoubt on Jackson's right and succeeded
+in driving out the Americans there, but could not
+hold it long, being terribly punished by Humphreys'
+batteries and the Seventh Regiment.
+Yet Rennie <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'suceeeded'">succeeded</ins> scaling the parapet of
+the American redoubt. Beale's New Orleans
+Rifles poured such a tempest of shot upon the
+officers and men in the redoubt that nearly every
+one was killed or wounded. Rennie, who had
+just shouted, 'Hurrah, boys! the day is ours!'
+fell mortally wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"And now this attacking column also fell
+back, and by hastening to the plantation
+ditches, sought shelter from the terrible tempest
+of shot and shell coming from Jackson's
+lines.</p>
+
+<p>"General Lambert with his troops tried to
+come to the aid of Packenham, Gibbs, and
+Keane, but was able only to cover the retreat
+of their vanquished and flying columns."</p>
+
+<p>"And the victory was won then, papa?"
+queried Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, though the battle had lasted but a
+short time; by half past eight <span class="smcap">a. m.</span> the musketry
+fire had ceased, though the artillery kept
+theirs up till two o'clock in the afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Were both Americans and British playing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+their national airs while the fight was going on,
+sir?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"The British had no music but a bugle," replied
+the captain, "not even a drum or a
+trumpet; but all through the fight, from the time
+they sent up their first signal rocket, the New
+Orleans Band was stationed near the spot where
+the American flag was flying, playing national
+airs to cheer and animate our soldiers."</p>
+
+<p>"Were not the British rather more successful
+in another part of the field, Captain?" asked Eva.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied; "in their attack upon the
+troops on the right bank of the river, they being
+only militia and few in number; also fatigued
+and poorly armed. Morgan, their commander,
+was compelled to spike his cannon and
+throw them into the river, his men being driven
+from their intrenchments.</p>
+
+<p>"Then Thornton, his assailant, pushed on to
+Patterson's battery, three hundred yards in the
+rear, and Patterson, threatened by a flank movement
+also, was compelled to spike his guns and
+flee on board of the <i>Louisiana</i>, his sailors helping
+to get her out of the reach of the foe.</p>
+
+<p>"But Thornton soon heard of the disasters of
+his comrades on the other side of the river, and
+received orders to rejoin them. Jackson had
+sent four hundred men to re-enforce Morgan,
+but there was now no need of their services.
+Thornton re-embarked his troops at twilight,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+the Americans repossessed themselves of their
+works, and Patterson removed the spikes from
+his guns, put his battery in better position, and
+at dawn informed Jackson of what he had done
+by heavy firing upon the British outposts at
+Bienvenu's.</p>
+
+<p>"In that battle of January 8, 1815, the British
+had lost twenty-six hundred men, seven hundred
+killed, fourteen hundred wounded, and five
+hundred made prisoners; while the Americans
+had only eight killed and thirteen wounded.
+Lossing tells us, 'The history of human warfare
+presents no parallel to this disparity in loss.'</p>
+
+<p>"In Thornton's attack, the British loss was a little
+more than one hundred; the American, one
+killed and five wounded. On that side of the
+river the British secured their only trophy of
+their efforts to capture New Orleans. So Lossing
+tells us, adding, 'It was a small flag, and
+now [1867], hangs conspicuously among other
+war trophies in Whitehall, London, with the inscription:
+"Taken at the battle of New Orleans,
+January 8, 1815."'"</p>
+
+<p>"That looks as though our British cousins must
+esteem it quite a triumph to be able to succeed
+in taking anything from Uncle Sam," laughed
+Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Walter, "I think they compliment
+us by making so much of that one little
+trophy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Lulu. "Papa, is that the
+end of your story?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, not quite," replied the captain. "After
+the battle had come to an end, Jackson and his
+staff passed slowly along his whole line, speaking
+words of congratulation and praise to his
+brave troops, officers and men. Then the band
+struck up 'Hail Columbia,' and cheer after cheer
+for the hero went up from every part of the line.
+The citizens also, who had been anxiously and
+eagerly watching the battle from a distance,
+joined in the cheering. Then, after refreshing
+themselves with some food (doubtless having
+gone into the battle without waiting to eat
+their breakfast), the soldiers set to work to bury
+the dead of the enemy in front of Jackson's
+lines, and take care of the wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"General Lambert sent a flag of truce asking
+for an armistice in order to bury his dead, and
+Jackson granted it on condition that the British
+should not cross to the right bank of the river.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning, detachments from both
+armies were drawn up in front of the American
+lines, at a distance of three hundred yards, then
+the dead bodies between that point and the intrenchments
+were carried by the Americans
+upon the very scaling ladders left there by the
+British, and delivered to them. They were
+buried on Bienvenu's plantation, and, as Lossing
+tells us, the graves were still there undisturbed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+when he visited the spot in 1861. He says also
+that it is regarded with superstitious awe by the
+negroes in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>"The wounded who had been taken prisoners
+were carried to the barracks in New Orleans and
+tenderly cared for by the citizens. Some of
+the dead British officers were buried that night
+by torch light in the garden at Villere's; the
+bodies of others, among whom were Packenham,
+Rennie, and Gibbs, were sent to their friends in
+England."</p>
+
+<p>The captain paused, and Violet said playfully,
+"I fear we are fatiguing you, my dear;
+suppose you leave the rest of your story for
+another time."</p>
+
+<p>"And that we have some music now," added
+her mother, a suggestion which was immediately
+adopted, the whole party adjourning to
+the parlor.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> captain opened the piano and glanced
+smilingly at his young wife. But Violet shook
+her head playfully. "I think mamma should be
+the player to-night," she said. "She has scarcely
+touched the piano for months, and I am really
+hungry to have her do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you give us some music, mother?"
+queried the captain, offering to lead her to the
+instrument.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she returned laughingly. "I could
+never wilfully allow my daughter to suffer from
+hunger when in my power to relieve it."</p>
+
+<p>"Patriotic songs first, please, mamma," entreated
+Walter, as she took her seat before the
+instrument. "I do believe we all feel like singing
+'Hail, Columbia!' and the 'Star-Spangled
+Banner.' At least I do, I am sure."</p>
+
+<p>"I presume we are all in a patriotic frame of
+mind to-night," she returned, giving him a smile
+of mingled love and pride as she struck a chord
+or two, then dashed off into "Yankee-doodle-dandy,"
+with variations.</p>
+
+<p>"Hail Columbia!" and "Star-Spangled Banner"
+followed, old and young uniting together<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+with enthusiasm in singing the patriotic words,
+but still other voices were unexpectedly heard
+joining in on the concluding strains:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"That star-spangled banner, oh, long may it wave<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, Cousin Molly and Mr. Embury! Dick,
+too! and Betty!" cried Violet, hurrying with
+outstretched hand toward the doorway into the
+hall, where the cousins stood in a little group
+looking smilingly in upon them. "Come in; I
+am delighted to see you."</p>
+
+<p>The invitation was promptly accepted, and
+for the next few minutes there was a tumultuous
+exchange of joyous greetings.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Percival and his half brother, Robert
+Johnson, had been spending some months together
+in Europe, their sister Betty visiting
+friends in Natchez through the winter, and
+only that morning the three had returned to
+Magnolia Hall, where Betty had a home with
+her sister Molly, and the brothers were always
+welcome guests.</p>
+
+<p>Presently all were seated and a very animated
+conversation ensued, the newly arrived having
+much to tell and many inquiries to make concerning
+absent friends and relatives.</p>
+
+<p>After a little it came out that Betty was engaged
+and shortly to be married, provided
+"Uncle Horace" was satisfied with regard to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+the suitableness of the match, of which no one
+acquainted with the reputation, family, and circumstances
+of the favored lover, felt any doubt.</p>
+
+<p>It was a love match on both sides; the gentleman,
+an American, engaged in a lucrative business,
+of irreproachable character and reputation,
+pleasing appearance and manners, in fact, all
+that could reasonably be desired, assured of
+which, Mr. Dinsmore gave a prompt consent,
+adding his warm congratulations, which Betty
+accepted with blushes and smiles.</p>
+
+<p>"I was not unprepared for this, Betty," he
+said with a smile, "having received a letter
+from the gentleman himself, asking for the
+hand of my niece, Miss Johnson."</p>
+
+<p>"O Betty, how nice!" cried Rosie with a
+gleeful laugh, and softly clapping her hands.
+"When is it to be? I hope before we leave for
+the North, for I, for one, want to see what a
+pretty bride you will make, and I dare say Mr.
+Norris, your favored suitor, feels in as great
+haste as I."</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite aware that I have no beauty to
+boast of, coz," laughed Betty, "but I believe
+it's a conceded point that a woman always looks
+her best at such a time, and in bridal attire.
+However that may be, though, I shall want
+you all present, so I will hurry my preparations
+in order that the great event may take place
+while you are here to have a share in it. By<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+the way, I have laid my plans to have three
+bridesmaids and several maids of honor, and I
+have planned that they shall be my three young
+friends, Cousin Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland,
+and Lucilla Raymond," glancing from one to
+another as she spoke, then adding, "Now don't
+decline, any one of you, for I shall be mortally
+offended if you do."</p>
+
+<p>"No danger of that, unless compelled by some
+one of the older folks," laughed Rosie, turning
+inquiringly toward her mother, while Evelyn
+colored and smiled, hesitated momentarily, then
+said in a noncommittal way, "You are very
+kind, Betty, but I'll have to think about it a
+little and ask permission."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu's face grew radiant with delight. "O
+Betty, how good of you!" she exclaimed.
+"Papa, may I?" turning a very pleading look
+upon him and hurrying to his side.</p>
+
+<p>He took her hand in his, smiling affectionately
+into the eager, entreating eyes. "I think you
+may, daughter," he said kindly, "since Cousin
+Betty is so good as to include you in the invitation.
+I see nothing in the way at present."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried joyously, then
+turned to listen with eager interest to an animated
+discussion going on among the ladies in
+regard to the most suitable and tasteful attire
+for bride and bridesmaids or maids of honor.</p>
+
+<p>"The bride will, of course, wear white," Violet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+was saying, "but it would be pretty and in
+accordance with the fashion for her maids of
+honor to dress in colors."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented Rosie, "and I propose blue
+for Eva, delicate straw or canary color for Lu,
+who has a complexion just to suit, and pink for
+me. What do you say, girls?" turning to them
+where they stood side by side.</p>
+
+<p>"I like the idea," replied Evelyn, Lulu adding,
+"And so do I. Do you approve, papa?"
+hurrying to his side again.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter; if it pleases you and meets
+the approval of the ladies."</p>
+
+<p>"You are so good to me, dear papa!" she exclaimed
+with a look of gratitude and affection.</p>
+
+<p>But it was growing late, and leaving various
+matters to be settled in another interview to be
+held at an early day, the cousins bade good
+night and departed.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I do think I have just the best and
+kindest father in the whole world!" exclaimed
+Lulu, seating herself upon his knee and putting
+her arm about his neck, her lips to his cheek,
+when he had come to her room for the usual good-night
+bit of chat.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather strong, isn't it?" he queried laughingly,
+holding her close and returning her caress
+with interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Not too strong, you dear, dear papa!" she
+said, hugging him tighter. "Oh, if ever I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+disobedient or ill tempered again I ought to be
+severely punished."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child," he said gravely, smoothing
+her hair with caressing hand as he spoke, "do
+not ever again give your father the pain of punishing
+you. Watch and pray, and try every day
+to grow into the likeness of the dear Master.
+It makes me happy that you want to please
+me, your earthly father, but I would have you
+care far more about pleasing and honoring
+Him."</p>
+
+<p>"I do care about that, papa. Oh, I want very
+much to have Him pleased with me, but next to
+that I want to please you, because you are
+such a good, kind father, and I love you so
+dearly."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter, and I esteem your love one
+of the great blessings of my life, while you are
+dearer to me than words can express: one
+of God's good gifts for which I am truly thankful.
+But I must now bid you good-night and
+leave you to rest, for it is growing late."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. But I feel as wide-awake as possible&mdash;I'm
+so excited thinking about Betty's
+wedding. So I wish you'd stay just a little
+bit longer. Can't you, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter, I must leave you and you
+must go to bed at once; try to banish exciting
+thoughts, and get to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll try my very best to obey my own dear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+father," she returned, looking up into his face
+with eyes full of ardent affection.</p>
+
+<p>He smiled, held her close for a moment, repeating
+his caresses, saying low and tenderly, "God
+bless and keep my dear daughter through the
+silent watches of the night, and wake her in the
+morning in health and strength, if it be His
+will." Then releasing her he left the room.</p>
+
+<p>She was soon in the land of dreams; the sun
+was shining when she awoke again.</p>
+
+<p>The wedding and matters connected with it
+were the principal topics of discourse at the
+breakfast table. Betty had expressed an ardent
+wish to have present at the ceremony all the relatives
+from the neighborhood of her old home,
+saying that she and Molly had already despatched
+invitations which she hoped would be accepted,
+and now it was settled that Mr. Dinsmore and
+Grandma Elsie should write at once, urging all
+to come to Viamede and remain till the summer
+heats would make it more prudent to return to
+a cooler climate. There was talk, too, of an entertainment
+to be given there to the bride and
+groom, of suitable wedding gifts, and also the
+attire of maids of honor.</p>
+
+<p>The young girls selected to take part in the
+ceremony were particularly interested, excitable
+Lulu especially so; she could hardly think
+of anything else, even in the school-room, and as
+a consequence recited so badly that her father<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+looked very grave indeed, and when dismissing
+the others told her she must remain in the
+school-room studying, until she could recite
+each lesson very much more creditably to both
+herself and her teacher.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," she said in a low, unwilling tone,
+casting down her eyes and coloring with mortification;
+"but I think the lessons were dreadfully
+hard to-day, papa."</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter, it is only that your mind is
+dwelling upon other things. You must learn to
+exercise better control over your thoughts and
+concentrate them always upon the business in
+hand."</p>
+
+<p>"But, papa, I'll never be able to learn the
+lessons before dinner time, and I am hungry now;
+are you going to make me fast till I recite perfectly?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my child: you may eat when the rest of
+us do, and finish your tasks afterward. You
+may have a cracker now if you are hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, may I go and get her some, papa?" asked
+Grace, who had lingered behind the others, full
+of concern and sympathy for her sister, and
+was now standing close at his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my darling," he said, smiling upon the
+little girl, and smoothing her hair with softly
+caressing hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, sir!" and away she ran, to
+return in a few moments with a plate of crackers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+when she found Lulu alone, bending over a
+book, apparently studying with great diligence.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, Grace!" she exclaimed; "you
+are ever so good. I was so taken up with the
+talk about the wedding at breakfast time, that
+I didn't eat nearly so much as usual. Some
+folks in papa's place would have made me fast
+till my lessons were learned; but he's such a
+good, kind father; isn't he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed!" returned Grace emphatically,
+setting down the plate as she spoke. "Now
+I'll run away and let you learn your lesson."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu did not feel fully prepared for her recitations
+when the dinner bell rang, but, having
+her father's permission, she went to the table
+with the others. At the conclusion of the meal
+he inquired in an aside, his tone kind and pleasant,
+if she were ready for him.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," she replied, "not quite."</p>
+
+<p>"You may take half an hour to digest your
+dinner, then go back to your tasks," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, I will," she answered, taking out
+the pretty little watch, which was one of his
+gifts, and noting the time. Then, in company
+with Rosie, Evelyn, and Grace, she went out
+upon the lawn and sauntered about under the
+trees, gathering flowers.</p>
+
+<p>She was careful to return to the school-room
+at the appointed hour. Presently her father<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+followed her. "Are those lessons ready,
+daughter?" he asked in his usual kindly tones.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; not quite," she replied.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry," he said, "as if they were, I
+would hear them at once and you might make
+one of the party who are going over to Magnolia
+Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I should so like to go along!" she exclaimed,
+looking up coaxingly into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"And I would be glad to give you the pleasure,"
+he said with a slight sigh; "but you know
+I cannot do that, having already told you your
+lessons must be creditably recited before you
+can be allowed any further recreation."</p>
+
+<p>"They're so long and hard, papa," grumbled
+Lulu, looking wofully disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my child; with your usual attention you
+could easily have learned them before the regular
+school hours were over," he said. "I am not
+going with the others and will come for your
+recitation in another hour or perhaps sooner."
+So saying he turned and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! I do wish I was old enough not to
+have lessons to learn," sighed Lulu. But seeing
+there was no escape, she turned to her tasks
+again, and when her father came in according
+to his promise, was able to say she was ready
+for him and to recite in a creditable manner.
+He gave the accustomed meed of praise, smiling
+kindly on her as he spoke. "There,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+daughter," he added, "you see what you can
+do when you give your mind to your work, and
+I hope that in future you will do so always at
+the proper time."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, papa; I do really mean to try,"
+she replied, hanging her head and blushing.
+"Are the ladies and girls all gone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; some time ago," he said. "I am sorry
+I could not let you go with the others, as I
+have no doubt you would have enjoyed doing
+so."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you didn't stay at home just to hear
+my lessons, papa?" she said regretfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I might possibly have gone could I have
+taken my eldest daughter with me," he replied,
+"though there were other matters calling for
+my attention. However," he added with a
+smile, "you need not measure my disappointment
+by yours, as I am certain it was not nearly
+so great."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment a servant came to the door to
+tell the captain that a gentleman had called on
+business, and was in the library waiting to see
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; tell him I will be there presently,"
+replied Captain Raymond. Then turning
+to Lulu, "You may amuse yourself as you
+like for an hour, then prepare your lessons for
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," she answered, as he left the room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+then put on her hat and taking a parasol wandered
+out upon the lawn.</p>
+
+<p>The captain had been giving the young people
+some lessons in botany, and the girls were vieing
+with each other as to who should gather
+into her herbarium the largest number of plants
+and flowers, particularly such as were to be
+found in that region, but never, or very rarely,
+in the more northern one they called their home.
+Lulu had found, and, from time to time, placed
+in her herbarium, several which she highly
+prized for both beauty and rarity, and now she
+went in quest of others.</p>
+
+<p>She had scarcely left the house when, much
+to her surprise, she met her baby brother and
+his nurse.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Neddie dear, I thought you had
+gone&mdash;&mdash;" but she paused, fearing to set the
+child to crying for his mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Marse Ned's sleeping when dey goes, Miss
+Lu; I spec's dey'll be back fo' long," said the
+nurse; and catching him up in her arms she
+began a romping play with him, her evident
+object to ward off thoughts of his absent
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu walked on, spent a half hour or more
+gathering flowers, then returned to the school-room,
+where she had left her herbarium lying on
+her desk. But Master Ned, there before her,
+had pulled it down on the floor, where he sat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+tearing out the plants which she had prepared
+and placed in it with so much labor and care.</p>
+
+<p>At that trying sight, Lulu's anger flamed out
+as it had not in years; not since the sad time
+when little Elsie was so nearly sacrificed to
+her eldest sister's lack of self-control.</p>
+
+<p>"You naughty, naughty, naughty boy!"
+she exclaimed, snatching the herbarium from
+the floor. "I'd just like to shake you well, and
+spank you, too. You deserve it richly, for you
+have no business to be here meddling with my
+things!"</p>
+
+<p>At that the baby boy set up a wail. Then
+their father's voice was heard from the veranda
+outside. "Come here to papa, Neddie boy,"
+and the little fellow, who had now scrambled to
+his feet, hastened to obey.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu trembled and flushed hotly. "I wish
+I'd known papa was so near and I'd kept my
+temper, too," she sighed ruefully to herself, then
+set to work to repair damages to the best of her
+ability; but, as her passion cooled, with thoughts
+dwelling remorsefully upon her unkind treatment
+of her baby brother, also apprehensively
+on the consequent displeasure of her dearly loved
+father. She loved little Ned too, and heartily
+wished she had been more gentle and forbearing
+toward him.</p>
+
+<p>But her hour of recreation was past, and with
+Ned's baby prattle to his father, as he sat on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>
+knee, coming to her ear through the open window,
+she sat down at her desk, took out her
+books, and tried to study; but it seemed impossible
+to fix her thoughts upon the business in
+hand, and presently hearing the patter of the
+little fellow's feet as he ran along the veranda,
+then out into the garden, she sprang up and
+followed him.</p>
+
+<p>"O Neddie dear," she said, catching him in
+her arms and giving him a hearty kiss, "sister
+is ever so sorry she was cross to you. Will you
+forgive her and love her still?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ess," returned the baby boy with hearty
+good will, putting his chubby arms about her
+neck and hugging her tight; then cooing sweetly,
+"Ned 'oves oo, Lu."</p>
+
+<p>"And Lu loves you, Neddie darling," she returned,
+kissing him again and again.</p>
+
+<p>Then setting him down, she sped back to the
+school-room, took up her book, and made another
+attempt to study; but without success;
+laying it aside again almost immediately, she
+went in search of her father.</p>
+
+<p>He had left the veranda, but going on into
+the library, she found him in an easy chair,
+with a newspaper in his hand which he seemed
+to be reading with great attention, for he did not
+turn his head or eyes toward her as she drew
+near and stood at his side. She waited longingly
+for a recognition of her vicinity, but he gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+none, seeming too intent upon his paper to be
+aware of it; and he had taught her that she must
+not rudely interrupt him or any grown person
+so engaged, but wait patiently till her presence
+was noted and inquiry made as to what she
+wished to say.</p>
+
+<p>The five or ten minutes she stood silently
+waiting seemed a long time to her impatient
+temperament. "Oh, would papa never give her
+an opportunity to speak to him?" At last,
+however, as he paused in his reading to turn
+his paper, she ventured a low breathed, "Papa."</p>
+
+<p>"Go instantly to your own room, taking your
+books with you, Lucilla, and don't venture to
+leave it till you have my permission," he said
+in stern, cold accents, and without giving her
+so much as a glance.</p>
+
+<p>She obeyed in silence. Reaching her own
+room she again opened her book and tried to
+study; but found herself so disturbed in mind
+that it was wellnigh impossible to take in the
+meaning of the words as she read them over
+and over. "I can't learn these lessons till I've
+made it up with papa," she sighed half aloud,
+and putting down the book opened her writing
+desk.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes she had written a very
+humble little note, saying how sorry she was for
+the indulgence of her passion and her unkindness
+to her darling little brother; but that she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+asked and received his forgiveness; then sought
+her father to beg him to forgive her too, and
+tell him she was ready to submit to any punishment
+he thought best to inflict. But oh, might
+it not be something that would be over before
+the rest of the family should come home from
+their drive?</p>
+
+<p>She signed herself "Your penitent little
+daughter Lulu," folded the note, sealed it up in
+an envelope, and wrote her father's name on the
+outside.</p>
+
+<p>She could hear the prattle of her baby brother
+coming from the lawn. Her window opened
+upon an upper veranda, and going out there, she
+called softly, "Ned, Neddie dear!"</p>
+
+<p>The little fellow looked up and laughed.
+"Lu!" he called; then catching sight of the
+note in her hand, "What oo dot?" he queried.</p>
+
+<p>"A letter for papa," she replied. "Will you
+take it to him and ask him to please read
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ess; fro it down," he said, holding up both
+hands to catch it. "Me will tate it to papa."</p>
+
+<p>It fell on the grass at his feet, he stooped and
+picked it up, then trotted away with it in his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>Again Lulu took up her book and tried to
+study, but with no better success than before.
+"What will papa do and say to me?" she was
+asking herself. "Oh, I hope he won't keep me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+long in suspense! I don't believe he will; he
+never does, and&mdash;ah, yes, I hear his step."</p>
+
+<p>She rose hastily, hurried to the door and
+opened it. He stood on the threshold.
+"Papa," she said humbly, "I am very, very
+sorry I was passionate and cross to dear little
+Ned."</p>
+
+<p>"As I am," he replied, stepping in, securing
+the door, then taking her hand, leading her to
+the side of an easy chair and seating himself
+therein. "I was deeply grieved to hear my eldest
+daughter speak in such angry words and passionate
+tones to her baby brother. It not only
+gave the dear little fellow pain, but set him a
+very bad example which I greatly fear he will
+follow one of these days, so giving me the pain
+of punishing him and you that of seeing him
+punished!"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I am the one who ought to be punished,"
+she burst out in her vehement way,
+"and I just hope you will punish me well.
+But oh, please don't say I shall not go to
+Cousin Betty's wedding, or not be one of her
+bridesmaids or maids of honor."</p>
+
+<p>He made no reply at first. There was a moment's
+silence, then she exclaimed, "Oh, papa,
+I just can't bear it! I'd even rather have the
+severest whipping you could give me."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a little too old for that now," he
+said in moved tones, drawing her to a seat upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+his knee. "It has always been to me a hard
+trial to feel called upon to punish my dear child
+in that way; a sad task to have to do so in any
+way; and if you are a good girl from now on to
+the time of the wedding, you may accept Betty's
+kind invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed!"
+she exclaimed. "I don't deserve to be
+allowed to, but oh, I do fully intend to rule my
+temper better in future!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so indeed; but you will not succeed
+if you try merely in your own strength. Our
+sufficiency is of God, and to Him alone must
+we look for strength to resist temptation and be
+steadfast in fighting the good fight of faith.
+Try, my dear child, to be always on your guard!
+'Watch and pray,' is the Master's command, repeated
+again and again. 'Take ye heed, watch
+and pray.' .&nbsp;.&nbsp;. 'Watch ye, therefore.' .&nbsp;.&nbsp;.
+'And what I say unto you I say unto all,
+Watch.' .&nbsp;.&nbsp;. 'Watch ye and pray lest ye enter
+into temptation.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I do really mean to try very hard to
+rule my own spirit," she said humbly; "I have
+been trying."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear child, I have not been blind to
+your efforts," he returned in tender tones. "I
+know you have tried, and I believe you will try
+still harder, and will at length come off conqueror.
+I fear I have not been so patient and forbearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+with you to-day as I ought. I think now
+I should have let you speak when you came to
+me in the library a while ago. Your father is by
+no means perfect, and therefore has no right to
+expect perfection in his children."</p>
+
+<p>"But I had indulged my temper, papa, and
+did deserve to be punished for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is true. But it is all forgiven
+now, and your father and his eldest daughter are
+at peace again," he added, giving her a loving
+embrace.</p>
+
+<p>"And that makes me so happy," she said, lifting
+her dewy eyes to his. "I am always very
+far from happy when I know that my dear father
+is displeased with me."</p>
+
+<p>"You love him, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, yes, indeed! dearly! dearly!" she
+exclaimed, putting her arms about his neck
+and laying her cheek to his.</p>
+
+<p>He held her close for a moment, then
+saying, "Now I want you to spend an hour
+over your lessons for to-morrow, after which
+you and I will have a walk together," he left
+her.</p>
+
+<p>By tea time the family were all at home again,
+and their talk at the table was almost exclusively
+of the preparations for the approaching
+wedding.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," said Rosie at length, "I for one
+would dearly like to go to New Orleans and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+select dress and ornaments for myself; also a
+present for Betty."</p>
+
+<p>"I see no objection, if a proper escort can be
+provided," was the smiling rejoinder.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we make up a party to go there,
+do the necessary shopping, and visit the battle
+fields and everything of interest connected with
+them," suggested Captain Raymond. "We can
+stay a day or two if necessary, and I think we'll
+all feel repaid."</p>
+
+<p>The proposal was received with enthusiasm
+by the younger portion of the family, and even
+the older ones had nothing to say against it.
+Lulu was silent, but sent a very wistful, pleading
+look in her father's direction. It was
+answered with a nod and smile, and her face
+grew radiant, for she knew that meant that she
+would be permitted to take the little trip with
+the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear papa, thank you ever so much," she
+said, following him into the library as they left
+the table.</p>
+
+<p>"For what?" he asked jestingly, laying a
+hand upon her head and smiling down into the
+happy, eager face.</p>
+
+<p>"Giving me permission to go with you and
+the rest to New Orleans."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, did I do that?" he asked, sitting
+down and drawing her to a seat upon his knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in words, papa, but you looked it," she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+returned with a pleased laugh, putting her arm
+about his neck and kissing him with ardent
+affection. "Didn't you, now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't deny that I did, yet it depends
+largely upon the good conduct of my eldest
+daughter," he said in a graver tone, smoothing
+her hair caressingly as he spoke. "I hope she
+will show herself so sweet tempered and obedient
+that it may not be necessary to leave her behind
+because she is lacking in those good qualities."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," she replied low and feelingly, "I
+will ask God to help me to be patient and
+good."</p>
+
+<p>"And if you ask for Jesus' sake, pleading his
+gracious promise, 'If ye ask anything in my
+name, I will do it,' your petition will be
+granted."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the other girls came running
+in, Rose saying eagerly, "Oh, Brother Levis,
+we all hope you will be so kind as to go on with
+your historical stories of doings and happenings
+at New Orleans. Please treat us to some of
+them to-night, and let us have all before we
+visit their scenes, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, Sister Rose," he replied, adding,
+"It looks very pleasant on the veranda now.
+Shall we establish ourselves there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, if you please," she said, dancing
+away, the others following.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Presently all were quietly seated, the older
+people almost as eager for the story as were the
+young, and the captain began.</p>
+
+<p>"While the armies before New Orleans were
+burying their dead, others of the British troops
+were trying to secure for themselves the free
+navigation of the Mississippi below the city by
+capturing Fort St. Philip, which is in a direct
+line some seventy or eighty miles lower down
+the stream, and was considered by both British
+and Americans as the key of the State of Louisiana.</p>
+
+<p>"The fort was at that time garrisoned by three
+hundred and sixty-six men under the command
+of Major Overton of the rifle corps, with the
+addition of the crew of a gun-boat. Just about
+the time that the British killed in the battle of
+New Orleans were being carried by the Americans
+under Jackson to their comrades for burial,
+a little squadron of five English vessels appeared
+before the fort and anchored out of range of its
+heavy guns, the bomb vessels with their broadsides
+toward it; and at three o'clock they opened
+fire on it. Their bombardment went on with
+scarcely a pause till daybreak of the 18th, when
+they had sent more than a thousand shells, using
+for that purpose twenty thousand pounds of
+powder. They had sent, too, beside the shells,
+many round and grape shot.</p>
+
+<p>"During those nine days the Americans were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+in their battery, five of the days without shelter,
+exposed to cold and rain a part of the time;
+but only two of them were killed and seven
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 18th, the British gave up the attempt.
+That same day a general exchange of
+prisoners took place, and that night the British
+stole noiselessly away. By morning they had
+reached Lake Borgne, sixty miles distant from
+their fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"They could not have felt very comfortable,
+as the wintry winds to which they were exposed
+were keen, and the American mounted
+men under Colonel De la Ronde, following
+them in their retreat, annoyed them not a
+little.</p>
+
+<p>"The British remained at Lake Borgne until
+the 27th, then boarded their fleet, which lay in
+the deep water between Ship and Cat Islands.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime Jackson had been guarding
+the approach to New Orleans lest they
+might return and make another effort against it.
+But on leaving that vicinity they went to Fort
+Bowyer, at the entrance to Mobile Bay, thirty
+miles distant from the city of that name, then
+but a village of less than one thousand inhabitants.
+The fort is now called Fort Morgan.</p>
+
+<p>"It was but a weak fortress, without bomb-proofs,
+and mounting only twenty guns, only
+two of them larger than twelve pounders, some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+of them less. It was under the command of
+Major Lawrence.</p>
+
+<p>"The British besieged it for nearly two days,
+when Lawrence, a gallant officer, was compelled
+to surrender to a vastly superior force.</p>
+
+<p>"It is altogether likely that the British would
+then have gone on to attack Mobile, had not
+news come of the treaty of peace between the
+United States and Great Britain.</p>
+
+<p>"The news of Jackson's gallant defence of
+New Orleans caused intense joy all over the
+Union, while in England it was heard with astonishment
+and chagrin."</p>
+
+<p>"They didn't know before how Americans
+could fight," said Walter with a look of exultation,
+"and they have never attacked us
+since."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said his mother, "and God grant that
+we and our kinsmen across the sea may ever
+henceforward live in peace with each other."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems a great pity that the news of peace
+had not come in time to prevent that dreadful
+battle of New Orleans and the after fighting of
+which you have just been telling us, Captain,"
+remarked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied; "and yet, perhaps, it may
+have been of use in preventing another struggle
+between the two nations; we have had difficulties
+since, but fortunately they have thus far
+been settled without a resort to arms."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose there was an exchange of prisoners?"
+Walter said inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, though, in regard to some, the Dartmoor
+captives in especial, it was strangely slow."</p>
+
+<p>"Dartmoor, papa?" Grace said with inquiring
+look and tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Dartmoor is a desolate region in Devonshire;
+its prison, built originally for French prisoners
+of war, had thirty acres of ground
+enclosed by double walls, within which were
+seven distinct prisons.</p>
+
+<p>"At the close of the War of 1812-14 there
+were about six thousand prisoners there, twenty-five
+hundred of them impressed American seamen
+who had refused to fight against their country,
+having been forced into the British Navy
+and being still there at the beginning of the
+struggle. Some of the poor fellows, though, had
+been in Dartmoor Prison ten or eleven years.
+Think what an intense longing they must have
+felt for home and their own dear native land!
+How unbearable the delay to liberate them must
+have seemed! They were not even permitted to
+hear of the treaty of peace till three months after
+it had been signed. But after hearing of it, they
+were in daily expectation of being released, and
+just think how hope deferred must have made
+their hearts sick. Some of them showed a disposition
+to attempt an escape, and on the 4th
+of April they demanded bread, and refused to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+eat the hard biscuits that were given them instead.</p>
+
+<p>"Two evenings later they very reluctantly
+obeyed orders to retire to their quarters, some of
+them showing an inclination to mutiny, passing
+beyond the limits of their confinement, when, by
+the orders of Captain Shortland, commander of
+the prison, they were fired upon; then the firing
+was repeated by the soldiers without the shadow
+of an excuse, as was shown by the impartial report
+of a committee of investigation, the result
+of which was the killing of five men and the
+wounding of thirty-three."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope those soldiers were hung for it!" exclaimed
+Walter, his eyes flashing.</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the captain, "the British
+authorities pronounced it 'justifiable homicide';
+which excited the hottest indignation on this
+side of the ocean; but now the memory of it has
+nearly passed away."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Brother Levis, if you're not too tired,
+won't you please go on and tell us all about the
+taking of New Orleans in the last war?" asked
+Walter, looking persuasively into the captain's
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, if all wish to hear it," was the
+pleasant toned reply; and all expressing themselves
+desirous to do so, he at once began.</p>
+
+<p>"Ship Island was appointed as the place of
+rendezvous for both land and naval forces, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+last named under the command of Captain
+David G. Farragut, the others led by General
+Butler.</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut arrived in the harbor of the island,
+on the 20th of February, 1862, on his flag-ship,
+the <i>Hartford</i>, in which he sailed on the 2d,
+from Hampton Roads, Virginia, but sickness
+had detained him for a time at Key West.</p>
+
+<p>"The vessels of which he had been given the
+command, taken collectively, were styled the
+Western Gulf Squadron. Farragut had been
+informed that a fleet of bomb vessels, under
+Commander David D. Porter, would be attached
+to his squadron. Porter was the son of Commodore
+David Porter, who had adopted Farragut
+when a little fellow and had him educated for
+the navy. It was he who commanded the <i>Essex</i>
+in the War of 1812, and Farragut was with
+him, though then only in his twelfth year."</p>
+
+<p>"Then he must have been past sixty at the
+time of the taking of New Orleans," remarked
+Walter reflectively.</p>
+
+<p>"He and Porter joined forces at Key West,"
+continued the captain. "Porter's fleet had been
+prepared at the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, exciting
+much interest and curiosity. There were twenty-one
+schooners of from two to three hundred tons
+each; they were made very strong and to draw
+as little water as possible. Each vessel carried
+two thirty-two pounder rifled cannon, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+armed besides with mortars of eight and a half
+tons weight that would throw a fifteen-inch shell
+which, when filled, weighed two hundred and
+twelve pounds.</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut's orders were to proceed up the
+Mississippi, reducing the forts on its banks, take
+possession of New Orleans, hoist the American
+flag there, and hold the place till more troops
+could be sent him.</p>
+
+<p>"An expedition was coming down the river
+from Cairo, and if that had not arrived he was
+to take advantage of the panic which his seizure
+of New Orleans would have caused, and push on
+up the river, destroying the rebel works. His
+orders from the Secretary of War were, 'Destroy
+the armed barriers which these deluded people
+have raised up against the power of the United
+States Government, and shoot down those who
+war against the Union; but cultivate with cordiality
+the first returning reason which is sure
+to follow your success.' Farragut, having received
+these orders, at once began carrying
+them out, with the aid of the plans of the works
+on the Mississippi which he had been directed to
+take, particularly of Fort St. Philip, furnished
+him by General Barnard, who had built it years
+before.</p>
+
+<p>"The plan made and carried out was to let
+Porter's fleet make the attack upon the forts
+first, while Farragut, with his larger and stronger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+vessels, should await the result just outside the
+range of the rebel guns; then, when Porter had
+succeeded in silencing them, Farragut was to
+push on up the river, clearing it of Confederate
+vessels, and cutting off the supplies of the fort.
+That accomplished, Butler was to land his
+troops in the rear of Fort St. Philip and try to
+carry it by assault. Those two forts, St. Philip
+and Jackson, were about thirty miles from the
+mouth of the river, Fort Jackson on the right
+bank, and Fort St. Philip on the left.</p>
+
+<p>"Ship Island, the place of rendezvous, is about
+one hundred miles northeast of the mouth of
+the Mississippi. In the last war with England,
+as I have told you, St. Philip had kept the
+British in check for nine days, though they
+threw one thousand shells into it.</p>
+
+<p>"Fort Jackson was a larger fortification, bastioned,
+built of brick, with casemates and glacis,
+rising twenty-five feet above the water. Some
+French and British officers, calling upon Farragut
+before the attack, having come from among
+the Confederates, while visiting whom they had
+seen and examined these forts with their defences,
+warned him that to attack them would
+only result in sure defeat; but the brave old
+hero replied that he had been sent there to try it
+on and would do so; or words to that effect.</p>
+
+<p>"The forts had one hundred and fifteen guns
+of various kinds and sizes, mostly smooth-bore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+thirty-two pounders. Above them lay the Confederate
+fleet of fifteen vessels, one of them an
+iron-clad ram, another a large, unfinished floating
+battery covered with railroad iron. Two
+hundred Confederate sharp-shooters kept constant
+watch along the river banks, and several
+fire-rafts were ready to be sent down among the
+Federal vessels. Both these and the sharp-shooters
+were below the forts. Also there were
+two iron chains stretched across the river, supported
+upon eight hulks which were anchored
+abreast.</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut's naval expedition was the largest
+that had ever sailed under the United States flag,
+consisting of six sloops of war, twenty-one mortar
+schooners, sixteen gun-boats, and other vessels,
+carrying in all two hundred guns.</p>
+
+<p>"But the vessels were built for the sea and
+were now to work in a much narrower space&mdash;a
+river with a shifting channel and obstructed by
+shoals.</p>
+
+<p>"To get the larger vessels over the bar at the
+southwest pass was a work of time and great
+labor. They had to be made as light as possible
+and then dragged through a foot of mud. Two
+weeks of such labor was required to get the
+<i>Pensacola</i> over, and the <i>Colorado</i> could not
+be taken over at all.</p>
+
+<p>"The mortar vessels were towed up stream
+and began to take their places. Porter disguised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+them with mud and the branches of trees, so that
+they could not be readily distinguished from
+the river banks, being moored under cover of
+the woods on the bank just below Fort Jackson.
+The stratagem was successful; his vessels were
+moored where he wished to have them, the
+nearest being two thousand eight hundred and
+fifty yards from Fort Jackson, and three thousand
+six hundred and eighty from Fort St.
+Philip.</p>
+
+<p>"On the opposite side of the river, and a little
+farther from the forts, Porter had his six remaining
+vessels stationed, screening them also
+with willows and reeds, and mooring them under
+cover of the woods to conceal their true character.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 18th of April, before nine o'clock
+in the morning, the attack was begun by
+a shot from Fort Jackson, then, as soon as Porter
+was ready, the <i>Owasco</i> opened fire, and the
+fourteen mortar boats concealed by the woods,
+also the six in full sight of the forts, began their
+bombardment.</p>
+
+<p>"The gun-boats took part in the conflict by
+running up and firing heavy shells when the
+mortars needed relief. Porter was on the <i>Harriet
+Lane</i>, in a position to see what was the
+effect of the shells, and direct their aim accordingly.</p>
+
+<p>"The fight went on for several days, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+Farragut, deeming there was small prospect of
+reducing the forts, prepared to carry out another
+part of his instructions by running past them.
+He called a council of the captains in the cabin
+of the <i>Hartford</i>, and it was then and there
+decided that the attempt should be made.</p>
+
+<p>"It was an intensely dark night, the wind
+blowing fiercely from the north, but Commander
+Bell with the <i>Winona</i>, the <i>Itasca</i>, <i>Kennebec</i>,
+<i>Iroquois</i>, and the <i>Pinola</i> ran up to the
+boom. The <i>Pinola</i> ran to the hulk under the
+guns of Fort Jackson, and an effort was made to
+destroy it with a petard, but failed. The <i>Itasca</i>
+was lashed to the next hulk, but a rocket sent
+up from the fort showed her to the foe, who
+immediately opened a heavy fire upon her. But
+half an hour of active work with chisels, saws,
+and sledges parted the boom of chains and
+logs, and the hulk to which she was attached
+swung round and grounded her in the mud in
+shallow water. But the <i>Pinola</i> rescued her.</p>
+
+<p>"Two hours later an immense fire-raft came roaring
+down the stream, but, like those sent before,
+it was caught by our men and rendered harmless.
+They would catch such things with
+grappling-irons, tow them to the shore, and leave
+them there to burn out harmlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"Day after day the bombardment went on,
+fire-rafts coming down the river every night,
+but Fort Jackson still held out, though its citadel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+had been set on fire by the shells from the
+mortar boats, and all the commissary stores
+and the clothing of the men destroyed; also the
+levee had been broken in scores of places by the
+exploding shells, so that the waters of the
+river flooded the parade ground and casemates.</p>
+
+<p>"By sunset on the 23d, Farragut was ready
+for his forward movement, but Porter, with his
+mortar boats, was to stay and cover the advance
+with his fire. Farragut, on board his flag-ship,
+the <i>Hartford</i>, was to lead the way with it, the
+<i>Brooklyn</i>, and the <i>Richmond</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"These vessels formed the first division, and
+were to keep near the right bank of the river,
+fighting Fort Jackson, while Captain Theodorus
+Bailey was to keep close to the western bank
+with his (the second) division, to fight Fort St.
+Philip. His vessels were the <i>Mississippi</i>, <i>Pensacola</i>,
+<i>Varuna</i>, <i>Oneida</i>, <i>Katahdin</i>, <i>Kineo</i>,
+<i>Wissahickon</i>, <i>Portsmouth</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Bell still commanded the same vessels
+which I just mentioned as his, and his appointed
+duty was to attack the Confederate
+fleet above the forts, to keep the channel of the
+river, and push right on, paying no attention
+to the forts themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"In obedience to these orders, the <i>Itasca</i> ran
+up to the boom, and at eleven o'clock showed a
+night signal that the channel was clear of obstruction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+excepting the hulks, which, with care,
+might be passed safely.</p>
+
+<p>"A heavy fog, and the settling of the smoke
+from the steamers upon the waters, made the
+night a very dark one. No sound came from
+the forts, yet active preparations were going on
+in them for the approaching struggle, and their
+fleet was stationed near them in readiness to
+assist in the effort to prevent the Union vessels
+from ascending the river.</p>
+
+<p>"At one o'clock every one on the Union ships
+was called to action, but the fleet remained
+stationary until two, and at half past three Farragut's
+and Bailey's divisions were moving up the
+river, each on its appointed side, and at the rate
+of four miles an hour.</p>
+
+<p>"Then Porter's mortars, still at their moorings
+below the forts, opened upon those forts a
+terrible storm, sending as many as, if not more
+than, half a dozen shells, with their fiery trails,
+screaming through the air at the same moment.</p>
+
+<p>"But no sound came from the forts until they
+discovered Captain Bailey's ship, the <i>Cayuga</i>,
+just as she had passed the boom, when they
+brought their heavy guns to bear upon her, and
+broke the long silence with their roar.</p>
+
+<p>"When she was close under Fort St. Philip
+she replied with heavy broadsides of grape and
+canister as she passed on up the river.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The other vessels of Bailey's division followed
+closely after, each imitating the <i>Cayuga's</i>
+example in delivering a broadside as she passed
+the forts, which they did almost unharmed, with
+the exception of the <i>Portsmouth</i>, a sailing vessel,
+which lost her tow, on firing her broadside,
+and drifted down the river.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Bell and his division were not quite
+so fortunate. Three of his vessels passed the
+forts, but the <i>Itasca</i> received a storm of shot,
+one of which pierced her boiler, and she drifted
+helplessly down the river. The <i>Kennebec</i> lost
+her way among the obstructions and went back
+to her moorings below; the <i>Winona</i>, too, recoiled
+from the storm.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime, Farragut was in the fore
+rigging of the <i>Hartford</i>, watching with intense
+interest, through his night glass, the movements
+of the vessels under the command of
+Bailey and Bell, while the vessels he commanded
+in person were slowly nearing Fort
+Jackson. He was within a mile and a quarter
+of it when its heavy guns opened upon him.
+They were well aimed, and the <i>Hartford</i> was
+struck several times.</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut replied with two guns which he
+had placed upon his forecastle, while at the
+same time he pushed on directly for the fort.
+When within a half mile of it he sheered off
+and gave them heavy broadsides of grape and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+canister; so heavy that they were driven from
+all their barbette guns. But the casemate guns
+were kept in full play, and the fight became a
+very severe one.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Richmond</i> soon joined in it; the <i>Brooklyn</i>
+got entangled with some of the hulks that
+bore up the chain, and so lagged behind. She
+had just succeeded in freeing herself from them,
+when the Confederate ram <i>Manassas</i> came furiously
+down upon her, and when within about
+ten feet, fired a heavy bolt at her from its trap-door,
+aiming for her smoke stack; but fortunately
+the shot lodged in some sand-bags that
+protected her steam-drum.</p>
+
+<p>"The next moment the ram butted into the
+<i>Brooklyn's</i> starboard gangway; but she was so
+effectually protected by chain armor that the
+<i>Manassas</i> glanced off and disappeared in the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"All this time a raking fire from the fort had
+been pouring upon the <i>Brooklyn</i>, and just as she
+escaped from the <i>Manassas</i> a large Confederate steamer
+attacked her. She pushed slowly on in
+the darkness, after giving the steamer a broadside
+that set it on fire and speedily destroyed
+it, and suddenly found herself abreast of Fort St.
+Philip.</p>
+
+<p>"She was very close to it, and speedily
+brought all her guns to bear upon it in a
+tremendous broadside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"In his report Captain Craven said, 'I had
+the satisfaction of completely silencing that
+work before I left it, my men in the tops witnessing,
+in the flashes of the shrapnel, the enemy
+running like sheep for more comfortable quarters.'</p>
+
+<p>"While the <i>Brooklyn</i> was going through all
+this, Farragut was having what he called 'a
+rough time of it.' While he was battling with
+the forts, a huge fire-raft, pushed by the <i>Manassas</i>,
+came suddenly upon him all ablaze, and
+in trying to avoid it the <i>Hartford</i> got aground,
+and the incendiary came crashing alongside of
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"In telling of it Farragut said, 'In a moment
+the ship was one blaze all along the port side,
+half way up the main and mizzen tops. But
+thanks to the good organization of the fire department,
+by Lieutenant Thornton, the flames
+were extinguished, and at the same time we
+backed off and got clear of the raft. All this
+time we were pouring shells into the forts and
+they into us; now and then a rebel steamer
+would get under our fire and receive our salutation
+of a broadside.' The fleet had not fairly
+passed the forts when the Confederate ram and
+gun-boats hastened to take part in the battle.</p>
+
+<p>"The scene was now both grand and awful.
+Just think of two hundred and sixty great guns
+and twenty mortars constantly firing, and shells<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+exploding in and around the forts; it 'shook
+land and water like an earthquake,' Lossing
+tells us, 'and the surface of the river was strewn
+with dead and helpless fishes.' Major Bell, of
+Butler's staff, wrote of it, 'Combine all that
+you have ever heard of thunder, and add to it
+all you have ever seen of lightning, and you
+have, perhaps, a conception of the scene.
+And,' continues our historian, 'all this destructive
+energy, the blazing fire-rafts and floating
+volcanoes sending forth fire and smoke and
+bolts of death, the thundering forts, and the
+ponderous rams, were crowded, in the greatest
+darkness just before dawn, within the space of
+a narrow river, "too narrow," said Farragut,
+"for more than two or three vessels to act to
+advantage. My greatest fear was that we
+should fire into each other; and Captain Wainwright
+and myself were hallooing ourselves
+hoarse at the men not to fire into our ships."'</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Cayuga</i> met the flotilla of Confederate
+rams and gun-boats as soon as she passed Fort
+St. Phillip. For a few minutes there were
+eighteen Confederate vessels intent upon her
+destruction."</p>
+
+<p>"Was the <i>Manassas</i> one of the eighteen,
+sir?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the captain, "and the floating
+battery <i>Louisiana</i> was another. Captain
+Mitchell was the name of her commander, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+he was also commandant of the remaining sixteen
+vessels of that rebel fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Bailey could not fight so many at
+once without some assistance, so used his skill
+in avoiding the butting of the rams and the
+efforts to board his vessel. At the same time
+he was making such good use of his guns that,
+while saving his own vessels, he compelled three
+of the Confederate gun-boats to surrender to him
+before Captain Boggs and Captain Lee, of the
+<i>Varuna</i> and the <i>Oneida</i> came to his assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Cayuga</i> had then been struck forty-two
+times and a good deal damaged in spars and rigging,
+but, in accordance with Farragut's orders,
+she moved up the river as leader of the fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"It was upon the <i>Varuna</i> that the enemy next
+poured out the vials of his wrath. In his report
+of the fight Captain Boggs, her commander, said
+that immediately after passing the forts he
+found himself 'amid a nest of rebel steamers.'
+He rushed into their midst, giving each a broadside
+as he passed. The first of those steamers
+seemed to be crowded with troops. One of the
+<i>Varuna's</i> shots exploded her boiler and she
+drifted ashore. Next a gun-boat and three
+other vessels were driven ashore in flames, and
+presently they blew up, one after another.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the <i>Varuna</i> was furiously attacked by
+the <i>Governor Moore</i>, commanded by Beverly
+Kennon, one who had left the United States<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+service for that of the rebels. His vessel raked
+along the <i>Varuna's</i> port, killing four men and
+wounding nine. Captain Boggs sent a three-inch
+shell into her, abaft her armor, and several
+shots from the after rifled gun, which partially
+disabled her, and she dropped out of action.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime, another ram struck the
+<i>Varuna</i> under water with its iron prow, giving
+her a heavy blow in the port gangway. The
+<i>Varuna</i> answered with a shot, but it glanced
+harmlessly from the armored prow of the rebel
+ram, and it, backing off a shorting distance,
+shot forward again, gave the <i>Varuna</i> another
+blow in the same place, and crushed in her side.</p>
+
+<p>"But the ram had become entangled, and was
+drawn around to the side of the <i>Varuna</i>, and
+Captain Boggs gave her five eighteen shells
+abaft her armor from his port guns. In telling
+of it afterward he said, 'This settled her and
+drove her ashore in flames.'</p>
+
+<p>"But his own vessel was sinking; so he ran
+her into the bank, let go her anchor, and tied
+her bow up to the trees, but all the time kept his
+guns at work crippling the <i>Moore</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"He did not cease firing till the water was over
+the gun-tracks, but then turned his attention to
+getting his wounded and the crew out of the
+vessel.</p>
+
+<p>"Just then, Captain Lee, commander of the
+<i>Oneida</i>, came to his assistance. But Boggs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+waved him after the <i>Moore</i>, which was then in
+flames and presently surrendered to the <i>Oneida</i>.
+Kennon, her commander, had done a cowardly
+deed in setting her on fire and fleeing, leaving
+his wounded to the horrible fate of perishing in
+the flames. The surrender was, therefore, made
+by her second officer.</p>
+
+<p>"That ended the fight on the Mississippi
+River; it had been a desperate one, but lasted
+only an hour and a half, though nearly the whole
+of the rebel fleet was destroyed. The National
+loss was thirty killed and not more than one
+hundred and twenty-five wounded."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Captain Raymond</span> paused, seemingly lost
+in thought. All waited in silence for a moment,
+then Violet, laying a hand on his arm,
+for she was seated close at his side, said with a
+loving smile into his eyes:</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, I fear we have been tiring you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, not at all!" he replied, coming out
+of his revery and taking possession of the pretty
+hand with a quiet air of ownership.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure nobody else is," said Walter; "so
+please go on, sir, won't you? and tell us all
+about the taking of the forts and the city."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," replied the captain. "By the way,
+I want to tell you about a powder boy on board
+of the <i>Varuna</i>, Oscar Peck, a lad of only thirteen
+years, who showed coolness and bravery
+which would have entitled a man to praise.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Boggs was very much pleased
+with him, and in his report to Farragut praised
+him warmly. He said that seeing the lad pass
+quickly he asked where he was going in such
+a hurry. 'To get a passing box, sir,' replied the
+lad; 'the other was smashed by a ball.' When
+the <i>Varuna</i> went down Oscar disappeared. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+had been standing by one of the guns and was
+thrown into the water by the movement of the
+vessel. But in a few minutes he was seen
+swimming toward the wreck. Captain Boggs
+was standing on a part of the ship that was still
+above water, when the lad climbed up by his
+side, gave the usual salute, and said, 'All right,
+sir, I report myself on board.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," cried Walter exultantly, "he was a
+plucky American boy! I'm proud of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the captain, "and the more men
+and boys we have of a similar spirit the better
+for our dear land.</p>
+
+<p>"But to go on with my story. Captain Bailey
+moved on up the river with his crippled vessel,
+the <i>Cayuga</i>, leaving the <i>Varuna</i> to continue the
+fight at the forts.</p>
+
+<p>"A short distance above Fort St. Philip
+was the Quarantine Station. Opposite to it
+was a Confederate battery in charge of several
+companies of sharp-shooters, commanded by
+Colonel Szymanski, a Pole.</p>
+
+<p>"On perceiving the approach of the <i>Cayuga</i>,
+they tried to flee, but a volley of canister-shot
+from her guns called a halt, and they were taken
+prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>"By that time the battle at the forts was over
+and the remaining twelve ships presently joined
+the <i>Cayuga</i>. Then the dead were carried ashore
+and buried."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And where was Butler all this time, sir?"
+queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"He had been busy preparing for his part of
+the work while the naval officers were doing
+theirs," was the reply. "His men were in the
+transports at the passes and could hear distinctly
+the booming of the guns and mortars, but the
+general was at that time on the <i>Saxon</i>, which
+was following close in the rear of Bailey's division,
+until the plunging of shot and shell into
+the water around her warned Butler that he had
+gone far enough. He then ordered the <i>Saxon</i>
+to drop a little astern, an order which was by no
+means disagreeable to her captain and was
+promptly obeyed, for he had on board eight
+hundred barrels of gunpowder; a dangerous
+cargo, indeed, when exposed to the fiery missiles
+of the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't it?" exclaimed Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Where was Porter just then, sir?" asked
+Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"He and his mortar fleet were still below the
+forts," replied the captain, "and just as Butler
+had ordered his vessel away from that dangerous
+spot, the rebel monitor <i>Manassas</i> came moving
+down into the midst of his fleet. She had
+just been terribly pounded by the <i>Mississippi</i>
+and was a helpless wreck, but that was not perceived
+at first, and some of the mortars opened
+fire upon her, but stopped when they saw what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+was her condition: her hull battered and pierced,
+her pipes twisted and riddled by shot, smoke
+pouring from every opening. In a few minutes
+her only gun went off, flames burst out from
+stern, trap-door, and bow port, and she went
+hissing to the bottom of the river.</p>
+
+<p>"Butler now hurried to his transports and
+took them to Sable Island, twelve miles in the
+rear of Fort St. Philip. From there they
+went in small boats, through the narrow and
+shallow bayous, piloted by Lieutenant Weitzel.
+It was a most fatiguing journey, the men sometimes
+having to drag their boats through cold,
+muddy water waist deep. But the brave, patriotic
+fellows worked on with a will, and by the
+night of the 27th they were at the Quarantine,
+ready to begin the assault on Fort St. Philip
+the next day, when they were landed under
+cover of the guns of the <i>Mississippi</i> and the
+<i>Kineo</i>. Butler sent a small force to the other
+side of the river above Fort Jackson, which
+Porter had been pounding terribly with the
+shells from his mortars. On the 26th, Porter
+sent a flag of truce with a demand for the surrender
+of the fort, saying that Farragut had
+reached New Orleans and taken possession.</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Higginson, the commander of the
+fort, replied that he had no official report of
+that surrender, and that until he should receive
+such he would not <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'surrrender'">surrender</ins> the fort; he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+could not entertain such a proposition for a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>"On the same day, General Duncan, commander
+of the coast defences, but at that time
+in Fort Jackson, sent out an address to the soldiers,
+saying, 'The safety of New Orleans and
+the cause of the Southern Confederacy, our
+homes, families, and everything dear to man
+yet depend upon our exertions. We are just
+as capable of repelling the enemy to-day as
+we were before the bombardment.'</p>
+
+<p>"Thus he urged them to fight on. But they
+did not all agree with the views he expressed.
+They could see the blackened fragments of vessels
+and other property strewing the waters of
+the river as it flowed swiftly by, and the sight
+convinced them of the truth of the report which
+had reached them of the fall of New Orleans.
+They had heard, too, of the arrival of Butler's
+troops in the rear of Fort St. Philip.</p>
+
+<p>"Doubtless they talked it all over among
+themselves that night, as a large number of
+them <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'mutined'">mutinied</ins>, spiked the guns bearing up the
+river, and the next day went out and surrendered
+themselves to Butler's pickets on that side
+of the river, saying they had been impressed,
+and would not fight the government any longer.
+Their loss made the surrender of the fort a necessity,
+and Colonel Higginson accepted the generous
+terms offered him by Porter. He and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+Duncan went on board the <i>Harriet Lane</i> and
+the terms of surrender were reduced to writing.</p>
+
+<p>"While that was going on in her cabin, a dastardly
+deed was done by the Confederate officer
+Mitchell, who, as I have said, commanded the
+battery called the <i>Louisiana</i>. It lay above the
+forts. He had it towed out into the strong current,
+set on fire and abandoned, leaving the guns
+all shotted, expecting she would float down and
+explode among Porter's mortar fleet; but a good
+Providence caused the explosion to come before
+she reached the fleet. It took place when she
+was abreast of Fort St. Philip, and a soldier,
+one of its garrison, was killed by a flying fragment.
+Then she went to the bottom, and the
+rest of the Confederate steamers surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>"Porter and his mortar fleet were still below
+the forts, but Farragut had now thirteen of his
+vessels safely above them and was ready to
+move upon New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>"Half an hour after he reached the Quarantine,
+he sent Captain Boggs to Butler with
+despatches. Boggs went in a small boat through
+shallow bayous in the rear of Fort St. Philip,
+and, as I have already said, the next day Butler
+and his troops arrived at the Quarantine in
+readiness to assault the forts.</p>
+
+<p>"Fort St. Philip was as perfect when taken
+by the Union forces as before the fight, and Fort
+Jackson was injured only in its interior works.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The entire loss of the Nationals in all this
+fighting was 40 killed and 177 wounded. No
+reliable report was given of the Confederate losses
+in killed and wounded. The number of
+prisoners amounted to nearly one thousand.</p>
+
+<p>"General Lovell, who had command of the
+Confederate troops at New Orleans, had gone
+down the river in his steamer <i>Doubloon</i>, and arrived
+just as the National fleet was passing the
+forts. He was near being captured in the terrible
+fight that followed, but escaped to the
+shore and hurried back to New Orleans as fast
+as courier horses could carry him.</p>
+
+<p>"A rumor of the fight and its results had already
+reached the city, and when he confirmed
+it a scene of wild excitement ensued; soldiers
+hurried to and fro, women were in the street
+bareheaded, brandishing pistols, and screaming,
+'Burn the city! Never mind us! Burn the
+city!'</p>
+
+<p>"Merchants fled from their stores, and military
+officers impressed vehicles to carry cotton to the
+levees to be burned. Four millions of dollars in
+specie was sent out of the city by railway; foreigners
+crowded to the consulates to deposit
+money and other valuables for safety, and
+Twiggs, the traitor, fled, leaving to the care of
+a young woman the two swords that had been
+awarded him for his services in Mexico.</p>
+
+<p>"Lovell believed that he had not a sufficient<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+number of troops to defend the city, and convinced
+the city authorities that such was the
+fact. Then he proceeded to disband the conscripts
+and to send munitions of war, stores of
+provisions, and other valuable property to the
+country by railroad and steamboats. Some of
+the white troops went to Camp Moore, seventy-eight
+miles distant, by the railroad, but the
+negro soldiers refused to go.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning Farragut came on up the
+river, meeting on the way blazing ships filled
+with cotton floating down the stream. Then
+presently he discovered the Chalmette batteries
+on both sides of the river only a few miles below
+the city. The river was so full that the
+waters gave him complete command of those
+confederate works, and, causing his vessels to
+move in two lines, he set himself to the task of
+disabling them.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Bailey in the <i>Cayuga</i> was pressing
+gallantly forward and did not notice the signal
+to the vessels to move in close order. He was
+so far ahead of the others that the fire of the
+enemy was for a time concentrated upon his
+vessel; for twenty minutes she sustained a
+heavy cross fire alone. But Farragut hastened
+forward with the <i>Hartford</i>, and, as he passed
+the <i>Cayuga</i>, he gave the batteries heavy broadsides
+of grape, shell and shrapnel; so heavy
+were they that the first discharge drove the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'confederates'">Confederates</ins><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+from their guns. The other vessels of
+the fleet followed the <i>Hartford's</i> example, and
+in twenty minutes the batteries were silenced
+and the men running for their lives.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what a fearful scene our vessels passed
+through! The surface of the river was strewn
+with blazing cotton bales, burning steamers and
+fire-rafts, all together sending up clouds of
+dense black smoke. But they were nearing
+the city, these National vessels, and the news
+that such was the case had caused another
+great panic, and, by order of the Governor of
+Louisiana and General Lovell, the destruction
+of property went on more rapidly than before.
+Great <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'quantites'">quantities</ins> of cotton, sugar, and other
+staple commodities of that region of country,
+were set on fire, so that for a distance of five
+miles there seemed to be a continuous sheet of
+flame accompanied by dense clouds of smoke;
+for the people, foolishly believed that the Government,
+like themselves, regarded cotton as
+king, and that it was one of the chief objects for
+which the National troops were sent there. So
+they brought it in huge loads to the levee, piled
+it up there, and burnt not less than fifteen hundred
+bales, worth about $1,500,000. For the same
+reason they burned more than a dozen large
+ships, some of which were loaded with cotton, as
+well as many magnificent steamboats, unfinished
+gun-boats, and other vessels, sending them down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+the river wrapped in flames; hoping that in addition
+to destroying the property the Federals
+were after, they might succeed in setting fire to
+and destroying their ships and boats.</p>
+
+<p>"But the vessels of Farragut's squadron all
+escaped that danger, and in the afternoon, during
+a fierce thunderstorm, they anchored before
+the city.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Bailey was sent ashore with a flag
+and a summons from Farragut for the surrender
+of the city; also a demand that the Confederate
+flag should be taken down from the public
+buildings and replaced by the stars and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'strips'">stripes</ins>.</p>
+
+<p>"Escorted by sensible citizens he made his
+way to the City Hall, through a cursing and
+hissing crowd. Lovell, who was still there,
+positively refused to surrender, but seeing that
+he was powerless to defend the city he said so
+and, advising the mayor not to surrender or
+allow the flags to be taken down, he withdrew
+with his troops.</p>
+
+<p>"The mayor was foolish enough to follow
+that very foolish advice, and sent to Farragut
+a silly letter saying that though he and his
+people could not prevent the occupation of their
+city by the United States, they would not transfer
+their allegiance to that government, which
+they had already deliberately repudiated.</p>
+
+<p>"While this was going on troops from the
+<i>Pensacola</i> had landed and hoisted the United<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+States flag over the Government Mint; but
+scarcely had they retired from the spot when
+the flag was torn down by some young men and
+dragged through the streets in derision."</p>
+
+<p>"Our flag! the glorious stripes and stars!"
+exclaimed Lulu, her eyes flashing; "I hope they
+didn't escape punishment for such an outrage
+as that?"</p>
+
+<p>"One of them, a gambler, William B. Mumford
+by name, afterward paid the penalty for that
+and other crimes, on the scaffold," replied her
+father. "A few hours after the pulling down
+of that flag, General Butler arrived and joined
+Farragut on the <i>Hartford</i>. On the 29th,
+Butler reported to the Secretary of War, and,
+referring to the treatment of the flag, said, 'This
+outrage will be punished in such a manner as in
+my judgment will caution both the perpetrators
+and the abettors of the act, so that they shall
+fear the stripes, if they do not reverence the
+stars, of our banner.'</p>
+
+<p>"The secessionists expressed much exultation
+over the treatment of the flag and admiration
+of the rebellious deed.</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut was very patient with the rebels,
+particularly the silly mayor; in reply to whose
+abusive letter he spoke of the insults and indignities
+to the flag and to his officers, adding,
+'All of which go to show that the fire of this fleet
+may be drawn upon the city at any moment, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+in such an event the levee would, in all probability,
+be cut by the shells and an amount of
+distress ensue to the innocent population which
+I have heretofore endeavored to assure you that
+I desire by all means to avoid. The election
+therefore is with you; but it becomes me to
+notify you to remove the women and children,
+from the city within forty-eight hours, if I have
+rightly understood your determination.'</p>
+
+<p>"To this the foolish mayor sent a most absurd
+reply, saying that Farragut wanted to humble
+and disgrace the people, and talking nonsense
+about 'murdering women and children.' It
+was a decidedly insolent epistle; but the commander
+of a French ship of war, that had just
+come in, was still more impertinent. He wrote
+to Farragut that his government had sent him
+to protect the 30,000 of its subjects in New
+Orleans. And that he should demand sixty
+days, instead of forty-eight hours as the time to
+be given for the evacuation of the city, his
+letter closed with a threat: 'If it is your resolution
+to bombard the city, do it; but I wish to
+state that you will have to account for the barbarous
+act to the power which I represent.'</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut was much perplexed, and troubled
+with doubts as to what to do, but was soon
+greatly relieved by the news of the surrender of
+the forts below, making it almost certain that
+Butler would soon be there to relieve him of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
+care of the city, and with that in prospect he
+was able to quietly await the arrival of the
+land forces.</p>
+
+<p>"The people of New Orleans believed it impossible
+that those forts could be taken, and
+deemed it safe to indulge in their defiant attitude
+toward the Federal forces already at their doors;
+but this unwelcome news convinced them of
+the folly and danger of further resistance and
+defiance of the General Government, and a sort
+of apology was made to Farragut for the pulling
+down of the flag from the Mint; it was said to
+have been the unauthorized act of the men who
+performed it.</p>
+
+<p>"The next day Captain Bell landed with a
+hundred marines, hauled down the emblems of
+rebellion on the Mint and Custom House, flung
+to the breeze the National flag in their places,
+then locking the Custom House door, carried
+the key to his vessel.</p>
+
+<p>"There was a military organization in New
+Orleans, called the European Brigade, composed
+of British, French, and Spanish aliens,
+whose ostensible purpose was to aid the
+authorities in protecting the citizens from
+unruly members; but now finding their occupation
+almost at an end, its English members
+voted at their armory that, as they would
+have no further use for their weapons and accoutrements,
+they should be sent to Beauregard's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+army at Corinth, as 'a slight token of their
+affection for the Confederate States.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say that was but a poor sort of
+neutrality," remarked Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"So I think," responded the captain; then
+went on with his story.</p>
+
+<p>"Only a few hours after Mumford and his
+mates had pulled down the flag, Butler arrived,
+joined Farragut on the <i>Hartford</i>, and presently
+made to the Secretary of War the report of
+which I have already spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"He hurried back to his troops and made arrangements
+for their immediate advance up the
+river. On the first of May he appeared before
+New Orleans with his transports bearing two
+thousand men; the general with his wife, his
+staff, and one thousand four hundred troops,
+was on the <i>Mississippi</i>, the vessel in which he
+had sailed from Hampton Roads sixty-five days
+before.</p>
+
+<p>"At four o'clock on the afternoon of that day
+the troops began to land: first, a company of the
+Thirty-first Massachusetts, presently followed
+by the rest of the regiment, the Fourth
+Wisconsin, and Everett's battery of heavy field
+guns.</p>
+
+<p>"They formed in procession, acting as an escort
+to General Butler and General Williams
+and his staff, and marched through several
+streets to the Custom House, their band playing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' They had
+been given strict directions not to resent any
+insults that might be offered by the vast crowd
+gathered in the streets, unless ordered so to
+do; if a shot should be fired from any house,
+they were to halt, arrest the inmates, and
+destroy the building.</p>
+
+<p>"Their patience was greatly tried during that
+short march, the crowd constantly growing
+greater and more boisterous and pouring out
+upon them volleys of abusive epithets, both vulgar
+and profane, applying them to the general
+as well as his troops."</p>
+
+<p>"I think anybody but an American would
+have ordered his soldiers to fire upon them for
+that," remarked Walter. "Did they do no fighting
+at all at the time, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the captain; "they were obedient
+to the orders of their superior officers and
+brave enough to endure the undeserved abuse
+in silence.</p>
+
+<p>"At length their destination was reached,
+Captain Everett posted his cannon around the
+Custom House, quarters there were given to
+the Massachusetts regiment, and the city was
+comparatively quiet through the night.</p>
+
+<p>"General Butler passed the night on board
+the <i>Mississippi</i>, and at an early hour in the
+evening sent out a proclamation to the citizens
+of New Orleans. It was first sent to the office<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+of the <i>True Delta</i> to be printed; but the proprietor
+flatly refused to use his types in such an
+act of submission to Federal rule."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he wasn't allowed to do as he pleased
+about it?" growled Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"I think hardly," returned the captain with
+an amused smile. "Some two hours later a file
+of soldiers were in his office, half a dozen of
+whom were printers, and in a very short time
+the proclamation was sent out in printed form.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanwhile the Federal officers had taken
+possession of their city quarters. General
+Butler was at the St. Charles Hotel, and invited
+the city authorities to a conference with him
+there. That very foolish mayor, Monroe, told
+the messenger sent to him that his place of
+business was at the City Hall. He was answered
+by a suggestion that such a reply was
+not likely to prove satisfying to the commanding
+general, and then prudently decided to go
+and wait on General Butler at the St. Charles.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of his friends accompanied him;
+among them Pierre Soul&eacute;, who had been a representative
+to Congress before the war.</p>
+
+<p>"General Butler and these callers had a talk
+together in regard to the proper relations existing
+between the General Government and the
+city of New Orleans, Butler maintaining that
+the authority of the Government of the United
+States was and ought to be supreme; it had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+right to demand the allegiance of the people,
+and that no other authority could be allowed to
+conflict with it in ruling the city.</p>
+
+<p>"The mayor, Soul&eacute;, and his friends, on the
+contrary, insisted that Louisiana was an independent
+sovereignty and that to her alone the
+people owed their allegiance. They asserted
+that the National troops were invaders, the
+people doing right in treating them with contempt
+and abhorrence, and that they would be
+fully justified in driving them away if it were
+in their power to do so.</p>
+
+<p>"While this hot discussion was going on, a
+messenger came from General Williams, who
+had command of the regiment protecting headquarters,
+saying that he feared he could not control
+the mob which had collected in the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Butler calmly replied: 'Give my compliments
+to General Williams, and tell him if he
+finds he cannot control the mob, to open upon
+them with artillery.'</p>
+
+<p>"At that the mayor and his friends sprang to
+their feet, exclaiming excitedly, 'Don't do that,
+General.' Butler asked, 'Why not?' and went
+on, 'The mob must be controlled. We can't
+have a disturbance in the street.'</p>
+
+<p>"At that the mayor stepped out upon the
+balcony and spoke to the mob, telling them of
+the general's orders and advising them to disperse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"At that interview General Butler read to his
+callers the proclamation he was about to issue.
+Soul&eacute; told him it would give great offence, and
+that the people would never submit to its demands;
+for they were not conquered and could
+not be expected to act as a conquered people
+would. 'Withdraw your troops and leave the
+city government to manage its own affairs,' he
+said. 'If the troops remain there will certainly
+be trouble.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And Butler, of course, did as he was told,"
+laughed Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly," returned the captain. "'I did
+not expect to hear from Mr. Soul&eacute; a threat on
+this occasion,' he said. 'I have long been accustomed
+to hear threats from Southern gentlemen
+in political conventions, but let me assure
+the gentlemen present that the time for tactics of
+that nature has passed, never to return. New
+Orleans <i>is</i> a conquered city. If not, why are
+we here? How did we get here? Have you
+opened your arms and bid us welcome? Are
+we here by your consent? Would you, or
+would you not, expel us if you could? New
+Orleans has been conquered by the forces of
+the United States, and by the laws of all nations
+lies subject to the will of the conquerors.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Some of the New Orleans people, especially
+the women, behaved very badly, did they not,
+captain?" asked Evelyn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; though no man was injured by the
+troops, who behaved in a perfectly orderly manner;
+no woman was treated with the slightest
+disrespect, though the women were very offensive
+in their manifestations of contempt of the
+officers, not omitting even the commanding officer
+himself. They would leave street cars and
+church pews when a Federal officer entered
+them; the sidewalks also, going round the
+gentlemen, turning up their noses and sometimes
+uttering abusive words; they wore secession
+colors in their bonnets, sang rebel songs, and
+turned their backs on passing soldiers, when out
+on their balconies, and played airs that were
+used with rebel words; indeed they tried to
+show in every possible way their contempt
+and aversion for the Union officers and soldiers.
+At length a woman of the 'dominant class,'
+meeting two Union officers on the street, spit
+in their faces. Then General Butler decided
+to at once put a stop to such proceedings, and
+on the 5th of May he issued order No. 28, which
+had the desired effect."</p>
+
+<p>"What was it, papa? What did he order the
+people, or the soldiers, to do?" queried Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"The amount of the order was that every
+woman who should behave as that one had, insult
+or show contempt for any officer or soldier of
+the United States, should be regarded and held
+liable to be treated as not of good moral character.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+The mayor made it the subject of
+another impudent and absurd letter to General
+Butler, for which he was arrested, but he
+was soon released again upon making a humble
+apology."</p>
+
+<p>"Did they let him be mayor again, papa?"
+asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"No; instead General G. F. Sheply of Maine,
+was appointed Military Governor of New Orleans,
+and made an excellent one, having
+the city made cleaner, and in consequence
+more wholesome, than it had been for years, if
+ever before. Soon after that William B. Mumford
+was arrested, tried by a military court for
+treason in having torn down the flag, found
+guilty, and hanged."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was a moment of silence broken by
+Lulu with an eager exclamation. "Oh, papa,
+don't you remember that when we were at
+Saratoga last summer you promised that sometime
+you would tell us about the fighting in the
+Revolution near and at Fort Schuyler? and won't
+you please do so now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will if the others wish to hear it," he replied,
+and a general eager assent being given
+he at once began the story.</p>
+
+<p>"Fort Schuyler," he said, "at first called Fort
+Stanwix, in honor of the general of that name,
+who directed the work of its erection, stood at
+the head of boat navigation on the Mohawk,
+where the village of Rome now is. It cost the
+British and Colonial Government two hundred
+and sixty-six thousand four hundred dollars and
+was a strong post of resistance to attack from
+the French in Canada, with whom, as you all
+know, I think, the colonists were often at war, on
+their own account or that of the mother country,
+and a powerful protection to the Indian trade.
+It commanded the portage between Lake Ontario
+and the Mohawk valley, the theatre of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+many stirring events during the War of the
+Revolution. Indians and Tories kept in terror
+the people who lived there and were loyal to the
+cause of their country. There were daylight
+struggles and stealthy midnight attacks in such
+numbers that Tryon County came to be spoken
+of as 'the dark and bloody ground.'</p>
+
+<p>"Congress perceiving the importance of defending
+the northern and western frontiers of
+New York from incursions by the British and
+Indians, sent General Schuyler to strengthen
+old Fort Stanwix, which had been allowed to
+fall into a state of decay so that it was little
+more than a ruin, and, if he found it necessary,
+to erect other fortifications.</p>
+
+<p>"General Phillip Schuyler was a gentleman
+of fortune, of military skill, experience,
+sound judgment, and lofty patriotism. Lossing
+tells us that, 'for causes quite inexplicable,
+he was superseded in effect by Gates
+in March 1777, but reinstated in May, and
+that no appointment could have been more
+acceptable to the people of northern New York,
+who were at that time in a state of great excitement
+and alarm.'</p>
+
+<p>"In recent campaigns against the French and
+Indians on Lakes Champlain and George, General
+Schuyler had done great service to the
+colony and the people along the northern frontier.
+That of itself was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'sufficient'">sufficient</ins> cause for attachment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+to him, besides his many virtues,
+which had endeared him to all who knew him.
+And in fighting the British he would be defending
+his own home and large landed estate.</p>
+
+<p>"In March, 1777, Burgoyne arrived at Quebec,
+bearing the commission of a lieutenant-general,
+and by the first of June a force of seven
+thousand men was collected for him and mustered
+at St. John's at the foot of Lake Champlain.
+Also the British Lieutenant-colonel St.
+Leger, was sent with a force of seven hundred
+rangers up the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario
+to Oswego. He was to gather the Indians,
+make friends with them, and get them to act
+as his allies; then to sweep the valley of the
+Mohawk, with the help of Johnson and his
+Tories, take Fort Schuyler, and afterward join
+Burgoyne.</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Peter Gansevoort was at that time
+in command of Fort Schuyler. The people of
+Tryon County, hearing of St. Leger's movement,
+and that a descent was to be made upon
+them by the way of Oswego, were greatly
+alarmed. In June a man from Canada was arrested
+as a spy and from him the Americans
+learned that a detachment of British, Canadians,
+and Indians was coming against them on
+their way to join Burgoyne at Albany."</p>
+
+<p>"But Burgoyne never got there&mdash;to Albany&mdash;until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+he went as a prisoner; did he, sir?"
+asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my boy, he was defeated and made
+prisoner while on his way to the city. The
+battle of Saratoga was a disastrous one to the
+invaders of our land.</p>
+
+<p>"The intelligence of which I just spoke as
+given by the spy was afterward confirmed by
+Thomas Spencer, a friendly Oneida half breed
+sachem, who was sent to Canada as a secret
+emissary and there became acquainted with the
+plans of Burgoyne.</p>
+
+<p>"For a time the loyal people, the Whigs, who
+were for their native land and not for the English
+king who had been showing himself a tyrant and
+oppressor, were almost paralyzed with alarm.
+Fort Schuyler was still unfinished and the garrison
+feeble. But Colonel Gansevoort was hopeful,
+vigilant, and active. He wrote urgently
+to General Schuyler for aid, and the general
+made a like appeal to the Provincial Congress
+of New York, and the General Congress. But
+it was too late for them to send him help before
+the attack would be made.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 2d of August Brant and Lieutenant
+Bird began the investment of the fort, and on
+that very day Gansevoort and his little garrison
+of seven hundred and fifty men received a re-enforcement
+of two hundred men under Lieutenant-colonel
+Melon, and two bateaux loaded with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+provisions and military stores; a most welcome
+addition to the scant supplies in the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"The next day Colonel St. Leger arrived with
+the rest of his troops. The siege was begun on
+the 4th. The Indians, hiding in the bushes,
+wounded some of our men who were at work on
+the parapets, and a few bombs were thrown
+into the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"The next day it was the same; the Indians
+spread themselves about through the woods encircling
+the fort, and all through the night tried
+to intimidate the Americans by their hideous
+yells.</p>
+
+<p>"On that very day General Herkimer was
+coming to its aid with more than eight hundred
+men of the militia of Tryon County. He was
+near Oriskany, a little village eight miles eastward
+from the fort; from there he sent a messenger
+to tell Colonel Gansevoort that he was
+approaching, and asking to be informed of the
+man's arrival by the firing of three guns in
+quick succession, knowing that they could be
+heard at Oriskany. But unfortunately his messenger
+did not reach the fort until the next
+day, and while Herkimer, who though brave
+was cautious, decided to halt till he should hear
+the signal or receive re-enforcements, some of
+his officers and men were impatient to push
+on.</p>
+
+<p>"Herkimer would not consent, and two of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+colonels, Paris and Cox, called him a coward
+and a Tory. Herkimer replied calmly, 'I am
+placed over you as a father and guardian and
+shall not lead you into difficulties from which
+I may not be able to extricate you.'</p>
+
+<p>"But they continued their taunts and demands
+till he was stung by them into giving the command,
+'March on!'</p>
+
+<p>"St. Leger knew of the advance of Herkimer
+and his troops and sent a division of Johnston's
+Greens, under Major Watts, Brant with a strong
+body of Indians, and Colonel Butler with his
+rangers, to intercept him and prevent his making
+an attack upon the entrenchments which he
+had made about Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>"Gansevoort noticed the silence in the enemy's
+camp, and also the movement of his troops
+down toward the river along the margin of the
+wood. When the courier came with the message
+from Herkimer he understood the meaning
+of it all, and immediately fired the signal guns.</p>
+
+<p>"Herkimer had said in his message that he
+intended, on hearing the signals, to cut his
+way through the camp of the enemy to the
+fort, and asked that a sortie from it should be
+made at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>"As quickly as possible Gansevoort had it
+made. A detachment of two hundred men, of
+his own and Wesson's regiments, with an iron
+three-pounder, were detailed for the duty; then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>
+fifty more were added for the protection of
+the cannon and to assist in whatever way they
+could. Colonel Marinus Willett was given the
+command.</p>
+
+<p>"It rained heavily while the necessary preparations
+were going on in the fort, but the moment
+it ceased Willett and his men hastened
+out and attacked the enemy furiously.</p>
+
+<p>"The advanced guard were driven in, and so
+sudden and impetuous was the charge that Sir
+John Johnson had no time to put on his coat.
+He tried to bring his troops into order, but they
+were so panic stricken that they fled, and he
+with them. They crossed the river to St.
+Leger's camp and the Indians concealed themselves
+in the deep forest.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans took much plunder; all Sir
+John's baggage and his papers, as well as those of
+other officers, giving valuable information to the
+garrison of Fort Schuyler; also the British colors,
+all of which&mdash;there were five&mdash;the Americans
+presently raised upon their flagstaff, beneath
+their own rude flag&mdash;fashioned, as I have already
+told some of you, out of strips of red and white
+obtained by tearing up men's shirts for the one,
+and joining bits of scarlet cloth for the other;
+while a blue cloak belonging to Captain
+Abraham Swartwout, of Dutchess County,
+then in the fort, was used to form the ground
+for the white stars, and the staff upon which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+all these hung was in full view of the enemy.
+Then the whole garrison mounted the parapets
+and made the forest ring with three loud
+cheers.</p>
+
+<p>"While all this was going on in and around
+the fort, General Herkimer and his men were
+coming toward it through the woods. It was a
+dark, sultry morning. The troops were chiefly
+militia regiments and marched in an irregular,
+careless way, neglecting proper precautions.</p>
+
+<p>"Brant and his Tories took advantage of this
+carelessness, hid themselves in a ravine which
+crossed Herkimer's path, and had a thick
+growth of underwood along its margin, which
+made it easy for them to conceal themselves,
+and when all except the rear-guard of the
+unsuspecting Americans had entered the ravine,
+where the ground was marshy and crossed by a
+causeway of earth and logs, Brant gave a signal,
+immediately followed by a warwhoop, and the
+savages fell upon our poor men with spear,
+hatchet, and rifle-ball; as Lossing says, 'like hail
+from the clouds that hovered over them.'</p>
+
+<p>"The rear-guard fled and left the others to
+their fate, yet perhaps suffered more from the
+pursuing Indians than they would if they had
+stood their ground, helping their fellows. The
+attack had been so sudden that there was great
+confusion in the ranks; but they presently recovered
+and fought like veterans; fought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+bravely for their lives, and for their country."</p>
+
+<p>"And were many of them killed, sir?" asked
+Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the captain sighing; "the
+slaughter was dreadful, and the good general
+was soon among the wounded. A musket ball
+passed through his horse, killing it and sadly
+wounding him, shattering his leg just below the
+knee. He at once ordered the saddle taken
+from his horse and placed against a large beech
+tree near by, and there he sat during the rest
+of the fight, calmly giving his orders while the
+enemy's bullets whistled around him like sleet,
+killing and wounding his men on every side."</p>
+
+<p>"He was no coward after all," exclaimed
+Walter, his eyes shining. "But did any of our
+men escape being killed, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"After a little they formed themselves into
+circles," continued the captain, "so meeting the
+enemy at all points, and their fire became so
+destructive that the Tories and the Johnson
+Greens charged with the bayonet, and the patriots
+being equally prompt to defend themselves,
+it became a terrible hand to hand fight.</p>
+
+<p>"It was at length stopped by the shower that
+had delayed the sortie from the fort; both parties
+seeking shelter under the trees. Then, as
+soon as the shower was over, Colonel Willett
+made his sally from the fort, attacking Johnson's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+camp, and the battle at Oriskany was renewed.</p>
+
+<p>"It is said to have been the bloodiest of the
+war in proportion to the numbers engaged. It
+is stated that about one-third of the militia fell
+on the battle ground, and as many more were
+mortally wounded or carried into captivity.
+About fifty wounded were carried from the field
+on litters, General Herkimer among them. He
+was taken to his own home, where he died ten
+days afterward."</p>
+
+<p>"But who gained the victory, papa?" asked
+Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans, the others having fled;
+but they were unable to accomplish the object
+of the expedition&mdash;the relief of Fort Schuyler.
+And surrounded as they were by the enemy, the
+men in the fort could gain no intelligence as to
+the result of the fight at Oriskany, and St. Leger
+took advantage of their ignorance to falsely represent
+the British to have been the victors to
+the total defeat of the Americans, and announce
+a victorious advance by Burgoyne.</p>
+
+<p>"Two American officers, Colonel Billenger
+and Major Frey, who had been taken prisoners,
+were forced to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort,
+containing many misrepresentations and
+advising him to surrender. This Colonel Butler
+delivered to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Ganesvoort'">Gansevoort</ins> and verbally demanded
+his surrender.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Gansevoort refused, saying he would not
+answer such a summons verbally made unless
+by St. Leger himself.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning Butler and two other officers
+drew near the fort carrying a white flag,
+and asked to be admitted as bearers of a message
+to the commander of the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"The request was granted, but they were first
+blindfolded, then conducted to the dining room
+of the fort, where they were received by Gansevoort,
+the windows of the room being closed
+and candles lighted."</p>
+
+<p>"What was that for, papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"To prevent them from seeing what was the
+condition of things within the fort," replied her
+father.</p>
+
+<p>"And was Gansevoort alone with them, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; he had with him Colonels Willett and
+Mellen. Butler and his companions were politely
+received, and one of them, Major Ancram
+by name, made a little speech, telling of the
+humanity of St. Leger's feelings, and his desire
+to prevent bloodshed; that he found it difficult
+to keep the Indians in check, and that the only
+salvation of the garrison was an immediate surrender
+of the fort and all its stores. Officers
+and soldiers would be allowed to keep their baggage
+and other private property, and their personal
+safety would be guaranteed. He added
+that he hoped these honorable terms would be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+immediately accepted, for if not it would not
+be in St. Leger's power to offer them again."</p>
+
+<p>"So the Americans of course were afraid to
+reject them?" sniffed Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly," returned the captain with a smile.
+"But that was not all Ancram said with a view
+to inducing them to do so. He went on to say
+that the Indians were eager to march down the
+country, laying it waste and killing the inhabitants;
+that Herkimer's relief corps had been
+totally destroyed, Burgoyne had possession of
+Albany, and there was no longer any hope for
+this garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"What a liar he was, that Ancram!" exclaimed
+Walter. "Why, Burgoyne had not
+even got as far as Saratoga then."</p>
+
+<p>"No," responded the captain, "and the bright
+and plucky officers of Fort Schuyler, to whom
+he was speaking, were not so easily hood-winked;
+they saw through his designs, and
+were not to be deceived by the falsehoods and
+misrepresentations of his address.</p>
+
+<p>"It was Colonel Willett who, with the approval
+of Gansevoort, made answer, speaking,
+as Lossing says, with 'emphasis,' and looking
+Ancram full in the face.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do I understand you, sir? I think you say
+that you came from a British colonel, who is
+commander of the army that invests this fort;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+and, by your uniform, you appear to be an officer
+in the British service. You have made a
+long speech on the occasion of your visit, which,
+stripped of all its superfluities, amounts to this:
+that you come from a British colonel to the
+commandant of this garrison, to tell him that,
+if he does not deliver up the garrison into the
+hands of your colonel, he will send his Indians
+to murder our women and children. You will
+please to reflect, sir, that their blood will be
+upon your heads, not upon ours. We are
+doing our duty; this garrison is committed
+to our care, and we will take care of it.
+After you get out of it, you may turn round
+and look at its outside, but never expect to
+come in again unless you come a prisoner. I
+consider the message you have brought a degrading
+one for a British officer to send, and by no
+means reputable for a British officer to carry.
+For my own part, I declare, before I would
+consent to deliver this garrison to such a murdering
+set as your army, by your own account,
+consists of, I would suffer my body to be filled
+with splinters and set on fire, as you know has
+at times been practiced by such hordes of
+women and children killers as belong to your
+army.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" said Walter; "and the other two
+American officers, I suppose, agreed with him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Captain Raymond replied, "and they
+all felt satisfied that they would not be so urgently
+pressed to surrender at once, and on conditions
+so favorable, if their prospects were as
+dark as their besiegers would have them believe."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">St. Leger</span> made another effort to induce
+them to do so," continued Captain Raymond.
+"On the 9th he sent a written demand offering
+about the same terms as before.</p>
+
+<p>"Gansevoort replied in writing: 'Sir, your
+letter of this date I have received, in answer to
+which I say, that it is my determined resolution,
+with the force under my command, to defend
+this fort to the last extremity, in behalf of
+the United States, who have placed me here to
+defend it against all their enemies.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Did the British give it up then, papa?"
+asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"No; they began digging and making preparations
+to run a mine under the strongest
+bastion of the fort, while at the same time they
+sent out an address to the people of Tryon
+County, signed by Clause, Johnson, and Butler,
+urging them to submit to British rule, asserting
+that they themselves were desirous to have
+peace, and threatening that in case of refusal all
+the horrors of Indian cruelty would be visited
+upon them. Also they called upon the principal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+men of the valley to come up to Fort Schuyler
+and compel its garrison to surrender, as they
+would be forced to do in the end."</p>
+
+<p>"Did the men in the fort give up then,
+papa?" queried Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no indeed, little daughter!" he replied.
+"They were brave men, and staunch patriots,
+and had no intention to surrender so long as they
+could possibly hold out; but fearing ammunition
+might give out, their supply of provisions too,
+they resolved to send word to General Schuyler,
+who was then at Stillwater, asking for aid from
+him in their sore extremity.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it would be a hazardous attempt,
+but Colonel Willett offered to be the messenger,
+and one stormy night he and Lieutenant Stockwell
+left the fort at ten o'clock by the sally-port,
+each armed with a spear, and crept along
+the morass on hands and knees, to the river,
+which they crossed upon a log. Their way lay
+through a tangled wood and they soon lost it.
+The bark of a dog presently warned them that
+they were near an Indian camp, and fearing to
+either advance or retreat they stood still there
+for several hours.</p>
+
+<p>"But at length the dawn of day showed them
+where they were, so that they were able to find
+the right road and pursue their way. They took
+a zigzag course, now on land, now through the
+bed of a stream, to foil any attempt on the part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+of some possible pursuer to gain upon them by
+the scent of their footsteps.</p>
+
+<p>"They arrived safely at the German Flats,
+mounted fleet horses, and sped down the valley
+to the quarters of General Schuyler. On arriving
+they learned that he had already heard of
+the defeat of Herkimer, and was preparing to
+send succor to the besieged in the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanwhile St. Leger was pressing his siege,
+and the garrison, hearing nothing of the successful
+journey of their messengers, or of aid coming
+to them from any quarter, many of them began
+to grow despondent and to hint to their commander
+that it might be best to surrender, as
+their supply of both provisions and ammunition
+was getting low.</p>
+
+<p>"But Gansevoort was too brave and hopeful
+to think of so doing. He told the despondent
+ones that in case help did not arrive before their
+supplies were exhausted, they would sally forth
+in the night and cut their way through the
+enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>"But relief came in an unexpected manner,
+that always reminds me of that siege of Samaria
+by the host of the Syrians, in the days of Elisha
+the prophet of Israel, and the way the Lord took
+to deliver them, causing 'the Syrians to hear a
+noise of chariots and a noise of horses, even the
+noise of a great host; and they said one to another,
+Lo, the King of Israel hath hired against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+us the Kings of the Hittites and the Kings of the
+Egyptians to come upon us. Wherefore they
+arose and fled in the twilight, and left their
+tents and their horses, and there asses, even the
+camp as it was, and fled for their lives.' For
+suddenly and mysteriously the British, Indians,
+and Tories besieging Fort Schuyler did the
+same&mdash;fled, leaving tents, artillery, and camp
+equipage behind them."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, papa, how very strange!" exclaimed
+Lulu, "were they really frightened in the same
+way?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly the same but somewhat like
+it," replied her father. "General Schuyler,
+then at the mouth of the Mohawk, had made an
+appeal to his men for volunteers to go to the relief
+of Gansevoort and his men, now besieged
+by the enemy in Fort Schuyler, and Arnold
+and his troops, most of them Massachusetts men,
+responded with alacrity and, joined by the
+First New York regiment, they marched at
+once.</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold's force was much smaller than that
+of St. Leger's and he resorted to stratagem as the
+only means of securing his end. A half idiot, a
+nephew of General Herkimer, named Hon-Yost
+Schuyler, a coarse, ignorant fellow, had been
+taken prisoner along with that Walter Butler
+who had been arrested while carrying to the
+people of Tryon County the call for them to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+force the defenders of Fort Schuyler to surrender,
+tried and condemned as a spy.</p>
+
+<p>"The same thing had befallen Hon-Yost, but
+his mother plead for him, and though at first
+Arnold was inexorable, he at length agreed to
+release the fellow on condition that he would go
+to Fort Schuyler and alarm St. Leger with the
+story that the Americans were coming against
+him in force to compel the raising of the siege.</p>
+
+<p>"Hon-Yost seemed not at all unwilling,
+readily gave the required promise, and his
+mother offered to remain as a hostage for his
+faithful performance of the duty; but Arnold
+chose instead Nicholas, the brother of Hon-Yost,
+as his security.</p>
+
+<p>"Hon-Yost managed the business with great
+adroitness. Before leaving he had seven bullets
+shot through his coat, which he showed to
+the British and Indians on arriving at their encampment
+as proof of 'a terrible engagement
+with the enemy.' He was acquainted with
+many of the Indians, and when he came rushing
+into the camp almost out of breath with haste
+and fright, apparently, telling this story, with
+the added information that the Americans were
+coming and he had barely escaped with his life,
+his hearers were very much alarmed.</p>
+
+<p>"They asked what were the numbers of the
+Americans, and in reply he shook his head mysteriously,
+pointing as he did so to the leaves on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+the trees, as if he would say that they were
+numberless.</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians, who had been uneasy and
+moody ever since the battle of Oriskany, and
+were at the moment of Hon-Yost's arrival holding
+a pow-wow to plead with the 'Great Spirit'
+to guide and direct them, at once resolved to
+flee, and told St. Leger of their decision.</p>
+
+<p>"He sent for Hon-Yost, questioned him, and
+was told that Arnold would be there in twenty-four
+hours with two thousand men.</p>
+
+<p>"Hon-Yost had come in to the camp alone,
+he and the Oneida chief having laid their plans
+before hand, the chief to arrive a little later than
+the other, so that they would not appear to be
+in collusion, and just as Hon-Yost finished his
+story to St. Leger, the chief and two or three
+straggling Indians of his tribe, who had joined
+him on his way, came in with the same story of
+the near approach of a large body of Americans.
+One told St. Leger that Arnold had three
+thousand men with him; another that the army
+of Burgoyne was cut to pieces. They pretended
+that a bird had brought them news that
+the valley below was swarming with warriors.</p>
+
+<p>"The savages were now thoroughly alarmed,
+and all the bribes and promises of St. Leger
+could not induce them to remain any longer;
+they suspected foul play and would not touch
+the strong drink he offered, and when, finding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+that they would go, he asked them to take the
+rear in retreating, they indignantly refused, saying,
+'You mean to sacrifice us. When you
+marched down you said there would be no fighting
+for Indians; we might go down and smoke
+our pipes; numbers of our warriors have been
+killed, and you mean to sacrifice us also.'</p>
+
+<p>"The council broke up, the Indians fled, the
+panic was communicated to the rest of the army,
+and they fled in terror to their boats on Oneida
+Lake, the Indians making merry over their flight,
+hurrying on after them with the warning cry:
+'They are coming, they are coming!' So
+alarmed were the Tories and British troops that
+they threw away their knapsacks and their arms
+as they ran. Also the Indians killed or robbed
+many of them and took their boats, so that St.
+Leger said, 'they became more formidable than
+the enemy we had to expect.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And did the Americans chase them that
+time, sir?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Gansevoort at once sent word to
+Arnold that the British were retreating, and
+Arnold sent nine hundred men in pursuit. The
+next day he himself reached the fort; but he and
+his men presently marched back to the main
+army, then at Stillwater, leaving Colonel Willett
+in command of Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>"So ended the siege of which Lossing says
+that 'in its progress were shown the courage,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+skill, and endurance of the Americans everywhere
+so remarkable in the revolution.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," said Walter; "but will you please
+tell what became of Hon-Yost?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he went with the British as far as
+Wood Creek, then managed to desert and at
+once carried the news of Arnold's approach to
+Fort Schuyler. He went back to Fort Dayton,
+afterward fled with his family and fourteen of
+his Tory friends, and joined Sir John Johnson.
+When the war was over he returned to the
+valley, where he died in 1818."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Now</span>, papa, if you're not too tired won't you
+please tell us about the writing of the 'Star-Spangled
+Banner'?" pleaded Lulu, with a smiling,
+coaxing look up into her father's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not too tired, and if all wish to hear
+it, will willingly tell the story to the best of
+my ability," he replied, taking in his and softly
+patting the hand she had laid on his knee.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure we will all be glad to hear it, sir,"
+said Walter. "It happened in the War of 1812,
+didn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. The British had taken Washington,
+where they had behaved more like vandals than
+civilized men, burning and destroying both
+public buildings and private property&mdash;the
+Capitol, the President's house, the Arsenal, the
+library of Congress, and barracks for nearly three
+thousand troops; besides private property&mdash;a
+large ropewalk, some houses on Capitol Hill, and
+a tavern; all of which they burned. The light
+of the fire was seen at Baltimore, and the news
+of the capture of Washington caused intense
+excitement there; particularly because it was
+known that the British were so much exasperated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+at the Baltimoreans on account of its being
+the place whence had been sent out many swift
+clipper-built vessels and expert seamen who had
+struck heavy blows at British commerce on the
+high seas.</p>
+
+<p>"Baltimore is on the Patapsco River, ten
+miles from Chesapeake Bay. The narrow strait
+connecting harbor and bay is defended by Fort
+McHenry, which stood there at that time. It
+was expected that Baltimore would be the next
+point of attack by the enemy, and there was,
+of course, great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"General Samuel Smith, who had been a revolutionary
+officer, at once exerted himself to prepare
+both Baltimore and Annapolis for successful
+defence. He was a fine officer. You all
+perhaps remember him as commander at Fort
+Mifflin when attacked by the British and Hessians
+in the Revolutionary War. He had been
+active in this war also, ever since the appearance
+of a British squadron in the Chesapeake,
+in the spring of the previous year, 1813."</p>
+
+<p>"And this was in the fall of 1814, was it
+not, captain?" queried Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, early in September. In the spring of
+1813 it was rumored that the British were coming
+to attack the city, and several persons were
+arrested as traitors and spies. Also five thousand
+men were quickly in arms ready to defend
+the city, and companies of militia came pouring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+in from the country. All this within a few
+hours.</p>
+
+<p>"Then General Striker's brigade and other
+military bodies, to the number of five thousand
+and with forty pieces of artillery, were reviewed.
+The marine artillery of Baltimore was one hundred
+and sixty in number, commanded by Captain
+George Stiles, and composed of masters and
+master's mates of vessels there. It was a corps
+celebrated for its gallantry, and was armed with
+forty-two pounders.</p>
+
+<p>"Finding the city so well prepared to give
+them a warm reception the British abandoned
+their intention to attack it, went to sea, and
+Baltimore enjoyed a season of repose. But, as
+I have been telling you, they returned after the
+capture of Washington, and again the people
+set to work at preparations for defence.</p>
+
+<p>"General Smith was made first in command
+of all the military force intended to insure the
+safety of the city. But it is with the attack
+upon Fort McHenry and its repulse that we are
+concerned. The fort was garrisoned by about
+a thousand men under the command of Major
+George Armistead."</p>
+
+<p>"Regulars, sir?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Some were, others volunteers," replied the
+captain. "There were, besides, four land batteries
+to assist in the work. But I will not go
+into particulars in regard to them, as I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+they would be rather uninteresting to the greater
+part of my listeners.</p>
+
+<p>"It was on Sunday evening, September 11,
+that the British were seen in strong force at the
+mouth of the Patapsco, preparing to land at
+North Point, fifteen miles from the city by land,
+twelve by water. Their fleet anchored off that
+point, two miles from the shore. It was a beautiful
+night, a full moon shining in a cloudless sky,
+and the air balmy.</p>
+
+<p>"Ross intended to take Baltimore by surprise,
+and had boasted that he would eat his Sunday
+dinner there. At two o'clock in the morning
+the boats were lowered from his ships, and seamen
+and land troops went on shore, protected
+by several gun brigs anchored very near. The
+men were armed, of course, and each boat had a
+carronade ready for action. Admiral Cockburn
+and General Ross were on shore by about seven
+o'clock with 5000 land troops, 2000 seamen, and
+2000 marines.</p>
+
+<p>"Their intention was to march rapidly upon
+Baltimore and take it by surprise, therefore they
+carried as little baggage as possible, and only
+eighty rounds apiece of ammunition. At the
+same time a frigate was sent to make soundings
+in the channel leading to Baltimore, as the navy
+was intended to take part in the attack upon
+the city."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, wasn't everybody terribly frightened,
+papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"There was a good deal of alarm," replied
+the captain, "and many of the citizens fled,
+with their valuables, to places in the interior of
+the country, filling the hotels for nearly a hundred
+miles north of the city.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not at present go into the details of
+the battle of North Point, which immediately
+followed, but will tell of what was going on
+upon the water.</p>
+
+<p>"The British frigates, schooners, sloops, and
+bomb-ketches had passed into the Patapsco early
+in the morning, while Ross was moving from
+North Point, and anchored off Fort McHenry,
+but beyond the reach of its guns. The bomb
+and rocket vessels were so posted as to act upon
+Fort McHenry and the fortifications on the hill,
+commanded by Rodgers. The frigates were
+stationed farther outward, the water being too
+shallow to allow them to approach within four
+or five miles of the city, or two and a half of
+the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides, the Americans had sunk twenty-four
+vessels in the narrow channel between Fort
+McHenry and Lazaretto Point, to prevent the
+passage of the vessels of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"That night was spent by the British fleet in
+preparations for the morrow's attack upon the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+fort and the entrenchments on the hill, and on
+the morning of the 13th their bomb-vessels
+opened a heavy fire upon the American works,
+about seven o'clock, and at a distance of two
+miles. They kept up a heavy bombardment
+until three o'clock in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>"Armistead at once opened the batteries of
+Fort McHenry upon them, but, after keeping up
+a brisk fire for some time, discovered that his
+missiles fell short and were harmless. It was a
+great disappointment to find that he must endure
+the tremendous shower of the shells of the
+enemy without being able to return it in kind,
+or do anything whatever to check it. But our
+brave fellows kept at their posts, enduring the
+storm with great courage and fortitude.</p>
+
+<p>"At length a bomb-shell dismounted one of
+the twenty-four pounders, killing Lieutenant
+Claggett and wounding several of his men.
+That caused some confusion, which Cochrane
+perceived, and, hoping to profit by it, he ordered
+three of his bomb-vessels to move up
+nearer the fort, thinking to thus increase the
+effectiveness of his guns.</p>
+
+<p>"No movement could have been more acceptable
+to Armistead, and he quickly took advantage
+of it, ordering a general cannonade and
+bombardment from every part of the fort, thus
+punishing the enemy so severely that in less than
+half an hour he fell back to his old anchorage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"One of their rocket vessels was so badly injured
+that, to save her from being entirely destroyed,
+a number of small boats had to be sent
+to tow her out of the reach of Armistead's guns.
+The garrison gave three cheers and ceased firing.</p>
+
+<p>"The British vessels returned to their former
+stations and again opened fire, keeping up, with
+very little intermission, a furious bombardment
+until past midnight, when it was discovered
+that they (the British) had sent a pretty
+large force up the Patapsco to capture Fort Covington,
+commanded by Lieutenant Newcomb,
+of the United States Navy, and the City Battery,
+then attack Fort McHenry in the rear.
+For this purpose there had been sent one thousand
+two hundred and fifty men in barges, with
+scaling ladders and other implements for storming
+the fort. But providentially their errand
+was made known to the garrison of Fort
+McHenry in good season by the throwing up
+of rockets to examine the shores, and not the
+fort alone but also two redoubts on the Patapsco
+immediately opened a heavy fire upon them,
+and drove them away.</p>
+
+<p>"So heavy was the firing that the houses of
+Baltimore were shaken to their very foundations.
+Lossing tells us that Rodgers's men in
+Fort Covington worked their guns with effect,
+but to Webster's continuous cannonade with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+his six gun battery Armistead said he was persuaded
+the country was much indebted for the
+final repulse of the enemy. The historian adds
+that he thinks it not too much to say that Webster's
+gallant conduct on that occasion saved
+both Fort McHenry and the city."</p>
+
+<p>"Were any of the British killed, sir?" asked
+Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a large number; also two of their
+vessels were sunk."</p>
+
+<p>"And did they go on firing at the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"They did, until seven o'clock in the morning
+of the 14th, then ceased entirely."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, papa, you have not told us of the writing
+of the 'Star-Spangled Banner'!" exclaimed
+Lulu. "Wasn't it that night it was written?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; by Mr. Francis S. Key, a resident of
+Georgetown in the District of Columbia, who
+was at that time a volunteer in the light artillery
+commanded by Major Peter.</p>
+
+<p>"When the British returned to their vessels
+after the capture of Washington, they carried
+with them Dr. Beanes, a well known physician
+of Upper Marlborough. Cockburn carried him
+away on board the flag-ship of Admiral Cochrane,
+in spite of the intercession of his friends.</p>
+
+<p>"Then Mr. Key was entreated by the friends
+to go to Cochrane and intercede for the doctor's
+release. Key consented, obtained permission
+of the President, and went under a flag of truce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+in the cartel ship <i>Minden</i> in company with General
+Skinner.</p>
+
+<p>"When they reached the British fleet it
+was at the mouth of the Potomac, preparing
+to attack Baltimore, and though Cochrane
+agreed to release Dr. Beanes, he refused to let
+him or his friends return then. They were
+placed on board the <i>Surprise</i> and courteously
+treated. The fleet sailed up to the Patapsco,
+and they were transferred to their own vessel,
+but with a guard of marines to prevent them
+from landing and communicating with their
+friends and countrymen.</p>
+
+<p>"Their vessel was anchored in sight of Fort
+McHenry, and from her deck the Americans
+watched the fight, oh, so anxiously! and though
+it was, as I have said, over before midnight,
+those anxious watchers did not know until morning
+how it had ended&mdash;whether by surrender of
+the fort, or the abandonment on the part of the
+enemy of the attempt to take it. It was with
+very anxious hearts they waited for the coming
+of the dawn, but at last, in the dim light,
+as the day began to break, their eyes were
+gladdened by the sight, through their glasses
+directed toward Fort McHenry, of the beautiful
+stars and stripes 'still there,' and to their
+great joy they soon learned that the attack on
+Baltimore had failed, that Ross was killed, and
+the British were returning to their vessels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It was while pacing the deck during the
+bombardment, full of anxiety for the result, that
+Mr. Key composed that song so dear to the
+American heart, 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, let us sing it!" exclaimed Lulu, and
+with one consent, patriotic enthusiasm swelling
+in every breast, they did so, the voices of old
+and young uniting in the soul-stirring words.</p>
+
+<div class='poem2'>
+"Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">And the rockets' red glare</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">The bombs bursting in air,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?</span><br />
+<br />
+"On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Now it catches the gleam</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Of the morning's first beam,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh, long may it wave</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!</span><br />
+<br />
+"And where are the foes who so vauntingly swore<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That the havoc of war, and the battle's confusion,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A home and a country should leave us no more?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">No refuge could save</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">The hireling and slave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!</span><br />
+<br />
+"Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Then conquer we must</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">When our cause it is just,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And this be our motto, 'In God is our trust';</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A moment of silence followed the dying away
+of the last strains, then Captain Raymond resumed
+his narrative:</p>
+
+<p>"The first rough notes of the song were
+written by Key upon the back of a letter he
+happened to have in his pocket, and after his
+arrival in Baltimore he wrote it out in full.
+The next morning he read it to his uncle, Judge
+Nicholson, one of the gallant defenders of the
+fort, asking his opinion of it. The judge was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
+delighted with it, took it to the printing office
+of Captain Benjamin Edes, and directed copies
+to be struck off in handbill form. That was
+done, the handbills were distributed, and it
+was sung first in the street, in front of Edes'
+office, by James Lawrenson, a lad but twelve
+years of age. That was on the second day
+after the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
+The song was 'set up,' printed, and distributed
+by another lad seventeen or eighteen years old,
+named Samuel Sands. It created intense enthusiasm,
+was sung nightly at the theater, and
+everywhere in public and private."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," asked Lulu, "what became of that
+very star-spangled banner Mr. Key was looking
+for when he wrote the song?"</p>
+
+<p>"I presume it is still in existence," replied
+her father. "Lossing says it was shown him in
+Baltimore, during the Civil War, by Christopher
+Hughes Armistead, the son of the gallant defender
+of the fort, and that it had in it eleven
+holes made by the shot of the British during
+the bombardment."</p>
+
+<p>"Had not the British made very sure beforehand
+of being able to take Baltimore, Captain?"
+asked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and their intention was to make it
+the base for future operations. As early as the
+17th of June a London paper said, 'In the diplomatic
+circles it is rumored that our naval and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+military commanders on the American station
+have no power to conclude any armistice or suspension
+of arms. They carry with them certain
+terms which will be offered to the American
+government at the point of the bayonet. There
+is reason to believe that America will be left
+in a much worse situation, as a naval and commercial
+power, than she was at the commencement
+of the war."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but they crowed too soon&mdash;before they
+were out of the woods," laughed Walter.
+"They needed the lesson they got at Baltimore,
+and the one Jackson gave them some months
+later at New Orleans."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Captain</span>, I fear we have been imposing
+sadly upon good nature in asking so much
+history of you in one evening," remarked
+Grandma Elsie; "and you have been extremely
+kind in complying with the request."</p>
+
+<p>"It has been a pleasure to me, mother," he returned.
+"There is hardly a subject more interesting
+to me than the history of my dear native
+land, and it is my ardent desire to train and
+teach my children to be earnestly, intelligently
+patriotic."</p>
+
+<p>"Including your pupils in the list, I presume,
+sir?" supplemented Rosie, with a saucy
+smile up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, little sister, and as many others as
+I can influence," was his pleasant toned rejoinder.
+"But I am happy to believe that there
+are few Americans who are not ardent lovers of
+their own country, considering it the best the
+sun shines upon."</p>
+
+<p>"As it certainly is, sir!" exclaimed Walter.
+"I'm more thankful than words can express
+that God gave me my birth in the United
+States of America."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As I have no doubt we all are, little
+brother," said Violet. "But to change the subject:
+when shall we take that delightful trip to
+New Orleans? I suppose the sooner the better,
+that we may not be too much hurried with the
+necessary dressmaking?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," said her mother, "for both the
+reason you have given and because the weather
+will soon become unpleasantly warm for shopping
+in the city."</p>
+
+<p>"You are going with us, mamma?" queried
+Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"I really have not thought of it, and probably
+it would be more prudent for me to
+stay quietly where I am, Rosie dear," she
+replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mamma, we must have you along if you
+are able to go!" exclaimed Walter. "Please
+do say that you will."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mamma dear, I think it would do you
+good," said Violet; and all the young folks
+joined urgently in the request that she would
+make one of the party.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you might, Elsie," her father said
+in reply to an inquiring look directed to him.
+"I incline to the opinion that such a change,
+after your long seclusion here, might, probably
+would be, of benefit."</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly, father," she said, "though I had
+been thinking my staying at home might make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+Vi more comfortable in leaving her little ones
+for a day or two."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not care to go, and will gladly take
+charge of the babies if Vi and the captain
+will trust me with them," Grandma Rose hastened
+to say, and was warmly thanked by both
+parents, and assured that they would have no
+hesitation in doing so except on the score of
+giving her too much care and trouble and
+missing her pleasant companionship on the contemplated
+trip.</p>
+
+<p>However, after some further discussion of the
+matter, it was decided that Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
+would remain at Viamede in charge of
+house and little ones during the short absence
+of the others on the contemplated trip.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, dear papa," Lulu said, with tears shining
+in her eyes, and putting her arms lovingly
+about his neck when he had come into her
+room to bid her good-night, as his custom was,
+"you are so good to me, your own bad, quick-tempered
+little daughter! Oh, I do want to be
+good and make you glad that I belong to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am that, my darling, in spite of all your
+faults," he said, caressing her tenderly. "You
+are very dear to your father's heart, and I am
+not without hope that you will one day gain
+full control of the temper which causes so much
+pain to both you and me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I do hope I shall, papa, and I want you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+to punish me every time I indulge it," she said,
+"but I'm so glad, so thankful to you that you
+have said I may go with you and the others to-morrow.
+I feel that I don't deserve it in the
+least, but I do intend to try as hard as possible
+to rule my own spirit in future."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear it, daughter," the captain
+responded, imprinting a kiss upon her forehead.
+"But I must leave you now, for it is growing
+late and you ought to be in bed, that you may
+be ready to rise betimes in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; but oh, do stay one minute longer;
+I&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;" she paused, blushing and a trifle
+shame faced.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, daughter?" he asked, smoothing
+her hair and cheek caressingly. "Never be
+afraid to tell your father all that is in your
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I don't think I'm really afraid&mdash;yes,
+I am a little afraid you might be displeased,
+and I don't want to do anything to vex
+or trouble my dear, kind father, but if you're
+willing, papa, I would like to be allowed to
+choose for myself what I'm to wear to the
+wedding."</p>
+
+<p>"Your taste and wishes shall certainly be
+consulted, daughter," he replied kindly, "yet I
+am not prepared to promise that you may have
+in every case exactly what you would prefer;
+we must take your mamma and Grandma Elsie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+into our counsels in order to make sure of getting
+what will be most becoming and appropriate."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, I would like to be grown up
+enough to be considered capable of choosing
+things for myself!" she exclaimed with rueful
+look and tone. "But oh, don't be grieved and
+troubled," as her ear caught the sound of a low
+breathed sigh; "I'm determined I will be good
+about it. It certainly would be a very great
+shame if I were anything else, papa, after all
+your undeserved goodness to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not like to refuse my dear child anything
+she asks," he said, drawing her into a
+closer embrace, "but I know too much indulgence
+would not be for her happiness in the end.
+And since life is short and uncertain with us all,
+it may be that she will not be long troubled by
+being subject to her father's control."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, papa, please don't talk so!" she exclaimed,
+sudden tears springing to her eyes. "I
+can't bear to think of ever losing my own dear,
+dear father. I hope God may let you live till
+he is ready to take me too."</p>
+
+<p>"If he sees best I hope we may long be spared
+to each other," the captain said, holding her
+close to his heart. "But now about the matter
+of which we were speaking. Wise as my dear
+eldest daughter considers herself, her father
+thinks Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi, by reason<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+of their superior age and knowledge, will be
+better capable of judging what will be most
+suitable for her to wear as one of the bride's-maids.
+And as they are very tasteful in their
+own dress, and her father is ready to go to any
+reasonable expense that his dear little girl may
+be suitably and tastefully attired, also entirely
+willing to allow her to decide for herself <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'whereever'">wherever</ins>
+there is a choice between two or more
+equally suitable articles, do you not think, as
+he does, that she should be ready and willing to
+take what the ladies and he deem most suitable
+in other things which she would perhaps prefer
+to have somewhat different?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you dear papa," she returned, with a
+look of ardent affection into his eyes. "I do
+always find out in the end that you know best;
+and I'd even rather wear any of the dresses I
+have now than not have you pleased with me;
+for I know I'm never the least bit happy when
+you are displeased with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither am I," he sighed; "it troubles me
+more than I can tell when my dear daughter
+Lulu is disobedient and wilful. But it is high
+time you were in bed and resting. God our
+heavenly Father bless my dear child and keep
+her safely through the silent watches of the
+night." And, bestowing upon her another tender
+embrace, he released her and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>She was quite ready for bed, and as she laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+her head on her pillow, "Lulu Raymond," she
+said to herself, "if you do the least thing to vex
+or trouble that dear father of yours, no punishment
+he could possibly inflict would be equal to
+your deserts."</p>
+
+<p>In another minute she was fast asleep, nor
+did she move again till awakened by some slight
+sound to find the sun already shining in at her
+windows.</p>
+
+<p>Her father had directed her the night before
+what to wear as most suitable for making the
+trip to the city and back again, and she now
+made her toilet in haste, but with the care that
+he required, and which her own neat taste
+made desirable. She had just finished when he
+came in.</p>
+
+<p>"That is right," he said, with an approving
+smile, and bending down to give her the usual
+morning caress; "my little girl looks neat and
+bright, and I hope is quite well."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa," she returned, putting her arms
+round his neck and her lips to his in an ardent
+kiss; "and are you and all the rest?"</p>
+
+<p>"All, so far as I know, and all who are to
+take the little trip with us full of pleasurable
+excitement. We must now go down to breakfast,
+which is earlier than usual this morning,
+for we expect the boat in an hour or so."</p>
+
+<p>He took her hand and led her from the room
+as he spoke. "The others have nearly all gone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+down already," he added, "and there is the bell
+now; so we have no time to lose."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu was full of pleasurable excitement.
+"Oh, I'm so glad and so thankful to you, papa,
+that you will let me go!" she exclaimed, lifting
+to his eyes sparkling with joyous anticipation;
+"for I know I don't deserve it in the very least.
+But I do intend to be as pleasant tempered and
+obedient as possible."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt it, daughter, or expect to
+have any trouble with you," he said kindly.</p>
+
+<p>But now they had reached the dining room
+door, morning salutations were exchanged as
+the different members of the family came flocking
+in, all quickly took their places at the table,
+the blessing was asked, and the meal began.</p>
+
+<p>The talk was almost exclusively of what
+would probably be seen and done during the
+trip by those who were to take it, suitable
+gifts for the bride that was to be, and necessary
+or desirable shopping for themselves and those
+remaining at home.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu, sitting beside her father, asked in a
+low aside, "Papa, may I buy a handsome present
+for Cousin Betty? I've had occasion to
+spend hardly any pocket-money since we have
+been here; so I think I've enough to get her
+something handsome."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be pleased to have you do so," he replied,
+with a pleasant smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And I may choose it myself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but don't you think it would be well
+to get some assistance from the rest of us in
+making your choice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, sir; yes indeed. I really would
+not want to buy anything you and Grandma
+Elsie and Mamma Vi thought unsuitable, or
+that would not be likely to please Cousin
+Betty."</p>
+
+<p>"And may I too, papa?" asked Grace, who,
+seated close to his other side, had overheard
+the bit of low toned talk.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes indeed, little daughter," he replied,
+laying a caressing hand upon her head for an
+instant.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later the little party were all on
+board the boat steaming away in the direction
+of the Gulf, and the talk was more of the beautiful
+country they were passing through than of
+the history of that portion yet to be visited.
+Their route grew more interesting to the young
+people, and indeed to all, as they came upon
+scenes made memorable by events in the Revolutionary
+and Civil Wars and that of 1812-14.</p>
+
+<p>As they passed up the river, the captain
+pointed out Forts St. Philip and Jackson, and
+other localities connected with the doings and
+happenings of those times, all gazing upon them
+as scenes to be indelibly impressed upon the
+memory of every lover of our dear native land.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The localities about New Orleans connected
+with the struggle there against British invaders
+and aggressors, received due attention also, and
+were regarded with equal interest by the young
+girls and Walter, to say nothing of the older
+members of the party.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu and Grace, not to speak of Rosie and
+Evelyn, who were allowed more latitude in
+their selection, or of Walter, who was more
+than willing to trust to "mamma's taste" rather
+than his own, readily adopted the opinions of
+papa, Grandma Elsie, and Mamma Vi.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of their second day in the city
+they went to their hotel, weary enough, to enjoy
+a few hours of rest.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma dear," said Violet, glancing at her
+mother's face as they entered the lower hall,
+"you do look so fatigued; let us step into this
+parlor and rest a little before going to our
+rooms."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it would be as well to do so,"
+replied Mrs. Travilla, following her daughter
+into the room and sinking wearily into
+an easy chair which Violet drew forward for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear Grandma Elsie, how tired you do
+look!" exclaimed Grace; and Walter, speaking
+at the same instant, said in a tone of deep concern,
+"Oh, mamma, how pale you are! You
+must be ill. I wish Cousin Arthur, or some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+other good doctor, was here to do something to
+make you feel better."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, dear mamma, I fear you are really
+ill!" exclaimed Rosie in a tone of anxiety, while
+Lulu ran back into the hall in search of her
+father, who had stepped aside to the clerk's desk
+to attend to some business matter; for to her
+he was a tower of strength to be flown to in
+every need.</p>
+
+<p>But an elderly lady and gentleman, the only
+other occupants of the parlor at the moment,
+hastily rose and drew near the little group, the
+lady saying in a tone of mingled concern and
+delight, "It is my Cousin Elsie&mdash;Mrs. Travilla&mdash;I
+am sure! You know me, dear cousin? Mildred
+Keith&mdash;Mrs. Dr. Landreth? And this is
+my husband, the doctor. I think he could do
+something to relieve you."</p>
+
+<p>"Cousin Mildred! Oh, what a joyful surprise!
+how glad I am to see you!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Travilla, the color coming back to her cheek,
+and the light to her eyes, as she raised herself
+to a sitting posture and threw her arms about
+Mildred's neck.</p>
+
+<p>The two held each other in a long, tender embrace,
+hardly conscious for the moment of the
+presence of the others, who stood looking on in
+surprise and delight, Captain Raymond and
+Lulu having joined the group.</p>
+
+<p>Then mutual introductions and joyous greetings<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+followed, questions about absent dear ones
+were asked and answered, and each party learned
+that the other was in the city for but a brief sojourn,
+purposing to go thence to Viamede or
+its near vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>And in the meanwhile Mrs. Travilla seemed to
+have forgotten her weariness and exhaustion,
+and was looking more than ordinarily young and
+bright.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Landreth remarked it with a pleased
+smile. "I am glad to meet you, Cousin Elsie,"
+he said, "though you seem no longer in need of
+my services as physician."</p>
+
+<p>"No indeed, Cousin Charlie," she returned
+brightly; "you are so excellent a doctor that
+your very presence&mdash;especially when accompanied
+by that of your wife"&mdash;with a smiling
+glance at Mildred&mdash;"does one good like a medicine."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, if you will allow it, I will prescribe,
+were it only to keep my hand in," he said:
+"an hour's rest on a couch in your own room,
+to be followed by a good, substantial meal
+either there or at the table with the rest of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly the prescription I should give were
+I your physician, mother," said Captain Raymond.
+"May I not assist you to your room?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said with a smile. "As I know
+Dr. Landreth to be an excellent physician I shall
+follow his advice, confidently expecting to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+profit <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'y'">by</ins> so doing. Doctor," turning to him,
+"we have a pleasant private parlor where we take
+our meals and enjoy each other's society in the
+intervals of sight-seeing, shopping, etc. I hope
+you and Cousin Mildred will join us at meal-times,
+and all times when you find it agreeable,
+making yourselves perfectly at home. Now
+good-by for the present. I hope to be able,
+after an hour's rest, to join you all at the tea-table."</p>
+
+<p>With evident pleasure her invitation was accepted;
+an hour later she made her appearance
+in the parlor, much refreshed by rest and sleep;
+a tempting meal was partaken of by all, with
+evident appetite, the remainder of the evening
+passed in delightful social intercourse, and all
+retired early that they might be ready for a
+long day of interesting and, to the children especially,
+captivating shopping; for, as Rosie remarked,
+"Nothing could be more enjoyable than
+the business of selecting wedding gifts and
+pretty things to be worn at the wedding festivities."</p>
+
+<p>She was delighted with her own finery and
+presents for Betty, selected by herself with her
+mother's assistance, Violet occasionally giving
+her opinion or advice, Mrs. Landreth and the
+gentlemen doing the same when asked. They
+consisted of handsome jewelry and silver.</p>
+
+<p>Walter, too, chose, with his mother's help,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+a set of gold lined silver spoons for his cousin
+Betty. Evelyn's gift was a handsome silver pie
+knife and salt spoons. Lulu, too, and Grace,
+gave silver, also a pair of beautiful gold bracelets.
+The captain's own gift was an expensive
+set of jewelry; Violet's a lovely bridal veil;
+Grandma Elsie's a beautiful and costly diamond
+pin, to which she afterward added a check for
+five thousand dollars. Also Dr. and Mrs. Landreth
+bought as their gift some very handsome
+articles of dress and house furnishing.</p>
+
+<p>The shopping and a little sight-seeing filled
+up the time till Saturday, when they returned to
+Viamede by the same boat that had brought the
+captain and his party to the city.</p>
+
+<p>It was a very warm and joyous welcome that
+awaited them there from Grandpa and Grandma
+Dinsmore, and little Elsie and Ned Raymond,
+and none the less joyous was the greeting given
+to Dr. and Mrs. Landreth by their relatives and
+old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore.</p>
+
+<p>To each of the four it was a delightful reunion,
+and much of the evening was passed in
+recalling the events of their intercourse in those
+early days when Elsie and her cousin Annis
+were happy children together, these older ones
+gay, young married folks, the eldest son of each
+couple but a baby boy, though now each was
+the head of a young family of his own.</p>
+
+<p>These reminiscences were very interesting to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+themselves, Grandma Elsie, and the Keiths,
+who had been invited to Viamede to take tea
+with these relatives, and who were to go to the
+parsonage after a short stay with these others.</p>
+
+<p>But after a little the young folks grew tired
+of listening to the talk, and sought out another
+part of the veranda where they could converse
+among themselves without disturbing their
+elders.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Raymond's eyes followed the movements
+of his little girls with a look of fond
+fatherly pride, not without a shade of anxiety
+as they noted the weariness in Grace's face,
+and presently he rose and drew near the little
+group.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie, my darling, do you not want to go
+to your bed?" he asked. "I think my little girl
+is looking tired and would be better for a long
+night's rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa, I am 'most too tired to keep my
+eyes open," she replied, with a faint smile up
+into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Then come, my pet," he said, bending down
+and taking her in his arms; "I will carry you to
+your room and bid the others good-night for you
+when I come down again; you are too tired to
+wait to do that yourself," and he carried her
+away.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu sprang up and ran after them. "Shall I
+go too, papa?" she asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If you, too, feel too tired to stay up for
+prayers," he answered pleasantly; "otherwise
+I would not have you absent from that service."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, I'm not too tired. Good-night,
+Gracie," she said, and ran back to her mates.</p>
+
+<p>Their tongues were running on the old theme
+of the wedding so soon to take place, gifts to
+the bride, and dresses to be worn by her and her
+attendants. But all of them were pretty well
+worn out with the shopping and traveling gone
+through in the last few days, seeing which their
+elders thought best to hold the evening service
+a little earlier than usual, then retired to rest.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, please may I ask a few questions now,
+before you leave me?" Lulu entreated when he
+came in to bid her good-night.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied with an amused look;
+"that is number one, and how many are to
+follow?" seating himself and drawing her to his
+knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know exactly, sir; it will depend
+somewhat upon the answers, I think," she
+returned laughingly, putting an arm round his
+neck and kissing him with ardent affection.</p>
+
+<p>"Then let me go through the ordeal as soon
+as possible," he responded, patting her cheek and
+pressing his lips to hers.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it won't be a very dreadful ordeal to
+you, papa," she said, smiling up into his eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+"Firstly, then, are we to have school as usual
+between this and the time of the wedding?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," was the prompt, decided reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear!" she said between a sigh and a
+laugh, "I 'most wish you were one of the
+fathers that could be coaxed. But oh, please
+don't begin to look sorry and grave. I'm determined
+I will be good about that and everything;
+just as good as I know how to be; and
+if I'm not I just hope you'll punish me well, only
+not by refusing to allow me to act as bridesmaid
+to Cousin Betty."</p>
+
+<p>"Love to your father and a desire to please
+him seems to me a far better motive for good
+behavior than fear of punishment," he said
+with grave look and tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; and that is my motive; please believe
+it, my own dear, dear father," she said,
+lifting dewy eyes to his.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I have strong hope that my pleasure
+in the coming festivities will not be spoiled by
+having a naughty, rebellious little daughter to
+deal with, or an idle one, either. Now what
+else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only this, papa: that if you should have
+letters to write you will let me help you, using
+my typewriter, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, my dear little helpful daughter.
+Should I find that I have letters you could answer
+for me in that way, I will call upon you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>
+for your offered assistance, as I well know it
+will be a pleasure to you to render it," he replied,
+with a smile and another tender caress.
+"And I hope you feel no doubt that it is not
+for lack of love for his dear child that your
+father refuses the holiday you have asked for."</p>
+
+<p>"No indeed, papa. I know you love me
+dearly. It would break my heart to think you
+didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"As it would mine to think my little girl did
+not love me. Now you must go at once to bed.
+Good-night and pleasant dreams."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was early morning at Ion, breakfast awaiting
+the return of Mr. Edward Travilla, who
+had ridden into the village on some business
+errand, leaving word that he would <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'he'">be</ins> back
+within the hour to partake of the morning meal
+with his wife.</p>
+
+<p>Zoe, tastefully attired, was on the veranda,
+and the twin babies, fresh from their bath,
+looking, the young mother averred, like little angels
+in their dainty white robes, were toddling
+about there, laughing, cooing, and prattling.
+They were the idols of her heart. She romped
+and played with them now, but with frequent
+pauses to listen for the sound of a horse's hoofs
+or gaze down the avenue, saying in joyous tones
+to the babies, "Papa is coming, coming soon;
+dear, dear papa! and mamma and his darlings
+will be so glad to see him. Ah, there he is at
+last!" she added at length, as a horseman turned
+in at the great gates and came at a quick canter
+up the avenue.</p>
+
+<p>He lifted his hat with a bow and smile to his
+wife as he drew near; then alighting at the
+steps, where a servant took the reins and led
+the horse away, he hastily ascended them, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+the next moment was seated with a little one
+upon each knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa's darlings!" he said, caressing them
+in turn; "papa's dear pets!"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell papa we have been wanting him," said
+Zoe, standing alongside, smoothing Edward's
+hair with softly caressing hand, and smiling
+down fondly into the faces of the three; "tell
+him he stayed so long we did not know how to
+wait."</p>
+
+<p>"I must acknowledge I am a trifle late, my
+dear," Edward said, smiling up into the pretty,
+rosy face, "detained by business; but here is
+my atonement," handing her a telegram which
+he took from his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Zoe read it aloud. It was an invitation to a
+wedding (whose it did not say), at Viamede to
+take place in three weeks from that day.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, who on earth can be going to be married?"
+she exclaimed in surprise. "Rosie?
+Evelyn? Lulu? Every one of them is too
+young." Then with a look into Edward's
+laughing eyes, "Now you needn't laugh, Ned.
+I know and acknowledge that Rosie is a little
+older than I was when we married, but we would
+not have made such haste except under those
+peculiar circumstances."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite true, my dear," he responded. "But
+I suppose you will hardly think it necessary to
+decline the invitation on that account?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no indeed," was the quick, laughing rejoinder.
+"I am altogether in favor of accepting&mdash;shall
+begin my preparations at once.
+But there's the breakfast bell."</p>
+
+<p>When they had fairly begun their meal the
+subject was renewed, Edward remarking, "My
+dear, you will want a new dress. If you like
+we will drive into the city this morning, make
+necessary purchases, and at once set Alma or
+some other dressmaker at work."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, dear Ned," she returned, her
+eyes shining with pleasure; "no woman ever
+had a more generous husband than mine. But
+there are so many ways for your money to go,
+and I have several that would be, with remodelling
+and retrimming, tasteful, handsome, and
+becoming as any new one."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must have a new one, my love,"
+Edward replied decidedly. "I can easily afford
+it, and it is a great pleasure to me to see my
+little wife well and becomingly dressed."</p>
+
+<p>"A very nice speech, my dear husband," returned
+Zoe laughingly, "and really I have not the
+heart to refuse you the pleasure of seeing your
+wife arrayed in finery just suited to your taste.
+So I am very glad you are willing to go with me
+and assist in the selection. Shall we take the
+babies along?"</p>
+
+<p>"To help with the shopping? I doubt if we
+would find them of much assistance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They are good little things though, and
+would not be any hindrance," returned the
+young mother laughingly. "But the trip might
+interfere with their morning nap, so if you
+think best we will leave the darlings at
+home."</p>
+
+<p>"I really think they would have a more comfortable
+time," Edward said; "we also. Hark!
+there's the telephone. Excuse me a moment,
+my dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, my love, but as I may possibly
+be the one wanted, I'll go along; by your
+leave," she added laughingly, running after him
+as he left the room.</p>
+
+<p>The call proved to be from Mrs. Elsie Leland.
+A telegram from Viamede had reached them
+also, and they would be at Ion in the course of
+an hour to talk over necessary arrangements
+for the journey, if, as they supposed, Edward and
+Zoe would like to take it in company with them.
+They too were invited, of course?</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Edward answered; "mamma would
+certainly not neglect her eldest son at such a
+time. Come over as soon as you like, prepared
+to drive into the city with us to make necessary
+purchases before setting the dressmakers at
+work upon suitable adornments for the ladies of
+our party."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing to be bought for the gentlemen,
+I suppose?" was Elsie's response, accompanied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+by a low, sweet laugh. "Will be happy to accept
+your invitation. Good-by till then."</p>
+
+<p>"Now let us go back and finish our breakfast,"
+said Zoe. "If the Lelands are to be here
+in half an hour we have no time to spare."</p>
+
+<p>They were turning away when the bell rang
+again.</p>
+
+<p>It was Ella Conly who called this time. The
+same invitation for herself and brothers had just
+been received. They knew that Ned and Zoe
+must of course have shared the summons to
+Viamede, and, if convenient, they would call at
+Ion after tea that evening to talk over plans and
+preparations.</p>
+
+<p>They were cordially urged to do so. Then
+Edward called to his Uncle Horace at the Oaks,
+his Aunt Rose at the Laurels, and Aunt Lora
+Howard at Pinegrove, and learned to his satisfaction
+that all had received, and would accept
+the same invitation. But they had not yet
+settled upon their plans in regard to needed
+preparations and the time of setting out upon
+their journey.</p>
+
+<p>Edward suggested that it might be satisfactory
+for all to meet at Ion that evening and
+talk the matter over, an invitation which was
+promptly accepted by all.</p>
+
+<p>"Now let us finish our breakfast," Edward
+said, leading the way back to the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Zoe, "for I am sure that I for one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+have no time to waste if I'm to be ready to
+start for the city in an hour."</p>
+
+<p>She was ready, however, when, in less than an
+hour, the Fairview carriage drove up bringing
+the Lelands. Elsie declined an invitation to
+alight. "We have none too much time now,"
+she said, "for shopping cannot always be done
+in haste, and we are not making a very early
+start. Just get in here with us, you two, will
+you not? There is plenty of room, and we can
+talk over matters and settle plans as we drive."</p>
+
+<p>"A very good idea, and we are much
+obliged," returned Edward, handing Zoe in
+and taking a seat by her side.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is to be married, Elsie?" asked Zoe.
+"Surely it could not be mamma herself?" she
+added, with a light laugh. "I feel quite sure
+she would not accept the best and greatest man
+upon earth."</p>
+
+<p>"And I feel as sure of that as you do," said
+Mrs. Leland. "She thinks of my father not as
+lost to her but waiting for her to rejoin him in
+the better land. I have been trying to think
+who the coming bride is to be, and suppose it is
+Betty Johnson."</p>
+
+<p>"But it may be that the groom and not the
+bride belongs to our family," remarked Lester.
+"Who more likely than Dick Percival?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, to be sure!" exclaimed Edward.
+"It is about time Dick had a wife. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+mother would of course be interested and ready
+to do anything in her power to make it pleasant
+for him and her."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I should really like to know something
+more about it before choosing gifts for her,"
+remarked Zoe.</p>
+
+<p>"I too," said Elsie.</p>
+
+<p>"Then suppose we let that wait for another
+day, and content ourselves with purchasing
+what is needed for the adorning of you two
+ladies," suggested Edward; and that was what,
+after a little further consultation, was decided
+upon.</p>
+
+<p>The city was reached in safety, and some
+hours later they returned, as Zoe said, "Laden
+with lovely things for their own adornment."</p>
+
+<p>The babies were on the veranda waiting,
+watching eagerly for papa and mamma, who,
+their nurse kept telling them, would soon be
+seen coming up the avenue. When they did
+appear, alighting from the Fairview carriage,
+they were recognized with a glad cry, and Zoe,
+forgetting her weariness, ran to the little ones,
+embraced first one and then the other, put
+a toy in the hand of each, spent another minute
+or two caressing them, then hurried to her
+own apartments to dress for tea and the family
+gathering expected in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>Elsie and her husband had driven home, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+would return for the informal assembly of the
+members of the connection.</p>
+
+<p>The guests came early, Ella Conley and her
+brothers from Roselands being the first. Ella
+was in high glee. She had long felt an ardent
+desire to visit Viamede, and now hailed with
+delight the opportunity to do so. The circumstances
+of both brothers had greatly improved;
+they were disposed to be very generous to the
+only sister remaining at home with them, and
+had told her she must have a new, handsome
+dress for the wedding, and everything else she
+needed to fit her out well for the journey and
+a sojourn of some weeks at Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>Zoe felt flattered by being consulted in regard
+to necessary or desirable purchases, and greatly
+enjoyed exhibiting her own, and describing
+Elsie's, of that day.</p>
+
+<p>Then the other families, or delegates from
+them, arrived in rapid succession, and a merry
+sociable interview ensued. All were quite resolved,
+should nothing interfere, to accept the
+invitation to Viamede, but some of them could
+not yet decide upon the exact time when they
+would be prepared to leave their homes for that
+distant point, and for an absence of several
+weeks. But the Ion, Oaks, Fairview, and Roselands
+people would all go in two weeks in company.</p>
+
+<p>It was still early, when wheels were heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+approaching from the direction of the village,
+a hack turned in at the gate, drove rapidly up
+the avenue, halted at the veranda steps, and an
+old gentleman alighted.</p>
+
+<p>"Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Elsie Leland,
+Edward, and Zoe in a breath, and they and the
+others gathered about him with words of cordial
+greeting and welcome.</p>
+
+<p>"You have given us a most pleasant surprise,
+Cousin Ronald," Edward said when the old
+gentleman was comfortably seated in an easy
+chair. "You have not been to tea?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, laddie, I took that in the village
+yonder where I alighted frae the cars. But the
+auld folks seem to be missing here," glancing
+about in search of them as he spoke. "I dinna
+see your honored grandsire, his wife, or my
+sweet Cousin Elsie, your mither. The bairns
+Rosie and Walter, too, are not here; what's become
+o' them a', laddie? They're no ill, I hope?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were quite well at last accounts, sir,"
+replied Edward. "They have spent the winter
+and early spring at Viamede, and will not return
+for some weeks yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha!" murmured the old
+gentleman reflectively. "It's no the best o'
+news to me&mdash;an auld mon who has been wearyin'
+for a sight o' your mother's sweet face."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say that, cousin, for we are going
+there ourselves, and shall be glad indeed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+take you with us. I know of no one who
+would be a more welcome guest to my mother."</p>
+
+<p>"Have a care, sir, that ye dinna tempt an
+auld mon too far," laughed Cousin Ronald.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you must go with us, sir," said Zoe.
+"What would mamma say if we failed to bring
+you? Besides, we want your company even if
+mamma would not be displeased were you not
+with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! Weel, my bonny
+leddy, I can no refuse an invitation that holds
+out so great a prospect of enjoyment."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you must not think of refusing, Cousin
+Ronald!" exclaimed Edward and his sister
+Elsie, speaking simultaneously.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed no," said Mr. Horace Dinsmore;
+"we can assure you of a hearty welcome, and
+my sister, as Zoe says, would be by no means
+pleased should we fail to take you along with
+us. But since the first division of our company
+does not start for two weeks, there will be
+abundance of time to hear from her on the
+subject."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly there will, uncle," responded Edward.
+"I shall write to mamma to-night.
+Several of us have heard from her to-day
+by telegraph, Cousin Ronald, and we think
+we shall surely have letters soon."</p>
+
+<p>Then followed the story of the telegrams
+received that day, and the guesses and surmises<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+as to whose wedding they were invited to
+attend.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Lilburn was evidently much interested
+and more than willing to yield to their persuasions
+to accompany them to Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, friends and cousins," he said, "there
+is scarce anything I can think of at this moment
+that would delight me more than to gang
+with you to see them at that lovely spot&mdash;an
+earthly paradise, as it may well be called. I
+am somewhat fatigued the now, but rest for a
+few days&mdash;the days that must come and go
+afore you start&mdash;will no doubt supply the needed
+strength for the new journey; and the wedding
+festivities to follow will not come amiss even to
+a man of my ain venerable age."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed!" exclaimed Zoe, "I should
+think not. Surely people of any age may enjoy
+gay and festive scenes and doings. It has always
+been a source of regret to me that Edward's
+and my nuptials were graced by none of
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly there may be better luck for you
+next time, my dear," remarked Edward laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I want no next time," she returned
+with spirit. "I've no intention of trying a
+second husband lest I might do worse than I
+did in taking you."</p>
+
+<p>"It strikes me there might be a possibility<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+of doing very much worse, my dear niece," remarked
+Mr. Horace Dinsmore pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>"As it does me," responded Zoe, with a
+proudly affectionate look into her young husband's
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear it," was his answering
+remark, given with a smiling, affectionate
+glance into the bright, sweet face.</p>
+
+<p>For the next two weeks Zoe and the other
+ladies of the connection were very delightfully
+busy with their preparations for the wedding.</p>
+
+<p>Letters had come telling that Betty was, as
+had been conjectured, the prospective bride;
+also who was to be the groom, where the ceremony
+was to take place, the bridal feast to be
+partaken of, with other interesting particulars.
+The dresses of bride, bridesmaids, and maids
+of honor were not described, as they would be
+seen by all the relatives at, if not before, the
+wedding.</p>
+
+<p>The journey to New Orleans was made by
+rail; from there they took a steamboat for Berwick
+Bay, preferring to make the rest of the
+journey by water. The party consisted of the
+Dinsmores, Lelands, Travillas, Conleys, and
+their Aunt Adelaide, Mrs. Allison of Philadelphia,
+who had come on from her home shortly
+before to join these relatives in their trip to
+Louisiana; for she too had been urgently invited<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+to attend the wedding; and last but not least
+was Mr. Ronald Lilburn.</p>
+
+<p>They were a cheerful set, the younger ones
+quite gay and mirthful. There were a few other
+passengers, among whom was a lady clad in deep
+mourning&mdash;widow's weeds&mdash;who kept her face
+carefully concealed by her thick crape veil
+and sat apart, seeming to studiously avoid all
+contact with her fellow voyagers; observing
+which they refrained from making advances
+toward acquaintanceship. But now and then
+Dr. Conley turned an observing eye upon her.
+There was a droop about her figure that struck
+him as an indication of illness or exhaustion
+from some other cause.</p>
+
+<p>At length he rose, and stepping to her side,
+said in a low sympathizing tone, "I fear you are
+ill, madam. I am a physician, and if I can do
+anything for you my services are at your command."</p>
+
+<p>She made an inarticulate reply, in tones
+quivering with emotion, staggered to her feet
+as she spoke, made one step forward and would
+have fallen had he not caught her with his
+arm.</p>
+
+<p>Her head dropped upon his shoulder, and instantly
+the other members of his party gathered
+about them with hurried, excited exclamations.
+"What is the matter?" "Is she ill?" "Do
+you know her, Art? She has fainted, has she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+not?" The last exclamation and query came
+from the lips of Mrs. Elsie Leland.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; she is quite unconscious," was Arthur's
+low toned reply "and this thick, heavy
+veil is smothering her."</p>
+
+<p>The next instant he had succeeded in disentangling
+it. With a quick movement he threw
+it back, lifted the seemingly lifeless form, laid
+it on a settee with the head low, laid his finger
+on her pulse for an instant, then began compressing
+the ribs and allowing them to expand
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"I will have to loosen her clothing," he said,
+leaning over her to do so; then for the first time
+catching sight of her face, he started back with
+a low, pained exclamation: "My sister Virginia!
+is it possible!"</p>
+
+<p>"Virginia!" exclaimed Adelaide and Calhoun
+in a breath; for both were standing near;
+"can it be?" The others exchanged glances
+of astonishment; then Ella asked in low, terrified
+tones, "O Art, is she&mdash;is she dead? Poor,
+poor Virgie!"</p>
+
+<p>"No; it is only a faint," he answered, going
+on with his efforts to restore consciousness,
+in which he was presently successful.</p>
+
+<p>Virginia's eyes opened, looked up into his
+with evident recognition, then closed, while
+tears stole down her cheeks. He leant over her
+in brotherly solicitude.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Virgie, my poor, dear sister," he said in
+tones tremulous with emotion, "you are with relatives
+and friends who will gladly do anything
+and everything in their power for your comfort
+and happiness. I think you are not well&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>She seemed to be making an effort to speak, and,
+leaving his sentence unfinished, he bent down
+over her with his ear almost touching her lips.</p>
+
+<p>"Starving," was the whispered word that
+came in reply, and he started back aghast, his
+features working with emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible!" was his half suppressed
+exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Calhoun; "what does
+she say?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is faint and ill with hunger," returned
+his brother in a moved tone. "Get me a glass
+of hot milk as quickly as you can, Cal," and
+Calhoun hurried away in quest of it.</p>
+
+<p>In a very few minutes he was back again
+with a large tumbler of rich, sweet milk,
+which Virginia drank with avidity. Some more
+substantial food was then given her, and after
+a little she was able to exchange greetings
+with the other relatives on board and to give
+some account of herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Henry Neuville is dead, and I set out on my
+journey to beg a home with Isa as soon as I
+had seen him laid decently away," she said.
+"I have no means at all&mdash;unfortunate creature<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+that I am&mdash;but perhaps I can make myself useful
+enough to earn my bread."</p>
+
+<p>"And your brothers will be both able and
+willing to clothe you," said the doctor, Calhoun
+adding, "certainly; and to give you a
+home, too, should Isa and her husband find it
+inconvenient to do so."</p>
+
+<p>At that tears coursed down Virginia's cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>"You are good, kind brothers," she said;
+"far better to me than I deserve. But living
+with a man of the stamp of Henry Neuville
+has taught me how to appreciate true gentlemen."</p>
+
+<p>"O Virgie, did he die as he had lived?"
+asked her cousin Elsie.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw no sign of repentance or reformation,"
+returned Virginia; "he died of drink and
+with curses on his tongue. I can't mourn his
+loss; how could I? but I'm the most unfortunate
+woman&mdash;the poorest in the whole connection.
+I wasn't brought up to support myself
+either, and can't do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you may learn how," said Zoe encouragingly.
+"There are many avenues to self-support
+now open to women, you know."</p>
+
+<p>A look of disgust and annoyance was Virginia's
+only response to that.</p>
+
+<p>A few moments of silence ensued, broken only
+by the prattle of the little ones, then there was
+a sudden sound as of some heavy body plunging<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+into the water, and a shrill cry: "Man
+overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>A great commotion instantly followed, the
+captain giving his orders to lower a boat and
+go in search of the man, and at the same time
+slowing the movements of the steamer.</p>
+
+<p>Our party were much interested and excited,
+most of them full of concern for the drowning
+one, who seemed to have strangely disappeared,
+for not a trace of him could be seen as the boat
+was rowed hither and thither; and at length,
+resigning all hope of finding even the lifeless
+body, the men returned to the larger vessel to
+report their failure.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies were in tears, and as the captain
+drew near, Zoe asked in tones tremulous with
+emotion, "Is there no hope at all of saving the
+poor fellow, captain?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid he's gone to the bottom, ma'am,
+though it's odd he couldn't keep up for the few
+minutes it took to launch the boat; but I suppose
+the wheel must have struck him. By the
+way," he added, as if struck by a sudden
+thought, "I don't know yet who it was. I
+must have the crew mustered on deck and see
+who is missing."</p>
+
+<p>He proceeded to do so at once, when to the
+surprise of all it was discovered that no one
+was missing.</p>
+
+<p>"A stowaway, evidently!" growled the captain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+"and he's got his <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'deserts'">desserts</ins>; though I
+wouldn't have let him drown if I could have
+helped it."</p>
+
+<p>At that instant a light broke upon Edward
+Travilla and Dr. Conley, and both turned hastily
+toward their guest, Mr. Ronald Lilburn.</p>
+
+<p>He was sitting near, quietly listening to the
+talk, his features expressing grave concern, yet
+they could perceive a sparkle of fun in his eye.</p>
+
+<p>Edward stepped to his side, and, bending
+down over him, spoke in an undertone close to
+his ear. "I think you could tell us something
+of the man, Cousin Ronald."</p>
+
+<p>"I, laddie? What would I ken o' the folk i'
+this part o' the world?" queried the old gentleman,
+raising his eyebrows in mock surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, sir, who is to say he belonged to this
+part of the world?" laughed Edward. "I must
+own that I strongly suspect he was a countryman
+of yours; a Scotchman, at least."</p>
+
+<p>Then going to the side of his wife he said a
+word or two in an undertone that chased away
+her tears, while she sent a laughing glance in
+Cousin Ronald's direction.</p>
+
+<p>But they were drawing near their journey's
+end, and presently everything else seemed to be
+forgotten in gazing upon the ever changing
+beauties of the landscape as they threaded their
+way through lake and lakelet, past swamp, forest,
+plain, and plantation. They gazed with delight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+upon the cool, shady dells carpeted with a
+rich growth of flowers, miles upon miles of
+smoothly shaven lawns, velvety green and
+shaded by magnificent oaks and magnolias,
+lordly villas peering through groves of orange
+trees, tall white sugarhouses, and the long rows
+of cabins of the laborers, forming all together a
+panorama of surpassing loveliness.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it is an earthly paradise, is it not, Ned?"
+cried Zoe, clasping her hands in an ecstacy of
+delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Very, very beautiful," he responded, his
+eyes shining with pleasure. "But you know
+this is not, like yours, my first sight of it; I
+spent a very happy winter here in the days
+when my dear and honored father was with
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"And I," said his sister Elsie, softly sighing
+at the thought that that loved parent had left
+them to return no more. "It will not seem
+the same without him; yet with so many dear
+ones left&mdash;especially our dear, dear mother&mdash;our
+visit can hardly be otherwise than most enjoyable.
+Ah, Ned, is not that our own orange
+orchard just coming into view?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is, my dear sister; we will be there in
+a very few minutes now."</p>
+
+<p>"At home and with mamma!" she exclaimed
+in joyous tones; then called to her little
+sons, "Come here, Ned and Eric. We are almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+at dear grandmamma's house, and she
+will soon have you in her arms."</p>
+
+<p>At that the little fellows came running to
+her with a joyous shout, for they dearly loved
+their Grandma Elsie, and to their infant minds
+the time of separation from her had seemed
+very long.</p>
+
+<p>To their Aunt Adelaide, the Conleys&mdash;Arthur
+excepted&mdash;and the young Dinsmores the scenes
+were equally new, and called forth from one
+and all demonstrations of admiration and delight.
+Very soon the boat reached and rounded
+to at the landing, where were gathered all the
+members of the Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and
+parsonage families to meet and welcome these
+dear ones from their own old homes farther to
+the north.</p>
+
+<p>It was an altogether joyous meeting, Cousin
+Ronald and Virginia, as well as the rest, receiving
+most kind and cordial greeting, though the
+latter was an entirely unexpected guest.</p>
+
+<p>Isadore took her sister in her arms, kissed
+and wept over her as a near and dear one who
+had gone through great trials during the years
+of their separation.</p>
+
+<p>"What a long, long while it is since we
+parted, and what sore trials you have gone
+through in the meantime, Virgie!" she sighed.
+"Ah, I hope the future may have better things in
+store for you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I should say it ought indeed, considering all
+I've had to suffer in the past," returned Virginia.
+"I've come to beg a home with you, Isa,
+as you might have had to of me if I had been
+the lucky one in the matter of drawing a prize
+in the matrimonial lottery."</p>
+
+<p>"I will try to do the very best I can for you,
+Virgie," was Isadore's pleasant toned reply,
+though it was not with unmingled satisfaction
+that she saw opening before her the prospect of
+receiving this selfish, indolent sister into her
+peaceful, well regulated household as a permanent
+addition to it.</p>
+
+<p>Zoe was in ecstasies over the beauties of Viamede&mdash;the
+large, palatial mansion, the beautiful
+grounds, the lovely scenery.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mamma," she exclaimed, pausing on the
+veranda to take a general survey, "it is just too
+lovely for anything! It really exceeds my expectations,
+though they were raised very high
+by all I have heard of the beauties of Viamede.
+I wonder you can ever resign yourself to leaving
+it for a longer time than the hot season, when it
+is not so healthy as your more northern home."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I sometimes wonder at myself," Elsie
+said with a smile; "and yet both Ion and the
+Oaks are very dear to me&mdash;so many happy years
+of my life have been passed in them. Ah, no, I
+could not give up those dear homes entirely
+any more than I could this."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah, you are a most fortunate woman, cousin
+mine," remarked Mr. Lilburn, standing by,
+"and worthy of it all; no one more so."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Cousin Ronald, you, like all the rest of
+my friends, are only too ready to pass my imperfections
+by and see only virtues; some of
+them altogether imaginary, I fear," she returned
+with a smile. "I cannot tell you how
+glad I am to see you here again, and I hope you
+may so greatly enjoy your sojourn among us that
+you will be pleased to repeat your visit whenever
+opportunity offers."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, many thanks, cousin, but have a care
+lest you should be in danger of seeing me here
+oftener than will be found agreeable," was his
+laughing reply.</p>
+
+<p>At that Elsie only shook her head with a playful
+smile, then turned to baby Lilly, who was
+reaching out her little arms to grandma, crying,
+"Take! take, gamma!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, mother dear," Edward said, coming
+up to them and taking his little daughter from
+the nurse's arms, "I can't have you wearying
+yourself with her." Then to the child, "Papa
+is going to carry you upstairs, little pet. Dear
+grandma has been sick and is not strong enough
+to carry you about. The friends and relatives
+will all be here for some time, mother?" turning
+to her again.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she replied; "they will all stay to tea."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And Zoe and I will join you and them
+again in a few minutes," he said, moving on
+through the hall, in the direction of the stairway.</p>
+
+<p>All scattered to their rooms then, but reassembled
+on the veranda some few minutes before
+the call to the tea-table. It was a large,
+merry, informal tea-party, Grandma Elsie having
+been most hospitably urgent that everyone
+should stay, partake with her and the others
+who had been making Viamede their home for
+months past, and spend the evening.</p>
+
+<p>The approaching wedding and matters connected
+with it were naturally the principal
+themes of discourse, and Betty was good-humoredly
+rallied on the conquest she had made and
+the pleasant prospect of having a home of her
+own with at least one loyal subject. Zoe insisted
+on a description of the trousseau, especially the
+wedding dress.</p>
+
+<p>"Drive over to Magnolia Hall day after to-morrow
+and you shall see everything for yourself,
+Zoe," Betty said, laughing and blushing;
+"at least all but the gifts which have not yet
+come in."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; I think I'll accept that invitation,"
+returned Zoe. "But I suppose there is
+something to be seen here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; the dresses of the bridesmaids and
+maids of honor," said Rosie; "and we who are
+to wear them think them quite beautiful. Don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+we, girls?" turning toward Evelyn and Lulu,
+who answered with an emphatic, "Yes, indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you come and take a look at them,
+Zoe," proposed Rosie, as they left the table,
+and Zoe promptly accepted the invitation,
+Betty, Elsie Leland, Ella, and Virginia, and
+the Dinsmore cousins going along.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they are lovely!" was the united exclamation
+at sight of the dresses, Zoe adding, "I
+can't say which is handsomest."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just how it is with me," laughed
+Betty; "but I own to thinking the bride's dress
+a trifle handsomer than any of these."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes; but just think how we may outshine
+you when our turns come to wear a wedding
+dress," said Rosie. "I mean to have one
+that shall be a marvel of beauty and taste.
+Don't you, Eva and Lu?"</p>
+
+<p>"I very much doubt whether I shall ever
+have any," replied Evelyn, with her grave,
+sweet smile.</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't it will be your own fault, I am
+sure," said Rosie. "And it will be just the
+same with Lu."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to get married ever!" cried
+Lulu emphatically. "I wouldn't leave my
+father for all the rest of the men in all the
+world."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, your father is glad to hear it," said a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>
+voice close at her side, while a hand was laid
+affectionately on her shoulder. "But my dear
+eldest daughter is still quite too young to be
+even thinking of such things."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I won't think of them if I can help it,
+papa dear," she said, lifting loving, smiling eyes
+to his face, "for indeed I do want to obey even
+your slightest wish."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt it, daughter," he returned,
+pressing affectionately the hand she had slipped
+into his.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Elsie," said Zoe, addressing Mrs. Leland,
+"let us show our wedding finery. You,
+Ella Conley, I suppose won't care to open your
+trunks, as they are to be carried over to the
+Parsonage."</p>
+
+<p>"They have already gone," said Isadore, she
+also having joined the party of inspection,
+"but the finery can be shown there just as
+well."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it can wait," returned Ella, "and will
+perhaps be all the more appreciated for not being
+seen along with so many other beauties."</p>
+
+<p>"I am the only one who has no finery to exhibit,"
+remarked Virginia in an ill used tone.
+But they were already on the way to Mrs. Leland's
+room and no one seemed to hear or heed
+the complaint, everybody being too much
+engrossed with the business in hand to take
+notice of her ill-humor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But it was Saturday evening and the Parsonage
+and Magnolia Hall people returned to their
+homes at an early hour, taking their guests with
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, daughter," Captain Raymond said,
+turning to Lulu as the last carriage disappeared
+from sight, "go at once to your own room and
+prepare for bed."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; and must I say good-night now
+to you?" she asked in a low tone, close at his
+ear.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he returned, with a smile, "I will be
+with you presently for a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>She looked her thanks, and hastened to obey.</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite ready for bed, papa," she said
+when he came into her room. "Please mayn't
+I sit on your knee for five or ten minutes?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is just what I want you to do," he
+said, taking possession of an easy chair and
+drawing her to the coveted place. "I must have
+a little talk with my dear eldest daughter," he
+continued, smoothing her hair and cheek caressingly.</p>
+
+<p>"What about, papa dear?" she asked, nestling
+closer in his arms. "I haven't been misbehaving,
+have I? You are not displeased with
+me, are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear child; only afraid that you may
+be caring too much about dress and finery, and
+that perhaps I am not altogether blameless in regard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+to that&mdash;that I may not have guarded my
+dear little girl against it as I should."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid that perhaps I do care too much
+about it, papa dear," she sighed, hanging her
+head, while blushes dyed her cheek; "but I'm
+sure it is all my own fault, not yours at all; so
+please don't feel badly about it."</p>
+
+<p>He took up her Bible, opened it, and read,
+"Whose adorning, let it not be that outward
+adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing
+of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it
+be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is
+not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and
+quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
+great price. For after this manner in the old
+time the holy women also, who trusted in God,
+adorned themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, is it wrong to wear nice, pretty
+clothes, and to enjoy having them?" she asked,
+as he closed the book and laid it aside. "Is
+that what is meant in those verses?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think not," he said; "if I understood it in
+that way I should feel it wrong to allow a daughter
+of mine to wear them. I think it means
+that you are not to care too much about such
+adornment, but more, much more, for that other
+and greater adornment, even the hidden man of
+the heart, the ornament of a meek and quiet
+spirit, remembering that in the sight of God it
+is of great price, worth infinitely more than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+any ornament of gold, the richest jewels, or the
+finest attire. Cultivate that with all diligence,
+my own darling child, if you desire to
+please and honor your heavenly Father and make
+yourself even dearer than you now are to your
+earthly one, and lovelier in his eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I do, papa! I do want to please and honor
+God, and you too; I want to be just a joy and
+blessing and comfort to you, my own dear,
+dear father! I don't think you have any idea
+how very, very dearly I love you, papa," putting
+her arms about his neck and kissing him
+over and over again. "Gracie and I think&mdash;indeed
+we feel quite sure&mdash;that no other children
+ever had such a dear, good, kind father as ours.
+And I know Max thinks the same."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter, I delight in having you and
+all my children think so, however mistaken you
+maybe," he said, with a pleased smile, holding
+her close and returning her caresses; "and it
+certainly is the earnest desire of my heart to be
+the best, kindest, and dearest of fathers to the
+darling children God has given me."</p>
+
+<p>"As I am sure you are, dear papa," she said.
+"I never have any doubt of it at all, even when
+you punish me. And, papa," she added, with
+an effort, "if you think finery bad for me, I am
+willing to be dressed just as plainly as you
+think best."</p>
+
+<p>"That is my own dear little girl," he returned,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+with a gratified look; "but I have not
+been dressing you better&mdash;more richly, gayly, or
+tastefully&mdash;than seems to me right and proper;
+also, I think quite as much sin may be committed
+by being proud of plainness in dress as proud of
+wearing finery. What I am aiming at is to
+have my little daughter look upon dress as a secondary
+matter, and feel far more anxious to be
+one who is pleasing in the sight of her heavenly
+Father than one admired and envied by some
+earthly creature as the possessor of wealth, and
+fine or costly raiment. In short, I want you to
+feel that the style and richness of your attire is
+a matter of little consequence, while to live in
+the light of God's countenance, pleasing and
+honoring him and growing in holiness and conformity
+to his will, is to be desired and striven
+for beyond everything else."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa," she said softly, "I will ask God
+to help me to do so; and you will pray for me
+too, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I will, my darling; we will kneel
+down and ask him now; ask for help to keep from
+indulging in worldly mindedness and vanity,
+and that our earnest desire and effort may ever
+be to serve and honor and glorify him in all our
+words and ways."</p>
+
+<p>"My own dear father," she said, when they
+had risen from their knees, "I am sure that if
+I don't grow up a good Christian the fault will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+not be yours." Then, glancing at the bed
+where Grace lay in a profound sleep, "I am so
+glad and thankful that I am not feeble like poor,
+dear Gracie, because if I had to go to bed and
+to sleep so early as she almost always does, I'd
+miss these nice talks from you. But, fortunately,
+she doesn't need so much help to be good as I do.
+Ah, papa, I've given you a great deal more
+trouble to train me up right than she ever has,
+or will."</p>
+
+<p>"My darling," he said, "if you only grow up
+to be a noble, useful Christian woman, such as
+I hope one day to see you, I shall feel more than
+repaid for all the anxiety, care, and trouble of
+your training."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Guests</span> and entertainers, old and young, went
+to church the next morning, riding, driving, or
+walking, as best suited the inclination of each.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon there was the usual gathering
+of the house servants and field hands on the
+lawn, near the veranda, where the family and
+guests were seated, and Mr. Dinsmore, Dr.
+Landreth, and Captain Raymond each gave them
+a little talk suited to their capacities, and the
+sacredness of the day, and their needs as members
+of the fallen race of man.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, standing before them with an
+open Bible in his hand, said, "My friends, I
+want to talk with you a little, about some of the
+words spoken by the Apostle Paul when he was
+taking leave of the elders of the Church at
+Ephesus. He told them that he had been testifying
+both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
+repentance toward God and faith toward our
+Lord Jesus Christ. Now, what is meant by repentance
+toward God? It is a feeling of true
+sorrow for our sins against him (and everything
+wrong we have done, or thought, or felt was a
+sin against God). And what is it to have faith<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>
+toward our Lord Jesus Christ? To believe in
+him as one abundantly able and willing to save
+us&mdash;to save us from sin, from the love of it,
+and the punishment due to us for it. We are
+all sinners; we have all come short of the glory
+of God, neglecting many things that we ought
+to have done, and doing very many things that
+we ought not to have done. We are all born
+with a sinful nature, and God only can change
+it, so that we will hate sin and love holiness: he
+only can give us true faith in his dear Son the
+Lord Christ.</p>
+
+<p>"'By grace are ye saved through faith; and
+that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.'
+We are saved by grace; it is only of God's
+undeserved goodness, not because we have done
+or can do anything pleasing in his sight. Paul
+speaks in this same chapter of the Gospel of the
+grace of God. Gospel means good news, and
+what could be better news than that? that God
+offers us salvation of his free, unmerited grace?
+What an offer that is! salvation as his free, undeserved
+gift, without money, and without price.
+His offer is, 'Come unto me and be ye saved all
+ye ends of the earth.' No one is left out; this
+wonderful offer is to each one of us, and to every
+other inhabitant of this world, so that if any
+one fails to be saved, the fault will be all his
+own. For God has said, 'I have no pleasure in
+the death of him that dieth: wherefore turn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+yourselves and live ye.' And oh, how plain he
+has made it that he does love us and would
+have us live! 'For God so loved the world that
+he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
+believeth in him should not perish, but have
+everlasting life.'"</p>
+
+<p>The service was not a long one, and when it
+was over the captain repaired to the school-room
+with Lulu and Grace to hear them recite
+their Bible verses and catechism.</p>
+
+<p>When that duty had been attended to, "Now,
+daughters," he said, "if you have anything
+to say, or questions suitable to the sacredness
+of the day to ask, I am ready to listen and reply
+to the best of my ability; but even a child
+may ask a question that a grown person cannot
+answer," he added with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, papa," said Grace, putting an arm
+round his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to
+his, "I think you do know 'most everything;
+and I'm oh! so glad God gave you to me for
+my own father."</p>
+
+<p>"I know you are, Gracie, I'm sure of it; but
+you can't be gladder than I am that he is my
+father, too," said Lulu, lifting to his eyes full of
+filial love and reverence.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor than I am that these two little girls are
+my very own," responded the captain, holding
+both in a close embrace. "But now for the
+questions."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have one to ask, papa," said Lulu. "It is,
+what does the Bible mean by growing in grace?"</p>
+
+<p>"Growing in likeness to Jesus and in conformity
+to his will; having more and more of the
+love and fear of God in our hearts; more faith
+and patience, and more love to our fellow-creatures;
+for the more we love the Master, the more
+will we love those whom he died to redeem."</p>
+
+<p>"And the more we love him, the more we will
+try to be like him?" Lulu said in a tone of mingled
+assertion and inquiry.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my child; and it is the dearest wish of
+my heart that I may see my children thus growing
+in grace, and in likeness to the dear Master."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I want to," said Grace softly; "oh, I
+want to, very much!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then ask God to help you, my darling, remembering
+that he is the hearer and answerer
+of prayer."</p>
+
+<p>"And you will ask him for both of us, won't
+you, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will, I do, my darling; there is never a
+day when I do not pray earnestly for each one
+of my dear children, that God will make them
+his own true followers and keep them in every
+time of trial and temptation, taking them safely
+to heaven at last. Life in this world is exceedingly
+short compared with the eternal existence
+which awaits us all in another&mdash;that life of infinite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+joy and blessedness at God's right hand,
+or of everlasting, untold misery, unending, inconceivable
+anguish, in the blackness of darkness,
+shut out forever from his presence," he
+added in moved tones. "God in his infinite
+goodness and mercy grant that the first and not
+the last may be the portion of each one of my
+beloved children!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, papa," said Grace softly, "how can any
+one help loving the dear Saviour who died that
+we might go to heaven and not to that other
+awful place!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said Lulu, "I do want to love him
+more and serve him better! When I think of
+his wonderful goodness and love to us poor
+sinners, I'm just as ashamed as I can be that I
+don't love him at all as I ought, and am so often
+ill-tempered and selfish and bad. Papa, I do
+really think it is kind and good in you to punish
+me when I deserve it, and need it to make
+me a better girl."</p>
+
+<p>"And I shall be very glad indeed if you never
+again make it necessary for me to do so," he
+responded.</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope I won't," she returned. "Papa,
+I'm very much afraid I'll be thinking and talking
+to-day about the wedding and what everybody
+is going to wear at it, and I know I won't
+be in half so much danger of doing so if I keep
+close to you; so mayn't I?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter; I am always glad to have
+you near me," he said kindly; "and it pleases
+me that you are desirous to avoid temptation to
+do wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"And you are just as willing to let me keep
+near you, papa?" Grace said inquiringly, and
+with a wistful, pleading look up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, my dear little daughter. I love
+you not a whit less than I do your sister," he
+said, drawing her into a closer embrace. "However,
+you may both stay here reading your Bibles
+and Sunday school books for a half hour
+longer. Then I will come for you and you may
+spend the rest of the day as close to your father's
+side as you choose." With that he left them.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a dear, good father as ours is!" exclaimed
+Lulu, gazing after him with loving, admiring
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed! I am sure there couldn't be a
+better or dearer one. Oh, I do love him so!"
+said Grace, turning over the leaves of her Bible.
+"Let's read verse about, Lu."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm agreed; and let it be the Book of
+Esther. I do think that is such a lovely story."</p>
+
+<p>"So it is; and so is Ruth, and that's shorter.
+I don't believe we'll have time to read all of
+Esther before papa comes for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe not," assented Lulu; "so we will
+read Ruth."</p>
+
+<p>They had finished the story and were talking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+it over together when their father came. It
+was then nearly tea time.</p>
+
+<p>Sacred music filled up most of the evening,
+and all the young girls and boys retired early to
+bed that they might be ready for the pleasures
+and employments of the coming day. The older
+people sat somewhat longer upon the veranda,
+conversing upon topics suited to the sacredness
+of the day. They were Christians, and loved to
+speak of the Master and the things concerning
+his kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>"Then they that feared the Lord spake often
+one to another: and the Lord hearkened and
+heard it, and a book of remembrance was written
+before him for them that feared the Lord and
+that thought upon his name. And they shall be
+mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when
+I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as
+a man spareth his own son that serveth him."</p>
+
+<p>As usual, Lulu was up early the next morning,
+and joined her father in a walk under the trees
+along the bank of the bayou.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter, has the rest of the Sabbath
+made you ready for work in the school-room
+again?" he asked, smiling down affectionately
+into her face, rosy, bright, and happy with health
+and gay spirits.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa, I feel more like it than I did on
+Saturday," she answered, lifting to his sparkling
+eyes, full of affection.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I rejoice to hear it," he said; "for it is by
+no means a pleasant task to me when I have to
+compel a pupil&mdash;whether one of my own children
+or the child of someone else&mdash;against his
+or her inclination; though I enjoy teaching
+when all are happy and interested."</p>
+
+<p>"As we all ought to be when we have such a
+good, kind, wise teacher, dear papa," she returned.
+"It will be difficult, very difficult, I'm
+afraid, to give my mind to lessons when we are
+all so much taken up with the preparations for the
+wedding, but I'm determined to try my very
+best to do so to please my dearest, kindest,
+best of fathers," lifting his hand to her
+lips.</p>
+
+<p>"A father who would far rather be obeyed
+from love than fear," he said, with a tender,
+loving look down into her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know you would, papa, and my love
+for you is, oh! ever so much stronger than my
+fear; though I own I am afraid of your displeasure
+and punishments, for I know you can
+punish severely when you think it your duty
+and for my good; but I respect and love you
+too a great deal more than I would or could if
+you indulged me in bad behavior."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt it," he said; "and I, as I have
+often told you, punish you when I deem it
+needful, because I know you will be the happier
+in the end for being compelled to try to conquer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+your faults; happier than you ever could be
+if allowed to indulge them."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa, I know that is so; I am never
+at all happy when indulging wrong tempers and
+feelings," she acknowledged, with another loving
+look up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment they were joined by Evelyn
+and Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Brother Levis," said Rosie, "you surely are
+not going to be so unreasonable and tyrannical
+as to require lessons of us to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid I am, little sister," he replied,
+with a smile, "and I hope you are not going to
+be so naughty and rebellious as to require any
+kind of discipline?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," she said, with a pretended
+pout; "I feel no inclination at all toward lessons,
+but a very strong one in favor of a ride
+or drive over to Magnolia Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"Which can be gratified when study and recitations
+have been duly attended to," returned
+the captain; "and if in need of an escort you
+may call upon me for that service."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, a thousand thanks! that will do very
+well indeed!" she exclaimed in a tone of relief
+and pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"And all the good and industrious little girls
+may go along," added the captain, with a smiling
+look into Lulu's eagerly inquiring face.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, papa; thank you very much!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+she exclaimed joyously. "I do want to go, and
+intend to be as industrious as possible, and as
+good and obedient, so that you can take me.
+And you'll take Gracie too if she wants to go,
+won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," he said; "Gracie deserves all
+the indulgences and pleasures I can give her."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very kind indeed, Captain, to spend
+so much of your time in teaching us to-day; for
+I feel very sure you would enjoy going to Magnolia
+Hall with the other gentlemen and the
+ladies this morning," remarked Evelyn, with a
+grateful, affectionate look up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, my dear," he replied. "It would
+be pleasant to me to go, but it is also a pleasure
+to help my own children, and other appreciative
+pupils, to climb the hill of science."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Grace and little Elsie came running
+to meet them, and the next minute the
+breakfast bell summoned them all to the house.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast followed family worship,
+school, play-time, then dinner, and, late in the
+afternoon, the pleasant drive through the woods
+to Magnolia Hall. It was only for a call, however,
+and at tea-time the Viamede family and
+all their guests gathered about the table there.</p>
+
+<p>From then until the wedding day the young
+folks were in a state of pleasurable excitement,
+though the captain kept his pupils steadily at
+their work, and they found it not impossible to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
+fix their minds upon their studies for a portion
+of each day. The other relatives invited
+had arrived, and in a few days the marriage
+was to take place.</p>
+
+<p>It was Saturday morning. Scarcely two hours
+had been spent in the school-room when the captain
+dismissed his pupils, telling them, with his
+pleasant smile, that they had done very well indeed,
+and would be allowed a holiday until the
+wedding festivities were over, an announcement
+no one was sorry to hear, although he had
+made the lessons interesting and enjoyable to
+them as ever since undertaking the work of
+teaching them. All returned warm thanks, and
+Rosie, Evelyn, and Walter hastened from the
+room, which Captain Raymond had already left;
+but his two little girls lingered there a while
+longer, putting their desks in perfect order.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie," said Lulu, "how much money have
+you left?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a single cent," was the reply in a rather
+rueful tone; "and I suppose yours is all gone
+too?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; every cent of it. I feel as poor as a
+church mouse."</p>
+
+<p>"But we are not wanting to buy anything
+just now, and papa will be giving us some
+pocket-money again pretty soon," returned
+Grace in a determinedly cheerful tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so he will! Oh, what a dear, good,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+kind father he is! I really don't believe there
+are very many girls of our ages that get so
+much pocket-money every week. And papa
+gave us so much extra money too, to use in
+buying our gifts for Cousin Betty."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, and now I think of it, I don't believe
+we ought to expect any more pocket-money
+for a good while. Do you, Lu?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't; for this wedding's costing a
+good deal&mdash;to papa as well as other folks; and
+the journey home will cost ever so much, besides
+all that papa paid to bring us here. Then, too,
+he's going to see Max again after we get home,
+and will maybe take one or both of us along&mdash;if
+we're good."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do you think so?" exclaimed Grace.
+"Oh, I'd love to see Maxie! but if only one of
+us can go it ought to be you, because you're
+the oldest, and so well that it wouldn't give
+papa half so much trouble to take care of you
+as of me."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm just sure papa doesn't think it any
+trouble to take care of you, Gracie," returned
+Lulu in her quick, earnest way. "And you
+are a better girl than I, therefore more deserving
+of such indulgences."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a mistake of yours, Lu," said Grace;
+"you've been good as gold ever since we came
+to Viamede&mdash;as well as before&mdash;and helped papa
+with your typewriter, while I haven't done<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+anything but wait on him a little, and try to
+learn my lessons well, and amuse the little ones
+sometimes."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu's face had grown very red while Grace
+was speaking, and she hung her head in a shamefaced,
+remorseful way.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Gracie," she said in a low, mortified
+tone, "I haven't been half so good as you think;
+I displeased papa very much that day when you
+all went to Magnolia Hall, and I had to stay at
+home and learn my lessons over. I was very
+angry and cross with dear little Ned because
+he meddled with my herbarium, which I had
+carelessly left lying out on my desk. If papa
+had punished me very severely it would have
+been no more than I deserved, but all he did
+was to send me to my room for a while till I
+told him how sorry I was and asked forgiveness
+of him, and Neddie, too."</p>
+
+<p>Grace looked surprised. "No, I never heard
+a word of it before," she said; "but I'm sure
+you did all you could when you asked
+forgiveness of both of them&mdash;papa and
+Neddie."</p>
+
+<p>The little girls had no idea that their father
+was within hearing, yet such was the case, and
+their little talk pleased him greatly.</p>
+
+<p>"The darlings!" he said to himself, "they
+shall not be long penniless, for their father thinks
+them very worthy to be trusted with pocket-money.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+Two more unselfish children I am
+sure it would be hard to find."</p>
+
+<p>With that he rose and went to the library, to
+which they presently followed him, asking
+if there were anything he wanted them to
+do.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it is your play-time, daughters," he
+returned, with a loving smile into the bright
+young faces.</p>
+
+<p>"But we'd like to do something to help you,
+dear papa," Grace said, laying her small, white
+hand on his arm, and looking lovingly up into
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed we would, papa," said Lulu,
+standing on his other side, and putting her arm
+round his neck. "Please, if you have letters
+to answer, mayn't I write them for you on my
+typewriter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Does my dear eldest daughter deem that a
+privilege?" he asked, smiling down into her beseeching
+eyes, while he put one arm round her,
+the other about Grace's waist, and drew both in
+between his knees, kissing first one and then the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I do, papa," Lulu answered in an
+earnest tone; "it's very sweet to me to feel that
+I am of even a little use to my dear, dear father,
+who does so much for me, taking so much trouble
+to teach me, and gives me so many, many
+nice things to eat, to wear, to read, and to amuse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+myself with&mdash;so many that it would take quite
+a long while to count them all up."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that reminds me," he said, taking out
+his pocket-book, "I shouldn't wonder if my little
+girls had about emptied their purses in buying
+gifts for the bride that is to be, and so forth.
+Get them out and let me see what can be done
+toward replenishing them."</p>
+
+<p>He noted with pleasure that as he spoke each
+young face grew very bright.</p>
+
+<p>"We've left them upstairs, papa," said Lulu,
+"and though you're ever so kind," hugging and
+kissing him again, "we don't want to take any
+more now when you have to spend so very
+much on the wedding, and to take us all home
+to Woodburn."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed we don't, you dear, dear papa,"
+chimed in Grace, nestling closer to him and patting
+his cheek lovingly.</p>
+
+<p>"My precious darlings!" he said, holding
+them close, "your father can spare it without
+denying himself or anybody else anything at all
+needful; and he feels very sure that he could
+not get more enjoyment out of it in any other
+way. So get your purses and bring them here
+to me," he concluded, releasing them from his
+embrace.</p>
+
+<p>They ran joyfully to do his bidding, and on
+their return each found a little pile of money
+waiting for her&mdash;two clean, fresh one dollar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>
+bills, two silver half dollars, four quarters, and
+ten dimes; all looking as if just issued from
+the mint.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! oh!" they cried, "how much! and
+all so bright and new!" Lulu adding, "Papa,
+are you quite, quite sure you can really spare all
+this without being&mdash;embarrassed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite sure," he returned, regarding
+her with a twinkle of fun in his eyes; "I really
+think I should not be greatly embarrassed if
+called upon for twice as much."</p>
+
+<p>At that Lulu drew a long breath of relief,
+while Grace threw her arms about his neck, saying,
+"You dear, dear papa! I don't believe any
+other children ever had such a good, kind father
+as ours."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, I really hope there are a great
+many other fathers quite as good and kind as
+yours," he said, with a smile, pinching the
+round, rosy cheek, kissing the ruby lips, and
+fondly stroking the soft, shining curls of her
+pretty head.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so," said Lulu, "but I'm just sure
+there's not another one I could love so, so
+dearly as ours. I do think God was very good
+to me in making me yours, papa. Your very
+own little daughter."</p>
+
+<p>"And me too," said Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; good to me as well as to you," responded
+the captain, "for my darlings seem to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+me the dearest, most lovable children in the
+world. Well, Lulu daughter, you may help
+me with your machine for a half hour, if you
+wish."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, papa; yes, indeed! I'll be glad to!"
+she exclaimed, hastening to uncover it, put in
+the paper, and seat herself before it, while her
+father took up a letter, glanced over the contents,
+then began his dictation.</p>
+
+<p>It was a business note and had no interest
+for Grace, who presently wandered out upon the
+veranda with her well filled purse in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>Grandma Elsie sat there alone, reading.
+"What a bright, happy face, my little Gracie,"
+she said, glancing up from her book as the child
+drew near. "Has some special good come to
+you, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'am; see!" exclaimed the little girl,
+displaying her well filled purse; "it was empty,
+and my dear papa has just filled it. You see,
+Grandma Elsie," drawing near and lowering her
+voice, "I was wanting to buy a few things for
+good-by presents to some of the poor old colored
+folks, but I'd spent every cent of my money and
+thought I'd have to give it up; and I'm oh, so
+glad that I won't have to now. And&mdash;Oh, Grandma
+Elsie, you and mamma will help me to
+think what will be best to get for them, won't
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will be very glad to do anything I can to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>
+help you, dear child," replied Grandma Elsie
+in her low, sweet tones, and softly stroking the
+golden curls as the little girl stood close at her
+side. "Suppose you get a pencil and paper
+from the school-room and make out a list of
+those to whom you wish to give, and opposite to
+each name the gift that seems most suitable."</p>
+
+<p>Grace's reply was a joyful assent, and she
+hurried away in search of the required articles.</p>
+
+<p>She was not gone more than a very few minutes,
+but on her return found that her Mamma
+Vi, Rosie, and Evelyn had joined Grandma Elsie
+on the veranda, had been told by her what was
+the business in hand, and were desirous to have
+a share in it.</p>
+
+<p>They had a pleasant time over their lists,
+each making out one for herself, while Lulu finished
+the work she had undertaken for her
+father. They decided to write to the city for
+what was wanted, and that anyone else who
+wished could send at the same time; so that matter
+was satisfactorily disposed of.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, struck by a sudden
+thought, "suppose I run to the library and tell
+papa and Lu about it, and get him to tell her
+what to say, and let her write on the typewriter
+for the things?"</p>
+
+<p>Everyone thought it an excellent idea, and
+Grace immediately carried it out.</p>
+
+<p>"I quite approve," her father said, when she
+had told her story and made her request.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I too," said Lulu, "and I'll join you if papa
+will help me to decide what to buy. I'll write
+the letter too, if he will tell me what to say."</p>
+
+<p>"I am entirely willing to do both, daughter,"
+he said. "Let us set to work at once, as it will
+soon be dinner-time, and I want to take my
+little girls out for a drive this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, papa, thank you very much!"
+they cried in joyous tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Is anybody else going, papa?" asked Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Grandma Elsie, Mamma Vi, and our
+little ones, in our carriage; as many more as
+may wish to go either in other carriages or on
+horseback. Perhaps you would prefer to ride
+your pony?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; not if you are to be in the carriage
+I may ride in."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, you are very fond of being with your
+father," he said, with a pleased smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; yes, indeed! just as close as I can
+get," stroking and patting his cheek, then pressing
+her lips to it in an ardent kiss.</p>
+
+<p>"And it's exactly the same with me, you dear,
+darling papa!" exclaimed Grace, putting an arm
+round his neck. "And it's exactly the same
+with every one of your children from big Maxie
+down to baby Ned."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it is, and it makes me very happy
+to think so," he replied. "But now, my dears,
+we must to work on our list of articles."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a large party that set out from Viamede
+shortly after leaving the dinner-table.
+Most of the young people&mdash;among them Chester,
+Frank, Maud, and Sydney Dinsmore, Evelyn
+Leland, Rosie and Walter Travilla&mdash;preferred
+riding.</p>
+
+<p>These, having swifter steeds, presently distanced
+the rest of the riders, as well as those
+who were driving, and in passing a plantation,
+which was the home of Nettie Vance, an old
+school-mate of the Viamede young folks at the
+time, several years before, of their attendance
+at Oakdale Academy, they were joined by her
+and a young man whom she introduced as her
+brother, both well mounted and looking merry
+and happy.</p>
+
+<p>"Bob and I were just starting out for a ride,"
+she said, "and consider ourselves fortunate in
+meeting with such good company. May I take
+my place alongside of you, Miss Leland? I have
+a bit of news to tell which I think will interest
+you and Miss Travilla. It is that Signor Foresti,
+who, as you will doubtless remember, was a
+teacher of music&mdash;anything but an agreeable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+one, by the way&mdash;at Oakdale Academy when we
+were there together, is quite ill, partly from an
+accident, partly from drink, and extremely poor.
+I must say I hardly pity him very much for that
+last, but I do feel sorry for his wife and children."</p>
+
+<p>"I too," said Evelyn. "I wish it were in my
+power to relieve them, but my purse is about
+empty just at present. However, I will report
+the matter at Viamede, and I am sure the kind
+friends there will see that something is done
+toward supplying their pressing needs."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," returned Nettie, "I have heard a
+great deal of the kindness and benevolence of
+Mrs. Travilla and her father; of Captain Raymond's
+also; though I for one could hardly
+blame him if he utterly refused to give any
+assistance to a man who had abused his daughter
+as Foresti did Lulu."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," said Evelyn; "yet I feel almost
+certain that he will assist Foresti. He would
+not let the wife and children suffer for the man's
+ill deeds, nor indeed the man himself, unless I
+am greatly mistaken; for the captain is a truly
+Christian gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed he is," said Rosie, "and very benevolent;
+exceedingly kind to the poor; to anyone
+who is in distress of any kind. I am very
+proud of that brother-in-law of mine, Nettie,
+and don't care who knows it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I do not wonder at that," returned Nettie.
+"I certainly should be if he were mine; it is
+very plain from the way in which Lulu and
+Gracie look at him that they are both fond and
+proud of their father."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor do I wonder at it," said Robert Vance,
+joining in the conversation. "Nettie pointed
+him out to me at church last Sunday, and I remarked
+then that he was as fine looking a man
+as ever I saw; tall, straight, handsome in feature,
+and of most noble countenance."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," Rosie said, with a smile and a
+bow. "I think him all that, and as noble in
+character as in looks. It is my opinion that my
+sister Violet drew a prize in the matrimonial
+lottery; and the captain also, for Vi is in every
+way worthy of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," returned the young man, "one
+glance at her is sufficient to assure one of that."</p>
+
+<p>Rosie and Evelyn then asked where the
+Forestis were to be found, and what were their
+most pressing needs, and having learned those
+particulars, promised that someone from Viamede
+would call to see and relieve them, Rosie
+adding, with a smile, "We, as you probably
+know, are busy with preparations for a wedding
+in the family, yet I have no doubt some one or
+more among us could find time to attend to this
+call for help."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Walter, who had been quietly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>
+listening to the talk, "mamma will be sure to
+find time for such an act of kindness; she
+always does."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure of it," responded Nettie heartily,
+"from her sweet looks and all I have heard of
+her. And so your cousin, Miss Johnson, is
+going to be married?" she added, looking at
+Rosie. "We received our invitations yesterday,
+and are busy with our preparations. It
+must be delightful to have such a thing coming
+off in the family; particularly to be the bride;
+for I hear it is to be quite a grand affair and the
+match an excellent one."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," returned Rosie, "we are all much
+pleased with what we have heard of the gentleman,
+and I hope they are going to be very happy
+together."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, indeed," responded Nettie. "I
+am but slightly acquainted with Miss Johnson,
+but have always liked her looks."</p>
+
+<p>It was near tea-time when the Viamede party
+reached home again; the ladies and little girls
+had barely time to dress for the evening before
+the summons to the table.</p>
+
+<p>It was while all where seated about it that
+Rosie and Evelyn told of the news learned from
+Nettie Vance in regard to Signor Foresti and
+his family.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, poor things! we must do something for
+them," Grandma Elsie said, when the story was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>
+finished. "Papa, shall we stop there to-morrow
+on our way to or from church? It would be a
+work of mercy suited to the day, I think. Do
+not you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Mr. Dinsmore; "and it might
+be well to carry a basket of provisions with us."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu had listened in silence while the others
+were talking, and all through the evening she
+had but little to say, seeming much of the time
+lost in thought, though usually she was quite
+talkative, unless, as occasionally happened,
+checked by a slight reminder from her father
+that it would be more becoming in a child of
+her age to show herself a quiet listener to
+older people.</p>
+
+<p>The captain noticed her abstraction, but,
+guessing at the cause, said nothing about it till
+they were alone together in her bedroom; then,
+drawing her to his knee, "My little girl has
+been unusually silent this evening," he said.
+"Is anything wrong with her?"</p>
+
+<p>She drew a long sigh. "I have been trying
+to decide a question of duty, papa," she said,
+"and, please&mdash;I'd like you to tell me what to do."</p>
+
+<p>"In regard to what, daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Giving a part of my money&mdash;the money you
+put into my purse this morning&mdash;to&mdash;to the Forestis."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it would be right and kind for you
+to do so. Do not you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; and I will do it," she said with
+sudden determination. "It will be returning
+good for evil, as the Bible bids us; won't it,
+papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and I think will help you to forgive
+the man for his ill treatment of my dear little
+daughter," drawing her closer and kissing her
+fondly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; even the resolve has made me feel
+more kindly toward him. How much ought I
+to give, papa? I hardly think I'll have very
+much left after I've paid for the presents I've
+sent for, for the servants here."</p>
+
+<p>"No, not a very great deal, I presume; but
+you are not likely to need much before there will
+be more pocket-money coming to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, sir, I'll not, of course, because my
+dear, dear father provides everything I need to
+eat or wear, and pays my travelling expenses
+too, so that I'm not really obliged to spend anything
+on myself," she said, putting an arm
+about his neck and laying her cheek lovingly
+to his. "Papa, do you think a dollar will be
+enough for me to give the Forestis?"</p>
+
+<p>"You may decide that question for yourself,
+my darling," he said, patting her cheek and
+stroking her hair; "I leave it entirely to you to
+give much, little, or nothing, as conscience and
+inclination dictate."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, papa; you are very kind to say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>
+that; but please tell me if you think a dollar
+will be enough for me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do," was his reply, and Lulu looked
+satisfied and relieved.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad, papa," she said, "for I really do
+not know that I shall have more than that left
+after paying for the presents for the servants;
+and of course I can't give more than I have."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite true," he returned, with a slight smile.
+"I would have you make it a rule never to go
+into debt for your own gratification or for any
+other object. 'Out of debt, out of danger,' is
+an old and wise saying. Now, daughter, it is
+time to say good-night; but first let me remind
+you that to-morrow is the Lord's day, and to be
+kept holy. Try not to think of the exciting
+events expected in the coming week, but to spend
+the time in the worship of God and the study
+of his word, that you may grow in grace and
+conformity to his will, thus becoming 'meet for
+the inheritance of the saints in light,' and ready,
+when he shall call you away from earth, to dwell
+forever with him in that holy, happy land where
+sin and sorrow are unknown. We will kneel
+down together now for a moment and ask him to
+help us both to do so, 'running with patience
+the race set before us, ever looking unto Jesus
+the author and finisher of our faith.'"</p>
+
+<p>Sunday was passed by the Viamede family in
+the usual quiet way, most of its hours filled up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>
+with divine service in the sanctuary or at home,
+and all retired to rest at an early hour, to rise
+the next morning in renewed health and
+strength, the children rejoicing in their holiday
+and the near approach of the wedding
+festivities.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore had the day before,
+on their way to church, called upon the Italian
+music teacher, taking with them delicacies for
+the sick man, and other articles of food for the
+rest of the family; some money also, in which
+was included Lulu's dollar; and finding the
+services of a physician were needed, had engaged
+to send one.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Dick Percival undertook the errand,
+made a professional call, and on his return reported
+the man quite ill, but likely to recover
+with good and competent nursing. He went
+over again on Monday morning, but called first
+at Viamede to report to his uncle Dinsmore and
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu was present at the interview and heard
+with interest all that Cousin Dick had to tell
+about the signor and his family.</p>
+
+<p>"There are three children," said Dick&mdash;"forlorn
+looking little creatures, with apparently no
+playthings except a few broken bits of china,
+and for doll babies, some corn cobs wrapped
+in rags."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, papa," exclaimed little Elsie, seated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+upon her father's knee, "mayn't I send dem
+some of my dollies?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you want to do so," he replied, smiling
+upon her, and smoothing her curls caressingly
+with his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"And I will hunt up some playthings for
+them too, if I may, papa," said Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," he said; "you may do so at once,
+and we three and Gracie will drive over there in
+the carriage, which I will order immediately;
+that is, if Cousin Dick does not object to our
+company?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not by any means, Captain; I shall be delighted
+to have it," said Dr. Percival. "And
+will you drive over with me, Art?" turning to
+Dr. Conley.</p>
+
+<p>"With pleasure, Dick," was the reply, and in
+a short time all were on their way, the children
+well laden with toys and sweets for the little
+Forestis.</p>
+
+<p>Violet had been invited to accompany her
+husband, but declined because of some preparations
+still to be made for the wedding. Little
+Ned, however, had no such excuse, and gladly
+made one of the merry little party in his father's
+carriage.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Percival, having other patients needing
+his attention, said he intended to make but a
+short call upon the Italian, and the captain did
+not think it worth while for his children to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>
+alight; but from the carriage they witnessed
+with delight the pleasure conferred upon the
+little Forestis by their gifts.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Raymond left them for a few moments
+while he went in to see the sick man, to
+whom he spoke with the utmost kindness, condoling
+with him on his sufferings, and inquiring
+if they were very great.</p>
+
+<p>"De bains ish ver bad, sare," replied the
+man, with a heavy sigh. Then, with an earnest
+look into the captain's face, his own flushing
+hotly, "You, sare, ish de fader off Mees Lu Raymond?"
+he said inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am, sir," replied the captain with some
+sternness of look and tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Mees Lu, she bees one goot leetle girl for
+send me that monish yesterday," continued
+Foresti; "dot make me ver sorry I haf so leetle
+batience mit her dat time she sthrike me mit de
+music book."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Captain Raymond, "and I trust
+that when you are again able to teach you will
+try to be more patient and forbearing with your
+pupils. It will be better for both you and
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sare, I vill try dat blan; but mine batience
+bees sorely dried mit de mishtakes off
+dose careless bupils I haf to teach."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say that is true," said the captain,
+"but one who finds it impossible to have patience<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+with pupils, should try some other way of making
+a livelihood than by teaching."</p>
+
+<p>In another minute or two the captain left&mdash;not
+waiting for the doctors, who were, as he knew,
+going in another direction&mdash;re-entered his
+carriage, and started on the return trip to
+Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," asked Lulu, "can't we take a little
+different route going home?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied in an indulgent tone, and
+gave the necessary directions to the driver.</p>
+
+<p>It was a pleasant, shady road into which they
+presently turned, and the children chatted and
+laughed right merrily, receiving no rebuke from
+their father and fearing none.</p>
+
+<p>They had not gone far on that road when
+they espied two horsemen approaching from the
+opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," cried little Elsie, "here come Cousin
+Ronald and Uncle Horace."</p>
+
+<p>"An unexpected meeting, Captain," Mr. Dinsmore
+remarked, with a bow and smile as they
+drew near.</p>
+
+<p>"But none the less pleasant," returned Captain
+Raymond.</p>
+
+<p>"Very true, sir," said Mr. Lilburn, bowing
+and smiling in his turn.</p>
+
+<p>"For the captain and you young folks, no
+doubt, but a trifle less delightful for us who
+have the load to carry," seemed to come from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>
+the mouth of one of the horses as he tossed his
+head to shake off a fly.</p>
+
+<p>"True enough, Selim. You doubtless envy
+me with only this gentleman to carry; and I pity
+you from the bottom of my heart; only that it
+must be good fun to hear those little folks chatting
+and laughing," was the answering remark
+apparently made by the horse ridden by Mr. Lilburn,
+speaking as they passed the captain's carriage.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu and Grace clapped their hands, laughing
+merrily, while baby Ned exclaimed, with a look
+of astonishment, "Me didn't fink horsey could
+talk like udder folks!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! but why did they never do it
+before?" cried little Elsie. "Papa, did you
+know they could talk?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never heard them do so before, daughter,"
+the captain said, with an amused smile
+down into the earnest, surprised little face,
+"and I suspect that it is only when Cousin
+Ronald is about that they can."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Rides</span>, drives, sports of various kinds, and
+preparations for the wedding, made the time pass
+very rapidly and pleasantly to the young folks
+at Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and the Parsonage,
+until at length all was in readiness for the expected
+festivities.</p>
+
+<p>The ceremony was to be performed at the
+church, the Rev. Cyril Keith officiating, and
+to be immediately succeeded by a wedding
+breakfast on the lawn at Magnolia Hall. That
+was to be about noon, so did not interfere with
+the usual morning meal and family devotions at
+Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>When these had been attended to, the ladies
+and young girls scattered to their rooms to dress
+for the important occasion.</p>
+
+<p>It had been arranged that Grace Raymond and
+Rose Lacy were to act as flower girls, dressed in
+white tarlatan, and white hats trimmed with
+white ribbon, and each carrying a basket filled
+with white roses, white japonicas, and smilax.
+Rose Travilla, Evelyn Leland, and Lulu Raymond,
+dressed as had been planned at the first,
+were to act as bridesmaids, while Lora Howard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+Maud and Sydney Dinsmore, were to be maids
+of honor, dressed in white, and carrying bouquets
+of white flowers.</p>
+
+<p>Betty's own dress was a rich white silk,
+trimmed with elegant and costly lace&mdash;the gift
+of her brother-in-law, Mr. Embury&mdash;and a tulle
+veil, fastened to her head with a wreath of orange
+blossoms. Her bouquet was of bride roses and
+smilax. The Dinsmore and Howard cousins
+were to act as ushers and groomsmen.</p>
+
+<p>All this had been satisfactorily arranged, and
+rehearsals gone through with several times at
+Magnolia Hall and Viamede, that each one might
+be perfect in his or her part; otherwise timid
+little Gracie could not have been induced to
+undertake her share in the ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>When she and Lulu were dressed for the occasion
+they went in search of their father to ask
+his opinion of their appearance and attire. He
+scanned each daintily attired, graceful little figure
+with a look of proud, fond affection, clasped
+them in his arms and kissed them tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>"My darlings look very sweet in their father's
+eyes," he said; "but do not be too proud of your
+appearance, for fathers are apt to see their own
+children through rose-colored glasses; and it
+is not very likely that you will attract particular
+attention among so many attendants upon the
+bride, who will doubtless be gazed upon more
+admiringly and critically than anyone else."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'm ever so glad of that, papa," Gracie said,
+with a sigh of relief; "because I don't like to
+be viewed with a critic's eye," she concluded
+with a merry, though slightly disturbed little
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear child, just try to forget yourself,
+and I have no doubt everything will go right,"
+he said, drawing both her and Lulu closer into
+his arms for a little more petting and caressing.</p>
+
+<p>That was interrupted by the entrance of
+their mamma Vi, coming upon the same errand
+that had brought them.</p>
+
+<p>"Will I do, my dear?" she asked, with a
+bright, winsome smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my Violet, my sweet and beautiful
+flower," he returned, regarding her with ardently
+admiring eyes, "I fear you will outshine the
+bride. You look very like one yourself, except
+a most becoming air of maturity; scarcely older
+and certainly not less beautiful than when you
+gave yourself to me."</p>
+
+<p>"And accepted you in return; deeds which I
+have never yet for a moment regretted," she said,
+with a coquettish smile up into his face; for he
+had put his little girls gently aside and risen to
+take a critical survey of his young and beautiful
+wife.</p>
+
+<p>"And never shall if in my power to prevent
+it, my love, my darling," he said low and tenderly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+laying a hand upon her shoulder, and
+bending down to press a fond kiss upon her lips.</p>
+
+<p>They were in the library, whither the captain
+had gone, after arraying himself for the
+wedding festival, to wait for the ladies and
+damsels who were to go under his care.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Brother Levis, I have caught you in the
+very act," laughed Rosie, dancing into the room,
+already in bridesmaid's attire, and looking but
+little less attractive than Violet herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! and what of that, little sister?" he asked.
+"Who has a better right than her husband to
+bestow caresses upon a beautiful and attractive
+woman?"</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Raymond, being my teacher, has an
+undoubted right to question me in the school-room,"
+laughed Rosie, with an arch look up
+into his face, "but&mdash;I don't know that he has
+here and now. Now please let me have your
+candid opinion of my dress and appearance."</p>
+
+<p>"You will do very well, little sister; there is
+no fault to be found with your appearance, so
+far as I can see," he answered in a non-committal
+tone, and with a mischievous twinkle of fun in
+his eye.</p>
+
+<p>At that Rosie pretended to pout. "You keep
+all your compliments for Vi," she said. "But&mdash;ah,
+here comes Eva, and I wonder if you can
+afford one to her. She is certainly worthy of it."</p>
+
+<p>Evelyn did indeed look sweet and fair in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+becoming white chip hat and her pretty dress of
+pale blue silk trimmed with lovely lace.</p>
+
+<p>Rosie's own dress was a delicate pink; Lulu's
+canary color; all of the same material.</p>
+
+<p>"That she is, in my opinion," returned the
+captain, bestowing a fatherly caress upon the
+young orphan girl, then offering the same to
+Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, you are a nice brother&mdash;my big,
+big brother, you remember," she laughed, "so I
+won't repulse you; help yourself and let us have
+it over."</p>
+
+<p>Just at that moment her mother came in,
+dressed for the wedding in a beautiful pearl-colored
+silk and point lace, a knot of white roses
+at her throat and in her belt, her lovely and
+abundant golden brown hair simply and tastefully
+arranged.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma!" exclaimed Violet, "you are the
+most beautiful and tastefully attired one among
+us!"</p>
+
+<p>"In the partial eyes of my daughter Violet,"
+was the smiling rejoinder. "But to me her
+youthful beauty far exceeds her mother's fading
+charms."</p>
+
+<p>"I incline to the opinion that the fading is
+perceptible to no eyes but your own, mother,"
+remarked the captain gallantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I also," said Violet; "a richer, riper bloom
+is all that I can see."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Or that anybody else can," added Walter,
+who, ready dressed for the wedding, had entered
+the room just in time to catch Violet's first exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>Then the other members of the family and
+the guests came flocking in, the carriages were
+announced as waiting for their living freight,
+and presently all were seated in them and on
+their way to the church, which they found
+crowded with invited guests and other spectators.</p>
+
+<p>The ceremony was short, but impressive.
+Bride, bridesmaids, flower girls, and maids of
+honor were all looking their best, and behaved
+admirably; groom, groomsmen, and ushers also,
+among whom were a brother and an intimate
+friend of the bridegroom, the young cousins
+Arthur and Walter Howard, Chester and Frank
+Dinsmore, and little Walter Travilla.</p>
+
+<p>Old Mr. Dinsmore, the uncle and guardian of
+the bride, gave her away, and was the first to
+salute, and call her by her new name on the completion
+of the ceremony, the first to congratulate
+the groom, and wish them a great deal of happiness.</p>
+
+<p>Other affectionate greetings and best wishes
+followed in quick succession; then the carriages
+were re-entered, and all drove to Magnolia Hall
+to partake of the wedding breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>The place was looking its very loveliest: the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>
+grass on the lawn like a velvet carpet of emerald
+green, spangled with many flowers of varied
+hues, which filled the air with delicious perfume,
+and there, scattered about underneath
+the magnolia, orange, and other beautiful shade
+trees, were many small tables resplendent with
+the finest napery, shining silver, cut glass, and
+delicate china, and loaded with delicate and delicious
+viands.</p>
+
+<p>Presently every table was surrounded by a
+merry group quite disposed to do justice to the
+tempting fare, and the air filled with the pleasant
+hum of happy voices and low, gleeful
+laughter.</p>
+
+<p>The bride and groom, with their attendants,
+were seated about two tables not many feet
+apart, while the older members of the Viamede
+family and Cousin Ronald occupied another,
+quite near to both; and Mr. Embury and his
+Molly, with the Parsonage family, Virginia and
+the older Embury children, filled a third, not
+far from either of the others, when presently
+Nero, a great big Newfoundland dog belonging
+to Mr. Embury, showed himself at his master's
+side, looking up wistfully into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm hungry, good master," were the words
+that seemed to come from his lips, "and surely
+your faithful dog might have a taste of this
+feast."</p>
+
+<p>At that some of the guests looked startled and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>
+astounded, too much surprised to speak, but Mr.
+Embury, who was not ignorant of Cousin Ronald's
+talents, though a little startled at first,
+recovered his wits instantly, and replying, "Certainly,
+certainly, Nero; that's only fair," handed
+the dog a generous bit of chicken, and bade him
+carry it to a distance and eat it. An order
+which was promptly obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! that's a bright and
+capable dog, Mr. Embury," remarked Cousin
+Ronald, elevating his eyebrows in mock surprise.
+"What would you take for him, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is not for sale, Mr. Lilburn," was Mr.
+Embury's grave rejoinder. "You must surely
+see for yourself, sir, that he is no ordinary dog,
+but an uncommonly valuable animal. There
+are not many of his race who can speak so
+plainly."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! that is very true,
+sir. I don't wonder you are not inclined to
+part with him, for it is no easy matter to find a
+dog that can speak such good English, nor for
+that matter any other language."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, they are scarce indeed," said Mr.
+Embury, "and I had no idea Nero was one of
+them until he spoke just now."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I'm afraid the power of speech will be
+lost by him as suddenly as it was found,"
+remarked Mrs. Embury with a low, gleeful
+laugh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"There must certainly be a ventriloquist
+among us," remarked the groom, with a searching
+look at Cousin Ronald.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, do you really think so, sir?" inquired
+Mr. Lilburn gravely, "and would you do me
+the favor to point him out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir, I cannot say that I am absolutely
+certain, but strongly incline to the opinion that
+he sits in the chair occupied by yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, sir, I didna think I filled the place
+so ill that room could be found in it for another
+mon!" exclaimed Mr. Lilburn, again raising
+his eyebrows like one astonished, then sending
+a downward glance over his own portly person,
+and assuming so comical an expression of countenance
+that no one could see it without smiling
+or laughing outright.</p>
+
+<p>So fully was he absorbing the attention of
+all that no one noticed the return of Nero until
+words were again heard apparently issuing
+from his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a nice morsel, master, but not
+enough to satisfy the appetite of a dog of my
+size; so another bit, sir, if you please."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, you shall have it, since you ask so
+politely," returned Mr. Embury, handing him
+another and larger piece of the chicken, "but
+carry it off where there will be no danger of
+contact with wedding finery."</p>
+
+<p>Nero obeyed, and as he trotted away, a voice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+that seemed to come from behind Mr. Embury,
+said whiningly:</p>
+
+<p>"I'm hungry too, sir, and surely a human
+creature should be treated at least as well as a
+dog."</p>
+
+<p>At that Mr. Embury turned suddenly round
+as if to see the speaker, nearly everyone else
+doing likewise, but no beggar was in
+sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir," he said, "I cannot give to an invisible
+suppliant; show yourself if you want
+anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," replied the voice, now seeming to come
+from a clump of bushes near at hand, "I'm not
+used to begging, and don't want to be seen.
+Can you not send a servant here with a plateful
+of your most toothsome viands?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite a modest request, sir," returned Mr.
+Embury, laughing. "But I think you will
+have to wait till the servants have more leisure;
+at present they are all fully occupied in waiting
+upon my guests."</p>
+
+<p>"But then you'll let him have something to
+eat, won't you, papa?" pleaded little Mary
+Embury. "You never do turn anybody away
+hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, little daughter; if he could
+be found he should be fed."</p>
+
+<p>"But shan't I drive him out, sir?" queried a
+servant man; "we doan' want no beggahs 'bout<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+yar. Dey mout help deirselfs to some o' de
+silvah when nobody aint lookin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Bill, you might drive him out; he's
+perhaps a tramp watching his opportunity to
+help himself."</p>
+
+<p>Bill, well pleased with the errand, set down
+with alacrity the dish he carried, and hurried
+toward the clump of bushes that apparently concealed
+the tramp. "Ki, you ole tief you!" he
+cried, "git long out ob dis; nobody doan' want
+yo' hyar! I'se break yo' skull fo' yo' ef ye doan
+be gone putty quick!"</p>
+
+<p>He pulled apart the bushes as he spoke, but
+instantly started back in astonishment and terror
+as he perceived that no one was concealed
+there.</p>
+
+<p>"Whar dat fellah dun gone?" he exclaimed.
+"Dis chile doan' see nobody dar nohow 'tall!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha! you don't look in the right place,"
+cried the same voice that had begged for food
+a moment before, the speaker seeming to be
+directly behind him; and Bill wheeled about
+with unusual alacrity with the intention of seizing
+his tormentor, but turned almost white with
+terror on perceiving that no one was there.</p>
+
+<p>"Wha&mdash;wha&mdash;wha dat raskil done gone?" he
+exclaimed, "t'ot he right dar, an' he aint nowhar
+'bout."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Bill; it seems he has saved you
+the trouble of driving him off," said Mr. Embury,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
+"and you may come back to your duties.
+More coffee is wanted here."</p>
+
+<p>Bill obeyed, but on his return with the coffee
+kept glancing apprehensively in the direction of
+the bushes.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder where the man did go!" exclaimed
+little Mary presently. "I've been
+watching, and don't know how he could get
+away without being seen."</p>
+
+<p>"Beggars are sometimes very quick at hiding,
+little lassie," remarked Mr. Lilburn.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha! so they are!" cried the voice of the
+beggar, sounding as though he stood just behind
+her chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed, with a start and a backward
+glance. "Why, where is he? I don't see
+him at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be frightened, daughter," Mr. Embury
+said in an encouraging tone.</p>
+
+<p>"No, bit lassie, he's not dangerous," remarked
+Mr. Lilburn, with a reassuring
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do you know him, sir?" she asked, looking
+up inquiringly into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"I didna see him," replied the old gentleman
+laughingly, "but judging by his voice I think I
+know who he is&mdash;a quiet, inoffensive countrymon
+o' me ain."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes, a rather intimate acquaintance of
+yours, sir, is he not?" queried Norton, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
+searching look into the face of the old gentleman
+and a half mocking smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I may have heard the voice before,
+sir," Mr. Lilburn replied with unmoved countenance.
+"It is not unusual for beggars to accost
+one who is by no means o' the same class as themselves.
+In fact, as ony body can see, it would
+be useless to ask alms o' those no richer than
+themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, true enough, sir!" was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, many mirthful glances had been
+exchanged by those&mdash;particularly the young
+folks&mdash;acquainted with the secret of Cousin
+Ronald's peculiar talent, and the guests at more
+distant tables were looking on with a good deal
+of curiosity. Bill was presently questioned as
+he passed them on his way to and from the
+kitchen. "What was it you saw yonder in that
+bush, Bill?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothin' 'tall, sah."</p>
+
+<p>"But you seemed frightened; you looked
+scared."</p>
+
+<p>"Dat's de reason, sah; somebody talkin' an'
+nobody dare."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how was that, Bill?" queried another
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Dunno, sah; maybe witches roun'; 'spect
+dat de splanation ob de mattah."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course," laughed the gentleman; "but
+one hardly expects such company at a wedding."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Questions were put to Mr. and Mrs. Embury
+and others as the guests drew together again
+upon the conclusion of the meal, but no satisfactory
+answers were elicited.</p>
+
+<p>A reception occupied some hours after that,
+then all returned to their homes, to meet again
+at Viamede in the evening, where a beautiful
+and bountiful entertainment awaited them.</p>
+
+<p>The next evening a smaller party was given
+at the Parsonage, and on the following afternoon
+the bride and groom took their departure
+for a little trip northward, expecting to settle
+down in their own home upon their return.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was only the next day after the departure of
+Betty and her husband that a letter was received
+by Mrs. Cyril Keith, informing her of the death
+of her aunt Delaford, leaving the bulk of her
+large fortune to her, and a fat legacy to each
+of the Conley brothers&mdash;Calhoun, Arthur, Walter,
+and Ralph&mdash;and the sisters Virginia and
+Ella.</p>
+
+<p>Isadore was well satisfied with the provisions
+of the will, as were the others also, with the exception
+of Virginia, who frowned and grumbled
+audibly that she herself might have been made
+to share equally with Isadore, who had a good
+home and husband already, therefore really
+needed less than herself, "lone and lorn, and
+poor as a church mouse."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have no children, Virgie," said her
+cousin Elsie, in whose presence the remark was
+made, "no one to support but yourself; and the
+interest of this money will be sufficient for your
+comfortable maintenance."</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly, if I had a home, as Isa has; but
+not without," returned Virginia in a pettish
+tone, while her eyes flashed angrily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Elsie bore patiently with the rebuff, and said
+no more at that time, but considered the matter
+earnestly, carefully, and prayerfully, in the
+privacy of her own room, then had a talk about
+it with her father, without whose approval she
+seldom took a step of any great importance.</p>
+
+<p>Finding him alone on the veranda, "Papa,"
+she said, taking a seat by his side, "I want a
+few minutes' chat with you before we are joined
+by anyone else. You heard Virginia's complaint
+of yesterday&mdash;that she had no home of
+her own. I have been thinking it over, also of
+the fact that Dick and Bob are in the same condition,
+and it has occurred to me that I might
+invite them to take possession here while we
+are absent at our more northern home, giving
+employment to the servants, keeping the house
+in repair, and the grounds in order; that is,
+merely overseeing the work and looking to me
+for the means necessary to cover the expense,
+I to retain my present satisfactory overseer, and
+pay his wages out of the returns from the crops;
+also those of the laborers."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean that you would simply give a home
+here to your cousins?" returned Mr. Dinsmore
+interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; a home without expense&mdash;except,
+perhaps, some small increase of the wages of the
+servants in consideration of the additional
+work made for them, and a share of the fruits,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+vegetables, fowls, and so forth, raised upon the
+plantation."</p>
+
+<p>"A share? meaning all they might want to
+use? the 'and so forth' I suppose, meaning milk,
+cream, butter, and eggs?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I should call it a very generous offer, and I
+have no objection to bring it forward, seeing
+that you are well able to afford it, if it is your
+pleasure so to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad my project meets with your approval,"
+she said, with a smile, "for otherwise,
+as I think you know, papa, it would never be
+carried out. Ah, how thankful I should be,
+and I hope I am, that I have been given the
+financial ability to do such kindness to others!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, with an affectionate smile into
+the soft brown eyes looking into his; "I know
+of no one who enjoys doing kindness more than
+my dear eldest daughter.</p>
+
+<p>"What a delightful winter and early spring
+we have had here," he continued after a pause;
+"but it is now growing so warm that I think
+we must soon be moving northward."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; when the last arrivals have had a
+week or more of the enjoyment to be found in
+this lovely region of country."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; they are enjoying it," he said, with a
+pleased smile; "the younger ones especially, the
+children of your brother and sister not less than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+the others. And by the way, daughter, I think
+you will be doing no little kindness to your
+cousins Cyril and Isadore by giving Virginia
+a home here."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think their home life will be more
+peaceful," she said in assent. "Poor Virgie
+seems to be not of&mdash;the happiest or most contented
+disposition."</p>
+
+<p>"No, she never was," said Mr. Dinsmore; "a
+discontented, fretful, complaining creature she
+has always been since I have known her, and
+she was a very little child when our acquaintance
+began."</p>
+
+<p>In the course of that day Elsie's plans were
+made known to the Keiths, Virginia, and
+her cousins Dick Percival and his half-brother
+Bob Johnson, joyfully accepted by the two
+gentlemen, and half ungraciously by Virginia,
+who said complainingly, that "Viamede was a
+pretty enough place, to be sure, but would be
+dreadfully lonesome for her when the boys were
+away."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can amuse yourself with a book
+from the library, a ride or drive, as the horses
+and carriages will be left here for your use and
+that of Dick and Bob," Elsie answered pleasantly,
+while Isadore, blushing vividly for her
+sister, exclaimed, "O Virgie, you could not have
+a lovelier, sweeter home, and I think Cousin
+Elsie is wonderfully kind to offer it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Of course, I'm greatly obliged to her,"
+Virginia said, coloring slightly as though a trifle
+ashamed of her want of appreciation of the kind
+offer "and I'll not damage anything, so that
+the house will be none the worse for my occupancy,
+but possibly a little better."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, perhaps it may," Elsie said pleasantly,
+"though the servants usually left in charge are
+careful about airing it and keeping everything
+neat and clean. I really think you will have no
+trouble with your housekeeping, Virgie."</p>
+
+<p>"That seems a pleasant prospect, for I never
+liked housekeeping," returned Virginia, "and
+I really am much obliged to you, Cousin
+Elsie."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very welcome, and I hope will be
+happy here," was the kindly reply.</p>
+
+<p>Another fortnight of constant intercourse
+between the three places&mdash;Viamede, Magnolia
+Hall, and the Parsonage&mdash;of rides, drives,
+walks, sailing or rowing about on the lagoon,
+and every other pleasure and entertainment that
+could be devised, then the party began to break
+up, those from the north returning to their
+homes, most of them by rail, as the speediest
+and the most convenient mode of travel. However,
+Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Evelyn, Grandma
+Elsie and her youngest two, Cousin Ronald and
+the Woodburn family, returned together by sea,
+making use of the captain's yacht, which he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+ordered to be sent to him in season for the trip
+by the Gulf and ocean.</p>
+
+<p>There was no urgent need of haste, and the
+captain did not deny that he was conscious of
+a longing to be, for a time, again in command
+of a vessel sailing over the briny deep; besides,
+it would be less fatiguing for the little ones, to
+say nothing of their elders.</p>
+
+<p>The little girls were full of delight at the prospect
+of both the voyage and the return to their
+lovely homes, yet could not leave beautiful Viamede
+without deep regret.</p>
+
+<p>It was the last evening but one of their stay;
+all were gathered upon the veranda looking out
+upon the lagoon sparkling in the moonlight, and
+the velvety flower-bespangled lawn, with its
+many grand and beautiful old trees. The little
+ones had already gone to their nests, but Evelyn,
+Lulu, and Grace were sitting with the older people,
+Grace on her father's knee, the other two
+together close at hand.</p>
+
+<p>There had been some cheerful chat, followed
+by a silence of several minutes. It was broken
+by a slight scuffling sound, as of a negro's footstep,
+in the rear of Elsie's chair, then a voice
+said in mournful accents, "Scuse de in'truption,
+missus, but dis chile want to 'spress to you uns
+dat we uns all a'most heart-broke t'inkin' how
+you's gwine 'way an' p'r'arps won't be comin'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+heah no mo' till de ol'est ob us done gone foreber
+out dis wicked worl'."</p>
+
+<p>Before the sentence was completed every eye
+had turned in the direction of the sounds; but
+nothing was to be seen of the speaker.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that was you, Cousin Ronald," laughed
+Rosie, recovering from the momentary start
+given her by the seemingly mysterious disappearance
+of the speaker.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Rosie, my bonnie lassie, how can you
+treat your auld kinsman so ill as to suspect him
+of murdering the king's English in that style?"
+queried the old gentleman in hurt, indignant
+tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Because, my poor abused cousin, I am utterly
+unable to account in any other way for the
+phenomenon of an invisible speaker so close at
+hand."</p>
+
+<p>Cousin Ronald made no reply, for at that instant
+there came a sound of bitter sobbing, apparently
+from behind a tree a few feet from the
+veranda's edge, then a wailing cry, "Oh, Miss
+Elsie, Massa Dinsmore, and de res' ob you dar,
+doan' go for to leab dis po' chile! She cayn't
+stan' it nohow 'tall! her ole heart like to break!
+Doan' go way, massa an' missus; stay hyah wid
+de niggahs dat lubs you so!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Cousin Ronald, don't!" Elsie said in half
+tremulous tones. "It seems too real, and almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+breaks my heart; for I am greatly attached to
+many of these poor old men and women."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I think they will not distress you with
+any more complaints and entreaties to-night,
+sweet cousin," returned the old gentleman in
+pleasant, though half regretful tones.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next day the servants were gathered on
+the lawn and presented with the parting gifts
+procured for them by the ladies and little girls,
+which they received with many thanks and demonstrations
+of delight. But the following morning,
+when the time of parting had really come,
+there were some tears shed by the old retainers,
+yet they were greatly cheered by the assurances
+of their loved mistress, her father, and Captain
+Raymond, that in all probability it would not
+be very long before the family would be there
+again for a season.</p>
+
+<p>The feelings of the departing ones were of
+a mingled character&mdash;regret at leaving lovely
+Viamede, and joy in the prospect of soon being
+again in their own sweet homes farther north.</p>
+
+<p>The weather was delightful, light fleecy
+clouds tempering the heat of the sun; the fields
+and plantations clothed in the richest verdure of
+spring; the air filled with the perfume of flowers
+and vocal with the songs of birds; then on reaching
+Bayou Teche they found their own yacht,
+the <i>Dolphin</i>, awaiting them.</p>
+
+<p>The young folks of the party greeted her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
+with a clapping of hands and many another
+demonstration of delight, and soon all were on
+board, and she was steaming out through the
+bay, into the Gulf beyond, her passengers, from
+Grandpa Dinsmore down to baby Ned, grouped
+together on deck underneath an awning.</p>
+
+<p>"We are in the Gulf now, aren't we, sir?"
+asked Walter at length, addressing the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my boy," was the pleasant toned reply;
+"and are there any places along its coast that
+you or any of the others would particularly like
+to see?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, sir; yes, indeed!" exclaimed Walter
+with enthusiasm. "I for one would like greatly
+to see Mobile Bay with its fort. Morgan is the
+name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Fort Morgan is at the extremity of
+Mobile Point, where Fort Bowyer stood in the
+War of 1812-14. You remember what happened
+there at that time?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was attacked by the British, wasn't it,
+sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; in September, 1814, by a British
+squadron of two brigs and two sloops of war,
+aided by a land force of one hundred and thirty
+marines and six hundred Indians, led by Captain
+Woodbine, who had been trying to drill
+them at Pensacola.</p>
+
+<p>"Florida did not belong to us at that time;
+the Spaniards had made a settlement at Pensacola<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>
+in 1696, were still there at the time of our
+last war with England, and favored the British,
+who there, as well as in other parts of Florida,
+organized expeditions against the United States,
+the Spanish governor, though professing neutrality,
+evidently siding with and giving them
+aid and comfort."</p>
+
+<p>"And when then did we get possession of
+Florida, sir?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"In July of 1821," answered the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't Jackson capture Pensacola at one
+time during that war with England, Captain?"
+asked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; in the attack about which Walter was
+just asking, before Lafitte forwarded to New
+Orleans those documents showing how the
+British were trying to get him into their service,
+Jackson had perceived that the Spaniards were,
+as I have said, secretly siding with the British,
+and now, with the positive proof furnished by
+those papers before him, he squarely accused
+Manrequez, the Spanish governor at Pensacola,
+of bad faith.</p>
+
+<p>"Then followed a spicy correspondence, which
+Jackson closed by writing to the governor, 'In
+future I beg you to withhold your insulting
+charges against my government for one more
+inclined to listen to slander than I am; nor consider
+me any more a diplomatic character unless
+so proclaimed from the mouth of my cannon.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then he set to work to raise troops, and in a
+very short time had two thousand sturdy young
+Tennesseeans ready for the field.</p>
+
+<p>"But before these reached Mobile, hostilities
+had begun. Jackson himself went there early in
+August, and on his arrival perceived that an attempt
+would be made by the British to seize it
+as soon as their talked of great expedition should
+be ready to move.</p>
+
+<p>"Fort Bowyer was but a small and weak fortification;
+had no bomb-proofs, and but twenty
+guns, only two of them larger than twelve
+pounders, some still smaller in size.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet small and weak as was the fort, it was
+the chief defence of Mobile; so Jackson threw
+into it a hundred and thirty of his Second Regular
+Infantry, under Major William Lawrence,
+who was as gallant an officer as any in the
+service.</p>
+
+<p>"Lawrence at once made every preparation in
+his power to resist the expected attack. But
+before he could complete his work, on the morning
+of the 12th of September, the British Lieutenant-colonel
+Nichols appeared on the peninsula
+back of the fort, with, as I have said, his
+marines and Indians, the latter under the command
+of Captain Woodbine, who had been
+drilling them at Pensacola.</p>
+
+<p>"Later in the evening of the same day the
+four British vessels of which I spoke appeared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+in sight, and anchored within six miles of Mobile
+Point. They were a part of a squadron of
+nine vessels in Pensacola Bay, under the command
+of Captain Percy.</p>
+
+<p>"Our little garrison slept upon their arms
+that night. The next morning Nichols caused
+a howitzer to be dragged to a sheltered point
+within seven hundred yards of the fort, and
+threw some shells and solid shot from it, but
+without doing much damage."</p>
+
+<p>"And our fellows fired back at him, of
+course?" exclaimed Walter excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but their fire was equally harmless;
+but later in the day Lawrence's guns quickly
+dispersed some of Percy's men who were attempting
+to cast up intrenchments, and in the
+same way several light boats, whose men were
+engaged in sounding the channel nearest the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"The next day was occupied in very much
+the same way, but on the third the garrison
+perceived that an assault was to be made from
+both land and water. At two o'clock the vessels
+were seen approaching, and Lawrence called a
+council of officers.</p>
+
+<p>"All were determined to resist to the last, and
+if finally compelled to surrender, to do so only
+on condition that officers and privates should
+retain their arms and private property, be
+treated as prisoners of war, and protected from
+the savages.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The words adopted as the signal for the day
+were, 'don't give up the fort.'</p>
+
+<p>"At half past four the battle began, the four
+vessels opening fire simultaneously, and pouring
+broadside after broadside upon the fort, which
+returned a fearful fire from its circular battery.</p>
+
+<p>"While this was going on in front, Captain
+Woodbine was assailing our men in the rear,
+from behind his sand-dune, with a howitzer
+and a twelve-pounder.</p>
+
+<p>"So the battle raged for an hour; then the
+flag of the <i>Hermes</i> was shot away, and Lawrence
+stopped firing to learn if she had surrendered;
+but the <i>Caron</i> fired another broadside,
+and the fight went on with renewed vigor.
+Soon a shot cut the cable of the <i>Hermes</i>, and
+she floated away with the current, her head
+toward the fort, and her decks swept of men
+and everything by a raking fire from the
+fort.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the fort's flag-staff was shot away and
+her ensign fell, but the British, instead of following
+Lawrence's humane example, redoubled
+their fire. At the same time, Woodbine, supposing
+that the fort had surrendered, hastened
+toward it with his Indians, but they were driven
+back by a storm of grape-shot, and almost immediately
+the flag was seen again floating over
+the fort at the end of the staff to which Major
+Lawrence had nailed it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And was that the end of the fight, papa?"
+asked Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Very nearly, if not quite," he replied.
+"Two of the attacking vessels presently withdrew,
+leaving the helpless <i>Hermes</i> behind; she
+finally grounded upon a sand-bank, when Percy
+fired and abandoned her. Near midnight her
+magazine exploded."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think that was a great victory; was
+it not, Brother Levis?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it was," the captain said. "The
+result was very mortifying to the British. It
+was entirely unexpected, and Percy had said
+that he would allow the garrison only twenty
+minutes to capitulate. It is not surprising that
+he expected to take the weak little fort, with its
+feeble garrison of one hundred and thirty, when
+he brought against it over thirteen hundred men
+and ninety-two pieces of artillery.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans lost only eight men, one-half
+of whom were killed. The assailants lost two
+hundred and thirty-two, one hundred and sixty-two
+of them killed.</p>
+
+<p>"One result of that fight was that the Indians
+lost faith in the invincibility of the British,
+and many of them deserted, and sought safety
+from the anger of Jackson by concealing themselves
+in the interior of their broad country."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," said Grace earnestly, "did not God
+help our cause because we were in the right?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No doubt of it, daughter," replied the captain;
+"ours was a righteous cause, a resistance
+to intolerable oppression and wrong, as our poor
+sailors felt it to be when a British man-of-war
+would stop our merchantmen on the high seas
+and force into their service any man whom
+they choose to say was an Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"But I need not enlarge upon that subject to
+my present audience, as I am convinced that you
+all know of and appreciate that bitter wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"To resume. The Americans were highly
+gratified with the result of the conflict at Fort
+Bowyer, and their zeal was greatly quickened for
+volunteering for the defence of New Orleans,
+whose citizens testified their appreciation of
+Major Lawrence's achievement by resolving to
+present him with an elegant sword in the name
+of their city."</p>
+
+<p>"Was there not a second attack by the British
+upon Fort Bowyer, Captain?" asked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; after their defeat at New Orleans.
+That, you will remember, was on the 8th of January,
+1815. They reached their fleet, lying in
+the deep water between Ship and Cat Islands,
+on the 29th of that month, Fort Bowyer on the
+9th of February, and besieged it for nearly
+two days, when Major Lawrence found himself
+compelled to surrender to a superior force.
+That left Mobile at the mercy of the foe, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+just then came the news of peace, concluded at
+Ghent nearly two months before."</p>
+
+<p>"But wasn't there some fighting done there
+or at Mobile in the Civil War, sir?" asked
+Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; on August 5, 1864, the government
+forces under Farragut attacked the Confederate
+defences there, consisting principally of the two
+forts, Morgan on the eastern side of the bay,
+and Gaines on the western, about three miles
+apart.</p>
+
+<p>"A line of piles and a double one of torpedoes
+stretched nearly across from Fort Gaines
+to Fort Morgan, leaving only a narrow channel
+between that fort and the point of termination.
+It was through that channel, indicated by a red
+buoy, that blockade runners passed in and out,
+and inside of these defences lay the Confederate
+ironclad <i>Tennessee</i>, and three wooden gun-boats.
+It was early in the morning of that
+August day that Farragut's signal was given,
+for the advance of his seven sloops of war.
+The firing was heavy and destructive on both
+sides. But I will not go into particulars at
+this time, only saying that the result was in
+favor of the Federals; but the victory cost many
+lives&mdash;of Federals 335 men, of whom 113 were
+drowned in the <i>Tecumseh</i>&mdash;the leading monitor,
+which had struck a torpedo and gone down&mdash;and
+52 killed by shot, while the Confederate loss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+was 10 killed, 16 wounded, and 280 prisoners, besides
+the loss in the forts, which is unknown."</p>
+
+<p>Just at this point a passing vessel attracted
+the attention of the captain and his listeners,
+and the conversation was not renewed until after
+dinner.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was Mrs. Travilla, or Grandma Elsie, as
+Lulu and Grace called her, who that afternoon
+started the captain upon the historical sketches
+so greatly enjoyed by the younger part of the
+company, to say nothing of the older ones.</p>
+
+<p>"We will pass near enough to Forts Gaines
+and Morgan to get a view of them&mdash;the outside
+at least&mdash;will we not, Captain?" she asked, with
+a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mother," he replied. "Pensacola also,
+whither, as I have said, the British went after
+their fruitless attack upon Fort Bowyer&mdash;now
+Fort Morgan&mdash;then occupied by the Spaniards
+under Manrequez, and where they were publicly
+received as friends and allies.</p>
+
+<p>"All that, and the revelations of Jean Lafitte
+concerning their attempt to engage him and his
+outlaws to help them in their contemplated attack
+upon New Orleans, kindled the hottest indignation
+in the minds of Jackson and the people
+of the Southwest. The general issued a
+proclamation in retort for one sent out by the
+British officer Nichols shortly before, in which
+he had made inflammatory appeals to the French,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>
+who were prejudiced against the Americans,
+and the Kentuckians, who were discontented because
+of a seeming neglect by their government&mdash;a
+state of things largely owing to the arts of
+ambitious politicians.</p>
+
+<p>"Nichols had also sent out Indian runners to
+excite their fellows against the Americans, and
+in that way he gathered nearly a thousand Creeks
+and Seminoles at Pensacola, where they were
+supplied with abundance of arms and ammunition.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson, in his proclamation&mdash;told of all this
+the conduct of the British, and the perfidy of
+the Spaniards&mdash;and called upon the people of
+Louisiana to 'arouse for the defence of their
+threatened country.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And did they do it, sir?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; they were thoroughly roused and much
+excited by the threatening aspect of affairs, and
+at once set vigorously to work to prepare for determined
+resistance to the threatened invasion
+of their country and their homes.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson was impatient to march on Pensacola
+and break up that rendezvous of the enemies
+of the United States, but it was slow
+work to get his troops together, and November
+had come before he had his forces ready for the
+attack.</p>
+
+<p>"At last, however, he had four thousand men
+gathered at Fort Montgomery, due north from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
+Pensacola, and on the 3d of the month they
+marched for that place, some Mississippi dragoons
+leading the way.</p>
+
+<p>"On the evening of the 6th, Jackson, with his
+whole army, encamped within two miles of their
+destination. Major Pierre was sent to the Spanish
+governor with a flag of truce, and a message
+from his general saying that he had not
+come to injure the town, or make war upon a
+neutral power, but to deprive the enemies of
+the republic of a place of refuge. Pierre was
+also told to demand the surrender of the forts.</p>
+
+<p>"The British, however, were in possession of
+Fort St. Michael, over which their's and the
+Spanish flags had been waving together until
+the day before, and as soon as the American
+flag of truce was seen approaching, it was fired
+upon from the fort by a twelve-pounder.</p>
+
+<p>"Pierre returned to Jackson and reported
+these facts; then Jackson sent to the governor
+a Spaniard whom he had captured on the
+way, demanding an explanation.</p>
+
+<p>"The governor asserted that he knew nothing
+of the outrage, and promised that another flag
+should be respected.</p>
+
+<p>"At midnight Pierre, sent again by Jackson,
+called once more upon the governor with a proposal
+that American garrisons should be allowed
+to take possession of the forts until Manrequez
+could man them with a sufficient number of Spanish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+troops to enable him to maintain the neutrality
+of his government against violations of it by
+the British, who had taken possession of the fortresses,
+it seemed, in spite of the Spanish governor's
+protests, the American troops to be withdrawn
+as soon as the additional Spanish ones
+arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"The governor rejected the propositions and
+before dawn three thousand of the Americans
+were marching upon Pensacola. They passed
+along the beach, but the sand was so deep that
+they could not drag their cannon through it.
+Then the centre of their column charged gallantly
+into the town, but on reaching the
+principal street they were met by a shower of
+musketry from the gardens and houses, while
+a two-gun battery opened upon them with balls
+and grape-shot.</p>
+
+<p>"But Captain Laval and his company charged
+and captured the battery, when the governor
+quickly showed himself with a flag, and promised
+to comply with any terms offered if Jackson
+would spare the town."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope Jackson wasn't too good to him,"
+laughed Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"The surrender of all the forts was what
+Jackson demanded and received," replied the
+captain. "But one, six miles away, called Fort
+Barancas, and commanding the harbor, in which
+the British vessels lay, was still in the hands of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>
+the enemy. Jackson determined to march suddenly
+upon it the next morning, seize it, turn
+its guns on the British vessels, and capture
+or injure them before they could escape.</p>
+
+<p>"But before morning the British squadron
+had gone, carrying with it Colonel Nichols,
+Captain Woodbine, the Spanish commandant of
+the fort, and about four hundred men, besides a
+considerable number of Indians; and before leaving
+they had blown up the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"Jackson suspected that they had gone to
+make another attack upon Fort Bowyer and the
+town of Mobile, so hurried away in that direction,
+leaving Manrequez angry and indignant
+at this treatment of himself by the British, and
+the Indians filled with the idea that it would be
+very imprudent for them to again defy the wrath
+of Andrew Jackson; much dejected and alarmed,
+they scattered themselves through the forests.</p>
+
+<p>"As for Jackson, when he reached Mobile,
+on the 11th of November, he received messages
+urging him to hasten to the defence of New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>"He left that place on the 21st, reached it on
+the 2d of December&mdash;but of what he accomplished
+there I have already told you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa," said Lulu; "I'll never forget
+that interesting story. But do tell me, will we
+pass near enough to Mobile to see those forts?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said; then turning to Grandma<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>
+Elsie, asked, "Mother, would you like to stop
+and visit the forts?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing if the rest wish it," she replied;
+"but otherwise would prefer to press on toward
+home, my Ion home, which, now that we have
+left Viamede fairly behind, I begin to long to
+see again."</p>
+
+<p>"That being the case I am sure no one of us
+will wish to stop," returned the captain gallantly,
+a sentiment at once re-echoed by Mr.
+Dinsmore and all present.</p>
+
+<p>"We are nearing there now, are we not, my
+dear?" asked Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; we are moving rapidly, and if all goes
+well may expect to see the forts early this evening."</p>
+
+<p>There was an exclamation of pleasure from
+several of the young people; then Lulu asked,
+"Papa, are there not some other historical places
+we shall have to pass while we are in the Gulf
+or after we reach the ocean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite a number, daughter, but we will not
+delay our voyage in order to visit them at this
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps some other day, then?" she returned
+inquiringly, smiling up into his face as
+she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Very possibly," he returned, smoothing her
+hair with caressing hand; for she was, as usual,
+close at his side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A pause in the talk was at length broken by
+a remark from Cousin Ronald.</p>
+
+<p>"You had some great men among your Union
+officers, Captain, in both army and navy, in the
+days of that terrible Civil War."</p>
+
+<p>"We had indeed, sir," was the hearty response;
+"a number of them in both arms of the
+service, and none more worthy of respect and
+admiration than Farragut, who did such splendid
+service at both New Orleans and Mobile
+Bay, to say nothing of other places. The city
+of Mobile could not be captured as New Orleans
+had been, by reason of shoal water and obstructions
+in the channel, but the passage of
+blockade runners, carrying supplies to the Confederacy,
+was stopped, which was the main object
+of the expedition."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he did good service to his country,"
+returned Mr. Lilburn, "although, if I mistake
+not, he was a Southerner."</p>
+
+<p>"He was born in Tennessee," replied Captain
+Raymond. "In the winter of 1860-61 he was on
+waiting orders at Norfolk, Virginia, where he
+watched with intense interest the movements of
+the Southern States, and especially the effort to
+carry Virginia out of the Union into the Confederacy;
+and when that was accomplished he
+remarked that 'the State had been dragooned
+out of the Union.'</p>
+
+<p>"He talked very freely on the subject, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>
+was told that a person with such sentiments as
+his 'could not live in Norfolk.' 'Well, then,' he
+replied, 'I can live somewhere else,' and that
+very evening left the place, with his wife and
+son. That was the 18th of April, 1861. He
+went first to Baltimore, but afterward took a
+cottage at Hastings-on-the-Hudson.</p>
+
+<p>"The next December he was summoned to
+Washington, and on the 2d of February sailed
+from Hampton Roads for New Orleans."</p>
+
+<p>"Where he certainly did splendid service to
+his country," remarked Mr. Lilburn. "I hope
+she appreciated it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she did," returned the captain; "he
+received many marks of the people's appreciation,
+among them a purse of $50,000, which
+was presented him for the purchase of a home
+in New York City."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he live to see the end of the war, sir?"
+asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he was on the James River with General
+Gordon when Richmond was taken, and on
+hearing the news the two rode there post-haste,
+reaching the city a little ahead of President Lincoln.
+A few days after that the naval and
+military officers at Norfolk, with some of the
+citizens who had remained true to the Union,
+gave him a public reception.</p>
+
+<p>"Farragut was one of the speakers, and in the
+course of his remarks said: 'This meeting recalls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>
+to me the most momentous events of my
+life, when I listened in this place till the small
+hours of the morning, and returned home with
+the feeling that Virginia was safe and firm in
+her place in the Union. Our Union members
+of the convention were elected by an overwhelming
+majority, and we believed that every
+thing was right. Judge, then, of our astonishment
+in finding, a few days later, that the State
+had been voted out by a miserable minority, for
+want of firmness and resolution on the part of
+those whom we trusted to represent us there,
+and that Virginia had been dragooned out of
+the Union. I was told by a brother officer that
+the State had seceded, and that I must either
+resign and turn traitor to the government which
+had supported me from childhood, or I must
+leave this place.</p>
+
+<p>"'Thank God, I was not long in making my
+decision. I have spent half my life in revolutionary
+countries, and I know the horrors of civil
+war; and I told the people what I had seen and
+what they would experience. They laughed at
+me, and called me "granny," and "croaker";
+and I said, "I cannot live here, and will seek
+some other place where I can live." I suppose
+they said I left my country for my country's
+good, and I thank God I did.'"</p>
+
+<p>"A countryman to be proud of," remarked
+Mr. Lilburn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I wish I could have seen him!" exclaimed
+Grace. "Papa, wasn't he a Christian man?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so, daughter," replied the captain.
+"He is said to have had a strong religious
+nature and a firm reliance upon Providence,
+believing in God's constant guidance."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you remember," said Grandma Elsie,
+"those lines of Oliver Wendell Holmes' written
+in honor of Admiral Farragut, and read at a
+dinner given him, in which this passage occurs?</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Fast, fast are lessening in the light<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The names of high renown,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Van Tromp's proud besom pales from sight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Old <i>Benbow's</i> half hull down.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Scarce one tall frigate walks the sea,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Or skirts the safer shores,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Of all that bore to victory</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Our stout old commodores.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Hull, Bainbridge, Porter&mdash;where are they?<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The answering billows roll,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Still bright in memory's sunset ray,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">God rest each gallant soul!</span><br />
+<br />
+"A brighter name must dim their light,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">With more than noontide ray:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Viking of the river fight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The Conqueror of the bay.</span><br />
+<br />
+"I give the name that fits him best&mdash;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Ay, better than his own&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Sea-King of the sovereign West,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Who made his mast a throne."</span><br />
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A fine poem indeed, and with a subject
+worthy of all its praise," remarked Cousin Ronald,
+as Mrs. Travilla ceased. "No wonder you
+are proud of him, cousins, for he was, as I said
+a moment since, one to be proud of; I should be
+proud indeed of him were he a countryman of
+mine."</p>
+
+<p>"As each one of us&mdash;his countrymen and
+women&mdash;certainly is," said Mr. Dinsmore.</p>
+
+<p>There was a silence of a few moments, presently
+broken by the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, "I think there are few, if
+any, of his countrymen, who are not proud of
+our grand naval hero, Farragut; and there were
+others among our naval heroes of that day,
+almost, if not quite, as worthy of our affectionate
+admiration. Captain, afterward Admiral,
+Bailey, for instance, who was second in command
+at the taking of New Orleans, leading, in
+the <i><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Cvyuga'">Cayuga</ins></i>, the right column of the fleet of
+government vessels in the passage of Forts St.
+Philip and Jackson, the capture of the Chalmette
+batteries and the city.</p>
+
+<p>"As you probably remember, he passed up
+ahead of the fleet, through the fire of the forts,
+the Confederate vessels, the rams, fire-rafts,
+blazing cotton bales, and dense clouds of smoke,
+meeting the attacks of all unaided.</p>
+
+<p>"Also it was he who was sent by Farragut in
+company with only one other man, Lieutenant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>
+George H. Perkins, to demand the surrender of
+the city, the taking down of the Confederate
+flag, and the hoisting in its stead of the Stars
+and Stripes.</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly required no small amount of
+courage to pass through those city streets surrounded
+by a hooting, yelling, cursing crowd,
+threatening them with drawn pistols and other
+weapons.</p>
+
+<p>"And who can fail to admire the words of
+Bailey, in his official report of the victory: 'It
+was a contest of iron hearts in wooden ships
+against iron-clads with iron beaks&mdash;and the
+iron hearts won?'</p>
+
+<p>"And not less admirable was his modest behavior
+at a dinner given him at the Astor House,
+when called upon to reply to the toast of 'The
+Navy.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, what was that, sir?" asked Mr. Lilburn,
+pricking up his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"I was reading an account of it only the
+other day," pursued Captain Raymond. "The
+old hero straightened himself up, and began,
+'Mr. President and gentlemen&mdash;hem&mdash;thank ye.'
+Then made a long pause, glancing up and down
+the table. 'Well, I suppose you want to hear
+about that New Orleans affair?' he continued.
+At that there were cries of 'Yes! yes!' and a
+great stamping of feet. So Bailey went on;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>
+'Well, d'ye see, this was the way of it. We were
+lying down the river below the forts, and Farragut,
+he&mdash;he signalled us to go in and take 'em.
+Being as we were already hove short, it didn't
+take much time to get under way, so that wasn't
+so much of a job as ye seem to think. And
+then the engineers, they ran the ships, so all we
+had to do was to blaze away when we got up to
+the forts, and take 'em, according to orders.
+That's just all there was about it.' And he sat
+down amid thunders of applause."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ha, um h'm, ah ha! a nice, modest fellow
+he must have been," remarked Cousin Ronald,
+nodding reflectively, over his cane.</p>
+
+<p>The call to tea interrupted the conversation,
+but on leaving the table all gathered upon the
+deck again to watch the sunset, the rising of
+the moon, and for the forts, Morgan and Gaines,
+which they were now rapidly nearing, and upon
+which all gazed with interest as the captain
+pointed them out and the vessel steamed slowly
+past.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, what a terrible thing is war!" sighed
+Grandma Elsie. "God forbid that this dear
+land should ever again be visited with that
+fearful scourge!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I can say amen to that!" Mrs. Dinsmore
+exclaimed, low and tremulously, thinking of
+the dear young brothers who had fallen victims<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>
+in that unnatural strife. "We cannot be thankful
+enough for the peace and prosperity that
+now bless our native land."</p>
+
+<p>"No; and may it ever continue," added her
+husband. "Her growth and prosperity since
+that fearful struggle ended have been something
+wonderful."</p>
+
+<p>A few moments of silence followed, the vessel
+moving swiftly on her way, and a gentle breeze
+fanning the cheeks of her passengers as they
+sat there placidly gazing out over the moonlit
+waters, then the quiet was suddenly broken
+in upon by a loud guffaw, followed by a drunken
+shout.</p>
+
+<p>"Aint I fooled ye nice, now? Ye didn't
+know I was aboard, capting, nor any o' the rest
+o' ye. Ye didn't guess ye'd got a free passenger
+aboard 'sides that old Scotch feller a-settin'
+yander a-looking like he feels hisself as good
+'s any o' the rest, ef he don't pay nothin' fer his
+trip."</p>
+
+<p>Everyone started and turned in the direction
+of the sounds.</p>
+
+<p>"A stowaway!" exclaimed Captain Raymond.
+"The voice seems to come from the hold. Excuse
+me, ladies and gentlemen; I must see to his
+case, and that we are secured from the danger of
+a visit from him, as he is evidently a drunken
+wretch," and with the words he hastened away
+in the direction of the sounds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha! I hear ye, capting!" shouted the
+voice; "but drunken wretch or not, I wouldn't
+harm a hair o' any o' yer heads. All I'm a-wantin'
+is a free passage up furder north, where I
+come from."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mamma, I'm so frightened! so 'fraid
+the bad man will hurt my dear papa," cried
+little Elsie, clinging to her mother, while tears
+filled her sweet blue eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"No, papa will whip de naughty mans," said
+Ned, shaking his baby fist in the direction of
+the sounds.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! little laddie; I
+have no doubt your papa is bigger and stronger
+than the naughty mans," said Cousin Ronald,
+"and if he catches the good-for-nothing
+scamp, can whip him within an inch of his
+life."</p>
+
+<p>At that Walter burst into a laugh. "Now,
+Cousin Ronald," he said, "I'd not be a bit surprised
+to learn that you are well acquainted with
+that scamp. However, I'll run after Brother
+Levis to see the fun, if there is any, but I'm
+sure nobody need be one bit afraid," and with
+that away he ran.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Cousin Ronald," began Violet, laughing,
+the others joining in with her, and all entirely
+occupied in looking at the old gentleman,
+whose face, however, could be but indistinctly
+seen, as he had so placed himself that the moonlight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>
+did not fall fully upon it, "confess
+that&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But she got no further. A shout of drunken
+laughter from the other side of the vessel again
+startled them.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha! the capting's gone in the wrong direction
+to catch this customer. But he needn't
+to hunt me up. I'm a real harmless kind o'
+chap, an' wouldn't hurt a hair o' any o' your
+heads."</p>
+
+<p>Again every head was turned in the direction
+of the sounds, but seeing no one they all burst
+into gleeful laughter, in which the captain presently
+joined, having returned from his bootless
+search, fully convinced that it need be carried
+no farther.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a bright, sweet May morning. <i>Reveille</i>
+sounded at the Naval Academy at Annapolis,
+and with the first tap of the drum Max woke
+and sprang from his bed. He glanced from the
+window as he hurried on his clothes, and a low
+exclamation of surprise and delight burst from
+his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"What now, Raymond?" queried Hunt, who
+was dressing with equal expedition.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Dolphin!</i> the <i>Dolphin!</i>" cried Max,
+in a joyful, exultant tone. "She lies at anchor
+down yonder, and I haven't a doubt that I shall
+see my father and all the rest presently."</p>
+
+<p>"Possible? What a fortunate fellow you are,
+Raymond," returned Hunt, hurrying to the
+window to take a hasty peep. "Sure enough!
+and what a beauty she is, that <i>Dolphin!</i> and
+the captain will be here presently getting you
+leave to spend the day on board; and it being
+Saturday, and he and the commandant old
+friends, there'll be no trouble in managing it.
+Accept my most hearty congratulations, old
+fellow."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Max, vainly trying to suppress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>
+his excitement, for his affectionate, boyish
+heart was bounding with joy at the thought
+of presently seeing all his loved ones; most of
+all, the father who was to him the personification
+of all that was good, honorable, brave,
+noble, and true; the father to whom, he knew
+beyond a doubt, he himself was an object of
+strong parental affection and pride.</p>
+
+<p>"And it's fortunate for you that I'm the fellow
+to set the room to rights on this memorable
+occasion," continued Hunt. "I say, Raymond,
+I think you must have been born under a lucky
+star."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes, old fellow," laughed Max, "I
+rather suspect that's what's the matter. But
+hark! what's that?" as approaching footsteps
+were heard in the hall without.</p>
+
+<p>A rap quickly followed. Max flew to the
+door and threw it open, to find a messenger there
+from the commandant requiring his presence
+immediately in the grounds below.</p>
+
+<p>Little doubting what awaited him, Max
+obeyed the summons with joyful alacrity, running
+down one flight of stairs after another till
+the lowest hall was reached, then out into the
+grounds, sending an eagerly inquiring look
+from side to side.</p>
+
+<p>Ah, yes, in the shade of a tree, yonder, a few
+yards from the door-way, stood the commandant
+in earnest conversation with another gentleman,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>
+not in uniform, but of decidedly soldierly
+bearing. Max recognized the face and
+form on the instant, and flew to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>Both gentlemen turned at the sound of the
+approaching footsteps.</p>
+
+<p>Max hastily saluted his superior officer, saying
+half breathlessly, "I am here, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"So I see, Raymond," was the smiling rejoinder,
+"and for the present I resign you to
+this gentleman's care," turning toward the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>Max's hand was instantly clasped in that of
+his father, who held it fast and, bending down,
+kissed his son with ardent affection, saying,
+with emotion, and in low, earnest tones, "My
+boy, my dear, dear boy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, papa!" cried Max, his voice, too, trembling
+with feeling and excitement, "I never
+was gladder in my life!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad for you, Max," said the
+commandant, in kindly sympathizing tones.
+"And Raymond, let me assure you that the lad
+is worthy of every indulgence that could be
+afforded him; a more industrious or better behaved
+cadet I have never had under my care.
+Hoping to see you again in the course of the
+day, I bid you good-morning. You also, Max,"
+and with a bow and smile he left father and son
+alone together.</p>
+
+<p>"So good a report of his eldest son makes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>
+your father a very happy man, Max," the captain
+said, pressing the hand he held, and gazing
+into the rosy, boyish face with eyes brimful
+of fatherly love and pride.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for saying it, papa," returned
+Max, flushing with joy; "but with such a
+father I ought to be a better and brighter boy
+than I am. But I do try, papa, and I mean
+always to try to honor you by being and doing
+all I know you would wish."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't a doubt of it, my son," the captain
+said, again affectionately pressing the lad's
+hand, then letting it go; "but now I must return
+to the <i>Dolphin</i>, taking my eldest son with
+me if he wishes me to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, papa!" cried the boy, ready to
+dance with delight; "but may I go back to my
+room for a moment first? I'm afraid that in my
+hurry to obey the summons of the commandant,
+I haven't left everything quite in ship shape."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, go, son," replied his father; "and if
+your morning devotions have not been attended
+to, do not neglect them any longer. I will wait
+for you here under the trees. By the way, I
+am to hear your recitations for this morning, so
+you may bring the needed books with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," returned Max, and hurried away,
+his father looking after him with proudly beaming
+eyes till the lithe, graceful young figure
+disappeared within the door-way, then taking a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>
+morning paper from his pocket, he seated himself
+on a bench beneath a tree to await the lad's
+return.</p>
+
+<p>He had not long to wait; in a few minutes
+Max was again at his side, and the two were
+wending their way toward the row-boat that
+was to take them to the <i>Dolphin</i>, anchored some
+distance out in the stream.</p>
+
+<p>All was so still and quiet in and about the
+vessel that morning that her passengers slept
+later than usual, but Lulu, as generally happened,
+was one of the earliest risers, and had
+not been up long before she hastened to the
+deck to exchange the accustomed morning greeting
+with her father. But, to her surprise
+and disappointment, a hasty glance about the
+deck showed her that he was not there.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what is the matter?" she said to herself.
+"I'm afraid papa must be sick, for I do
+not know what else would keep him in his stateroom
+till this time of day. But," with another
+sweeping glance from side to side, "we're
+certainly anchored; and where? Why, it looks
+like&mdash;yes, it is Annapolis!" hearing the splash
+of oars and catching sight of a row-boat with
+several persons in it, "for there's papa, and Max
+with him. Oh, oh, oh, how glad I am!" and
+with the words she ran to the side of the vessel
+and the next minute was in Max's arms.</p>
+
+<p>It was a very hearty embrace on the part of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>
+both, their father standing by and watching
+them with shining eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"O Maxie, how you have grown!" exclaimed
+Lulu, gently withdrawing herself from his embrace
+and scanning him with keen scrutiny
+from head to foot; "you look every inch a naval
+cadet."</p>
+
+<p>"Do I?" he queried laughingly. "Thank
+you, for I consider it a decided compliment.
+And you too have changed; you are taller, and
+look more than ever like papa."</p>
+
+<p>"O Max, you could not say anything that
+would please me better than that," she exclaimed,
+flushing with pleasure; "and I can return
+the compliment with interest. I think you
+will look exactly like our dear father when you
+are his age," turning toward the captain, and
+lifting her eyes to his full of ardent filial affection;
+for he was standing there regarding both
+with fatherly tenderness, and pride in their
+youthful comeliness of form and feature.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, dear children!" he said, bending
+down to give Lulu the usual morning caress,
+"your mutual love makes me very happy. May
+it never be less than it is now!"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Violet, Grace, and the two
+little ones joined them, and more hearty, loving
+embraces followed, all, except Violet, being as
+much taken by surprise at the sight of Max as
+Lulu had been.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Grace almost cried with joy as Max caught
+her in his arms and hugged her close, kissing
+her sweet lips again and again.</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt," he said laughingly, as he let her
+go, "if there is another fellow at the Academy
+who has such sisters as mine, or such a young,
+pretty mamma, or darling baby brother and sister,"
+kissing each in turn; "and," looking up
+into his father's face, a telltale moisture gathering
+in his eyes, "I'm perfectly certain there's
+not one can show a father to be so proud
+of."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my dear boy, Love is blind to defects
+and very keen-sighted as regards good and admirable
+qualities in those she favors," was the
+captain's answering remark.</p>
+
+<p>"What a surprise you have given us, papa!"
+exclaimed Lulu; "me at least, for I hadn't the
+least idea we were coming here."</p>
+
+<p>"No, but some of the rest of us knew," said
+Violet, with a merry little laugh; "your father
+told me of his intentions last night&mdash;as a secret,
+however, for he wanted to give you and Gracie
+a pleasant surprise."</p>
+
+<p>"And it was certainly a pleasant one to me,"
+said Max. "Papa, thank you ever so much."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get leave for him to stay all day,
+papa?" asked Lulu in a tone that seemed to
+say she hoped so with all her heart.</p>
+
+<p>"He will be with us through the day, except<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span>
+during the two hours of drill, which we will
+all go to see; also all day to-morrow," was the
+captain's reply to that, and it seemed to give
+pleasure to all who heard it: all the passengers on
+board, for by that time the others had come up
+to the deck, and one after another gave Max a
+pleased and hearty greeting&mdash;the older people
+as one they had expected to see, the younger
+with joyful surprise. They gathered about him,
+some of them&mdash;Walter in especial&mdash;with many
+questions in regard to the daily routine of life
+at the Academy, all of which Max answered
+readily and to the best of his ability.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you lessons to say to-day?" queried
+Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but I'm to recite them to papa," Max
+replied, with a pleased, smiling glance into
+his father's face.</p>
+
+<p>"You may well look pleased, Max, for he's
+an excellent teacher, as all his Viamede pupils
+can testify," remarked Rosie demurely.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I remember now that he has been
+teaching you all while you were down there,"
+said Max. "Well, I never saw a better teacher,
+though perhaps, being his son and very fond of
+him, it's possible I may be a partial judge."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite possible, my boy," laughed his father,
+"and I think no one of my pupils is disposed
+to view me with a critic's eye."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not say the rest of it, papa," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>
+Lulu, "for I'm sure you haven't any imperfections
+to be passed by."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right, Lu," laughed Violet.</p>
+
+<p>But at that moment came the call to breakfast,
+a summons everyone was ready to obey
+with alacrity. They had a pleasant, social
+time about the table; the fare was excellent,
+appetites were of the best, and everyone was
+in fine spirits and high good-humor.</p>
+
+<p>Max was called upon to answer so many
+questions with regard to life at the Naval Academy,
+and his replies were listened to with so
+much deference, that the captain began to fear his
+boy might become insufferably conceited. Disturbed
+by that fear, he watched him so closely
+and with so grave an air that at length Max
+noticed it, and was much disturbed with the fear
+that he had unwittingly done or said something
+to hurt or displease his dearly loved father.</p>
+
+<p>He took the first opportunity&mdash;following the
+captain about the vessel, after breakfast and
+family prayers were over, till they found themselves
+alone together for a moment&mdash;to inquire,
+in a tone of much concern, if it were so.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my son, not at all," was the kindly reply,
+"but I felt a little anxious lest my boy should be
+spoiled and made conceited by being applied to
+by older people for so much information."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not, papa; I know very well it was
+only because I've been living there and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>
+haven't; and that every one of them knows far
+more than I do about many another thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite true, my son," the captain said,
+with a smile, adding, "and now you may get
+out your books and look over those lessons, as
+I shall soon be ready to hear them."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; it will be really a great treat to
+recite to my old tutor once more," returned the
+lad, with a look of relief and pleasure. "I am
+very glad indeed that he is not displeased with
+me as I feared."</p>
+
+<p>"Very far from it, my dear boy," was the
+captain's kindly rejoinder; "the account given
+me to-day by the commandant, of your conduct
+and attention to your studies, was most gratifying
+to my pride in my eldest son."</p>
+
+<p>Those words, and also the warm praise bestowed
+upon his recitations when they had been
+heard, filled the boy's heart with happiness.
+His father returned to the Academy with him at
+the hour for drill, but the others witnessed it
+from the deck of the <i>Dolphin</i>. At its conclusion,
+Captain Raymond and his son returned to the
+yacht, Max having permission to remain there
+until near ten o'clock on Sunday night.</p>
+
+<p>A trip up the river had been planned for the
+afternoon, and anchor was weighed and the
+yacht started as soon as her commander and his
+son had come aboard.</p>
+
+<p>All were seated upon the deck under an awning,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+greatly enjoying a delicious breeze, the
+dancing and sparkling of the water, and the distant
+view of the shore arrayed in the lovely
+verdure of spring.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, and Mrs.
+Raymond sat together, busy with fancy work
+and chatting cheerily, while the younger ones
+had their drawing materials or books&mdash;except
+Grace, who was dressing a doll for little Elsie.
+Few of them, however, were accomplishing a
+great deal, there being so small necessity for the
+employment and so many things to withdraw
+their attention from it.</p>
+
+<p>Max speedily made his way to Mrs. Travilla's
+side. She looked up from her work, and greeted
+him with her sweet smile. "It is quite delightful
+to have you among us again, my dear boy,"
+she said, taking his hand and pressing it affectionately
+in hers.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, dear Grandma Elsie," he returned,
+his eyes sparkling; "it is a great pleasure
+to hear you say so, though I don't know how
+to believe that you can enjoy it half so much as
+I do."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear that you do, laddie," she
+said brightly. "Now suppose we have a bit of
+chat together. Take that camp chair by your
+grandmother's side and tell her how you enjoy
+that artillery exercise you have just been going
+through."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, ma'am," said Max laughingly,
+as he took the seat indicated. "It's really delightful
+to be treated as a relative by so dear
+and sweet a lady, but you do look so young that
+it seems almost ridiculous for a great fellow like
+me to call you grandma."</p>
+
+<p>"Does it? Why, your father calls me mother,
+and to be so related to him surely must make
+me your grandmother."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are not really old enough to be his
+mother, and I am his oldest child."</p>
+
+<p>"And begin to feel yourself something of
+a man, since you are not called Max, but Mr.
+Raymond at the Academy yonder?" she returned
+in a playfully interrogative tone.</p>
+
+<p>Max seemed to consider a moment, then smiling,
+but blushing vividly, "I'm afraid I must
+plead guilty to that charge, Grandma Elsie," he
+said with some hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that, Max?" asked his father,
+drawing near just in time to catch the last
+words.</p>
+
+<p>"That I begin to feel that&mdash;as if I'm a&mdash;at
+least almost&mdash;a man, sir," answered the lad,
+stammering and coloring with mortification.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that's not so very bad, my boy," laughed
+his father. "I believe that at your age I was
+more certain of being one than you are&mdash;really
+feeling rather more fully convinced of my wisdom
+and consequence than I am now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Were you indeed, papa? then there is hope
+for me," returned the lad, with a pleased look.
+"I was really afraid you would think me abominably
+conceited."</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear boy, none of us think you that," said
+Mrs. Travilla, again smiling sweetly upon him.
+"But you have not yet answered my query as to
+how you enjoyed the artillery exercise we have
+just seen you go through."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I like it!" returned Max, his eyes sparkling.
+"And I don't think I shall ever regret
+my choice of a profession if I succeed in passing,
+and become as good an officer as my father has
+been," looking up into the captain's face with
+a smile full of affection and proud appreciation.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I fear my boy is talking of something
+that he knows very little about," said the captain,
+a twinkle of fun in his eye. "Who told
+you, Max, that your father had been a good
+officer?"</p>
+
+<p>"My commandant, sir, who knows all about
+it, or at least thinks he does."</p>
+
+<p>At that instant there was a sound like the
+splashing of oars on the farther side of the
+vessel, and a boyish voice called out, "Ahoy
+there, Raymond! A message from the commandant!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope it isn't to call you back, Maxie!"
+exclaimed Lulu, springing up and following
+Max and her father as they hastened to that side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>
+of the vessel, expecting to see a row-boat there
+with a messenger from the Academy.</p>
+
+<p>But no boat of that kind was in sight. Could
+it have passed around the vessel? Max hurried
+to the other side to make sure but no boat was
+there.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" he exclaimed, with a merry laugh, "it
+was Mr. Lilburn," and he turned a smiling,
+amused face toward the old gentleman, who had
+followed, and now stood close at his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Eh, laddie! what was Mr. Lilburn?" queried
+the accused. "That I'm no down there
+in a boat is surely evident to all who can see
+me standing here. Are ye no ashamed to so
+falsely accuse an auld friend who wad never do
+harm to you or yours?"</p>
+
+<p>Then a voice seemed to come from a distant
+part of the vessel. "Ah, sir, ye ken that ye're
+known to be up to such tricks. All only to
+make fun for your friends, though, not to cause
+fright or harm to anyone&mdash;unless it might be a
+gambler or some other rascal."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear that, now, cousin!" cried Mr. Lilburn.
+"Somebody seems ready to do justice to the
+auld man our fine young cadet here is so ready
+to suspect and accuse."</p>
+
+<p>By this time all the other passengers had
+joined them, everybody but the very little ones
+understood the joke, and it was received with
+merry peals of laughter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>To Max the afternoon and evening seemed to
+pass very quickly, so delightful was it to be once
+more surrounded by his dear ones, not the least
+pleasant part being a half hour spent alone with
+his father after the others had retired; he had
+so many little confidences that he would not
+willingly have shared with anyone else, and
+they were heard with so much evident interest,
+such hearty sympathy, and replied to with such
+good and kindly advice. Max was even more
+firmly convinced than ever before that such another
+dear, kind, and lovable father as his was
+nowhere to be found.</p>
+
+<p>And, by the way, the captain was almost
+equally sure that no other man had a son quite
+so bright, handsome, intelligent, noble, industrious,
+and in every way worthy to be the pride
+of his father's heart, as this dear lad who was
+his own.</p>
+
+<p>"God, even the God of his fathers, keep my
+dear boy in every hour of trial and temptation,
+and help him to walk steadily in the strait and
+narrow way that leads to everlasting life," he
+said with emotion when bidding his son goodnight.
+"Keep close to the dear Master, my son,
+ever striving to serve and honor him in all your
+words and ways, and all will be well with you
+at the last."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> captain, Max, and Lulu were all three
+early on deck the next morning&mdash;as lovely a
+May morning as ever was seen. The sun had
+but just showed his face above the horizon when
+Lulu mounted the companion-way to the deck,
+but she found her father and brother already
+there, sitting side by side, both looking very
+happy and content.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, papa and Max," she said,
+hurrying toward them.</p>
+
+<p>The salutation was returned by both in cheery,
+pleasant tones.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I'd be the very first on deck;
+but here you both are before me," she added as
+she gained her father's side.</p>
+
+<p>"But pleased to have you join us," he said,
+drawing her to a seat upon his knee. "A sweet
+Sabbath morning, is it not? And how did my
+little girl sleep?"</p>
+
+<p>"As well as possible, thank you, papa. It is
+much cooler here than at Viamede now, and a
+delightful breeze came in at the window. But
+I almost always sleep well, and that is something
+to be thankful for, isn't it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is, indeed," he responded. "May my dear
+eldest daughter never be kept awake by the reproaches
+of a guilty conscience, cares and anxieties,
+or physical distress; though that last I
+can hardly hope she will escape always until she
+reaches that blessed land where 'the inhabitant
+shall not say, I am sick.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," she said, "I ought to be very
+thankful that I am so healthy; I hope I am;
+but any kind of physical pain I have ever been
+tried with is far easier for me to bear than the
+reproaches of a guilty conscience. I can never
+forget how hard they were to endure after I had
+hurt dear little Elsie so because I was in a
+passion."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't bear to think of that time," said
+Max; "so let us talk of something else. The
+view here is lovely, is it not, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," cried Lu in surprise, "we are at
+anchor again in the river at Annapolis, aren't
+we, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I brought you all back here in the
+night, to spend the Sabbath. I think we will
+go into the city to church this morning, and
+have some religious exercises on the vessel this
+afternoon and evening."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I like that plan, papa," said Max, "especially
+the afternoon part, for I am really hungry
+for one of those interesting Bible lessons
+with you for my teacher."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Maxie, I pity you that you can't share
+them with Gracie and me every Sunday," said
+Lulu. "Papa, won't you give us&mdash;Max and
+Gracie and me&mdash;a private Bible lesson all to ourselves
+after the service for the grown folks,
+sailors and all, has been held, just as you used
+to do when we were all at home at Woodburn?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite willingly, if my children wish it; indeed,
+it is what I had contemplated doing," replied
+the captain; "for we cannot better employ
+the hours of the holy Sabbath than in the
+study of God's Word, which he has given us to
+be a 'lamp to our feet and a light to our path'
+that we may journey safely to that happy land
+where sin and sorrow are unknown.</p>
+
+<p>"Never forget, my children, that we are but
+strangers and pilgrims upon this earth, only
+passing through it on our way to an eternal home
+of either everlasting blessedness or never ending
+woe&mdash;a home where all is holiness, joy, peace,
+and love, or to that other world of unending
+remorse and anguish, 'the blackness of darkness
+forever.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It is very difficult to keep that always in
+mind, papa," said Max. "I hope you will often
+ask God to help us&mdash;me especially&mdash;to remember
+it constantly, and live, not for time,
+but for eternity."</p>
+
+<p>"I do, my dear boy; there is never a day
+when I do not ask my heavenly Father to guard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>
+and guide each one of my dear children and give
+them a home with him at last. But we must all
+strive to enter in at the strait gate, remembering
+the warning of Jesus, 'Strait is the gate,
+and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
+life, and few there be that find it.'"</p>
+
+<p>Violet joined them at that moment, then the
+rest of the party, one after another. Then
+came the call to breakfast; and soon after leaving
+the table, and the holding of the regular
+morning service on the vessel, nearly everyone
+went ashore and to church.</p>
+
+<p>At the close of the exercises there, they returned
+to the <i>Dolphin</i>, dined, a little later assembled
+under the awning on the deck, and being
+presently joined by the greater part of the crew,
+another short service, consisting of the reading
+of the Scriptures, with explanatory remarks,
+prayer, and the singing of hymns, followed.</p>
+
+<p>After that, the captain took his three older
+children aside and gave them, as in the dear old
+times at Woodburn, a Bible lesson, in which they
+were free to ask of him as many questions as
+they would.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," said Grace, "I was reading in
+Isaiah this morning this verse, 'Therefore, thus
+saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for
+a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious
+corner-stone, a sure foundation.' Does it mean
+the dear Lord Jesus, papa?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter; in both the Old and New
+Testaments Christ Jesus is called a Foundation.
+The foundation of a building is the part that supports
+all the rest; and that Jesus is to all his
+Church, his people. He is the foundation of all
+the comforts, hopes, happiness of the Christian;
+the foundation of the covenant God has made
+with his Church; the foundation of all the sweet
+and precious promises of God's Word; a sure
+foundation on which his people may securely
+rest, knowing that he will never deceive, fail, or
+forsake anyone who trusts in him. He is the
+only Saviour, the head of the Church, the only
+Mediator between God and man.</p>
+
+<p>"We are not to look too much to our feelings,
+doings, prayers, or even our faith, but on the
+finished work of Christ. We can have assurance
+of hope, but must attain to it by resting
+upon God's word of promise, remembering that
+it is Christ's righteousness which God accepts,
+not ours, so imperfect, so unworthy of mention.</p>
+
+<p>"In that way only can we have peace and
+safety, for our own righteousness is but as filthy
+rags, exceedingly offensive in the sight of God,
+who is 'of purer eyes than to behold sin, and cannot
+look upon iniquity,' so utterly abhorrent is it
+to his holy nature.</p>
+
+<p>"The Bible tells us, 'He that believeth on the
+Son hath everlasting life; he that believeth not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>
+the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
+abideth on him.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," said Grace, low and feelingly,
+"those are dreadful words, 'the wrath of God
+abideth on him.'"</p>
+
+<p>"They are indeed," he said. "The one great
+question is, 'Do you believe on the Son of God?'
+There in Egypt, when God sent those plagues
+upon Pharaoh and his people, it was not the
+feelings of the Israelites that saved them, but
+the blood on the door-posts, symbolizing the
+blood of Christ, which would in future ages be
+offered to satisfy the demands of God's broken
+law; and it was when he saw that blood that the
+angel passed over, harming them not.</p>
+
+<p>"The scape-goat too, was a type of Christ
+bearing the sins of the people away into the
+wilderness; if our sins are laid on Jesus they
+will come no more into remembrance before our
+righteous Judge, but covered with the beautiful
+robe of his righteousness, God will treat us as
+if it were our very own. Ah, my beloved children,
+it is the dearest wish of your father's
+heart that each one of you may have that righteousness
+put upon you!"</p>
+
+<p>A slight pause; then Grace said in low, clear,
+and joyous tones, "Papa, I think we have. I
+feel that I do love Jesus and trust in him, and
+so do Max and Lulu, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"I do," said Max with feeling. "I know I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>
+am very, very far from perfect, but I do desire
+above everything else to be a follower of Jesus,
+and known as such; to live near him, and honor
+him in all my words and ways."</p>
+
+<p>"My boy, nothing could have made me happier
+than that confession from your lips," his
+father said with emotion. "And it is no less a
+joy of heart to me to know that my dear little
+Grace is a follower of Jesus." He drew her
+nearer as he spoke, then turned loving, questioning
+eyes upon Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," she said in tremulous tones, "I&mdash;I
+feel that I am not worthy to be called one of
+Jesus' disciples, but I do love him, and long to
+grow in likeness to him. I do ask him very,
+very often to take away all the evil that is in
+me, and make me just what he would have me
+to be."</p>
+
+<p>"And he will hear your prayer, he will grant
+your petition," her father replied in moved
+tones. "Oh, my dear children, your father's
+heart is full of thankfulness that he has reason
+to hope and believe that you are all true followers
+of the blessed Master, and that we may all live
+and love together, not in this world only, but
+also in the next."</p>
+
+<p>To Max that delightful day and evening
+seemed very short. He was surprised when his
+father, glancing at his watch, said, "It is half
+past nine, my son. Say good-night and good-by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span>
+to your friends here, for we must go back
+to the Academy. It need not be a very sad
+parting," he added, with a smile, "as you may
+expect to see some, if not all, of us next month,
+at the time of the commencement exercises."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, papa; that is good news," said
+the lad, his countenance brightening very much,
+"for it is the greatest treat to a fellow to see
+home folks once in a while."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that, my boy. I haven't forgotten
+the feelings of a cadet, which are pretty much
+like those of other lads."</p>
+
+<p>The farewells were quickly spoken, father
+and son entered the waiting row-boat, and in a
+few minutes were at the Academy.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Raymond bade his son good-by at the
+door, reminding him in cheerful tones that he
+might hope to see him, and perhaps the entire
+Woodburn family, again in a few weeks.</p>
+
+<p>With that pleasant prospect in view, Max
+went to his room in excellent spirits. He found
+Hunt already there.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Max! glad to see you back again,"
+he exclaimed in a tone of hearty good-will.
+"Had a royal time of it, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Delightful!" cried Max gayly; "and the
+best of it is that my father holds out the prospect
+of another visit from our whole family at
+the time of the June commencement, which
+you know is not so very far off."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, I must say you're a lucky dog, Raymond,"
+returned Hunt. "I wish I had the
+same prospect of seeing my folks; but they're
+too far off, and money's too scarce."</p>
+
+<p>Violet was alone on deck when her husband
+returned to the yacht, the others having retired
+to the cabin or their state-rooms.</p>
+
+<p>"Waiting for me, love?" he asked, as he
+stepped to her side and passed an arm round her
+waist.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said; "the air is so pleasant here,
+and I thought it would be really delightful for
+us two to have the deck entirely to ourselves
+for a while."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing could be pleasanter to me, dearest,"
+he said, giving her his arm and beginning
+a leisurely promenade.</p>
+
+<p>"And you have left Max at the Academy
+again?" she said interrogatively. "How
+manly he grows, the dear fellow! and so handsome;
+he's a son to be proud of, Levis."</p>
+
+<p>"So his father thinks," returned the captain,
+with a low, happy little laugh. "My dear boy
+is one of God's good gifts to me."</p>
+
+<p>"And how evidently he admires and loves his
+father&mdash;as he well may, I think. He grows more
+and more like you in looks, too, Levis. I can
+imagine that at his age you were just what he
+is now."</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear; if I am not much mistaken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>
+he is both a handsomer and a better lad than
+his father was at the same age."</p>
+
+<p>"Doubtless not half so conceited and vain as
+his father was then or is now," she returned,
+with her low, sweet silvery laugh. "There
+must have been a vast improvement, however,
+before I had the happiness of making his acquaintance."</p>
+
+<p>"Max's?" he queried with mock gravity.</p>
+
+<p>"The acquaintance of Max's father, sir,"
+she replied demurely. "I have known the captain
+now for five years, and can truly say I have
+never seen him show such vanity and conceit as
+you are pleased to charge him with, or at least to
+say were once among his attributes; and I will
+not have him slandered, even by you."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then, let us change the subject of
+discourse."</p>
+
+<p>"Agreed. How soon do we leave Annapolis
+to pursue our homeward way?"</p>
+
+<p>"A little after midnight, if that plan suits
+my wife's wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Entirely. But you are not going to remain
+on deck till then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Probably. I feel no inclination for sleep at
+present, and the air outside here is, as you remarked
+a moment since, delightful."</p>
+
+<p>"Especially when enjoyed in such good company,
+I presume?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that makes a vast difference, of course,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>
+yet I can hardly ask you to stay very long with
+me; cannot have the cruelty to rob my heart's
+best treasure&mdash;my young and lovely wife&mdash;of
+her beauty sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"What a gallant speech!" she laughed; "it
+surely deserves the reward of at least another
+half hour of her delectable society. Ah, my
+best and dearest of husbands," she added in a
+more serious tone, "there is nothing else in the
+world I so keenly enjoy as these rare times when
+I can have you all to myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet I cannot believe they are ever more enjoyable
+to you than to me, my love," he returned;
+"sweet as your society was to me in the
+days of our courtship, it is, I think, even sweeter
+now. And I hope mine is not less enjoyable to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, no," she said earnestly; "you seem
+to grow dearer and more lovable every day that
+we live together; a blessing far, far beyond my
+deserts. Oh, I can never cease to marvel that I
+have won so great a prize in the matrimonial
+lottery."</p>
+
+<p>"It is wondrous strange," he returned, with a
+happy laugh, "that a young, beautiful girl, belonging
+to one of the very best families in the
+land, and who might have had her pick and choice
+among its most desirable matches, should have
+been able to secure a middle-aged widower with
+three children. You may well wonder at so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span>
+great good fortune falling to your lot, lady
+mine," with a strong emphasis upon that last
+word.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my husband, you could hardly bestow
+upon me a sweeter name than that," she said
+softly, and with a bright, winsome look up into
+his face. "It is so sweet to belong to you, and
+to have you belong to me. And then our darling
+children are such treasures."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; our two dear babies."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes; but I meant to include the others
+also; for I surely may claim now that even Lulu
+loves me, not as a mother exactly, but as a dear
+older sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am certain of it, dearest," he said
+in tones expressing heart-felt happiness; "she
+shows it in many ways, and however many and
+serious her faults may be, hypocrisy and deceit
+are not among them."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed! I never knew anyone more perfectly
+free from those faults&mdash;so perfectly open
+and candid. I am sure that if her life were in
+peril she would not be deceitful or untrue in
+order to save it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, my love," he said with emotion.
+"I share that belief, and it has been a great consolation
+to me when sorely distressed by her
+very serious faults."</p>
+
+<p>"But she is overcoming those under her
+father's wise and affectionate training."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think she is," he said; "she is certainly
+struggling hard against them, though the training
+you speak of, has, I fear, been far from
+faultless."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, you have not so much confidence in her
+father's wisdom as I have," returned Violet,
+with a smile and a look up into his face which
+expressed a world of loving appreciation.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation then turned upon other
+themes not unsuited to the sacredness of the
+day; they seated themselves and sang a hymn
+or two together, then Violet went below and
+sought her berth, to be followed an hour later
+by her husband.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning the <i>Dolphin's</i> passengers,
+on awaking, found her speeding on her homeward
+way. No one regretted it, for all were
+full of joy at the thought of seeing home again,
+delightful as had been their sojourn at lovely
+Viamede and on the vessel.</p>
+
+<p>It was still early in the day when they reached
+their wharf, but carriages from Ion, Fairview,
+and Woodburn were in waiting, conveyances
+for the luggage also, and in a very short time
+they had left the city behind, and were whirling
+rapidly over the familiar road toward the
+loved homes they had left some months before&mdash;a
+happy company, the younger ones full of mirth
+and gayety.</p>
+
+<p>The grounds belonging to each estate were
+looking their loveliest, and the returning travelers
+were greeted with the warmest of welcomes.
+Zoe and Edward had reached Ion some
+days in advance of the others, and seen to it that
+everything there was in perfect order, while at
+Woodburn such matters had received careful
+attention from Christine and Alma.</p>
+
+<p>"Welcome home, my love," the captain said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>
+to his wife as the carriage turned in at the
+great gates. "And you too, my darlings,"
+addressing his children. "Is it almost as lovely
+here as at Viamede?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; yes, indeed, papa!" they responded,
+baby Ned adding, "Oh, me so blad to det home
+adain."</p>
+
+<p>Then a joyous bark was heard, and Prince,
+Max's dog, came bounding to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dere our big doggie Prince!" cried Ned,
+with a joyous laugh, and clapping his chubby
+hands. "Maxie dere too, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Neddie boy; we have left Brother
+Maxie behind at Annapolis," answered his
+father; then as the carriage came to a standstill,
+he threw open the door, exclaiming, "Home
+at last!" sprang to the ground, and proceeded
+to hand out wife and children.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Violet, who, as well as the
+children, had been gazing with delight upon
+the grounds from the carriage window, "and
+I for one am as glad as I was to see Viamede on
+our arrival there. How very lovely everything
+is looking! Ah, Christine and Alma," as the
+two came hurrying out to greet the returned
+travellers, "I hope you are well? What good
+care you have taken of everything in our absence."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, Mrs. Raymond; it is very kind in
+you to notice it; and we are delighted to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span>
+you all at home again," the two women returned,
+smiling with pleasure over the arrival
+and Violet's appreciative words, to which the
+captain added his hearty commendation, and
+the children glad, warm greetings.</p>
+
+<p>Prince's actions, in the meantime, told the
+same story of his feelings; he was fawning
+upon one and another, capering about and wagging
+his tail with many a joyous bark that
+seemed to say, "I am very glad, very happy to
+see you all here again," and receiving much
+loving stroking and patting in return.</p>
+
+<p>The servants, too, came crowding about, with
+smiling faces and exclamations of joy and thankfulness.
+"Bress de Lawd yous all safe home
+agin!" "We's pow'ful glad to see you, cap'n,
+Miss Wi'let, an' all ob de chillens!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dis chile 'specs yo's pow'ful hungry, Miss
+Wi'let an' de res'; but de dinnah's 'mos' ready
+fo' to dish up," remarked the cook.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we are not starving, by any means, Aunt
+Judy," returned Violet. "We had an excellent
+and abundant breakfast on board the <i>Dolphin</i>,
+and it is hardly the regular dinner hour
+yet."</p>
+
+<p>"And oh, papa, mayn't we run about everywhere
+and look at everything?" asked Lulu
+and Grace half breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, daughters," he replied, smiling
+affectionately into the eager upturned faces,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>
+"though as dinner is so nearly ready, I think it
+might be well to first take off your hats and
+make yourselves neat for the table; then keep
+within doors until after the meal."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, sir," cried Lulu, "and there is no
+place we want to see more than our own rooms.
+So come, Gracie, let's hurry up there. Hark!
+there's my Polly screaming 'Lu! Lu!' She
+seems to know I've got home. Who can have
+told her? And where's your kitten?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here," returned Gracie; "don't you see
+I've got her in my arms? and I do believe she's
+glad to see me. Oh, you pretty pet! I often
+wanted to see you while I was away."</p>
+
+<p>They were hurrying up the stairs while they
+talked, and presently reached their own little
+sitting room. "Oh!" they cried in a breath,
+"how sweet and lovely it does look!" Then
+they made a hasty circuit of Lulu's bedroom
+and the little tower room opening into it, exclaiming
+again and again at the beauty of the
+furnishings, as though they had never seen them
+before, and the extreme neatness which attested
+the good housekeeping of Christine.</p>
+
+<p>Last of all they entered Grace's bedroom, to
+find its appearance quite as inviting as that of
+the others.</p>
+
+<p>"How sweet it does look, Lu!" exclaimed
+Grace. "Oh, I do think we have just the sweetest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span>
+home, as well as the dearest, kindest father in
+the whole world!"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we have," returned Lulu. "I'd a
+thousand times rather be his child than any
+king's daughter."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you, indeed, my dear child?" asked
+a familiar voice close behind her, while a kind
+hand was laid upon each shoulder. "Well, my
+darlings, contentment is better than wealth,
+and most assuredly your father would not exchange
+you for any king's daughters, or the
+children of any other man."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he bent down to press a fatherly
+kiss upon Lulu's lips, then putting an arm round
+Grace, caressed her in like manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Now make yourselves neat for the dinner-table,
+daughters," he said, "and after the meal,
+if you wish you may spend the whole afternoon
+in going over the house and grounds."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, papa," they exclaimed, looking
+full of delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Lu! Lu!" called Polly from the sitting
+room, "what you 'bout? Polly wants a cracker."</p>
+
+<p>"O Polly, I beg your pardon; but you have
+been so quiet ever since I came in that I really
+forgot all about you," laughed Lulu, running
+toward the cage, followed by her father and
+Grace. "So you want a cracker, do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have it, Polly," the captain said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>
+opening the door of a small cupboard where
+things of that sort were wont to be kept. "Yes,
+here is a paper of them," taking one out and
+handing it to the parrot, who promptly took it
+in one claw, and, standing on the other foot, began
+biting off bits and disposing of them with
+a comically serious air and evident enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the little ones came running in, eager
+to see Polly and hear her talk. But she was
+too much absorbed with her cracker to vouchsafe
+them a single word.</p>
+
+<p>"Is mamma ready for dinner, Elsie?" the
+captain asked presently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," answered Violet's own voice
+from the doorway; "and there is the bell."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we will go down at once," said the
+captain, picking up Elsie and Ned, and following
+his wife down the stairs, Lulu and Grace
+bringing up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>The diningroom looked very attractive as
+they entered it; there was perfect neatness
+and order, vases of freshly cut flowers stood
+here and there, delighting the senses with their
+beauty and fragrance, and forming a lovely decoration
+for the table, which presented a most inviting
+appearance thus ornamented and set out
+with delicate china, snowy damask, and glittering
+cut glass and silver ware.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone regarded it with evident satisfaction,
+Violet saying gayly, "After all, my dear,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>
+can any lovelier or better place be found than
+this&mdash;our own sweet home?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is no dearer spot on earth to me, my
+love," he answered, with a smile that spoke
+fond affection, and delight in her appreciation
+of his efforts for her happiness and enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>"I think no place on earth could be more
+beautiful than Viamede," remarked Lulu; "but
+this is more charming because it is our very
+own."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," chimed in Grace, "papa's and
+mamma's and ours. It is ever so good in you,
+papa, to let us own it too."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah?" he returned laughingly, "but that
+is because I own you, you know."</p>
+
+<p>He had lifted baby Ned to his high chair, and
+now all seated themselves and the blessing was
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>They were a lively, happy little dinner-party,
+the children allowed a share in the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," asked Grace at length, "are we to
+begin lessons to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," he replied, "I will give you two days
+to run about and see everything here, at Ion,
+Fairview, the Oaks, and so forth. Then you
+must settle down to work and be very good and
+industrious if you want to be of the Annapolis
+party in June."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that will be so delightful, papa, and we
+do intend to be as good and industrious as possible!"
+she exclaimed, Lulu adding, "I am sure
+I do, and if I should deserve punishment, papa,"
+she went on in an undertone hardly audible to
+anyone but him, for as usual she was seated
+close at his right hand, "please do make it something
+else than being left at home."</p>
+
+<p>"I have little fear of being compelled to punish
+you in that way or any other, daughter,"
+he replied, giving her a loving look.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, dear papa; it is so kind in you
+to say that; and Gracie and I do just love to belong
+to you," raising her voice a little, "Don't
+we, Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do, I'm sure," returned Grace, with a loving
+smile up into her father's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what shall we do this afternoon?"
+queried Violet. "I for one feel inclined to go
+all over the house and grounds, to look at every
+dear, familiar spot."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear, then that is what we will
+do," responded her husband; "and the children
+may go with us or refrain, as they please," with
+a smiling glance from Lulu to Grace, which both
+answered with an eagerly expressed desire to
+accompany him and Violet; Grace adding,
+"But I do want to see Elf and Fairy more than
+anything else."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear child," said her father, "they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span>
+are disporting themselves out yonder in the meadow,
+and you may run out to look at and pet
+them as soon as we leave the table, if you
+wish."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, papa, that is just what I'd
+like to do!" she replied.</p>
+
+<p>"And I think all the rest of us will be glad
+to go with you," said Violet.</p>
+
+<p>Ned, however, presently began to nod, and
+had to be carried away to his crib before the
+others were quite ready to leave the table.</p>
+
+<p>"I think Elsie, too, looks as if she would enjoy
+a nap more than anything else," remarked
+the captain, with a kind look at his youngest
+daughter, who seemed to be very nearly nodding
+over her plate.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, papa!" she said straightening up
+and opening her eyes very wide; "please, I want
+to see the ponies first."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, so you shall, and the nap can
+come afterward," he returned in an indulgent
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, as we are all done eating, shall we
+not go at once, my dear?" asked Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it would be well to do so," he returned.
+"Put on your hats, children, and we
+will go."</p>
+
+<p>Elf and Fairy seemed glad to see their young
+mistresses, who stroked, patted, and fed them
+with bits of sugar. The next thing was to explore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>
+every nook and corner of the grounds,
+which to them all looked lovelier than ever.</p>
+
+<p>Then they returned to the house, little Elsie
+willingly submitted to being laid in her crib,
+for she was very sleepy, and the captain, Violet,
+Lulu, and Grace went over the whole house,
+finding it in beautiful order, and saying to each
+other that it seemed a sweeter home than ever.</p>
+
+<p>By that time there were callers from Ion, the
+Oaks, Roselands, and the Laurels, those from
+Ion bringing the news that Grandma Elsie invited
+all to a family reunion to be held at her
+home on the afternoon and evening of the next
+day. An invitation that every member of the
+Woodburn family was glad to accept.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Brother Levis," said Rosie coaxingly,
+"you surely will not be so unkind as to require
+lessons of us to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, little sister, to-morrow and the next day
+may be given up to amusement; but after that
+I shall hope and expect to have some very industrious
+pupils."</p>
+
+<p>"As you certainly shall," she replied, with a
+grave, emphatic nod; "I am glad of the promised
+holiday; duly grateful for it, too, as I
+presume all your scholars are."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, indeed we are, sir!" was the hearty
+response from Evelyn and Walter, Lulu and
+Grace adding, "And so are we, papa."</p>
+
+<p>The callers left early, declining an invitation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>
+to stay to tea; the family partook of their evening
+meal; Grace and the little ones, wearied
+with their journey, the excitement of the homecoming,
+and seeing so much company, went
+early to bed; an errand took the captain into
+the village for a short season, and Violet and
+Lulu were left for an hour or more to each other's
+society.</p>
+
+<p>They were on the veranda together, pacing
+slowly back and forth, each with an arm about
+the other's waist.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mamma Vi, isn't it just delightful to be
+at home again?" exclaimed Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed! when the home is such an one
+as ours, and with such a man as your father at
+the head of affairs," returned Violet. "Lu
+dear, I'm so glad that you and all his children
+love him as you do, though really I do not see
+how any one of you could help it."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor do I, Mamma Vi; and I'm very glad that
+you love him so too; that makes me love you
+even better than I could if you didn't appreciate
+him so highly. But we can't love him so dearly
+without loving one another; can we?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly not; I am very fond of all
+five of his children as well as of their father,"
+Violet replied, with her low, sweet laugh.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3>
+<p>Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. Inconsistent hyphenation was retained.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT VIAMEDE***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 32225-h.txt or 32225-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/2/2/32225">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/2/2/32225</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.</p>
+
+<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.</p>
+
+
+
+<pre>
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>.
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a>
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a>
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a>
+
+*** END: FULL LICENSE ***
+</pre>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/32225-h/images/cover.jpg b/32225-h/images/cover.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c4b9d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225-h/images/cover.jpg
diff --git a/32225.txt b/32225.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c71163
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7815 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie at Viamede, by Martha Finley
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Elsie at Viamede
+
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+
+
+Release Date: May 2, 2010  [eBook #32225]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT VIAMEDE***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images
+generously made available by Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org)
+
+
+
+Note: Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      http://www.archive.org/details/elsieatviamede00finl
+
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE AT VIAMEDE
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS AND OTHER POPULAR BOOKS
+
+BY MARTHA FINLEY
+
+      _ELSIE DINSMORE._
+        _ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS._
+          _ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD._
+            _ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD._
+              _ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD._
+                _ELSIE'S CHILDREN._
+      _ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD._
+        _GRANDMOTHER ELSIE._
+          _ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS._
+            _ELSIE AT NANTUCKET._
+              _THE TWO ELSIES._
+                _ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN._
+      _ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN._
+        _CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE._
+          _ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS._
+            _ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS._
+              _ELSIE'S VACATION._
+                _ELSIE AT VIAMEDE._
+      _ELSIE AT ION._
+        _ELSIE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR._
+          _ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS._
+            _ELSIE AT HOME._
+              _ELSIE ON THE HUDSON._
+                _ELSIE IN THE SOUTH._
+                  _ELSIE'S YOUNG FOLKS._
+                    _ELSIE'S WINTER TRIP._
+                      _ELSIE AND HER LOVED ONES._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+      _MILDRED KEITH._
+        _MILDRED AT ROSELANDS._
+          _MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE._
+            _MILDRED AND ELSIE._
+              _MILDRED AT HOME._
+                _MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS._
+                  _MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+      _CASELLA._
+        _SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND WHAT IT COST._
+          _THE TRAGEDY OF WILD RIVER VALLEY._
+            _OUR FRED._
+              _AN OLD-FASHIONED BOY._
+                _WANTED, A PEDIGREE._
+                  _THE THORN IN THE NEST._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+ELSIE AT VIAMEDE
+
+by
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "The Mildred Books,"
+"Thorn in the Nest," Etc., Etc., Etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+New York
+Dodd, Mead & Company
+Publishers
+
+Copyright, 1892
+by Dodd, Mead & Company.
+All rights reserved.
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+IT was a beautiful evening at Viamede: the sun nearing its setting,
+shadows sleeping here and there upon the velvety flower-bespangled lawn,
+and filling the air with their delicious perfume, the waters of the
+bayou beyond reflecting the roseate hues of the sunset clouds, and the
+song of some negro oarsmen, in a passing boat, coming to the ear in
+pleasantly mellowed tones. Tea was over, and the family had all gathered
+upon the veranda overlooking the bayou. A momentary silence was broken
+by Rosie's pleasant voice:
+
+"Mamma, I wish you or grandpa, or the captain, would tell the story of
+Jackson's defence of New Orleans. Now while we are in the neighborhood
+we would all, I feel sure, find it very interesting. I think you have
+been going over Lossing's account of it, mamma," she added laughingly,
+"for I found his 'Pictorial History of the War of 1812' lying on the
+table in your room, with a mark in at that part."
+
+"Yes, I had been refreshing my memory in that way," returned her mother,
+smiling pleasantly into the dark eyes gazing so fondly and entreatingly
+into hers. "And," she added, "I have no objection to granting your
+request, except that I do not doubt that either your grandfather or the
+captain could do greater justice to the subject than I," glancing
+inquiringly from one to the other.
+
+"Captain, I move that you undertake the task," said Mr. Dinsmore. "You
+are, no doubt, better prepared to do it justice than I, and I would not
+have my daughter fatigued with the telling of so long a story."
+
+"Always so kindly careful of me, my dear father," remarked Mrs. Travilla
+in a softly spoken aside.
+
+"I am doubtful of my better preparation for the telling of the story,
+sir," returned the captain in his pleasant tones, "but if both you and
+mother are disinclined for the exertion I am willing to undertake the
+task."
+
+"Yes, do, captain; do, papa," came in eager tones from several young
+voices, and lifting baby Ned to one knee, Elsie to the other, while the
+rest of the young members of the household grouped themselves about him,
+he began his story after a slight pause to collect his thoughts.
+
+"You all, I think, have more or less knowledge of the War of 1812-14,
+which finished the work of separation from the mother country so nearly
+accomplished by the War of the Revolution. Upon the close of that
+earlier contest, England, it is true, acknowledged our independence, but
+evidently retained a hope of finally recovering her control here.
+
+"All through the intervening years, our sailors on our merchant vessels,
+and even, in some instances, those belonging to our navy, were subjected
+to insults and oppression when met on the high seas by the more powerful
+ones of the English. The conduct of British officers--claiming the right
+to search our vessels for deserters from theirs, and often seizing
+American born men as such--was most gallingly insulting; the wrongs thus
+inflicted upon our poor seamen were enough to rouse the anger and
+indignation of the meekest of men. The clearest proofs of citizenship
+availed nothing; they were seized, carried forcibly aboard the British
+ships, and, if they refused to serve their captors, were brutally
+flogged again and again.
+
+"But I will not go into details with which you are all more or less
+acquainted. We did not lack abundant cause for exasperation, and at
+length, though ill prepared for the struggle, our government declared
+war against Great Britain.
+
+"That war had lasted two years; both parties were weary of the struggle,
+and negotiations for peace were being carried on in Europe. In fact the
+treaty had been signed, December 24, in the city of Ghent, Belgium, but
+news did not travel in those days nearly so fast as it does now, and so
+it happened that the battle of New Orleans was fought two weeks
+afterward, January 8, 1815, both armies being still in ignorance of the
+conclusion of peace."
+
+"What a pity!" exclaimed Grace.
+
+"And Andrew Jackson was the commanding general?" remarked Walter in a
+tone between inquiry and assertion. "Was he an American by birth,
+Brother Levis?"
+
+"Yes; his parents were from Ireland, but he was born on the border
+between North and South Carolina, in 1767; so that he was old enough to
+remember some of the occurrences of the Revolutionary War; one of them
+being himself carried to Camden, South Carolina, as a prisoner, and
+there nearly starved to death and brutally treated by a British officer;
+cut with a sword because he refused to black his boots for him."
+
+"Was that so, sir?" queried Walter. "Well, I shouldn't wonder if the
+recollection of all that made him more ready to fight them in the next
+war, particularly at New Orleans, than he would have been otherwise."
+
+"No doubt," returned the captain. "Jackson was a man of great energy,
+determination, and persistence. It is said his maxim was, 'till all is
+done nothing is done.' In May of 1814 he was made a major-general in the
+regular army and appointed to the command of the Department of the
+South, the Seventh Military District, with his headquarters at Mobile,
+of which the Americans had taken possession as early as April, 1812.
+
+"Jackson's vigilance was sleepless. The Spanish had possession of
+Pensacola, and, though professing neutrality, were secretly favoring the
+British. Of this Jackson promptly informed our government, but at that
+time our War Department was strangely apathetic, and his communication
+was not responded to in any way.
+
+"But he had trusty spies, both white and dark-skinned, everywhere, who
+kept him informed of all that was taking place in the whole region
+around. He knew that British marines were allowed to land and encamp on
+shore; that Edward Nichols, their commander, was a guest of the Spanish
+governor, and the British flag was unfurled over one of the forts. Also,
+that Indians were invited to enroll themselves in the service of the
+British crown, and that Nichols had sent out a general order to his
+soldiers, and a proclamation to the people of Kentucky and Louisiana,
+announcing that the land and naval forces at Pensacola were only the van
+of a far larger number of vessels and troops which were intended for
+the subjugation of Louisiana and especially the city of New Orleans.
+
+"Jackson arrived in that city on the 2d of December, and prepared to
+defend it from the British, whom he had driven out of Florida. They had
+planned to take the lower Mississippi Valley, intending to keep
+possession of the western bank of the river. They had among them some of
+the finest of Wellington's troops, who, but a short time before, had
+been engaged in driving Napoleon out of Europe.
+
+"In December, 12,000 men under the command of Sir Edward Packenham,
+brother-in-law of Wellington, were landed below New Orleans. They had
+come from Jamaica across the Gulf of Mexico. Their expedition was a
+secret one, and they approached New Orleans midway between Mobile Bay
+and the Mississippi River, entering Lake Borgne and anchoring there.
+
+"A small American navy, composed of five gunboats, opposed their
+progress, but was soon dispersed by their superior force of fifty
+vessels, large and small. Then the British took full possession of the
+lake, and landed troops upon a lonely island called the Isle des Pois
+(or Pea Island).
+
+"Some Spaniards, who had formerly lived in New Orleans, told Cochrane of
+Bayou Bienvenu, at the northwestern extremity of Lake Borgne, by which
+he could nearly reach the city, the bayou being navigable for large
+barges to within a few miles of the Mississippi River.
+
+"A party was sent to explore it, and found that by following it and a
+canal they would reach a spot but half a mile from the river and nine
+miles below the city.
+
+"They hurried back to Cochrane with a report to that effect, and by the
+23d of December half of the army had reached the spot.
+
+"A few months before--September 1st--the British sloop of war _Sophia_,
+commanded by Captain Lockyer, had sailed from Pensacola with despatches
+for Jean Lafitte, inviting him and his band to enter the British
+service."
+
+"Lafitte! Who was he, Brother Levis?" queried Walter.
+
+"A Frenchman," replied the captain, "who, with his elder brother,
+Pierre, had come to New Orleans some six years before. They were
+blacksmiths, and for a time worked at their trade; but afterward they
+engaged in smuggling, and were leaders of a band of corsairs, seizing,
+it was said, merchantmen of different nations, even some belonging to
+the people of the United States, and for that they were outlawed, though
+there was some doubt that they were really guilty. But they carried on a
+contraband trade with some of the citizens of Louisiana, smuggling their
+wares into New Orleans through Bayou Teche, or Bayou Lafourche and
+Barataria Lake. That had brought them into trouble with the United
+States authorities, and the British thought to get the help of the
+buccaneers in their intended attack upon the city, where Pierre Lafitte
+was at that time a prisoner.
+
+"Captain Lockyer carried to Jean a letter from Colonel Nichols offering
+him a captain's commission in the British Navy and $30,000, and to his
+followers exemption from punishment for past deeds, indemnification for
+any losses, and rewards in money and lands, if they would go into the
+service of England's king.
+
+"Lockyer also brought another paper, in which they were threatened with
+extermination if they refused the offers in the first."
+
+"Were they frightened and bribed into doing what the British wished,
+sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"No," replied the captain; "they seized Captain Lockyer and his
+officers, and threatened to carry them to New Orleans as prisoners of
+war; but Lafitte persuaded them to give that up, and they released the
+officers. Lafitte pretended to treat with them, asking them to come back
+for his reply in ten days, and they were permitted to depart.
+
+"After they had gone, he wrote to a member of the legislature telling of
+the visit of the British officers, what they had said to him and his
+men, and sending with his letter the papers Captain Lockyer had left
+with him. He also offered his own and his men's services in defence of
+the city, on condition that past offences should never be brought up
+against them.
+
+"Troops were badly needed in the American army, and Governor Claiborne
+was inclined to accept Lafitte's offer; but the majority of his officers
+were opposed to so doing, thinking the papers sent were forgeries, and
+the story made up to prevent the destruction of the colony of outlaws,
+against whom an expedition was then fitting out. Lafitte knew of the
+preparations, but supposed they were for an attack upon the British.
+They, the members of the expedition, made a sudden descent upon
+Barataria, captured a large number of Lafitte's men, and carried them
+and a rich booty to New Orleans.
+
+"Some of the Baratarians escaped, Jean and Pierre Lafitte among them.
+They soon collected their men again near the mouth of Bayou Lafourche,
+and after General Jackson took command in New Orleans, again offered
+their services, which Jackson accepted, sending a part to man the
+redoubts on the river, and forming of the rest a corps which served the
+batteries with great skill.
+
+"In his letter at the time of sending information with regard to the
+attempt of the British to bribe him to enter their service, Jean Lafitte
+said: 'Though proscribed in my adopted country, I will never miss an
+occasion of serving her, or of proving that she has never ceased to be
+dear to me.'"
+
+"There!" exclaimed Lulu with enthusiasm, "I don't believe he was such a
+very bad man, after all."
+
+"Nor do I," her father said with a slight smile; then went on with his
+story.
+
+"Early on the 15th of December, Jackson, hearing of the capture of the
+gunboats, immediately set to work to fortify the city and make every
+possible preparation to repulse the expected attack of the enemy. He
+sent word to General Winchester, in command at Mobile, to be on the
+alert, and messengers to Generals Thomas and Coffee urging them to
+hasten with their commands to assist in the defence of the city.
+
+"Then he appointed, for the 18th, a grand review of all the troops in
+front of the Cathedral of St. Louis, in what is now Jackson Square, but
+at that time was called Place d'Armes.
+
+"All the people turned out to see the review. The danger was great, the
+military force with which to meet the foe small and weak, but Jackson
+made a stirring address, and his aide, Edward Livingston, read a
+thrilling and eloquent one.
+
+"They were successful in rousing both troops and populace to an intense
+enthusiasm, taking advantage of which, Jackson declared martial law and
+a suspension of the writ of _habeas corpus_."
+
+"What is that, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"It is a writ which in ordinary times may be given by a judge to have a
+prisoner brought before him that he may inquire into the cause of his
+detention and have him released if unlawfully detained. It is a most
+important safeguard to liberty, inherited by us from our English
+ancestors."
+
+"Then what right had Jackson to suspend it, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"A right given by the constitution of the United States, in which there
+is an express provision that it may be suspended in cases of rebellion
+or invasion, should the public safety demand it," replied the captain:
+then resumed his narrative.
+
+"After the review, Jean Lafitte again offered his own services and those
+of his men, urging their acceptance, and they were mustered into the
+ranks and appointed to important duty.
+
+"Jackson showed himself sleeplessly vigilant and wonderfully active,
+making every possible preparation to meet and repulse every coming foe.
+
+"On the evening of the 23d, the schooner _Carolina_, one of the two
+armed American vessels in the river, moved down and anchored within
+musket shot of the centre of the British camp. Half an hour later she
+opened a tremendous fire upon them from her batteries, and in ten
+minutes had killed or wounded a hundred or more men. The British
+answered with a shower of Congreve rockets and bullets, but with little
+or no effect, and in less than half an hour were driven in confusion
+from their camp.
+
+"They had scarcely recovered from that when they were startled by the
+sound of musketry in the direction of their outposts. Some prisoners
+whom General Keane had taken told him there were more than 12,000 troops
+in New Orleans, and he now felt convinced that such was the fact. He
+gave Thornton full liberty to do as he would.
+
+"Thornton moved forward and was presently met by a column under Jackson.
+There was some fierce fighting, and at length the British fell sullenly
+back. About half past nine the fighting was over; but two hours later,
+when all was becoming quiet in the camp, musket firing was heard in the
+distance. Some drafted militia, under General David Morgan, had heard
+the firing upon the _Carolina_ early in the evening, insisted upon being
+led against the enemy, and on their way had met some British pickets at
+Jumonsville and exchanged shots with them. By that advance against the
+foe, Jackson had saved New Orleans for the time, and now he set
+vigorously to work to prepare for another attack, for he knew there
+would be another. Also, that the men who were to make it were fresh from
+the battlefields of Europe--veteran troops not likely to be easily
+conquered or driven away. He omitted nothing which it was in his power
+to do for the defence of the city, setting his soldiers to casting up
+intrenchments along the line of the canal from the river to Cypress
+Swamp. They were in excellent spirits, and plied their spades with such
+energy and zeal that by sunset a breastwork three feet high might be
+seen along the whole line of his army.
+
+"The American troops were quite hilarious on that Christmas eve, the
+British soldiers gloomy and disheartened, having lost confidence in
+their commander, Keane, and finding themselves on wet ground, under a
+clouded sky, and in a chilly atmosphere; but the sudden arrival of their
+new commander, Sir Edward Packenham, in whose skill and bravery they had
+great confidence, filled them with joy.
+
+"But while the Americans were at work preparing for the coming conflict,
+the foe were not idle; day and night they were busy getting ready a
+heavy battery with which to attack the _Carolina_. On the morning of the
+27th, they had it finished, began firing hot shot upon her from a
+howitzer and several twelve and eighteen pounders, and soon succeeded in
+setting her on fire, so that she blew up.
+
+"It was a tremendous explosion, but fortunately her crew had abandoned
+her in time to escape it. The _Louisiana_, who had come down to her aid,
+was near sharing her fate, but, by great exertion on the part of her
+crew, she was towed out of reach of the enemy's shot, anchored nearly
+abreast of the American camp, on the other side of the river, and so
+saved to take a gallant part in the next day's fight. Packenham next
+ordered his men to move forward and carry the intrenchments of the
+Americans by storm. They numbered 8000, and toward evening the two
+columns, commanded respectively by Generals Gibbs and Keane, obeyed that
+order, moving forward, driving in the American pickets and outposts, and
+at twilight they encamped, some of them seeking repose while others
+began raising batteries near the river.
+
+"The Americans, however, kept them awake by quick, sharp attacks, which
+the British called 'barbarian warfare.'"
+
+"Barbarian warfare, indeed!" sniffed Walter. "I wonder if it was half so
+barbarous as what they employed the Indians to do to our people."
+
+"Ah, but you must remember that it makes a vast difference who does
+what, Walter," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Oh, yes, of course," returned the lad; and Captain Raymond went on with
+his story.
+
+"Jackson was busy getting ready to receive the enemy: watching their
+movements through a telescope, planting heavy guns, blowing up some
+buildings that would have interfered with the sweep of his artillery,
+and calling some Louisiana militia from the rear. By the time the
+British were ready to attack, he had 4000 men and twenty pieces of
+artillery ready to receive them. Also the _Louisiana_ was in a position
+to use her cannon with effect in giving them a warm reception.
+
+"As soon as the fog of early morning had passed away, they could be seen
+approaching in two columns, while a party of skirmishers, sent out by
+Gibbs, were ordered to turn the left flank of the Americans and attack
+their rear.
+
+"Just then a band of rough looking men came down the road from the
+direction of the city. They were Baratarians, who had run all the way
+from Fort St. John to take part in the fight, and Jackson was delighted
+to see them. He put them in charge of the twenty-four pounders and they
+did excellent service.
+
+"Next came the crew of the _Carolina_, under Lieutenants Norris and
+Crawley, and they were given charge of the howitzer on the right. A
+galling fire of musketry fell upon the British as they advanced in solid
+column, then the batteries of the _Louisiana_ and some of Jackson's
+heavy guns swept their lines with deadly effect, one of the shots from
+the _Louisiana_ killing and wounding fifteen men. The British rocketeers
+were busy on their side, too, but succeeded in inflicting very little
+damage upon the Americans.
+
+"But I must leave the rest of the story for another time, for I see we
+are about to have company," concluded the captain, as a carriage was
+seen coming swiftly up the driveway. It brought callers who remained
+until the hour for the retiring of the younger ones among his hearers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+THE next evening the Viamede family were again gathered upon the
+veranda, and, at the urgent request of the younger portion, seconded by
+that of the older ones, the captain resumed the thread of his narrative.
+
+"Keane's men," he said, "could no longer endure the terrible fire that
+was so rapidly thinning their ranks, and they were presently ordered to
+seek shelter in the little canals, where, in mud and water almost waist
+deep, they leaned forward, concealing themselves in the rushes which
+grew on the banks. They were Wellington's veterans, and must have felt
+humiliated enough to be thus compelled to flee before a few rough
+backwoodsmen, as they considered Jackson's troops.
+
+"In the meantime, Gibbs and Rennie were endeavoring to flank the
+American left, driving in the pickets till they were within a hundred
+yards of Carroll and his Tennesseeans. Carroll perceived their object
+and sent Colonel Henderson with 200 Tennesseeans to cut Rennie off from
+the main body of the enemy by gaining his rear. Henderson went too far,
+met a large British force, and he and five of his men were killed and
+several wounded. But Gibbs, seeing how hard the fight was going with
+Keane, ordered Rennie to fall back to his assistance. Rennie reluctantly
+obeyed, but only to be a witness of Keane's repulse. Packenham, deeply
+mortified by the unexpected disaster to his veterans, presently ordered
+his men to fall back, and retired to his headquarters at Villere's."
+
+"Had he lost many of his men that day, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"The British loss in the engagement is said to have been about one
+hundred and fifty," replied Captain Raymond; "that of the Americans nine
+killed and eight wounded. Packenham called a council of war, at which it
+was resolved to bring heavy siege guns from the navy and with them make
+another attempt to conquer the Americans and get possession of the city,
+which Packenham now began to see to be by no means the easy task he had
+at first imagined. He perceived that it was difficult, dangerous, and
+would require all the skill of which he was master; that his movements
+must be both courageous and persevering if he would save his army from
+destruction.
+
+"Jackson, too, was busy with his preparations, extending his line of
+intrenchments, placing guns, establishing batteries, and appointing
+those who were to command and work them.
+
+"A company of young men from the best families, under Captain Ogden,
+were made his body-guard and subject to his orders alone. They were
+posted in Macarte's garden.
+
+"Everybody was full of enthusiasm, active and alert. Particularly so
+were the Tennessee riflemen; they delighted in going on 'hunts,' as they
+called expeditions to pick off the sentinels of the enemy. So successful
+were they in this kind of warfare on Jackson's left, very near the
+swamp, that soon the British dared not post sentinels there. They (the
+British) threw up a strong redoubt there which Captain You and
+Lieutenant Crawley constantly battered with heavy shot from their
+cannon; but the British persevered, and by the end of the month had
+mounted several heavy guns, with which, on the 31st, they began a
+vigorous fire upon the Americans.
+
+"That night the whole of the British army moved forward to within a few
+hundred yards of the American lines, and in the gloom, began rapid work
+with spade and pickaxe. They brought up siege guns from the lake, and
+before dawn had finished three half-moon batteries at nearly equal
+distances apart, and six hundred yards from the American line.
+
+"They (the batteries) were made of earth, hogsheads of sugar, and
+whatever else could be laid hold of that would answer the purpose. Upon
+them they placed thirty pieces of heavy ordnance, manned by picked
+gunners of the fleet, who had served under Nelson, Collingwood, and St.
+Vincent.
+
+"That morning was the 1st of January, 1815. A thick fog hid the two
+armies from each other until after eight o'clock. Then a gentle breeze
+blew it aside, and the British began firing briskly upon the American
+works, doubtless feeling sure they would presently scatter them to the
+winds, and that their own army, placed ready in battle array, would then
+rush forward, overpower the Americans, and take the city.
+
+"Heavier and heavier grew their bombardment; the rocketeers sent an
+incessant shower of fiery missiles into the American lines and upon
+Jackson's headquarters at Macarte's, more than a hundred balls, shells,
+and rockets striking the building in the course of ten minutes. He and
+his staff immediately left the house, and in the meantime he had opened
+his heavy guns on the assailants.
+
+"The British were amazed to find heavy artillery thundering along the
+whole line, and wondered how and where the Americans had got their guns
+and gunners.
+
+"It was a terrible fight. Packenham sent a detachment of infantry to
+turn the American left, but they were driven back in terror by the
+Tennesseeans under Coffee. After that, the conflict was between the
+batteries alone, and before noon the fire of the British had sensibly
+abated. Then they abandoned their works and fled helter-skelter to the
+ditches for safety; for their demi-lunes were crushed and broken, the
+hogsheads, of which they were largely composed, having been reduced to
+splinters and the sugar that had filled them mixed with the earth. Some
+of their guns were dismounted, others careened so that it was very
+difficult to work them, while the fire of the Americans was still
+unceasing. At noon, as I have said, they gave up the contest. That night
+they crawled back and carried away some of their cannon, dragging them
+with difficulty over the wet ground, and leaving five of them a spoil to
+the Americans.
+
+"They (the British) were deeply chagrined by their repulse, had eaten
+nothing for sixty hours, nor had any sleep in all that time, so that
+their New Year's Day was even gloomier than their Christmas had been.
+
+"The Americans, on the other hand, were full of joy that they had been
+able to repulse their own and their country's foes; and their happiness
+was increased by the news that they were soon to have a re-enforcement,
+Brigadier-General John Adair arriving with the glad tidings that 2000
+drafted militia from Kentucky were coming to their assistance. These
+arrived on the 4th of the month, and 700 of them were sent to the front
+under Adair.
+
+"Packenham had lost some of his confidence in the ability of himself and
+his troops to conquer the Americans, but hoped to be more successful in
+a new effort. He decided to try to carry Jackson's lines on both sides
+of the river. He resolved to rebuild his two batteries near the levee,
+which had been destroyed by the Americans, mount them well, and employ
+them in assailing the American right, while Keane, with his corps, was
+to advance with fascines to fill the ditches, and scaling ladders with
+which to mount the embankments.
+
+"But first 1500 infantry, with some artillery, were to be sent under
+cover of night to attack Morgan, whose works were but feebly manned,
+and, getting possession, enfilade Jackson's line, while the main British
+army attacked it in front.
+
+"All the labor of completing these arrangements was finished on the 7th,
+and the army, now 10,000 strong, was in fine spirits, no doubt thinking
+they had an easy task before them. But Jackson saw through their
+designs, and was busily engaged in making his preparations. He had
+thrown up a redoubt on the edge of the river, and mounted it with cannon
+so as to enfilade the ditch in front of his line. He had, besides, eight
+batteries at proper distances from each other, and Patterson's marine
+battery across the river, mounting nine guns; also the _Louisiana_ near
+at hand and ready to take any part she could in assisting him.
+
+"The plain of Chalmette was in front of Jackson's line. His whole force
+on the New Orleans side of the river was about 5000; only 2200 of them
+were at his line; only 800 of them were regulars, most of them being new
+recruits commanded by young officers.
+
+"The British attempted to carry out Packenham's plans, but Thornton was
+delayed in reaching Morgan by the falling of the water in the canal and
+river, so that the sailors had to drag the boats through the mud in many
+places, and it was three o'clock in the morning before half his force
+had crossed. Besides, the powerful current of the Mississippi carried
+them down stream, and they were landed at least a mile and a half below
+the point at which they had intended to disembark, and the roar of the
+cannon on the plain of Chalmette was heard before all had landed. The
+British had formed in line and advanced to within 450 yards of the
+American intrenchments, and there, under Gibbs and Keane, they stood in
+the darkness, fog, and chilly air, listening for the boom of Thornton's
+guns.
+
+"The time must have seemed long to them, and doubtless they wondered
+what delayed him. But day began to dawn, the red coats of the enemy
+could be dimly seen by our troops through the fog, and Lieutenant
+Spotswood, of battery No. 7, opened the battle by sending one of his
+heavy shots in among them.
+
+"The fog rolled away, and the British line was seen extending two-thirds
+of the distance across the plain of Chalmette. A rocket was sent up from
+each end of the line and it broke into fragments, the men forming into
+columns by companies. Then Gibbs moved forward toward the wooded swamp,
+his troops, as they advanced, terribly pelted by the fire of the
+Americans, the batteries Nos. 6, 7, and 8 pouring shot incessantly into
+their line, making lanes through it.
+
+"Some sought shelter from the storm behind a projection of the swamp
+into the plain; but in vain. Whole platoons were prostrated, but their
+places were instantly filled by others.
+
+"The company who were to have brought the fascines and scaling ladders
+had forgotten them, and that, with the terrible fire of the American
+batteries, wrought some confusion in the ranks; but they pressed on
+bravely, cheering each other with loud huzzas, their front covered by
+blazing rockets. As rank after rank fell under the fire of the
+Americans, their places were instantly occupied by others, and the
+column pushed on toward the American batteries on the left and the
+weaker line defended by the Kentuckians and the Tennesseeans.
+
+"Those British troops were Wellington's veterans who had fought so
+bravely in Europe, and now, in spite of the awful slaughter in their
+ranks, they moved unflinchingly forward, without pause or recoil,
+stepping unhesitatingly over their fallen comrades, till they were
+within two hundred yards of our lines, when General Carroll's voice rang
+out in clear, clarion tones, 'Fire!' and, at the word, the Tennesseeans
+rose from behind their works, where they had lain concealed, and poured
+in a deadly fire, each man taking sure aim, and their bullets cutting
+down scores of the enemy.
+
+"Then, as the Tennesseeans fell back, the Kentuckians stepped quickly
+into their places and poured in their fire with equally deadly aim; then
+another rank followed, and still another, so that the fire slackened not
+for a moment, while at the same time grape and round shot from the
+batteries went crashing through the British ranks, making awful gaps in
+them.
+
+"It was enough to appall the stoutest heart, and their lines began to
+waver; but their officers encouraged them with the cry, 'Here comes the
+Forty-fourth with the fascines and the ladders!'"
+
+"Papa, what are fascines?" asked Grace.
+
+"Long faggots used for different purposes in engineering," he replied.
+"It was true they were coming with them, Packenham at their head,
+encouraging his men by stirring words and deeds; but presently a bullet
+struck his bridle arm, and his horse was shot under him. He quickly
+mounted a pony belonging to his favorite aid, but another shot disabled
+his right arm, and, as his pony was being led away to the rear, another
+passed through his thigh, killed the horse, and he and it fell to the
+ground together. He was carried to the rear and placed under an oak,
+where he soon died in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougall, the aid who had
+resigned the pony to him.
+
+"Other officers fell, till there were not enough to command. General
+Keane was shot through the neck, and the wound compelled him to leave
+the field. General Gibbs was mortally wounded and died the next day.
+Major Wilkinson, who then took command, fell on the parapet, mortally
+wounded; then the British fled in wild confusion."
+
+"But they had been very brave," remarked Grace. "What a pity it was that
+they had to fight in such a bad cause. Were there very many of them
+killed, papa?"
+
+"Yes, a great many. Of a regiment of brave Highlanders, with twenty-five
+officers, only nine officers and one hundred and thirty men could be
+mustered after the terrible fight was over. Another regiment had lost
+five hundred men.
+
+"While this fighting had been going on, another of their divisions of
+nearly one thousand men, led by Colonel Rennie, attacked an unfinished
+redoubt on Jackson's right and succeeded in driving out the Americans
+there, but could not hold it long, being terribly punished by Humphreys'
+batteries and the Seventh Regiment. Yet Rennie succeeded in scaling the
+parapet of the American redoubt. Beale's New Orleans Rifles poured such
+a tempest of shot upon the officers and men in the redoubt that nearly
+every one was killed or wounded. Rennie, who had just shouted, 'Hurrah,
+boys! the day is ours!' fell mortally wounded.
+
+"And now this attacking column also fell back, and by hastening to the
+plantation ditches, sought shelter from the terrible tempest of shot and
+shell coming from Jackson's lines.
+
+"General Lambert with his troops tried to come to the aid of Packenham,
+Gibbs, and Keane, but was able only to cover the retreat of their
+vanquished and flying columns."
+
+"And the victory was won then, papa?" queried Lulu.
+
+"Yes, though the battle had lasted but a short time; by half past eight
+A. M. the musketry fire had ceased, though the artillery kept theirs up
+till two o'clock in the afternoon."
+
+"Were both Americans and British playing their national airs while the
+fight was going on, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"The British had no music but a bugle," replied the captain, "not even a
+drum or a trumpet; but all through the fight, from the time they sent up
+their first signal rocket, the New Orleans Band was stationed near the
+spot where the American flag was flying, playing national airs to cheer
+and animate our soldiers."
+
+"Were not the British rather more successful in another part of the
+field, Captain?" asked Eva.
+
+"Yes," he replied; "in their attack upon the troops on the right bank of
+the river, they being only militia and few in number; also fatigued and
+poorly armed. Morgan, their commander, was compelled to spike his cannon
+and throw them into the river, his men being driven from their
+intrenchments.
+
+"Then Thornton, his assailant, pushed on to Patterson's battery, three
+hundred yards in the rear, and Patterson, threatened by a flank movement
+also, was compelled to spike his guns and flee on board of the
+_Louisiana_, his sailors helping to get her out of the reach of the foe.
+
+"But Thornton soon heard of the disasters of his comrades on the other
+side of the river, and received orders to rejoin them. Jackson had sent
+four hundred men to re-enforce Morgan, but there was now no need of
+their services. Thornton re-embarked his troops at twilight, the
+Americans repossessed themselves of their works, and Patterson removed
+the spikes from his guns, put his battery in better position, and at
+dawn informed Jackson of what he had done by heavy firing upon the
+British outposts at Bienvenu's.
+
+"In that battle of January 8, 1815, the British had lost twenty-six
+hundred men, seven hundred killed, fourteen hundred wounded, and five
+hundred made prisoners; while the Americans had only eight killed and
+thirteen wounded. Lossing tells us, 'The history of human warfare
+presents no parallel to this disparity in loss.'
+
+"In Thornton's attack, the British loss was a little more than one
+hundred; the American, one killed and five wounded. On that side of the
+river the British secured their only trophy of their efforts to capture
+New Orleans. So Lossing tells us, adding, 'It was a small flag, and now
+[1867], hangs conspicuously among other war trophies in Whitehall,
+London, with the inscription: "Taken at the battle of New Orleans,
+January 8, 1815."'"
+
+"That looks as though our British cousins must esteem it quite a triumph
+to be able to succeed in taking anything from Uncle Sam," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Yes," said Walter, "I think they compliment us by making so much of
+that one little trophy."
+
+"So do I," said Lulu. "Papa, is that the end of your story?"
+
+"No, not quite," replied the captain. "After the battle had come to an
+end, Jackson and his staff passed slowly along his whole line, speaking
+words of congratulation and praise to his brave troops, officers and
+men. Then the band struck up 'Hail Columbia,' and cheer after cheer for
+the hero went up from every part of the line. The citizens also, who had
+been anxiously and eagerly watching the battle from a distance, joined
+in the cheering. Then, after refreshing themselves with some food
+(doubtless having gone into the battle without waiting to eat their
+breakfast), the soldiers set to work to bury the dead of the enemy in
+front of Jackson's lines, and take care of the wounded.
+
+"General Lambert sent a flag of truce asking for an armistice in order
+to bury his dead, and Jackson granted it on condition that the British
+should not cross to the right bank of the river.
+
+"The next morning, detachments from both armies were drawn up in front
+of the American lines, at a distance of three hundred yards, then the
+dead bodies between that point and the intrenchments were carried by the
+Americans upon the very scaling ladders left there by the British, and
+delivered to them. They were buried on Bienvenu's plantation, and, as
+Lossing tells us, the graves were still there undisturbed when he
+visited the spot in 1861. He says also that it is regarded with
+superstitious awe by the negroes in the neighborhood.
+
+"The wounded who had been taken prisoners were carried to the barracks
+in New Orleans and tenderly cared for by the citizens. Some of the dead
+British officers were buried that night by torch light in the garden at
+Villere's; the bodies of others, among whom were Packenham, Rennie, and
+Gibbs, were sent to their friends in England."
+
+The captain paused, and Violet said playfully, "I fear we are fatiguing
+you, my dear; suppose you leave the rest of your story for another
+time."
+
+"And that we have some music now," added her mother, a suggestion which
+was immediately adopted, the whole party adjourning to the parlor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+THE captain opened the piano and glanced smilingly at his young wife.
+But Violet shook her head playfully. "I think mamma should be the player
+to-night," she said. "She has scarcely touched the piano for months, and
+I am really hungry to have her do so."
+
+"Will you give us some music, mother?" queried the captain, offering to
+lead her to the instrument.
+
+"Yes," she returned laughingly. "I could never wilfully allow my
+daughter to suffer from hunger when in my power to relieve it."
+
+"Patriotic songs first, please, mamma," entreated Walter, as she took
+her seat before the instrument. "I do believe we all feel like singing
+'Hail, Columbia!' and the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' At least I do, I am
+sure."
+
+"I presume we are all in a patriotic frame of mind to-night," she
+returned, giving him a smile of mingled love and pride as she struck a
+chord or two, then dashed off into "Yankee-doodle-dandy," with
+variations.
+
+"Hail Columbia!" and "Star-Spangled Banner" followed, old and young
+uniting together with enthusiasm in singing the patriotic words, but
+still other voices were unexpectedly heard joining in on the concluding
+strains:
+
+      "That star-spangled banner, oh, long may it wave
+       O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
+
+"Oh, Cousin Molly and Mr. Embury! Dick, too! and Betty!" cried Violet,
+hurrying with outstretched hand toward the doorway into the hall, where
+the cousins stood in a little group looking smilingly in upon them.
+"Come in; I am delighted to see you."
+
+The invitation was promptly accepted, and for the next few minutes there
+was a tumultuous exchange of joyous greetings.
+
+Dr. Percival and his half brother, Robert Johnson, had been spending
+some months together in Europe, their sister Betty visiting friends in
+Natchez through the winter, and only that morning the three had returned
+to Magnolia Hall, where Betty had a home with her sister Molly, and the
+brothers were always welcome guests.
+
+Presently all were seated and a very animated conversation ensued, the
+newly arrived having much to tell and many inquiries to make concerning
+absent friends and relatives.
+
+After a little it came out that Betty was engaged and shortly to be
+married, provided "Uncle Horace" was satisfied with regard to the
+suitableness of the match, of which no one acquainted with the
+reputation, family, and circumstances of the favored lover, felt any
+doubt.
+
+It was a love match on both sides; the gentleman, an American, engaged
+in a lucrative business, of irreproachable character and reputation,
+pleasing appearance and manners, in fact, all that could reasonably be
+desired, assured of which, Mr. Dinsmore gave a prompt consent, adding
+his warm congratulations, which Betty accepted with blushes and smiles.
+
+"I was not unprepared for this, Betty," he said with a smile, "having
+received a letter from the gentleman himself, asking for the hand of my
+niece, Miss Johnson."
+
+"O Betty, how nice!" cried Rosie with a gleeful laugh, and softly
+clapping her hands. "When is it to be? I hope before we leave for the
+North, for I, for one, want to see what a pretty bride you will make,
+and I dare say Mr. Norris, your favored suitor, feels in as great haste
+as I."
+
+"I am quite aware that I have no beauty to boast of, coz," laughed
+Betty, "but I believe it's a conceded point that a woman always looks
+her best at such a time, and in bridal attire. However that may be,
+though, I shall want you all present, so I will hurry my preparations in
+order that the great event may take place while you are here to have a
+share in it. By the way, I have laid my plans to have three bridesmaids
+and several maids of honor, and I have planned that they shall be my
+three young friends, Cousin Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland, and Lucilla
+Raymond," glancing from one to another as she spoke, then adding, "Now
+don't decline, any one of you, for I shall be mortally offended if you
+do."
+
+"No danger of that, unless compelled by some one of the older folks,"
+laughed Rosie, turning inquiringly toward her mother, while Evelyn
+colored and smiled, hesitated momentarily, then said in a noncommittal
+way, "You are very kind, Betty, but I'll have to think about it a little
+and ask permission."
+
+Lulu's face grew radiant with delight. "O Betty, how good of you!" she
+exclaimed. "Papa, may I?" turning a very pleading look upon him and
+hurrying to his side.
+
+He took her hand in his, smiling affectionately into the eager,
+entreating eyes. "I think you may, daughter," he said kindly, "since
+Cousin Betty is so good as to include you in the invitation. I see
+nothing in the way at present."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried joyously, then turned to listen with
+eager interest to an animated discussion going on among the ladies in
+regard to the most suitable and tasteful attire for bride and
+bridesmaids or maids of honor.
+
+"The bride will, of course, wear white," Violet was saying, "but it
+would be pretty and in accordance with the fashion for her maids of
+honor to dress in colors."
+
+"Yes," assented Rosie, "and I propose blue for Eva, delicate straw or
+canary color for Lu, who has a complexion just to suit, and pink for me.
+What do you say, girls?" turning to them where they stood side by side.
+
+"I like the idea," replied Evelyn, Lulu adding, "And so do I. Do you
+approve, papa?" hurrying to his side again.
+
+"Yes, daughter; if it pleases you and meets the approval of the ladies."
+
+"You are so good to me, dear papa!" she exclaimed with a look of
+gratitude and affection.
+
+But it was growing late, and leaving various matters to be settled in
+another interview to be held at an early day, the cousins bade good
+night and departed.
+
+"Papa, I do think I have just the best and kindest father in the whole
+world!" exclaimed Lulu, seating herself upon his knee and putting her
+arm about his neck, her lips to his cheek, when he had come to her room
+for the usual good-night bit of chat.
+
+"Rather strong, isn't it?" he queried laughingly, holding her close and
+returning her caress with interest.
+
+"Not too strong, you dear, dear papa!" she said, hugging him tighter.
+"Oh, if ever I'm disobedient or ill tempered again I ought to be
+severely punished."
+
+"My dear child," he said gravely, smoothing her hair with caressing hand
+as he spoke, "do not ever again give your father the pain of punishing
+you. Watch and pray, and try every day to grow into the likeness of the
+dear Master. It makes me happy that you want to please me, your earthly
+father, but I would have you care far more about pleasing and honoring
+Him."
+
+"I do care about that, papa. Oh, I want very much to have Him pleased
+with me, but next to that I want to please you, because you are such a
+good, kind father, and I love you so dearly."
+
+"Yes, daughter, and I esteem your love one of the great blessings of my
+life, while you are dearer to me than words can express: one of God's
+good gifts for which I am truly thankful. But I must now bid you
+good-night and leave you to rest, for it is growing late."
+
+"Yes, sir. But I feel as wide-awake as possible--I'm so excited thinking
+about Betty's wedding. So I wish you'd stay just a little bit longer.
+Can't you, papa?"
+
+"No, daughter, I must leave you and you must go to bed at once; try to
+banish exciting thoughts, and get to sleep."
+
+"I'll try my very best to obey my own dear father," she returned,
+looking up into his face with eyes full of ardent affection.
+
+He smiled, held her close for a moment, repeating his caresses, saying
+low and tenderly, "God bless and keep my dear daughter through the
+silent watches of the night, and wake her in the morning in health and
+strength, if it be His will." Then releasing her he left the room.
+
+She was soon in the land of dreams; the sun was shining when she awoke
+again.
+
+The wedding and matters connected with it were the principal topics of
+discourse at the breakfast table. Betty had expressed an ardent wish to
+have present at the ceremony all the relatives from the neighborhood of
+her old home, saying that she and Molly had already despatched
+invitations which she hoped would be accepted, and now it was settled
+that Mr. Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie should write at once, urging all to
+come to Viamede and remain till the summer heats would make it more
+prudent to return to a cooler climate. There was talk, too, of an
+entertainment to be given there to the bride and groom, of suitable
+wedding gifts, and also the attire of maids of honor.
+
+The young girls selected to take part in the ceremony were particularly
+interested, excitable Lulu especially so; she could hardly think of
+anything else, even in the school-room, and as a consequence recited so
+badly that her father looked very grave indeed, and when dismissing the
+others told her she must remain in the school-room studying, until she
+could recite each lesson very much more creditably to both herself and
+her teacher.
+
+"Yes, sir," she said in a low, unwilling tone, casting down her eyes and
+coloring with mortification; "but I think the lessons were dreadfully
+hard to-day, papa."
+
+"No, daughter, it is only that your mind is dwelling upon other things.
+You must learn to exercise better control over your thoughts and
+concentrate them always upon the business in hand."
+
+"But, papa, I'll never be able to learn the lessons before dinner time,
+and I am hungry now; are you going to make me fast till I recite
+perfectly?"
+
+"No, my child: you may eat when the rest of us do, and finish your tasks
+afterward. You may have a cracker now if you are hungry."
+
+"Oh, may I go and get her some, papa?" asked Grace, who had lingered
+behind the others, full of concern and sympathy for her sister, and was
+now standing close at his side.
+
+"Yes, my darling," he said, smiling upon the little girl, and smoothing
+her hair with softly caressing hand.
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir!" and away she ran, to return in a few moments with
+a plate of crackers, when she found Lulu alone, bending over a book,
+apparently studying with great diligence.
+
+"Oh, thank you, Grace!" she exclaimed; "you are ever so good. I was so
+taken up with the talk about the wedding at breakfast time, that I
+didn't eat nearly so much as usual. Some folks in papa's place would
+have made me fast till my lessons were learned; but he's such a good,
+kind father; isn't he?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" returned Grace emphatically, setting down the plate as
+she spoke. "Now I'll run away and let you learn your lesson."
+
+Lulu did not feel fully prepared for her recitations when the dinner
+bell rang, but, having her father's permission, she went to the table
+with the others. At the conclusion of the meal he inquired in an aside,
+his tone kind and pleasant, if she were ready for him.
+
+"No, sir," she replied, "not quite."
+
+"You may take half an hour to digest your dinner, then go back to your
+tasks," he said.
+
+"Yes, sir, I will," she answered, taking out the pretty little watch,
+which was one of his gifts, and noting the time. Then, in company with
+Rosie, Evelyn, and Grace, she went out upon the lawn and sauntered about
+under the trees, gathering flowers.
+
+She was careful to return to the school-room at the appointed hour.
+Presently her father followed her. "Are those lessons ready, daughter?"
+he asked in his usual kindly tones.
+
+"No, sir; not quite," she replied.
+
+"I am sorry," he said, "as if they were, I would hear them at once and
+you might make one of the party who are going over to Magnolia Hall."
+
+"Papa, I should so like to go along!" she exclaimed, looking up
+coaxingly into his face.
+
+"And I would be glad to give you the pleasure," he said with a slight
+sigh; "but you know I cannot do that, having already told you your
+lessons must be creditably recited before you can be allowed any further
+recreation."
+
+"They're so long and hard, papa," grumbled Lulu, looking wofully
+disappointed.
+
+"No, my child; with your usual attention you could easily have learned
+them before the regular school hours were over," he said. "I am not
+going with the others and will come for your recitation in another hour
+or perhaps sooner." So saying he turned and left the room.
+
+"Oh, dear! I do wish I was old enough not to have lessons to learn,"
+sighed Lulu. But seeing there was no escape, she turned to her tasks
+again, and when her father came in according to his promise, was able to
+say she was ready for him and to recite in a creditable manner. He gave
+the accustomed meed of praise, smiling kindly on her as he spoke.
+"There, daughter," he added, "you see what you can do when you give
+your mind to your work, and I hope that in future you will do so always
+at the proper time."
+
+"I hope so, papa; I do really mean to try," she replied, hanging her
+head and blushing. "Are the ladies and girls all gone?"
+
+"Yes; some time ago," he said. "I am sorry I could not let you go with
+the others, as I have no doubt you would have enjoyed doing so."
+
+"I hope you didn't stay at home just to hear my lessons, papa?" she said
+regretfully.
+
+"I might possibly have gone could I have taken my eldest daughter with
+me," he replied, "though there were other matters calling for my
+attention. However," he added with a smile, "you need not measure my
+disappointment by yours, as I am certain it was not nearly so great."
+
+At that moment a servant came to the door to tell the captain that a
+gentleman had called on business, and was in the library waiting to see
+him.
+
+"Very well; tell him I will be there presently," replied Captain
+Raymond. Then turning to Lulu, "You may amuse yourself as you like for
+an hour, then prepare your lessons for to-morrow."
+
+"Yes, sir," she answered, as he left the room, then put on her hat and
+taking a parasol wandered out upon the lawn.
+
+The captain had been giving the young people some lessons in botany, and
+the girls were vieing with each other as to who should gather into her
+herbarium the largest number of plants and flowers, particularly such as
+were to be found in that region, but never, or very rarely, in the more
+northern one they called their home. Lulu had found, and, from time to
+time, placed in her herbarium, several which she highly prized for both
+beauty and rarity, and now she went in quest of others.
+
+She had scarcely left the house when, much to her surprise, she met her
+baby brother and his nurse.
+
+"Why, Neddie dear, I thought you had gone----" but she paused, fearing
+to set the child to crying for his mother.
+
+"Marse Ned's sleeping when dey goes, Miss Lu; I spec's dey'll be back
+fo' long," said the nurse; and catching him up in her arms she began a
+romping play with him, her evident object to ward off thoughts of his
+absent mother.
+
+Lulu walked on, spent a half hour or more gathering flowers, then
+returned to the school-room, where she had left her herbarium lying on
+her desk. But Master Ned, there before her, had pulled it down on the
+floor, where he sat tearing out the plants which she had prepared and
+placed in it with so much labor and care.
+
+At that trying sight, Lulu's anger flamed out as it had not in years;
+not since the sad time when little Elsie was so nearly sacrificed to her
+eldest sister's lack of self-control.
+
+"You naughty, naughty, naughty boy!" she exclaimed, snatching the
+herbarium from the floor. "I'd just like to shake you well, and spank
+you, too. You deserve it richly, for you have no business to be here
+meddling with my things!"
+
+At that the baby boy set up a wail. Then their father's voice was heard
+from the veranda outside. "Come here to papa, Neddie boy," and the
+little fellow, who had now scrambled to his feet, hastened to obey.
+
+Lulu trembled and flushed hotly. "I wish I'd known papa was so near and
+I'd kept my temper, too," she sighed ruefully to herself, then set to
+work to repair damages to the best of her ability; but, as her passion
+cooled, with thoughts dwelling remorsefully upon her unkind treatment of
+her baby brother, also apprehensively on the consequent displeasure of
+her dearly loved father. She loved little Ned too, and heartily wished
+she had been more gentle and forbearing toward him.
+
+But her hour of recreation was past, and with Ned's baby prattle to his
+father, as he sat on his knee, coming to her ear through the open
+window, she sat down at her desk, took out her books, and tried to
+study; but it seemed impossible to fix her thoughts upon the business in
+hand, and presently hearing the patter of the little fellow's feet as he
+ran along the veranda, then out into the garden, she sprang up and
+followed him.
+
+"O Neddie dear," she said, catching him in her arms and giving him a
+hearty kiss, "sister is ever so sorry she was cross to you. Will you
+forgive her and love her still?"
+
+"Ess," returned the baby boy with hearty good will, putting his chubby
+arms about her neck and hugging her tight; then cooing sweetly, "Ned
+'oves oo, Lu."
+
+"And Lu loves you, Neddie darling," she returned, kissing him again and
+again.
+
+Then setting him down, she sped back to the school-room, took up her
+book, and made another attempt to study; but without success; laying it
+aside again almost immediately, she went in search of her father.
+
+He had left the veranda, but going on into the library, she found him in
+an easy chair, with a newspaper in his hand which he seemed to be
+reading with great attention, for he did not turn his head or eyes
+toward her as she drew near and stood at his side. She waited longingly
+for a recognition of her vicinity, but he gave none, seeming too intent
+upon his paper to be aware of it; and he had taught her that she must
+not rudely interrupt him or any grown person so engaged, but wait
+patiently till her presence was noted and inquiry made as to what she
+wished to say.
+
+The five or ten minutes she stood silently waiting seemed a long time to
+her impatient temperament. "Oh, would papa never give her an opportunity
+to speak to him?" At last, however, as he paused in his reading to turn
+his paper, she ventured a low breathed, "Papa."
+
+"Go instantly to your own room, taking your books with you, Lucilla, and
+don't venture to leave it till you have my permission," he said in
+stern, cold accents, and without giving her so much as a glance.
+
+She obeyed in silence. Reaching her own room she again opened her book
+and tried to study; but found herself so disturbed in mind that it was
+wellnigh impossible to take in the meaning of the words as she read them
+over and over. "I can't learn these lessons till I've made it up with
+papa," she sighed half aloud, and putting down the book opened her
+writing desk.
+
+In a few minutes she had written a very humble little note, saying how
+sorry she was for the indulgence of her passion and her unkindness to
+her darling little brother; but that she had asked and received his
+forgiveness; then sought her father to beg him to forgive her too, and
+tell him she was ready to submit to any punishment he thought best to
+inflict. But oh, might it not be something that would be over before the
+rest of the family should come home from their drive?
+
+She signed herself "Your penitent little daughter Lulu," folded the
+note, sealed it up in an envelope, and wrote her father's name on the
+outside.
+
+She could hear the prattle of her baby brother coming from the lawn. Her
+window opened upon an upper veranda, and going out there, she called
+softly, "Ned, Neddie dear!"
+
+The little fellow looked up and laughed. "Lu!" he called; then catching
+sight of the note in her hand, "What oo dot?" he queried.
+
+"A letter for papa," she replied. "Will you take it to him and ask him
+to please read it?"
+
+"Ess; fro it down," he said, holding up both hands to catch it. "Me will
+tate it to papa."
+
+It fell on the grass at his feet, he stooped and picked it up, then
+trotted away with it in his hand.
+
+Again Lulu took up her book and tried to study, but with no better
+success than before. "What will papa do and say to me?" she was asking
+herself. "Oh, I hope he won't keep me long in suspense! I don't believe
+he will; he never does, and--ah, yes, I hear his step."
+
+She rose hastily, hurried to the door and opened it. He stood on the
+threshold. "Papa," she said humbly, "I am very, very sorry I was
+passionate and cross to dear little Ned."
+
+"As I am," he replied, stepping in, securing the door, then taking her
+hand, leading her to the side of an easy chair and seating himself
+therein. "I was deeply grieved to hear my eldest daughter speak in such
+angry words and passionate tones to her baby brother. It not only gave
+the dear little fellow pain, but set him a very bad example which I
+greatly fear he will follow one of these days, so giving me the pain of
+punishing him and you that of seeing him punished!"
+
+"Papa, I am the one who ought to be punished," she burst out in her
+vehement way, "and I just hope you will punish me well. But oh, please
+don't say I shall not go to Cousin Betty's wedding, or not be one of her
+bridesmaids or maids of honor."
+
+He made no reply at first. There was a moment's silence, then she
+exclaimed, "Oh, papa, I just can't bear it! I'd even rather have the
+severest whipping you could give me."
+
+"You are a little too old for that now," he said in moved tones, drawing
+her to a seat upon his knee. "It has always been to me a hard trial to
+feel called upon to punish my dear child in that way; a sad task to have
+to do so in any way; and if you are a good girl from now on to the time
+of the wedding, you may accept Betty's kind invitation."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed!" she exclaimed. "I
+don't deserve to be allowed to, but oh, I do fully intend to rule my
+temper better in future!"
+
+"I hope so indeed; but you will not succeed if you try merely in your
+own strength. Our sufficiency is of God, and to Him alone must we look
+for strength to resist temptation and be steadfast in fighting the good
+fight of faith. Try, my dear child, to be always on your guard! 'Watch
+and pray,' is the Master's command, repeated again and again. 'Take ye
+heed, watch and pray.' ... 'Watch ye, therefore.' ... 'And what I say
+unto you I say unto all, Watch.' ... 'Watch ye and pray lest ye enter
+into temptation.'"
+
+"Papa, I do really mean to try very hard to rule my own spirit," she
+said humbly; "I have been trying."
+
+"Yes, dear child, I have not been blind to your efforts," he returned in
+tender tones. "I know you have tried, and I believe you will try still
+harder, and will at length come off conqueror. I fear I have not been so
+patient and forbearing with you to-day as I ought. I think now I should
+have let you speak when you came to me in the library a while ago. Your
+father is by no means perfect, and therefore has no right to expect
+perfection in his children."
+
+"But I had indulged my temper, papa, and did deserve to be punished for
+it."
+
+"Yes, that is true. But it is all forgiven now, and your father and his
+eldest daughter are at peace again," he added, giving her a loving
+embrace.
+
+"And that makes me so happy," she said, lifting her dewy eyes to his. "I
+am always very far from happy when I know that my dear father is
+displeased with me."
+
+"You love him, then?"
+
+"Oh, yes, yes, indeed! dearly! dearly!" she exclaimed, putting her arms
+about his neck and laying her cheek to his.
+
+He held her close for a moment, then saying, "Now I want you to spend an
+hour over your lessons for to-morrow, after which you and I will have a
+walk together," he left her.
+
+By tea time the family were all at home again, and their talk at the
+table was almost exclusively of the preparations for the approaching
+wedding.
+
+"Mamma," said Rosie at length, "I for one would dearly like to go to New
+Orleans and select dress and ornaments for myself; also a present for
+Betty."
+
+"I see no objection, if a proper escort can be provided," was the
+smiling rejoinder.
+
+"Suppose we make up a party to go there, do the necessary shopping, and
+visit the battle fields and everything of interest connected with them,"
+suggested Captain Raymond. "We can stay a day or two if necessary, and I
+think we'll all feel repaid."
+
+The proposal was received with enthusiasm by the younger portion of the
+family, and even the older ones had nothing to say against it. Lulu was
+silent, but sent a very wistful, pleading look in her father's
+direction. It was answered with a nod and smile, and her face grew
+radiant, for she knew that meant that she would be permitted to take the
+little trip with the others.
+
+"Dear papa, thank you ever so much," she said, following him into the
+library as they left the table.
+
+"For what?" he asked jestingly, laying a hand upon her head and smiling
+down into the happy, eager face.
+
+"Giving me permission to go with you and the rest to New Orleans."
+
+"Ah, did I do that?" he asked, sitting down and drawing her to a seat
+upon his knee.
+
+"Not in words, papa, but you looked it," she returned with a pleased
+laugh, putting her arm about his neck and kissing him with ardent
+affection. "Didn't you, now?"
+
+"I don't deny that I did, yet it depends largely upon the good conduct
+of my eldest daughter," he said in a graver tone, smoothing her hair
+caressingly as he spoke. "I hope she will show herself so sweet tempered
+and obedient that it may not be necessary to leave her behind because
+she is lacking in those good qualities."
+
+"Papa," she replied low and feelingly, "I will ask God to help me to be
+patient and good."
+
+"And if you ask for Jesus' sake, pleading his gracious promise, 'If ye
+ask anything in my name, I will do it,' your petition will be granted."
+
+At that moment the other girls came running in, Rose saying eagerly,
+"Oh, Brother Levis, we all hope you will be so kind as to go on with
+your historical stories of doings and happenings at New Orleans. Please
+treat us to some of them to-night, and let us have all before we visit
+their scenes, won't you?"
+
+"Certainly, Sister Rose," he replied, adding, "It looks very pleasant on
+the veranda now. Shall we establish ourselves there?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if you please," she said, dancing away, the others
+following.
+
+Presently all were quietly seated, the older people almost as eager for
+the story as were the young, and the captain began.
+
+"While the armies before New Orleans were burying their dead, others of
+the British troops were trying to secure for themselves the free
+navigation of the Mississippi below the city by capturing Fort St.
+Philip, which is in a direct line some seventy or eighty miles lower
+down the stream, and was considered by both British and Americans as the
+key of the State of Louisiana.
+
+"The fort was at that time garrisoned by three hundred and sixty-six men
+under the command of Major Overton of the rifle corps, with the addition
+of the crew of a gun-boat. Just about the time that the British killed
+in the battle of New Orleans were being carried by the Americans under
+Jackson to their comrades for burial, a little squadron of five English
+vessels appeared before the fort and anchored out of range of its heavy
+guns, the bomb vessels with their broadsides toward it; and at three
+o'clock they opened fire on it. Their bombardment went on with scarcely
+a pause till daybreak of the 18th, when they had sent more than a
+thousand shells, using for that purpose twenty thousand pounds of
+powder. They had sent, too, beside the shells, many round and grape
+shot.
+
+"During those nine days the Americans were in their battery, five of
+the days without shelter, exposed to cold and rain a part of the time;
+but only two of them were killed and seven wounded.
+
+"On the 18th, the British gave up the attempt. That same day a general
+exchange of prisoners took place, and that night the British stole
+noiselessly away. By morning they had reached Lake Borgne, sixty miles
+distant from their fleet.
+
+"They could not have felt very comfortable, as the wintry winds to which
+they were exposed were keen, and the American mounted men under Colonel
+De la Ronde, following them in their retreat, annoyed them not a little.
+
+"The British remained at Lake Borgne until the 27th, then boarded their
+fleet, which lay in the deep water between Ship and Cat Islands.
+
+"In the meantime Jackson had been guarding the approach to New Orleans
+lest they might return and make another effort against it. But on
+leaving that vicinity they went to Fort Bowyer, at the entrance to
+Mobile Bay, thirty miles distant from the city of that name, then but a
+village of less than one thousand inhabitants. The fort is now called
+Fort Morgan.
+
+"It was but a weak fortress, without bomb-proofs, and mounting only
+twenty guns, only two of them larger than twelve pounders, some of them
+less. It was under the command of Major Lawrence.
+
+"The British besieged it for nearly two days, when Lawrence, a gallant
+officer, was compelled to surrender to a vastly superior force.
+
+"It is altogether likely that the British would then have gone on to
+attack Mobile, had not news come of the treaty of peace between the
+United States and Great Britain.
+
+"The news of Jackson's gallant defence of New Orleans caused intense joy
+all over the Union, while in England it was heard with astonishment and
+chagrin."
+
+"They didn't know before how Americans could fight," said Walter with a
+look of exultation, "and they have never attacked us since."
+
+"No," said his mother, "and God grant that we and our kinsmen across the
+sea may ever henceforward live in peace with each other."
+
+"It seems a great pity that the news of peace had not come in time to
+prevent that dreadful battle of New Orleans and the after fighting of
+which you have just been telling us, Captain," remarked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes," he replied; "and yet, perhaps, it may have been of use in
+preventing another struggle between the two nations; we have had
+difficulties since, but fortunately they have thus far been settled
+without a resort to arms."
+
+"I suppose there was an exchange of prisoners?" Walter said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, though, in regard to some, the Dartmoor captives in especial, it
+was strangely slow."
+
+"Dartmoor, papa?" Grace said with inquiring look and tone.
+
+"Yes; Dartmoor is a desolate region in Devonshire; its prison, built
+originally for French prisoners of war, had thirty acres of ground
+enclosed by double walls, within which were seven distinct prisons.
+
+"At the close of the War of 1812-14 there were about six thousand
+prisoners there, twenty-five hundred of them impressed American seamen
+who had refused to fight against their country, having been forced into
+the British Navy and being still there at the beginning of the struggle.
+Some of the poor fellows, though, had been in Dartmoor Prison ten or
+eleven years. Think what an intense longing they must have felt for home
+and their own dear native land! How unbearable the delay to liberate
+them must have seemed! They were not even permitted to hear of the
+treaty of peace till three months after it had been signed. But after
+hearing of it, they were in daily expectation of being released, and
+just think how hope deferred must have made their hearts sick. Some of
+them showed a disposition to attempt an escape, and on the 4th of April
+they demanded bread, and refused to eat the hard biscuits that were
+given them instead.
+
+"Two evenings later they very reluctantly obeyed orders to retire to
+their quarters, some of them showing an inclination to mutiny, passing
+beyond the limits of their confinement, when, by the orders of Captain
+Shortland, commander of the prison, they were fired upon; then the
+firing was repeated by the soldiers without the shadow of an excuse, as
+was shown by the impartial report of a committee of investigation, the
+result of which was the killing of five men and the wounding of
+thirty-three."
+
+"I hope those soldiers were hung for it!" exclaimed Walter, his eyes
+flashing.
+
+"No," replied the captain, "the British authorities pronounced it
+'justifiable homicide'; which excited the hottest indignation on this
+side of the ocean; but now the memory of it has nearly passed away."
+
+"Now, Brother Levis, if you're not too tired, won't you please go on and
+tell us all about the taking of New Orleans in the last war?" asked
+Walter, looking persuasively into the captain's face.
+
+"Certainly, if all wish to hear it," was the pleasant toned reply; and
+all expressing themselves desirous to do so, he at once began.
+
+"Ship Island was appointed as the place of rendezvous for both land and
+naval forces, the last named under the command of Captain David G.
+Farragut, the others led by General Butler.
+
+"Farragut arrived in the harbor of the island, on the 20th of February,
+1862, on his flag-ship, the _Hartford_, in which he sailed on the 2d,
+from Hampton Roads, Virginia, but sickness had detained him for a time
+at Key West.
+
+"The vessels of which he had been given the command, taken collectively,
+were styled the Western Gulf Squadron. Farragut had been informed that a
+fleet of bomb vessels, under Commander David D. Porter, would be
+attached to his squadron. Porter was the son of Commodore David Porter,
+who had adopted Farragut when a little fellow and had him educated for
+the navy. It was he who commanded the _Essex_ in the War of 1812, and
+Farragut was with him, though then only in his twelfth year."
+
+"Then he must have been past sixty at the time of the taking of New
+Orleans," remarked Walter reflectively.
+
+"He and Porter joined forces at Key West," continued the captain.
+"Porter's fleet had been prepared at the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, exciting
+much interest and curiosity. There were twenty-one schooners of from two
+to three hundred tons each; they were made very strong and to draw as
+little water as possible. Each vessel carried two thirty-two pounder
+rifled cannon, and was armed besides with mortars of eight and a half
+tons weight that would throw a fifteen-inch shell which, when filled,
+weighed two hundred and twelve pounds.
+
+"Farragut's orders were to proceed up the Mississippi, reducing the
+forts on its banks, take possession of New Orleans, hoist the American
+flag there, and hold the place till more troops could be sent him.
+
+"An expedition was coming down the river from Cairo, and if that had not
+arrived he was to take advantage of the panic which his seizure of New
+Orleans would have caused, and push on up the river, destroying the
+rebel works. His orders from the Secretary of War were, 'Destroy the
+armed barriers which these deluded people have raised up against the
+power of the United States Government, and shoot down those who war
+against the Union; but cultivate with cordiality the first returning
+reason which is sure to follow your success.' Farragut, having received
+these orders, at once began carrying them out, with the aid of the plans
+of the works on the Mississippi which he had been directed to take,
+particularly of Fort St. Philip, furnished him by General Barnard, who
+had built it years before.
+
+"The plan made and carried out was to let Porter's fleet make the attack
+upon the forts first, while Farragut, with his larger and stronger
+vessels, should await the result just outside the range of the rebel
+guns; then, when Porter had succeeded in silencing them, Farragut was to
+push on up the river, clearing it of Confederate vessels, and cutting
+off the supplies of the fort. That accomplished, Butler was to land his
+troops in the rear of Fort St. Philip and try to carry it by assault.
+Those two forts, St. Philip and Jackson, were about thirty miles from
+the mouth of the river, Fort Jackson on the right bank, and Fort St.
+Philip on the left.
+
+"Ship Island, the place of rendezvous, is about one hundred miles
+northeast of the mouth of the Mississippi. In the last war with England,
+as I have told you, St. Philip had kept the British in check for nine
+days, though they threw one thousand shells into it.
+
+"Fort Jackson was a larger fortification, bastioned, built of brick,
+with casemates and glacis, rising twenty-five feet above the water. Some
+French and British officers, calling upon Farragut before the attack,
+having come from among the Confederates, while visiting whom they had
+seen and examined these forts with their defences, warned him that to
+attack them would only result in sure defeat; but the brave old hero
+replied that he had been sent there to try it on and would do so; or
+words to that effect.
+
+"The forts had one hundred and fifteen guns of various kinds and sizes,
+mostly smooth-bore thirty-two pounders. Above them lay the Confederate
+fleet of fifteen vessels, one of them an iron-clad ram, another a large,
+unfinished floating battery covered with railroad iron. Two hundred
+Confederate sharp-shooters kept constant watch along the river banks,
+and several fire-rafts were ready to be sent down among the Federal
+vessels. Both these and the sharp-shooters were below the forts. Also
+there were two iron chains stretched across the river, supported upon
+eight hulks which were anchored abreast.
+
+"Farragut's naval expedition was the largest that had ever sailed under
+the United States flag, consisting of six sloops of war, twenty-one
+mortar schooners, sixteen gun-boats, and other vessels, carrying in all
+two hundred guns.
+
+"But the vessels were built for the sea and were now to work in a much
+narrower space--a river with a shifting channel and obstructed by
+shoals.
+
+"To get the larger vessels over the bar at the southwest pass was a work
+of time and great labor. They had to be made as light as possible and
+then dragged through a foot of mud. Two weeks of such labor was required
+to get the _Pensacola_ over, and the _Colorado_ could not be taken over
+at all.
+
+"The mortar vessels were towed up stream and began to take their places.
+Porter disguised them with mud and the branches of trees, so that they
+could not be readily distinguished from the river banks, being moored
+under cover of the woods on the bank just below Fort Jackson. The
+stratagem was successful; his vessels were moored where he wished to
+have them, the nearest being two thousand eight hundred and fifty yards
+from Fort Jackson, and three thousand six hundred and eighty from Fort
+St. Philip.
+
+"On the opposite side of the river, and a little farther from the forts,
+Porter had his six remaining vessels stationed, screening them also with
+willows and reeds, and mooring them under cover of the woods to conceal
+their true character.
+
+"On the 18th of April, before nine o'clock in the morning, the attack
+was begun by a shot from Fort Jackson, then, as soon as Porter was
+ready, the _Owasco_ opened fire, and the fourteen mortar boats concealed
+by the woods, also the six in full sight of the forts, began their
+bombardment.
+
+"The gun-boats took part in the conflict by running up and firing heavy
+shells when the mortars needed relief. Porter was on the _Harriet Lane_,
+in a position to see what was the effect of the shells, and direct their
+aim accordingly.
+
+"The fight went on for several days, then Farragut, deeming there was
+small prospect of reducing the forts, prepared to carry out another part
+of his instructions by running past them. He called a council of the
+captains in the cabin of the _Hartford_, and it was then and there
+decided that the attempt should be made.
+
+"It was an intensely dark night, the wind blowing fiercely from the
+north, but Commander Bell with the _Winona_, the _Itasca_, _Kennebec_,
+_Iroquois_, and the _Pinola_ ran up to the boom. The _Pinola_ ran to the
+hulk under the guns of Fort Jackson, and an effort was made to destroy
+it with a petard, but failed. The _Itasca_ was lashed to the next hulk,
+but a rocket sent up from the fort showed her to the foe, who
+immediately opened a heavy fire upon her. But half an hour of active
+work with chisels, saws, and sledges parted the boom of chains and logs,
+and the hulk to which she was attached swung round and grounded her in
+the mud in shallow water. But the _Pinola_ rescued her.
+
+"Two hours later an immense fire-raft came roaring down the stream, but,
+like those sent before, it was caught by our men and rendered harmless.
+They would catch such things with grappling-irons, tow them to the
+shore, and leave them there to burn out harmlessly.
+
+"Day after day the bombardment went on, fire-rafts coming down the river
+every night, but Fort Jackson still held out, though its citadel had
+been set on fire by the shells from the mortar boats, and all the
+commissary stores and the clothing of the men destroyed; also the levee
+had been broken in scores of places by the exploding shells, so that the
+waters of the river flooded the parade ground and casemates.
+
+"By sunset on the 23d, Farragut was ready for his forward movement, but
+Porter, with his mortar boats, was to stay and cover the advance with
+his fire. Farragut, on board his flag-ship, the _Hartford_, was to lead
+the way with it, the _Brooklyn_, and the _Richmond_.
+
+"These vessels formed the first division, and were to keep near the
+right bank of the river, fighting Fort Jackson, while Captain Theodorus
+Bailey was to keep close to the western bank with his (the second)
+division, to fight Fort St. Philip. His vessels were the _Mississippi_,
+_Pensacola_, _Varuna_, _Oneida_, _Katahdin_, _Kineo_, _Wissahickon_,
+_Portsmouth_.
+
+"Captain Bell still commanded the same vessels which I just mentioned as
+his, and his appointed duty was to attack the Confederate fleet above
+the forts, to keep the channel of the river, and push right on, paying
+no attention to the forts themselves.
+
+"In obedience to these orders, the _Itasca_ ran up to the boom, and at
+eleven o'clock showed a night signal that the channel was clear of
+obstruction excepting the hulks, which, with care, might be passed
+safely.
+
+"A heavy fog, and the settling of the smoke from the steamers upon the
+waters, made the night a very dark one. No sound came from the forts,
+yet active preparations were going on in them for the approaching
+struggle, and their fleet was stationed near them in readiness to assist
+in the effort to prevent the Union vessels from ascending the river.
+
+"At one o'clock every one on the Union ships was called to action, but
+the fleet remained stationary until two, and at half past three
+Farragut's and Bailey's divisions were moving up the river, each on its
+appointed side, and at the rate of four miles an hour.
+
+"Then Porter's mortars, still at their moorings below the forts, opened
+upon those forts a terrible storm, sending as many as, if not more than,
+half a dozen shells, with their fiery trails, screaming through the air
+at the same moment.
+
+"But no sound came from the forts until they discovered Captain Bailey's
+ship, the _Cayuga_, just as she had passed the boom, when they brought
+their heavy guns to bear upon her, and broke the long silence with their
+roar.
+
+"When she was close under Fort St. Philip she replied with heavy
+broadsides of grape and canister as she passed on up the river.
+
+"The other vessels of Bailey's division followed closely after, each
+imitating the _Cayuga's_ example in delivering a broadside as she passed
+the forts, which they did almost unharmed, with the exception of the
+_Portsmouth_, a sailing vessel, which lost her tow, on firing her
+broadside, and drifted down the river.
+
+"Captain Bell and his division were not quite so fortunate. Three of his
+vessels passed the forts, but the _Itasca_ received a storm of shot, one
+of which pierced her boiler, and she drifted helplessly down the river.
+The _Kennebec_ lost her way among the obstructions and went back to her
+moorings below; the _Winona_, too, recoiled from the storm.
+
+"In the meantime, Farragut was in the fore rigging of the _Hartford_,
+watching with intense interest, through his night glass, the movements
+of the vessels under the command of Bailey and Bell, while the vessels
+he commanded in person were slowly nearing Fort Jackson. He was within a
+mile and a quarter of it when its heavy guns opened upon him. They were
+well aimed, and the _Hartford_ was struck several times.
+
+"Farragut replied with two guns which he had placed upon his forecastle,
+while at the same time he pushed on directly for the fort. When within a
+half mile of it he sheered off and gave them heavy broadsides of grape
+and canister; so heavy that they were driven from all their barbette
+guns. But the casemate guns were kept in full play, and the fight became
+a very severe one.
+
+"The _Richmond_ soon joined in it; the _Brooklyn_ got entangled with
+some of the hulks that bore up the chain, and so lagged behind. She had
+just succeeded in freeing herself from them, when the Confederate ram
+_Manassas_ came furiously down upon her, and when within about ten feet,
+fired a heavy bolt at her from its trap-door, aiming for her smoke
+stack; but fortunately the shot lodged in some sand-bags that protected
+her steam-drum.
+
+"The next moment the ram butted into the _Brooklyn's_ starboard gangway;
+but she was so effectually protected by chain armor that the _Manassas_
+glanced off and disappeared in the darkness.
+
+"All this time a raking fire from the fort had been pouring upon the
+_Brooklyn_, and just as she escaped from the _Manassas_ a large
+Confederate steamer attacked her. She pushed slowly on in the darkness,
+after giving the steamer a broadside that set it on fire and speedily
+destroyed it, and suddenly found herself abreast of Fort St. Philip.
+
+"She was very close to it, and speedily brought all her guns to bear
+upon it in a tremendous broadside.
+
+"In his report Captain Craven said, 'I had the satisfaction of
+completely silencing that work before I left it, my men in the tops
+witnessing, in the flashes of the shrapnel, the enemy running like sheep
+for more comfortable quarters.'
+
+"While the _Brooklyn_ was going through all this, Farragut was having
+what he called 'a rough time of it.' While he was battling with the
+forts, a huge fire-raft, pushed by the _Manassas_, came suddenly upon
+him all ablaze, and in trying to avoid it the _Hartford_ got aground,
+and the incendiary came crashing alongside of her.
+
+"In telling of it Farragut said, 'In a moment the ship was one blaze all
+along the port side, half way up the main and mizzen tops. But thanks to
+the good organization of the fire department, by Lieutenant Thornton,
+the flames were extinguished, and at the same time we backed off and got
+clear of the raft. All this time we were pouring shells into the forts
+and they into us; now and then a rebel steamer would get under our fire
+and receive our salutation of a broadside.' The fleet had not fairly
+passed the forts when the Confederate ram and gun-boats hastened to take
+part in the battle.
+
+"The scene was now both grand and awful. Just think of two hundred and
+sixty great guns and twenty mortars constantly firing, and shells
+exploding in and around the forts; it 'shook land and water like an
+earthquake,' Lossing tells us, 'and the surface of the river was strewn
+with dead and helpless fishes.' Major Bell, of Butler's staff, wrote of
+it, 'Combine all that you have ever heard of thunder, and add to it all
+you have ever seen of lightning, and you have, perhaps, a conception of
+the scene. And,' continues our historian, 'all this destructive energy,
+the blazing fire-rafts and floating volcanoes sending forth fire and
+smoke and bolts of death, the thundering forts, and the ponderous rams,
+were crowded, in the greatest darkness just before dawn, within the
+space of a narrow river, "too narrow," said Farragut, "for more than two
+or three vessels to act to advantage. My greatest fear was that we
+should fire into each other; and Captain Wainwright and myself were
+hallooing ourselves hoarse at the men not to fire into our ships."'
+
+"The _Cayuga_ met the flotilla of Confederate rams and gun-boats as soon
+as she passed Fort St. Phillip. For a few minutes there were eighteen
+Confederate vessels intent upon her destruction."
+
+"Was the _Manassas_ one of the eighteen, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"Yes," replied the captain, "and the floating battery _Louisiana_ was
+another. Captain Mitchell was the name of her commander, and he was
+also commandant of the remaining sixteen vessels of that rebel fleet.
+
+"Captain Bailey could not fight so many at once without some assistance,
+so used his skill in avoiding the butting of the rams and the efforts to
+board his vessel. At the same time he was making such good use of his
+guns that, while saving his own vessels, he compelled three of the
+Confederate gun-boats to surrender to him before Captain Boggs and
+Captain Lee, of the _Varuna_ and the _Oneida_ came to his assistance.
+
+"The _Cayuga_ had then been struck forty-two times and a good deal
+damaged in spars and rigging, but, in accordance with Farragut's orders,
+she moved up the river as leader of the fleet.
+
+"It was upon the _Varuna_ that the enemy next poured out the vials of
+his wrath. In his report of the fight Captain Boggs, her commander, said
+that immediately after passing the forts he found himself 'amid a nest
+of rebel steamers.' He rushed into their midst, giving each a broadside
+as he passed. The first of those steamers seemed to be crowded with
+troops. One of the _Varuna's_ shots exploded her boiler and she drifted
+ashore. Next a gun-boat and three other vessels were driven ashore in
+flames, and presently they blew up, one after another.
+
+"Then the _Varuna_ was furiously attacked by the _Governor Moore_,
+commanded by Beverly Kennon, one who had left the United States service
+for that of the rebels. His vessel raked along the _Varuna's_ port,
+killing four men and wounding nine. Captain Boggs sent a three-inch
+shell into her, abaft her armor, and several shots from the after rifled
+gun, which partially disabled her, and she dropped out of action.
+
+"In the meantime, another ram struck the _Varuna_ under water with its
+iron prow, giving her a heavy blow in the port gangway. The _Varuna_
+answered with a shot, but it glanced harmlessly from the armored prow of
+the rebel ram, and it, backing off a shorting distance, shot forward
+again, gave the _Varuna_ another blow in the same place, and crushed in
+her side.
+
+"But the ram had become entangled, and was drawn around to the side of
+the _Varuna_, and Captain Boggs gave her five eighteen shells abaft her
+armor from his port guns. In telling of it afterward he said, 'This
+settled her and drove her ashore in flames.'
+
+"But his own vessel was sinking; so he ran her into the bank, let go her
+anchor, and tied her bow up to the trees, but all the time kept his guns
+at work crippling the _Moore_.
+
+"He did not cease firing till the water was over the gun-tracks, but
+then turned his attention to getting his wounded and the crew out of the
+vessel.
+
+"Just then, Captain Lee, commander of the _Oneida_, came to his
+assistance. But Boggs waved him after the _Moore_, which was then in
+flames and presently surrendered to the _Oneida_. Kennon, her commander,
+had done a cowardly deed in setting her on fire and fleeing, leaving his
+wounded to the horrible fate of perishing in the flames. The surrender
+was, therefore, made by her second officer.
+
+"That ended the fight on the Mississippi River; it had been a desperate
+one, but lasted only an hour and a half, though nearly the whole of the
+rebel fleet was destroyed. The National loss was thirty killed and not
+more than one hundred and twenty-five wounded."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+CAPTAIN RAYMOND paused, seemingly lost in thought. All waited in silence
+for a moment, then Violet, laying a hand on his arm, for she was seated
+close at his side, said with a loving smile into his eyes:
+
+"My dear, I fear we have been tiring you."
+
+"Oh no, not at all!" he replied, coming out of his revery and taking
+possession of the pretty hand with a quiet air of ownership.
+
+"I am sure nobody else is," said Walter; "so please go on, sir, won't
+you? and tell us all about the taking of the forts and the city."
+
+"I will," replied the captain. "By the way, I want to tell you about a
+powder boy on board of the _Varuna_, Oscar Peck, a lad of only thirteen
+years, who showed coolness and bravery which would have entitled a man
+to praise.
+
+"Captain Boggs was very much pleased with him, and in his report to
+Farragut praised him warmly. He said that seeing the lad pass quickly he
+asked where he was going in such a hurry. 'To get a passing box, sir,'
+replied the lad; 'the other was smashed by a ball.' When the _Varuna_
+went down Oscar disappeared. He had been standing by one of the guns
+and was thrown into the water by the movement of the vessel. But in a
+few minutes he was seen swimming toward the wreck. Captain Boggs was
+standing on a part of the ship that was still above water, when the lad
+climbed up by his side, gave the usual salute, and said, 'All right,
+sir, I report myself on board.'"
+
+"Ah," cried Walter exultantly, "he was a plucky American boy! I'm proud
+of him."
+
+"Yes," said the captain, "and the more men and boys we have of a similar
+spirit the better for our dear land.
+
+"But to go on with my story. Captain Bailey moved on up the river with
+his crippled vessel, the _Cayuga_, leaving the _Varuna_ to continue the
+fight at the forts.
+
+"A short distance above Fort St. Philip was the Quarantine Station.
+Opposite to it was a Confederate battery in charge of several companies
+of sharp-shooters, commanded by Colonel Szymanski, a Pole.
+
+"On perceiving the approach of the _Cayuga_, they tried to flee, but a
+volley of canister-shot from her guns called a halt, and they were taken
+prisoners of war.
+
+"By that time the battle at the forts was over and the remaining twelve
+ships presently joined the _Cayuga_. Then the dead were carried ashore
+and buried."
+
+"And where was Butler all this time, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"He had been busy preparing for his part of the work while the naval
+officers were doing theirs," was the reply. "His men were in the
+transports at the passes and could hear distinctly the booming of the
+guns and mortars, but the general was at that time on the _Saxon_, which
+was following close in the rear of Bailey's division, until the plunging
+of shot and shell into the water around her warned Butler that he had
+gone far enough. He then ordered the _Saxon_ to drop a little astern, an
+order which was by no means disagreeable to her captain and was promptly
+obeyed, for he had on board eight hundred barrels of gunpowder; a
+dangerous cargo, indeed, when exposed to the fiery missiles of the
+enemy."
+
+"Wasn't it?" exclaimed Rosie.
+
+"Where was Porter just then, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"He and his mortar fleet were still below the forts," replied the
+captain, "and just as Butler had ordered his vessel away from that
+dangerous spot, the rebel monitor _Manassas_ came moving down into the
+midst of his fleet. She had just been terribly pounded by the
+_Mississippi_ and was a helpless wreck, but that was not perceived at
+first, and some of the mortars opened fire upon her, but stopped when
+they saw what was her condition: her hull battered and pierced, her
+pipes twisted and riddled by shot, smoke pouring from every opening. In
+a few minutes her only gun went off, flames burst out from stern,
+trap-door, and bow port, and she went hissing to the bottom of the
+river.
+
+"Butler now hurried to his transports and took them to Sable Island,
+twelve miles in the rear of Fort St. Philip. From there they went in
+small boats, through the narrow and shallow bayous, piloted by
+Lieutenant Weitzel. It was a most fatiguing journey, the men sometimes
+having to drag their boats through cold, muddy water waist deep. But the
+brave, patriotic fellows worked on with a will, and by the night of the
+27th they were at the Quarantine, ready to begin the assault on Fort St.
+Philip the next day, when they were landed under cover of the guns of
+the _Mississippi_ and the _Kineo_. Butler sent a small force to the
+other side of the river above Fort Jackson, which Porter had been
+pounding terribly with the shells from his mortars. On the 26th, Porter
+sent a flag of truce with a demand for the surrender of the fort, saying
+that Farragut had reached New Orleans and taken possession.
+
+"Colonel Higginson, the commander of the fort, replied that he had no
+official report of that surrender, and that until he should receive such
+he would not surrender the fort; he could not entertain such a
+proposition for a moment.
+
+"On the same day, General Duncan, commander of the coast defences, but
+at that time in Fort Jackson, sent out an address to the soldiers,
+saying, 'The safety of New Orleans and the cause of the Southern
+Confederacy, our homes, families, and everything dear to man yet depend
+upon our exertions. We are just as capable of repelling the enemy to-day
+as we were before the bombardment.'
+
+"Thus he urged them to fight on. But they did not all agree with the
+views he expressed. They could see the blackened fragments of vessels
+and other property strewing the waters of the river as it flowed swiftly
+by, and the sight convinced them of the truth of the report which had
+reached them of the fall of New Orleans. They had heard, too, of the
+arrival of Butler's troops in the rear of Fort St. Philip.
+
+"Doubtless they talked it all over among themselves that night, as a
+large number of them mutinied, spiked the guns bearing up the river, and
+the next day went out and surrendered themselves to Butler's pickets on
+that side of the river, saying they had been impressed, and would not
+fight the government any longer. Their loss made the surrender of the
+fort a necessity, and Colonel Higginson accepted the generous terms
+offered him by Porter. He and Duncan went on board the _Harriet Lane_
+and the terms of surrender were reduced to writing.
+
+"While that was going on in her cabin, a dastardly deed was done by the
+Confederate officer Mitchell, who, as I have said, commanded the battery
+called the _Louisiana_. It lay above the forts. He had it towed out into
+the strong current, set on fire and abandoned, leaving the guns all
+shotted, expecting she would float down and explode among Porter's
+mortar fleet; but a good Providence caused the explosion to come before
+she reached the fleet. It took place when she was abreast of Fort St.
+Philip, and a soldier, one of its garrison, was killed by a flying
+fragment. Then she went to the bottom, and the rest of the Confederate
+steamers surrendered.
+
+"Porter and his mortar fleet were still below the forts, but Farragut
+had now thirteen of his vessels safely above them and was ready to move
+upon New Orleans.
+
+"Half an hour after he reached the Quarantine, he sent Captain Boggs to
+Butler with despatches. Boggs went in a small boat through shallow
+bayous in the rear of Fort St. Philip, and, as I have already said, the
+next day Butler and his troops arrived at the Quarantine in readiness to
+assault the forts.
+
+"Fort St. Philip was as perfect when taken by the Union forces as before
+the fight, and Fort Jackson was injured only in its interior works.
+
+"The entire loss of the Nationals in all this fighting was 40 killed and
+177 wounded. No reliable report was given of the Confederate losses in
+killed and wounded. The number of prisoners amounted to nearly one
+thousand.
+
+"General Lovell, who had command of the Confederate troops at New
+Orleans, had gone down the river in his steamer _Doubloon_, and arrived
+just as the National fleet was passing the forts. He was near being
+captured in the terrible fight that followed, but escaped to the shore
+and hurried back to New Orleans as fast as courier horses could carry
+him.
+
+"A rumor of the fight and its results had already reached the city, and
+when he confirmed it a scene of wild excitement ensued; soldiers hurried
+to and fro, women were in the street bareheaded, brandishing pistols,
+and screaming, 'Burn the city! Never mind us! Burn the city!'
+
+"Merchants fled from their stores, and military officers impressed
+vehicles to carry cotton to the levees to be burned. Four millions of
+dollars in specie was sent out of the city by railway; foreigners
+crowded to the consulates to deposit money and other valuables for
+safety, and Twiggs, the traitor, fled, leaving to the care of a young
+woman the two swords that had been awarded him for his services in
+Mexico.
+
+"Lovell believed that he had not a sufficient number of troops to
+defend the city, and convinced the city authorities that such was the
+fact. Then he proceeded to disband the conscripts and to send munitions
+of war, stores of provisions, and other valuable property to the country
+by railroad and steamboats. Some of the white troops went to Camp Moore,
+seventy-eight miles distant, by the railroad, but the negro soldiers
+refused to go.
+
+"The next morning Farragut came on up the river, meeting on the way
+blazing ships filled with cotton floating down the stream. Then
+presently he discovered the Chalmette batteries on both sides of the
+river only a few miles below the city. The river was so full that the
+waters gave him complete command of those confederate works, and,
+causing his vessels to move in two lines, he set himself to the task of
+disabling them.
+
+"Captain Bailey in the _Cayuga_ was pressing gallantly forward and did
+not notice the signal to the vessels to move in close order. He was so
+far ahead of the others that the fire of the enemy was for a time
+concentrated upon his vessel; for twenty minutes she sustained a heavy
+cross fire alone. But Farragut hastened forward with the _Hartford_,
+and, as he passed the _Cayuga_, he gave the batteries heavy broadsides
+of grape, shell and shrapnel; so heavy were they that the first
+discharge drove the Confederates from their guns. The other vessels of
+the fleet followed the _Hartford's_ example, and in twenty minutes the
+batteries were silenced and the men running for their lives.
+
+"Oh, what a fearful scene our vessels passed through! The surface of the
+river was strewn with blazing cotton bales, burning steamers and
+fire-rafts, all together sending up clouds of dense black smoke. But
+they were nearing the city, these National vessels, and the news that
+such was the case had caused another great panic, and, by order of the
+Governor of Louisiana and General Lovell, the destruction of property
+went on more rapidly than before. Great quantities of cotton, sugar, and
+other staple commodities of that region of country, were set on fire, so
+that for a distance of five miles there seemed to be a continuous sheet
+of flame accompanied by dense clouds of smoke; for the people, foolishly
+believed that the Government, like themselves, regarded cotton as king,
+and that it was one of the chief objects for which the National troops
+were sent there. So they brought it in huge loads to the levee, piled it
+up there, and burnt not less than fifteen hundred bales, worth about
+$1,500,000. For the same reason they burned more than a dozen large
+ships, some of which were loaded with cotton, as well as many
+magnificent steamboats, unfinished gun-boats, and other vessels, sending
+them down the river wrapped in flames; hoping that in addition to
+destroying the property the Federals were after, they might succeed in
+setting fire to and destroying their ships and boats.
+
+"But the vessels of Farragut's squadron all escaped that danger, and in
+the afternoon, during a fierce thunderstorm, they anchored before the
+city.
+
+"Captain Bailey was sent ashore with a flag and a summons from Farragut
+for the surrender of the city; also a demand that the Confederate flag
+should be taken down from the public buildings and replaced by the stars
+and stripes.
+
+"Escorted by sensible citizens he made his way to the City Hall, through
+a cursing and hissing crowd. Lovell, who was still there, positively
+refused to surrender, but seeing that he was powerless to defend the
+city he said so and, advising the mayor not to surrender or allow the
+flags to be taken down, he withdrew with his troops.
+
+"The mayor was foolish enough to follow that very foolish advice, and
+sent to Farragut a silly letter saying that though he and his people
+could not prevent the occupation of their city by the United States,
+they would not transfer their allegiance to that government, which they
+had already deliberately repudiated.
+
+"While this was going on troops from the _Pensacola_ had landed and
+hoisted the United States flag over the Government Mint; but scarcely
+had they retired from the spot when the flag was torn down by some young
+men and dragged through the streets in derision."
+
+"Our flag! the glorious stripes and stars!" exclaimed Lulu, her eyes
+flashing; "I hope they didn't escape punishment for such an outrage as
+that?"
+
+"One of them, a gambler, William B. Mumford by name, afterward paid the
+penalty for that and other crimes, on the scaffold," replied her father.
+"A few hours after the pulling down of that flag, General Butler arrived
+and joined Farragut on the _Hartford_. On the 29th, Butler reported to
+the Secretary of War, and, referring to the treatment of the flag, said,
+'This outrage will be punished in such a manner as in my judgment will
+caution both the perpetrators and the abettors of the act, so that they
+shall fear the stripes, if they do not reverence the stars, of our
+banner.'
+
+"The secessionists expressed much exultation over the treatment of the
+flag and admiration of the rebellious deed.
+
+"Farragut was very patient with the rebels, particularly the silly
+mayor; in reply to whose abusive letter he spoke of the insults and
+indignities to the flag and to his officers, adding, 'All of which go to
+show that the fire of this fleet may be drawn upon the city at any
+moment, and in such an event the levee would, in all probability, be
+cut by the shells and an amount of distress ensue to the innocent
+population which I have heretofore endeavored to assure you that I
+desire by all means to avoid. The election therefore is with you; but it
+becomes me to notify you to remove the women and children, from the city
+within forty-eight hours, if I have rightly understood your
+determination.'
+
+"To this the foolish mayor sent a most absurd reply, saying that
+Farragut wanted to humble and disgrace the people, and talking nonsense
+about 'murdering women and children.' It was a decidedly insolent
+epistle; but the commander of a French ship of war, that had just come
+in, was still more impertinent. He wrote to Farragut that his government
+had sent him to protect the 30,000 of its subjects in New Orleans. And
+that he should demand sixty days, instead of forty-eight hours as the
+time to be given for the evacuation of the city, his letter closed with
+a threat: 'If it is your resolution to bombard the city, do it; but I
+wish to state that you will have to account for the barbarous act to the
+power which I represent.'
+
+"Farragut was much perplexed, and troubled with doubts as to what to do,
+but was soon greatly relieved by the news of the surrender of the forts
+below, making it almost certain that Butler would soon be there to
+relieve him of the care of the city, and with that in prospect he was
+able to quietly await the arrival of the land forces.
+
+"The people of New Orleans believed it impossible that those forts could
+be taken, and deemed it safe to indulge in their defiant attitude toward
+the Federal forces already at their doors; but this unwelcome news
+convinced them of the folly and danger of further resistance and
+defiance of the General Government, and a sort of apology was made to
+Farragut for the pulling down of the flag from the Mint; it was said to
+have been the unauthorized act of the men who performed it.
+
+"The next day Captain Bell landed with a hundred marines, hauled down
+the emblems of rebellion on the Mint and Custom House, flung to the
+breeze the National flag in their places, then locking the Custom House
+door, carried the key to his vessel.
+
+"There was a military organization in New Orleans, called the European
+Brigade, composed of British, French, and Spanish aliens, whose
+ostensible purpose was to aid the authorities in protecting the citizens
+from unruly members; but now finding their occupation almost at an end,
+its English members voted at their armory that, as they would have no
+further use for their weapons and accoutrements, they should be sent to
+Beauregard's army at Corinth, as 'a slight token of their affection for
+the Confederate States.'"
+
+"I should say that was but a poor sort of neutrality," remarked Rosie.
+
+"So I think," responded the captain; then went on with his story.
+
+"Only a few hours after Mumford and his mates had pulled down the flag,
+Butler arrived, joined Farragut on the _Hartford_, and presently made to
+the Secretary of War the report of which I have already spoken.
+
+"He hurried back to his troops and made arrangements for their immediate
+advance up the river. On the first of May he appeared before New Orleans
+with his transports bearing two thousand men; the general with his wife,
+his staff, and one thousand four hundred troops, was on the
+_Mississippi_, the vessel in which he had sailed from Hampton Roads
+sixty-five days before.
+
+"At four o'clock on the afternoon of that day the troops began to land:
+first, a company of the Thirty-first Massachusetts, presently followed
+by the rest of the regiment, the Fourth Wisconsin, and Everett's battery
+of heavy field guns.
+
+"They formed in procession, acting as an escort to General Butler and
+General Williams and his staff, and marched through several streets to
+the Custom House, their band playing the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' They
+had been given strict directions not to resent any insults that might be
+offered by the vast crowd gathered in the streets, unless ordered so to
+do; if a shot should be fired from any house, they were to halt, arrest
+the inmates, and destroy the building.
+
+"Their patience was greatly tried during that short march, the crowd
+constantly growing greater and more boisterous and pouring out upon them
+volleys of abusive epithets, both vulgar and profane, applying them to
+the general as well as his troops."
+
+"I think anybody but an American would have ordered his soldiers to fire
+upon them for that," remarked Walter. "Did they do no fighting at all at
+the time, sir?"
+
+"No," replied the captain; "they were obedient to the orders of their
+superior officers and brave enough to endure the undeserved abuse in
+silence.
+
+"At length their destination was reached, Captain Everett posted his
+cannon around the Custom House, quarters there were given to the
+Massachusetts regiment, and the city was comparatively quiet through the
+night.
+
+"General Butler passed the night on board the _Mississippi_, and at an
+early hour in the evening sent out a proclamation to the citizens of New
+Orleans. It was first sent to the office of the _True Delta_ to be
+printed; but the proprietor flatly refused to use his types in such an
+act of submission to Federal rule."
+
+"I hope he wasn't allowed to do as he pleased about it?" growled Walter.
+
+"I think hardly," returned the captain with an amused smile. "Some two
+hours later a file of soldiers were in his office, half a dozen of whom
+were printers, and in a very short time the proclamation was sent out in
+printed form.
+
+"Meanwhile the Federal officers had taken possession of their city
+quarters. General Butler was at the St. Charles Hotel, and invited the
+city authorities to a conference with him there. That very foolish
+mayor, Monroe, told the messenger sent to him that his place of business
+was at the City Hall. He was answered by a suggestion that such a reply
+was not likely to prove satisfying to the commanding general, and then
+prudently decided to go and wait on General Butler at the St. Charles.
+
+"Some of his friends accompanied him; among them Pierre Soule, who had
+been a representative to Congress before the war.
+
+"General Butler and these callers had a talk together in regard to the
+proper relations existing between the General Government and the city of
+New Orleans, Butler maintaining that the authority of the Government of
+the United States was and ought to be supreme; it had a right to demand
+the allegiance of the people, and that no other authority could be
+allowed to conflict with it in ruling the city.
+
+"The mayor, Soule, and his friends, on the contrary, insisted that
+Louisiana was an independent sovereignty and that to her alone the
+people owed their allegiance. They asserted that the National troops
+were invaders, the people doing right in treating them with contempt and
+abhorrence, and that they would be fully justified in driving them away
+if it were in their power to do so.
+
+"While this hot discussion was going on, a messenger came from General
+Williams, who had command of the regiment protecting headquarters,
+saying that he feared he could not control the mob which had collected
+in the street.
+
+"Butler calmly replied: 'Give my compliments to General Williams, and
+tell him if he finds he cannot control the mob, to open upon them with
+artillery.'
+
+"At that the mayor and his friends sprang to their feet, exclaiming
+excitedly, 'Don't do that, General.' Butler asked, 'Why not?' and went
+on, 'The mob must be controlled. We can't have a disturbance in the
+street.'
+
+"At that the mayor stepped out upon the balcony and spoke to the mob,
+telling them of the general's orders and advising them to disperse.
+
+"At that interview General Butler read to his callers the proclamation
+he was about to issue. Soule told him it would give great offence, and
+that the people would never submit to its demands; for they were not
+conquered and could not be expected to act as a conquered people would.
+'Withdraw your troops and leave the city government to manage its own
+affairs,' he said. 'If the troops remain there will certainly be
+trouble.'"
+
+"And Butler, of course, did as he was told," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Not exactly," returned the captain. "'I did not expect to hear from Mr.
+Soule a threat on this occasion,' he said. 'I have long been accustomed
+to hear threats from Southern gentlemen in political conventions, but
+let me assure the gentlemen present that the time for tactics of that
+nature has passed, never to return. New Orleans _is_ a conquered city.
+If not, why are we here? How did we get here? Have you opened your arms
+and bid us welcome? Are we here by your consent? Would you, or would you
+not, expel us if you could? New Orleans has been conquered by the forces
+of the United States, and by the laws of all nations lies subject to the
+will of the conquerors.'"
+
+"Some of the New Orleans people, especially the women, behaved very
+badly, did they not, captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; though no man was injured by the troops, who behaved in a
+perfectly orderly manner; no woman was treated with the slightest
+disrespect, though the women were very offensive in their manifestations
+of contempt of the officers, not omitting even the commanding officer
+himself. They would leave street cars and church pews when a Federal
+officer entered them; the sidewalks also, going round the gentlemen,
+turning up their noses and sometimes uttering abusive words; they wore
+secession colors in their bonnets, sang rebel songs, and turned their
+backs on passing soldiers, when out on their balconies, and played airs
+that were used with rebel words; indeed they tried to show in every
+possible way their contempt and aversion for the Union officers and
+soldiers. At length a woman of the 'dominant class,' meeting two Union
+officers on the street, spit in their faces. Then General Butler decided
+to at once put a stop to such proceedings, and on the 5th of May he
+issued order No. 28, which had the desired effect."
+
+"What was it, papa? What did he order the people, or the soldiers, to
+do?" queried Lulu.
+
+"The amount of the order was that every woman who should behave as that
+one had, insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the
+United States, should be regarded and held liable to be treated as not
+of good moral character. The mayor made it the subject of another
+impudent and absurd letter to General Butler, for which he was arrested,
+but he was soon released again upon making a humble apology."
+
+"Did they let him be mayor again, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"No; instead General G. F. Sheply of Maine, was appointed Military
+Governor of New Orleans, and made an excellent one, having the city made
+cleaner, and in consequence more wholesome, than it had been for years,
+if ever before. Soon after that William B. Mumford was arrested, tried
+by a military court for treason in having torn down the flag, found
+guilty, and hanged."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+THERE was a moment of silence broken by Lulu with an eager exclamation.
+"Oh, papa, don't you remember that when we were at Saratoga last summer
+you promised that sometime you would tell us about the fighting in the
+Revolution near and at Fort Schuyler? and won't you please do so now?"
+
+"I will if the others wish to hear it," he replied, and a general eager
+assent being given he at once began the story.
+
+"Fort Schuyler," he said, "at first called Fort Stanwix, in honor of the
+general of that name, who directed the work of its erection, stood at
+the head of boat navigation on the Mohawk, where the village of Rome now
+is. It cost the British and Colonial Government two hundred and
+sixty-six thousand four hundred dollars and was a strong post of
+resistance to attack from the French in Canada, with whom, as you all
+know, I think, the colonists were often at war, on their own account or
+that of the mother country, and a powerful protection to the Indian
+trade. It commanded the portage between Lake Ontario and the Mohawk
+valley, the theatre of many stirring events during the War of the
+Revolution. Indians and Tories kept in terror the people who lived there
+and were loyal to the cause of their country. There were daylight
+struggles and stealthy midnight attacks in such numbers that Tryon
+County came to be spoken of as 'the dark and bloody ground.'
+
+"Congress perceiving the importance of defending the northern and
+western frontiers of New York from incursions by the British and
+Indians, sent General Schuyler to strengthen old Fort Stanwix, which had
+been allowed to fall into a state of decay so that it was little more
+than a ruin, and, if he found it necessary, to erect other
+fortifications.
+
+"General Phillip Schuyler was a gentleman of fortune, of military skill,
+experience, sound judgment, and lofty patriotism. Lossing tells us that,
+'for causes quite inexplicable, he was superseded in effect by Gates in
+March 1777, but reinstated in May, and that no appointment could have
+been more acceptable to the people of northern New York, who were at
+that time in a state of great excitement and alarm.'
+
+"In recent campaigns against the French and Indians on Lakes Champlain
+and George, General Schuyler had done great service to the colony and
+the people along the northern frontier. That of itself was sufficient
+cause for attachment to him, besides his many virtues, which had
+endeared him to all who knew him. And in fighting the British he would
+be defending his own home and large landed estate.
+
+"In March, 1777, Burgoyne arrived at Quebec, bearing the commission of a
+lieutenant-general, and by the first of June a force of seven thousand
+men was collected for him and mustered at St. John's at the foot of Lake
+Champlain. Also the British Lieutenant-colonel St. Leger, was sent with
+a force of seven hundred rangers up the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario to
+Oswego. He was to gather the Indians, make friends with them, and get
+them to act as his allies; then to sweep the valley of the Mohawk, with
+the help of Johnson and his Tories, take Fort Schuyler, and afterward
+join Burgoyne.
+
+"Colonel Peter Gansevoort was at that time in command of Fort Schuyler.
+The people of Tryon County, hearing of St. Leger's movement, and that a
+descent was to be made upon them by the way of Oswego, were greatly
+alarmed. In June a man from Canada was arrested as a spy and from him
+the Americans learned that a detachment of British, Canadians, and
+Indians was coming against them on their way to join Burgoyne at
+Albany."
+
+"But Burgoyne never got there--to Albany--until he went as a prisoner;
+did he, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"No, my boy, he was defeated and made prisoner while on his way to the
+city. The battle of Saratoga was a disastrous one to the invaders of our
+land.
+
+"The intelligence of which I just spoke as given by the spy was
+afterward confirmed by Thomas Spencer, a friendly Oneida half breed
+sachem, who was sent to Canada as a secret emissary and there became
+acquainted with the plans of Burgoyne.
+
+"For a time the loyal people, the Whigs, who were for their native land
+and not for the English king who had been showing himself a tyrant and
+oppressor, were almost paralyzed with alarm. Fort Schuyler was still
+unfinished and the garrison feeble. But Colonel Gansevoort was hopeful,
+vigilant, and active. He wrote urgently to General Schuyler for aid, and
+the general made a like appeal to the Provincial Congress of New York,
+and the General Congress. But it was too late for them to send him help
+before the attack would be made.
+
+"On the 2d of August Brant and Lieutenant Bird began the investment of
+the fort, and on that very day Gansevoort and his little garrison of
+seven hundred and fifty men received a re-enforcement of two hundred men
+under Lieutenant-colonel Melon, and two bateaux loaded with provisions
+and military stores; a most welcome addition to the scant supplies in
+the fort.
+
+"The next day Colonel St. Leger arrived with the rest of his troops. The
+siege was begun on the 4th. The Indians, hiding in the bushes, wounded
+some of our men who were at work on the parapets, and a few bombs were
+thrown into the fort.
+
+"The next day it was the same; the Indians spread themselves about
+through the woods encircling the fort, and all through the night tried
+to intimidate the Americans by their hideous yells.
+
+"On that very day General Herkimer was coming to its aid with more than
+eight hundred men of the militia of Tryon County. He was near Oriskany,
+a little village eight miles eastward from the fort; from there he sent
+a messenger to tell Colonel Gansevoort that he was approaching, and
+asking to be informed of the man's arrival by the firing of three guns
+in quick succession, knowing that they could be heard at Oriskany. But
+unfortunately his messenger did not reach the fort until the next day,
+and while Herkimer, who though brave was cautious, decided to halt till
+he should hear the signal or receive re-enforcements, some of his
+officers and men were impatient to push on.
+
+"Herkimer would not consent, and two of his colonels, Paris and Cox,
+called him a coward and a Tory. Herkimer replied calmly, 'I am placed
+over you as a father and guardian and shall not lead you into
+difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you.'
+
+"But they continued their taunts and demands till he was stung by them
+into giving the command, 'March on!'
+
+"St. Leger knew of the advance of Herkimer and his troops and sent a
+division of Johnston's Greens, under Major Watts, Brant with a strong
+body of Indians, and Colonel Butler with his rangers, to intercept him
+and prevent his making an attack upon the entrenchments which he had
+made about Fort Schuyler.
+
+"Gansevoort noticed the silence in the enemy's camp, and also the
+movement of his troops down toward the river along the margin of the
+wood. When the courier came with the message from Herkimer he understood
+the meaning of it all, and immediately fired the signal guns.
+
+"Herkimer had said in his message that he intended, on hearing the
+signals, to cut his way through the camp of the enemy to the fort, and
+asked that a sortie from it should be made at the same time.
+
+"As quickly as possible Gansevoort had it made. A detachment of two
+hundred men, of his own and Wesson's regiments, with an iron
+three-pounder, were detailed for the duty; then fifty more were added
+for the protection of the cannon and to assist in whatever way they
+could. Colonel Marinus Willett was given the command.
+
+"It rained heavily while the necessary preparations were going on in the
+fort, but the moment it ceased Willett and his men hastened out and
+attacked the enemy furiously.
+
+"The advanced guard were driven in, and so sudden and impetuous was the
+charge that Sir John Johnson had no time to put on his coat. He tried to
+bring his troops into order, but they were so panic stricken that they
+fled, and he with them. They crossed the river to St. Leger's camp and
+the Indians concealed themselves in the deep forest.
+
+"The Americans took much plunder; all Sir John's baggage and his papers,
+as well as those of other officers, giving valuable information to the
+garrison of Fort Schuyler; also the British colors, all of which--there
+were five--the Americans presently raised upon their flagstaff, beneath
+their own rude flag--fashioned, as I have already told some of you, out
+of strips of red and white obtained by tearing up men's shirts for the
+one, and joining bits of scarlet cloth for the other; while a blue cloak
+belonging to Captain Abraham Swartwout, of Dutchess County, then in the
+fort, was used to form the ground for the white stars, and the staff
+upon which all these hung was in full view of the enemy. Then the whole
+garrison mounted the parapets and made the forest ring with three loud
+cheers.
+
+"While all this was going on in and around the fort, General Herkimer
+and his men were coming toward it through the woods. It was a dark,
+sultry morning. The troops were chiefly militia regiments and marched in
+an irregular, careless way, neglecting proper precautions.
+
+"Brant and his Tories took advantage of this carelessness, hid
+themselves in a ravine which crossed Herkimer's path, and had a thick
+growth of underwood along its margin, which made it easy for them to
+conceal themselves, and when all except the rear-guard of the
+unsuspecting Americans had entered the ravine, where the ground was
+marshy and crossed by a causeway of earth and logs, Brant gave a signal,
+immediately followed by a warwhoop, and the savages fell upon our poor
+men with spear, hatchet, and rifle-ball; as Lossing says, 'like hail
+from the clouds that hovered over them.'
+
+"The rear-guard fled and left the others to their fate, yet perhaps
+suffered more from the pursuing Indians than they would if they had
+stood their ground, helping their fellows. The attack had been so sudden
+that there was great confusion in the ranks; but they presently
+recovered and fought like veterans; fought bravely for their lives, and
+for their country."
+
+"And were many of them killed, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes," replied the captain sighing; "the slaughter was dreadful, and the
+good general was soon among the wounded. A musket ball passed through
+his horse, killing it and sadly wounding him, shattering his leg just
+below the knee. He at once ordered the saddle taken from his horse and
+placed against a large beech tree near by, and there he sat during the
+rest of the fight, calmly giving his orders while the enemy's bullets
+whistled around him like sleet, killing and wounding his men on every
+side."
+
+"He was no coward after all," exclaimed Walter, his eyes shining. "But
+did any of our men escape being killed, sir?"
+
+"After a little they formed themselves into circles," continued the
+captain, "so meeting the enemy at all points, and their fire became so
+destructive that the Tories and the Johnson Greens charged with the
+bayonet, and the patriots being equally prompt to defend themselves, it
+became a terrible hand to hand fight.
+
+"It was at length stopped by the shower that had delayed the sortie from
+the fort; both parties seeking shelter under the trees. Then, as soon as
+the shower was over, Colonel Willett made his sally from the fort,
+attacking Johnson's camp, and the battle at Oriskany was renewed.
+
+"It is said to have been the bloodiest of the war in proportion to the
+numbers engaged. It is stated that about one-third of the militia fell
+on the battle ground, and as many more were mortally wounded or carried
+into captivity. About fifty wounded were carried from the field on
+litters, General Herkimer among them. He was taken to his own home,
+where he died ten days afterward."
+
+"But who gained the victory, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"The Americans, the others having fled; but they were unable to
+accomplish the object of the expedition--the relief of Fort Schuyler.
+And surrounded as they were by the enemy, the men in the fort could gain
+no intelligence as to the result of the fight at Oriskany, and St. Leger
+took advantage of their ignorance to falsely represent the British to
+have been the victors to the total defeat of the Americans, and announce
+a victorious advance by Burgoyne.
+
+"Two American officers, Colonel Billenger and Major Frey, who had been
+taken prisoners, were forced to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort,
+containing many misrepresentations and advising him to surrender. This
+Colonel Butler delivered to Gansevoort and verbally demanded his
+surrender.
+
+"Gansevoort refused, saying he would not answer such a summons verbally
+made unless by St. Leger himself.
+
+"The next morning Butler and two other officers drew near the fort
+carrying a white flag, and asked to be admitted as bearers of a message
+to the commander of the fort.
+
+"The request was granted, but they were first blindfolded, then
+conducted to the dining room of the fort, where they were received by
+Gansevoort, the windows of the room being closed and candles lighted."
+
+"What was that for, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"To prevent them from seeing what was the condition of things within the
+fort," replied her father.
+
+"And was Gansevoort alone with them, papa?"
+
+"No; he had with him Colonels Willett and Mellen. Butler and his
+companions were politely received, and one of them, Major Ancram by
+name, made a little speech, telling of the humanity of St. Leger's
+feelings, and his desire to prevent bloodshed; that he found it
+difficult to keep the Indians in check, and that the only salvation of
+the garrison was an immediate surrender of the fort and all its stores.
+Officers and soldiers would be allowed to keep their baggage and other
+private property, and their personal safety would be guaranteed. He
+added that he hoped these honorable terms would be immediately
+accepted, for if not it would not be in St. Leger's power to offer them
+again."
+
+"So the Americans of course were afraid to reject them?" sniffed Walter.
+
+"Hardly," returned the captain with a smile. "But that was not all
+Ancram said with a view to inducing them to do so. He went on to say
+that the Indians were eager to march down the country, laying it waste
+and killing the inhabitants; that Herkimer's relief corps had been
+totally destroyed, Burgoyne had possession of Albany, and there was no
+longer any hope for this garrison."
+
+"What a liar he was, that Ancram!" exclaimed Walter. "Why, Burgoyne had
+not even got as far as Saratoga then."
+
+"No," responded the captain, "and the bright and plucky officers of Fort
+Schuyler, to whom he was speaking, were not so easily hood-winked; they
+saw through his designs, and were not to be deceived by the falsehoods
+and misrepresentations of his address.
+
+"It was Colonel Willett who, with the approval of Gansevoort, made
+answer, speaking, as Lossing says, with 'emphasis,' and looking Ancram
+full in the face.
+
+"'Do I understand you, sir? I think you say that you came from a British
+colonel, who is commander of the army that invests this fort; and, by
+your uniform, you appear to be an officer in the British service. You
+have made a long speech on the occasion of your visit, which, stripped
+of all its superfluities, amounts to this: that you come from a British
+colonel to the commandant of this garrison, to tell him that, if he does
+not deliver up the garrison into the hands of your colonel, he will send
+his Indians to murder our women and children. You will please to
+reflect, sir, that their blood will be upon your heads, not upon ours.
+We are doing our duty; this garrison is committed to our care, and we
+will take care of it. After you get out of it, you may turn round and
+look at its outside, but never expect to come in again unless you come a
+prisoner. I consider the message you have brought a degrading one for a
+British officer to send, and by no means reputable for a British officer
+to carry. For my own part, I declare, before I would consent to deliver
+this garrison to such a murdering set as your army, by your own account,
+consists of, I would suffer my body to be filled with splinters and set
+on fire, as you know has at times been practiced by such hordes of women
+and children killers as belong to your army.'"
+
+"Good!" said Walter; "and the other two American officers, I suppose,
+agreed with him."
+
+"Yes," Captain Raymond replied, "and they all felt satisfied that they
+would not be so urgently pressed to surrender at once, and on conditions
+so favorable, if their prospects were as dark as their besiegers would
+have them believe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+"ST. LEGER made another effort to induce them to do so," continued
+Captain Raymond. "On the 9th he sent a written demand offering about the
+same terms as before.
+
+"Gansevoort replied in writing: 'Sir, your letter of this date I have
+received, in answer to which I say, that it is my determined resolution,
+with the force under my command, to defend this fort to the last
+extremity, in behalf of the United States, who have placed me here to
+defend it against all their enemies.'"
+
+"Did the British give it up then, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"No; they began digging and making preparations to run a mine under the
+strongest bastion of the fort, while at the same time they sent out an
+address to the people of Tryon County, signed by Clause, Johnson, and
+Butler, urging them to submit to British rule, asserting that they
+themselves were desirous to have peace, and threatening that in case of
+refusal all the horrors of Indian cruelty would be visited upon them.
+Also they called upon the principal men of the valley to come up to
+Fort Schuyler and compel its garrison to surrender, as they would be
+forced to do in the end."
+
+"Did the men in the fort give up then, papa?" queried Grace.
+
+"No, no indeed, little daughter!" he replied. "They were brave men, and
+staunch patriots, and had no intention to surrender so long as they
+could possibly hold out; but fearing ammunition might give out, their
+supply of provisions too, they resolved to send word to General
+Schuyler, who was then at Stillwater, asking for aid from him in their
+sore extremity.
+
+"Of course it would be a hazardous attempt, but Colonel Willett offered
+to be the messenger, and one stormy night he and Lieutenant Stockwell
+left the fort at ten o'clock by the sally-port, each armed with a spear,
+and crept along the morass on hands and knees, to the river, which they
+crossed upon a log. Their way lay through a tangled wood and they soon
+lost it. The bark of a dog presently warned them that they were near an
+Indian camp, and fearing to either advance or retreat they stood still
+there for several hours.
+
+"But at length the dawn of day showed them where they were, so that they
+were able to find the right road and pursue their way. They took a
+zigzag course, now on land, now through the bed of a stream, to foil any
+attempt on the part of some possible pursuer to gain upon them by the
+scent of their footsteps.
+
+"They arrived safely at the German Flats, mounted fleet horses, and sped
+down the valley to the quarters of General Schuyler. On arriving they
+learned that he had already heard of the defeat of Herkimer, and was
+preparing to send succor to the besieged in the fort.
+
+"Meanwhile St. Leger was pressing his siege, and the garrison, hearing
+nothing of the successful journey of their messengers, or of aid coming
+to them from any quarter, many of them began to grow despondent and to
+hint to their commander that it might be best to surrender, as their
+supply of both provisions and ammunition was getting low.
+
+"But Gansevoort was too brave and hopeful to think of so doing. He told
+the despondent ones that in case help did not arrive before their
+supplies were exhausted, they would sally forth in the night and cut
+their way through the enemy's camp.
+
+"But relief came in an unexpected manner, that always reminds me of that
+siege of Samaria by the host of the Syrians, in the days of Elisha the
+prophet of Israel, and the way the Lord took to deliver them, causing
+'the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots and a noise of horses, even the
+noise of a great host; and they said one to another, Lo, the King of
+Israel hath hired against us the Kings of the Hittites and the Kings of
+the Egyptians to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the
+twilight, and left their tents and their horses, and there asses, even
+the camp as it was, and fled for their lives.' For suddenly and
+mysteriously the British, Indians, and Tories besieging Fort Schuyler
+did the same--fled, leaving tents, artillery, and camp equipage behind
+them."
+
+"Why, papa, how very strange!" exclaimed Lulu, "were they really
+frightened in the same way?"
+
+"Not exactly the same but somewhat like it," replied her father.
+"General Schuyler, then at the mouth of the Mohawk, had made an appeal
+to his men for volunteers to go to the relief of Gansevoort and his men,
+now besieged by the enemy in Fort Schuyler, and Arnold and his troops,
+most of them Massachusetts men, responded with alacrity and, joined by
+the First New York regiment, they marched at once.
+
+"Arnold's force was much smaller than that of St. Leger's and he
+resorted to stratagem as the only means of securing his end. A half
+idiot, a nephew of General Herkimer, named Hon-Yost Schuyler, a coarse,
+ignorant fellow, had been taken prisoner along with that Walter Butler
+who had been arrested while carrying to the people of Tryon County the
+call for them to force the defenders of Fort Schuyler to surrender,
+tried and condemned as a spy.
+
+"The same thing had befallen Hon-Yost, but his mother plead for him, and
+though at first Arnold was inexorable, he at length agreed to release
+the fellow on condition that he would go to Fort Schuyler and alarm St.
+Leger with the story that the Americans were coming against him in force
+to compel the raising of the siege.
+
+"Hon-Yost seemed not at all unwilling, readily gave the required
+promise, and his mother offered to remain as a hostage for his faithful
+performance of the duty; but Arnold chose instead Nicholas, the brother
+of Hon-Yost, as his security.
+
+"Hon-Yost managed the business with great adroitness. Before leaving he
+had seven bullets shot through his coat, which he showed to the British
+and Indians on arriving at their encampment as proof of 'a terrible
+engagement with the enemy.' He was acquainted with many of the Indians,
+and when he came rushing into the camp almost out of breath with haste
+and fright, apparently, telling this story, with the added information
+that the Americans were coming and he had barely escaped with his life,
+his hearers were very much alarmed.
+
+"They asked what were the numbers of the Americans, and in reply he
+shook his head mysteriously, pointing as he did so to the leaves on the
+trees, as if he would say that they were numberless.
+
+"The Indians, who had been uneasy and moody ever since the battle of
+Oriskany, and were at the moment of Hon-Yost's arrival holding a pow-wow
+to plead with the 'Great Spirit' to guide and direct them, at once
+resolved to flee, and told St. Leger of their decision.
+
+"He sent for Hon-Yost, questioned him, and was told that Arnold would be
+there in twenty-four hours with two thousand men.
+
+"Hon-Yost had come in to the camp alone, he and the Oneida chief having
+laid their plans before hand, the chief to arrive a little later than
+the other, so that they would not appear to be in collusion, and just as
+Hon-Yost finished his story to St. Leger, the chief and two or three
+straggling Indians of his tribe, who had joined him on his way, came in
+with the same story of the near approach of a large body of Americans.
+One told St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men with him; another
+that the army of Burgoyne was cut to pieces. They pretended that a bird
+had brought them news that the valley below was swarming with warriors.
+
+"The savages were now thoroughly alarmed, and all the bribes and
+promises of St. Leger could not induce them to remain any longer; they
+suspected foul play and would not touch the strong drink he offered, and
+when, finding that they would go, he asked them to take the rear in
+retreating, they indignantly refused, saying, 'You mean to sacrifice us.
+When you marched down you said there would be no fighting for Indians;
+we might go down and smoke our pipes; numbers of our warriors have been
+killed, and you mean to sacrifice us also.'
+
+"The council broke up, the Indians fled, the panic was communicated to
+the rest of the army, and they fled in terror to their boats on Oneida
+Lake, the Indians making merry over their flight, hurrying on after them
+with the warning cry: 'They are coming, they are coming!' So alarmed
+were the Tories and British troops that they threw away their knapsacks
+and their arms as they ran. Also the Indians killed or robbed many of
+them and took their boats, so that St. Leger said, 'they became more
+formidable than the enemy we had to expect.'"
+
+"And did the Americans chase them that time, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; Gansevoort at once sent word to Arnold that the British were
+retreating, and Arnold sent nine hundred men in pursuit. The next day he
+himself reached the fort; but he and his men presently marched back to
+the main army, then at Stillwater, leaving Colonel Willett in command of
+Fort Schuyler.
+
+"So ended the siege of which Lossing says that 'in its progress were
+shown the courage, skill, and endurance of the Americans everywhere so
+remarkable in the revolution.'"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Walter; "but will you please tell what became of
+Hon-Yost?"
+
+"Yes; he went with the British as far as Wood Creek, then managed to
+desert and at once carried the news of Arnold's approach to Fort
+Schuyler. He went back to Fort Dayton, afterward fled with his family
+and fourteen of his Tory friends, and joined Sir John Johnson. When the
+war was over he returned to the valley, where he died in 1818."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+"NOW, papa, if you're not too tired won't you please tell us about the
+writing of the 'Star-Spangled Banner'?" pleaded Lulu, with a smiling,
+coaxing look up into her father's face.
+
+"I am not too tired, and if all wish to hear it, will willingly tell the
+story to the best of my ability," he replied, taking in his and softly
+patting the hand she had laid on his knee.
+
+"I'm sure we will all be glad to hear it, sir," said Walter. "It
+happened in the War of 1812, didn't it?"
+
+"Yes. The British had taken Washington, where they had behaved more like
+vandals than civilized men, burning and destroying both public buildings
+and private property--the Capitol, the President's house, the Arsenal,
+the library of Congress, and barracks for nearly three thousand troops;
+besides private property--a large ropewalk, some houses on Capitol Hill,
+and a tavern; all of which they burned. The light of the fire was seen
+at Baltimore, and the news of the capture of Washington caused intense
+excitement there; particularly because it was known that the British
+were so much exasperated at the Baltimoreans on account of its being
+the place whence had been sent out many swift clipper-built vessels and
+expert seamen who had struck heavy blows at British commerce on the high
+seas.
+
+"Baltimore is on the Patapsco River, ten miles from Chesapeake Bay. The
+narrow strait connecting harbor and bay is defended by Fort McHenry,
+which stood there at that time. It was expected that Baltimore would be
+the next point of attack by the enemy, and there was, of course, great
+excitement.
+
+"General Samuel Smith, who had been a revolutionary officer, at once
+exerted himself to prepare both Baltimore and Annapolis for successful
+defence. He was a fine officer. You all perhaps remember him as
+commander at Fort Mifflin when attacked by the British and Hessians in
+the Revolutionary War. He had been active in this war also, ever since
+the appearance of a British squadron in the Chesapeake, in the spring of
+the previous year, 1813."
+
+"And this was in the fall of 1814, was it not, captain?" queried Evelyn.
+
+"Yes, early in September. In the spring of 1813 it was rumored that the
+British were coming to attack the city, and several persons were
+arrested as traitors and spies. Also five thousand men were quickly in
+arms ready to defend the city, and companies of militia came pouring in
+from the country. All this within a few hours.
+
+"Then General Striker's brigade and other military bodies, to the number
+of five thousand and with forty pieces of artillery, were reviewed. The
+marine artillery of Baltimore was one hundred and sixty in number,
+commanded by Captain George Stiles, and composed of masters and master's
+mates of vessels there. It was a corps celebrated for its gallantry, and
+was armed with forty-two pounders.
+
+"Finding the city so well prepared to give them a warm reception the
+British abandoned their intention to attack it, went to sea, and
+Baltimore enjoyed a season of repose. But, as I have been telling you,
+they returned after the capture of Washington, and again the people set
+to work at preparations for defence.
+
+"General Smith was made first in command of all the military force
+intended to insure the safety of the city. But it is with the attack
+upon Fort McHenry and its repulse that we are concerned. The fort was
+garrisoned by about a thousand men under the command of Major George
+Armistead."
+
+"Regulars, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Some were, others volunteers," replied the captain. "There were,
+besides, four land batteries to assist in the work. But I will not go
+into particulars in regard to them, as I know they would be rather
+uninteresting to the greater part of my listeners.
+
+"It was on Sunday evening, September 11, that the British were seen in
+strong force at the mouth of the Patapsco, preparing to land at North
+Point, fifteen miles from the city by land, twelve by water. Their fleet
+anchored off that point, two miles from the shore. It was a beautiful
+night, a full moon shining in a cloudless sky, and the air balmy.
+
+"Ross intended to take Baltimore by surprise, and had boasted that he
+would eat his Sunday dinner there. At two o'clock in the morning the
+boats were lowered from his ships, and seamen and land troops went on
+shore, protected by several gun brigs anchored very near. The men were
+armed, of course, and each boat had a carronade ready for action.
+Admiral Cockburn and General Ross were on shore by about seven o'clock
+with 5000 land troops, 2000 seamen, and 2000 marines.
+
+"Their intention was to march rapidly upon Baltimore and take it by
+surprise, therefore they carried as little baggage as possible, and only
+eighty rounds apiece of ammunition. At the same time a frigate was sent
+to make soundings in the channel leading to Baltimore, as the navy was
+intended to take part in the attack upon the city."
+
+"Oh, wasn't everybody terribly frightened, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"There was a good deal of alarm," replied the captain, "and many of the
+citizens fled, with their valuables, to places in the interior of the
+country, filling the hotels for nearly a hundred miles north of the
+city.
+
+"I will not at present go into the details of the battle of North Point,
+which immediately followed, but will tell of what was going on upon the
+water.
+
+"The British frigates, schooners, sloops, and bomb-ketches had passed
+into the Patapsco early in the morning, while Ross was moving from North
+Point, and anchored off Fort McHenry, but beyond the reach of its guns.
+The bomb and rocket vessels were so posted as to act upon Fort McHenry
+and the fortifications on the hill, commanded by Rodgers. The frigates
+were stationed farther outward, the water being too shallow to allow
+them to approach within four or five miles of the city, or two and a
+half of the fort.
+
+"Besides, the Americans had sunk twenty-four vessels in the narrow
+channel between Fort McHenry and Lazaretto Point, to prevent the passage
+of the vessels of the enemy.
+
+"That night was spent by the British fleet in preparations for the
+morrow's attack upon the fort and the entrenchments on the hill, and on
+the morning of the 13th their bomb-vessels opened a heavy fire upon the
+American works, about seven o'clock, and at a distance of two miles.
+They kept up a heavy bombardment until three o'clock in the afternoon.
+
+"Armistead at once opened the batteries of Fort McHenry upon them, but,
+after keeping up a brisk fire for some time, discovered that his
+missiles fell short and were harmless. It was a great disappointment to
+find that he must endure the tremendous shower of the shells of the
+enemy without being able to return it in kind, or do anything whatever
+to check it. But our brave fellows kept at their posts, enduring the
+storm with great courage and fortitude.
+
+"At length a bomb-shell dismounted one of the twenty-four pounders,
+killing Lieutenant Claggett and wounding several of his men. That caused
+some confusion, which Cochrane perceived, and, hoping to profit by it,
+he ordered three of his bomb-vessels to move up nearer the fort,
+thinking to thus increase the effectiveness of his guns.
+
+"No movement could have been more acceptable to Armistead, and he
+quickly took advantage of it, ordering a general cannonade and
+bombardment from every part of the fort, thus punishing the enemy so
+severely that in less than half an hour he fell back to his old
+anchorage.
+
+"One of their rocket vessels was so badly injured that, to save her from
+being entirely destroyed, a number of small boats had to be sent to tow
+her out of the reach of Armistead's guns. The garrison gave three cheers
+and ceased firing.
+
+"The British vessels returned to their former stations and again opened
+fire, keeping up, with very little intermission, a furious bombardment
+until past midnight, when it was discovered that they (the British) had
+sent a pretty large force up the Patapsco to capture Fort Covington,
+commanded by Lieutenant Newcomb, of the United States Navy, and the City
+Battery, then attack Fort McHenry in the rear. For this purpose there
+had been sent one thousand two hundred and fifty men in barges, with
+scaling ladders and other implements for storming the fort. But
+providentially their errand was made known to the garrison of Fort
+McHenry in good season by the throwing up of rockets to examine the
+shores, and not the fort alone but also two redoubts on the Patapsco
+immediately opened a heavy fire upon them, and drove them away.
+
+"So heavy was the firing that the houses of Baltimore were shaken to
+their very foundations. Lossing tells us that Rodgers's men in Fort
+Covington worked their guns with effect, but to Webster's continuous
+cannonade with his six gun battery Armistead said he was persuaded the
+country was much indebted for the final repulse of the enemy. The
+historian adds that he thinks it not too much to say that Webster's
+gallant conduct on that occasion saved both Fort McHenry and the city."
+
+"Were any of the British killed, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes, a large number; also two of their vessels were sunk."
+
+"And did they go on firing at the fort?"
+
+"They did, until seven o'clock in the morning of the 14th, then ceased
+entirely."
+
+"Oh, papa, you have not told us of the writing of the 'Star-Spangled
+Banner'!" exclaimed Lulu. "Wasn't it that night it was written?"
+
+"Yes; by Mr. Francis S. Key, a resident of Georgetown in the District of
+Columbia, who was at that time a volunteer in the light artillery
+commanded by Major Peter.
+
+"When the British returned to their vessels after the capture of
+Washington, they carried with them Dr. Beanes, a well known physician of
+Upper Marlborough. Cockburn carried him away on board the flag-ship of
+Admiral Cochrane, in spite of the intercession of his friends.
+
+"Then Mr. Key was entreated by the friends to go to Cochrane and
+intercede for the doctor's release. Key consented, obtained permission
+of the President, and went under a flag of truce in the cartel ship
+_Minden_ in company with General Skinner.
+
+"When they reached the British fleet it was at the mouth of the Potomac,
+preparing to attack Baltimore, and though Cochrane agreed to release Dr.
+Beanes, he refused to let him or his friends return then. They were
+placed on board the _Surprise_ and courteously treated. The fleet sailed
+up to the Patapsco, and they were transferred to their own vessel, but
+with a guard of marines to prevent them from landing and communicating
+with their friends and countrymen.
+
+"Their vessel was anchored in sight of Fort McHenry, and from her deck
+the Americans watched the fight, oh, so anxiously! and though it was, as
+I have said, over before midnight, those anxious watchers did not know
+until morning how it had ended--whether by surrender of the fort, or the
+abandonment on the part of the enemy of the attempt to take it. It was
+with very anxious hearts they waited for the coming of the dawn, but at
+last, in the dim light, as the day began to break, their eyes were
+gladdened by the sight, through their glasses directed toward Fort
+McHenry, of the beautiful stars and stripes 'still there,' and to their
+great joy they soon learned that the attack on Baltimore had failed,
+that Ross was killed, and the British were returning to their vessels.
+
+"It was while pacing the deck during the bombardment, full of anxiety
+for the result, that Mr. Key composed that song so dear to the American
+heart, 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'"
+
+"Oh, let us sing it!" exclaimed Lulu, and with one consent, patriotic
+enthusiasm swelling in every breast, they did so, the voices of old and
+young uniting in the soul-stirring words.
+
+  "Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
+    What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
+   Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
+    O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
+              And the rockets' red glare
+              The bombs bursting in air,
+   Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
+   Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
+
+  "On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
+    Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
+   What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
+    As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
+              Now it catches the gleam
+              Of the morning's first beam,
+   In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream;
+   'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh, long may it wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
+
+  "And where are the foes who so vauntingly swore
+    That the havoc of war, and the battle's confusion,
+   A home and a country should leave us no more?
+    Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution;
+              No refuge could save
+              The hireling and slave,
+   From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave;
+   And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
+
+  "Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
+    Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
+   Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
+    Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
+              Then conquer we must
+              When our cause it is just,
+   And this be our motto, 'In God is our trust';
+   And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
+   O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
+
+A moment of silence followed the dying away of the last strains, then
+Captain Raymond resumed his narrative:
+
+"The first rough notes of the song were written by Key upon the back of
+a letter he happened to have in his pocket, and after his arrival in
+Baltimore he wrote it out in full. The next morning he read it to his
+uncle, Judge Nicholson, one of the gallant defenders of the fort, asking
+his opinion of it. The judge was delighted with it, took it to the
+printing office of Captain Benjamin Edes, and directed copies to be
+struck off in handbill form. That was done, the handbills were
+distributed, and it was sung first in the street, in front of Edes'
+office, by James Lawrenson, a lad but twelve years of age. That was on
+the second day after the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The song was 'set
+up,' printed, and distributed by another lad seventeen or eighteen years
+old, named Samuel Sands. It created intense enthusiasm, was sung nightly
+at the theater, and everywhere in public and private."
+
+"Papa," asked Lulu, "what became of that very star-spangled banner Mr.
+Key was looking for when he wrote the song?"
+
+"I presume it is still in existence," replied her father. "Lossing says
+it was shown him in Baltimore, during the Civil War, by Christopher
+Hughes Armistead, the son of the gallant defender of the fort, and that
+it had in it eleven holes made by the shot of the British during the
+bombardment."
+
+"Had not the British made very sure beforehand of being able to take
+Baltimore, Captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; and their intention was to make it the base for future operations.
+As early as the 17th of June a London paper said, 'In the diplomatic
+circles it is rumored that our naval and military commanders on the
+American station have no power to conclude any armistice or suspension
+of arms. They carry with them certain terms which will be offered to the
+American government at the point of the bayonet. There is reason to
+believe that America will be left in a much worse situation, as a naval
+and commercial power, than she was at the commencement of the war."
+
+"Ah, but they crowed too soon--before they were out of the woods,"
+laughed Walter. "They needed the lesson they got at Baltimore, and the
+one Jackson gave them some months later at New Orleans."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+"CAPTAIN, I fear we have been imposing sadly upon good nature in asking
+so much history of you in one evening," remarked Grandma Elsie; "and you
+have been extremely kind in complying with the request."
+
+"It has been a pleasure to me, mother," he returned. "There is hardly a
+subject more interesting to me than the history of my dear native land,
+and it is my ardent desire to train and teach my children to be
+earnestly, intelligently patriotic."
+
+"Including your pupils in the list, I presume, sir?" supplemented Rosie,
+with a saucy smile up into his face.
+
+"Of course, little sister, and as many others as I can influence," was
+his pleasant toned rejoinder. "But I am happy to believe that there are
+few Americans who are not ardent lovers of their own country,
+considering it the best the sun shines upon."
+
+"As it certainly is, sir!" exclaimed Walter. "I'm more thankful than
+words can express that God gave me my birth in the United States of
+America."
+
+"As I have no doubt we all are, little brother," said Violet. "But to
+change the subject: when shall we take that delightful trip to New
+Orleans? I suppose the sooner the better, that we may not be too much
+hurried with the necessary dressmaking?"
+
+"I think so," said her mother, "for both the reason you have given and
+because the weather will soon become unpleasantly warm for shopping in
+the city."
+
+"You are going with us, mamma?" queried Rosie.
+
+"I really have not thought of it, and probably it would be more prudent
+for me to stay quietly where I am, Rosie dear," she replied.
+
+"Oh, mamma, we must have you along if you are able to go!" exclaimed
+Walter. "Please do say that you will."
+
+"Yes, mamma dear, I think it would do you good," said Violet; and all
+the young folks joined urgently in the request that she would make one
+of the party.
+
+"Perhaps you might, Elsie," her father said in reply to an inquiring
+look directed to him. "I incline to the opinion that such a change,
+after your long seclusion here, might, probably would be, of benefit."
+
+"Possibly, father," she said, "though I had been thinking my staying at
+home might make Vi more comfortable in leaving her little ones for a
+day or two."
+
+"I do not care to go, and will gladly take charge of the babies if Vi
+and the captain will trust me with them," Grandma Rose hastened to say,
+and was warmly thanked by both parents, and assured that they would have
+no hesitation in doing so except on the score of giving her too much
+care and trouble and missing her pleasant companionship on the
+contemplated trip.
+
+However, after some further discussion of the matter, it was decided
+that Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore would remain at Viamede in charge of house
+and little ones during the short absence of the others on the
+contemplated trip.
+
+"Papa, dear papa," Lulu said, with tears shining in her eyes, and
+putting her arms lovingly about his neck when he had come into her room
+to bid her good-night, as his custom was, "you are so good to me, your
+own bad, quick-tempered little daughter! Oh, I do want to be good and
+make you glad that I belong to you."
+
+"I am that, my darling, in spite of all your faults," he said, caressing
+her tenderly. "You are very dear to your father's heart, and I am not
+without hope that you will one day gain full control of the temper which
+causes so much pain to both you and me."
+
+"Oh, I do hope I shall, papa, and I want you to punish me every time I
+indulge it," she said, "but I'm so glad, so thankful to you that you
+have said I may go with you and the others to-morrow. I feel that I
+don't deserve it in the least, but I do intend to try as hard as
+possible to rule my own spirit in future."
+
+"I am glad to hear it, daughter," the captain responded, imprinting a
+kiss upon her forehead. "But I must leave you now, for it is growing
+late and you ought to be in bed, that you may be ready to rise betimes
+in the morning."
+
+"Yes, sir; but oh, do stay one minute longer; I--I----" she paused,
+blushing and a trifle shame faced.
+
+"What is it, daughter?" he asked, smoothing her hair and cheek
+caressingly. "Never be afraid to tell your father all that is in your
+heart."
+
+"Yes, sir; I don't think I'm really afraid--yes, I am a little afraid
+you might be displeased, and I don't want to do anything to vex or
+trouble my dear, kind father, but if you're willing, papa, I would like
+to be allowed to choose for myself what I'm to wear to the wedding."
+
+"Your taste and wishes shall certainly be consulted, daughter," he
+replied kindly, "yet I am not prepared to promise that you may have in
+every case exactly what you would prefer; we must take your mamma and
+Grandma Elsie into our counsels in order to make sure of getting what
+will be most becoming and appropriate."
+
+"Dear me, I would like to be grown up enough to be considered capable of
+choosing things for myself!" she exclaimed with rueful look and tone.
+"But oh, don't be grieved and troubled," as her ear caught the sound of
+a low breathed sigh; "I'm determined I will be good about it. It
+certainly would be a very great shame if I were anything else, papa,
+after all your undeserved goodness to me."
+
+"I do not like to refuse my dear child anything she asks," he said,
+drawing her into a closer embrace, "but I know too much indulgence would
+not be for her happiness in the end. And since life is short and
+uncertain with us all, it may be that she will not be long troubled by
+being subject to her father's control."
+
+"Oh, papa, please don't talk so!" she exclaimed, sudden tears springing
+to her eyes. "I can't bear to think of ever losing my own dear, dear
+father. I hope God may let you live till he is ready to take me too."
+
+"If he sees best I hope we may long be spared to each other," the
+captain said, holding her close to his heart. "But now about the matter
+of which we were speaking. Wise as my dear eldest daughter considers
+herself, her father thinks Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi, by reason of
+their superior age and knowledge, will be better capable of judging what
+will be most suitable for her to wear as one of the bride's-maids. And
+as they are very tasteful in their own dress, and her father is ready to
+go to any reasonable expense that his dear little girl may be suitably
+and tastefully attired, also entirely willing to allow her to decide for
+herself wherever there is a choice between two or more equally suitable
+articles, do you not think, as he does, that she should be ready and
+willing to take what the ladies and he deem most suitable in other
+things which she would perhaps prefer to have somewhat different?"
+
+"Yes, you dear papa," she returned, with a look of ardent affection into
+his eyes. "I do always find out in the end that you know best; and I'd
+even rather wear any of the dresses I have now than not have you pleased
+with me; for I know I'm never the least bit happy when you are
+displeased with me."
+
+"Neither am I," he sighed; "it troubles me more than I can tell when my
+dear daughter Lulu is disobedient and wilful. But it is high time you
+were in bed and resting. God our heavenly Father bless my dear child and
+keep her safely through the silent watches of the night." And, bestowing
+upon her another tender embrace, he released her and left the room.
+
+She was quite ready for bed, and as she laid her head on her pillow,
+"Lulu Raymond," she said to herself, "if you do the least thing to vex
+or trouble that dear father of yours, no punishment he could possibly
+inflict would be equal to your deserts."
+
+In another minute she was fast asleep, nor did she move again till
+awakened by some slight sound to find the sun already shining in at her
+windows.
+
+Her father had directed her the night before what to wear as most
+suitable for making the trip to the city and back again, and she now
+made her toilet in haste, but with the care that he required, and which
+her own neat taste made desirable. She had just finished when he came
+in.
+
+"That is right," he said, with an approving smile, and bending down to
+give her the usual morning caress; "my little girl looks neat and
+bright, and I hope is quite well."
+
+"Yes, papa," she returned, putting her arms round his neck and her lips
+to his in an ardent kiss; "and are you and all the rest?"
+
+"All, so far as I know, and all who are to take the little trip with us
+full of pleasurable excitement. We must now go down to breakfast, which
+is earlier than usual this morning, for we expect the boat in an hour or
+so."
+
+He took her hand and led her from the room as he spoke. "The others have
+nearly all gone down already," he added, "and there is the bell now; so
+we have no time to lose."
+
+Lulu was full of pleasurable excitement. "Oh, I'm so glad and so
+thankful to you, papa, that you will let me go!" she exclaimed, lifting
+to his eyes sparkling with joyous anticipation; "for I know I don't
+deserve it in the very least. But I do intend to be as pleasant tempered
+and obedient as possible."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter, or expect to have any trouble with you," he
+said kindly.
+
+But now they had reached the dining room door, morning salutations were
+exchanged as the different members of the family came flocking in, all
+quickly took their places at the table, the blessing was asked, and the
+meal began.
+
+The talk was almost exclusively of what would probably be seen and done
+during the trip by those who were to take it, suitable gifts for the
+bride that was to be, and necessary or desirable shopping for themselves
+and those remaining at home.
+
+Lulu, sitting beside her father, asked in a low aside, "Papa, may I buy
+a handsome present for Cousin Betty? I've had occasion to spend hardly
+any pocket-money since we have been here; so I think I've enough to get
+her something handsome."
+
+"I shall be pleased to have you do so," he replied, with a pleasant
+smile.
+
+"And I may choose it myself?"
+
+"Yes; but don't you think it would be well to get some assistance from
+the rest of us in making your choice?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir; yes indeed. I really would not want to buy anything you
+and Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi thought unsuitable, or that would not be
+likely to please Cousin Betty."
+
+"And may I too, papa?" asked Grace, who, seated close to his other side,
+had overheard the bit of low toned talk.
+
+"Yes, yes indeed, little daughter," he replied, laying a caressing hand
+upon her head for an instant.
+
+An hour later the little party were all on board the boat steaming away
+in the direction of the Gulf, and the talk was more of the beautiful
+country they were passing through than of the history of that portion
+yet to be visited. Their route grew more interesting to the young
+people, and indeed to all, as they came upon scenes made memorable by
+events in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and that of 1812-14.
+
+As they passed up the river, the captain pointed out Forts St. Philip
+and Jackson, and other localities connected with the doings and
+happenings of those times, all gazing upon them as scenes to be
+indelibly impressed upon the memory of every lover of our dear native
+land.
+
+The localities about New Orleans connected with the struggle there
+against British invaders and aggressors, received due attention also,
+and were regarded with equal interest by the young girls and Walter, to
+say nothing of the older members of the party.
+
+Lulu and Grace, not to speak of Rosie and Evelyn, who were allowed more
+latitude in their selection, or of Walter, who was more than willing to
+trust to "mamma's taste" rather than his own, readily adopted the
+opinions of papa, Grandma Elsie, and Mamma Vi.
+
+On the evening of their second day in the city they went to their hotel,
+weary enough, to enjoy a few hours of rest.
+
+"Mamma dear," said Violet, glancing at her mother's face as they entered
+the lower hall, "you do look so fatigued; let us step into this parlor
+and rest a little before going to our rooms."
+
+"Perhaps it would be as well to do so," replied Mrs. Travilla, following
+her daughter into the room and sinking wearily into an easy chair which
+Violet drew forward for her.
+
+"Oh, dear Grandma Elsie, how tired you do look!" exclaimed Grace; and
+Walter, speaking at the same instant, said in a tone of deep concern,
+"Oh, mamma, how pale you are! You must be ill. I wish Cousin Arthur, or
+some other good doctor, was here to do something to make you feel
+better."
+
+"Mamma, dear mamma, I fear you are really ill!" exclaimed Rosie in a
+tone of anxiety, while Lulu ran back into the hall in search of her
+father, who had stepped aside to the clerk's desk to attend to some
+business matter; for to her he was a tower of strength to be flown to in
+every need.
+
+But an elderly lady and gentleman, the only other occupants of the
+parlor at the moment, hastily rose and drew near the little group, the
+lady saying in a tone of mingled concern and delight, "It is my Cousin
+Elsie--Mrs. Travilla--I am sure! You know me, dear cousin? Mildred
+Keith--Mrs. Dr. Landreth? And this is my husband, the doctor. I think he
+could do something to relieve you."
+
+"Cousin Mildred! Oh, what a joyful surprise! how glad I am to see you!"
+exclaimed Mrs. Travilla, the color coming back to her cheek, and the
+light to her eyes, as she raised herself to a sitting posture and threw
+her arms about Mildred's neck.
+
+The two held each other in a long, tender embrace, hardly conscious for
+the moment of the presence of the others, who stood looking on in
+surprise and delight, Captain Raymond and Lulu having joined the group.
+
+Then mutual introductions and joyous greetings followed, questions
+about absent dear ones were asked and answered, and each party learned
+that the other was in the city for but a brief sojourn, purposing to go
+thence to Viamede or its near vicinity.
+
+And in the meanwhile Mrs. Travilla seemed to have forgotten her
+weariness and exhaustion, and was looking more than ordinarily young and
+bright.
+
+Dr. Landreth remarked it with a pleased smile. "I am glad to meet you,
+Cousin Elsie," he said, "though you seem no longer in need of my
+services as physician."
+
+"No indeed, Cousin Charlie," she returned brightly; "you are so
+excellent a doctor that your very presence--especially when accompanied
+by that of your wife"--with a smiling glance at Mildred--"does one good
+like a medicine."
+
+"Still, if you will allow it, I will prescribe, were it only to keep my
+hand in," he said: "an hour's rest on a couch in your own room, to be
+followed by a good, substantial meal either there or at the table with
+the rest of us."
+
+"Exactly the prescription I should give were I your physician, mother,"
+said Captain Raymond. "May I not assist you to your room?"
+
+"Yes," she said with a smile. "As I know Dr. Landreth to be an excellent
+physician I shall follow his advice, confidently expecting to profit by
+so doing. Doctor," turning to him, "we have a pleasant private parlor
+where we take our meals and enjoy each other's society in the intervals
+of sight-seeing, shopping, etc. I hope you and Cousin Mildred will join
+us at meal-times, and all times when you find it agreeable, making
+yourselves perfectly at home. Now good-by for the present. I hope to be
+able, after an hour's rest, to join you all at the tea-table."
+
+With evident pleasure her invitation was accepted; an hour later she
+made her appearance in the parlor, much refreshed by rest and sleep; a
+tempting meal was partaken of by all, with evident appetite, the
+remainder of the evening passed in delightful social intercourse, and
+all retired early that they might be ready for a long day of interesting
+and, to the children especially, captivating shopping; for, as Rosie
+remarked, "Nothing could be more enjoyable than the business of
+selecting wedding gifts and pretty things to be worn at the wedding
+festivities."
+
+She was delighted with her own finery and presents for Betty, selected
+by herself with her mother's assistance, Violet occasionally giving her
+opinion or advice, Mrs. Landreth and the gentlemen doing the same when
+asked. They consisted of handsome jewelry and silver.
+
+Walter, too, chose, with his mother's help, a set of gold lined silver
+spoons for his cousin Betty. Evelyn's gift was a handsome silver pie
+knife and salt spoons. Lulu, too, and Grace, gave silver, also a pair of
+beautiful gold bracelets. The captain's own gift was an expensive set of
+jewelry; Violet's a lovely bridal veil; Grandma Elsie's a beautiful and
+costly diamond pin, to which she afterward added a check for five
+thousand dollars. Also Dr. and Mrs. Landreth bought as their gift some
+very handsome articles of dress and house furnishing.
+
+The shopping and a little sight-seeing filled up the time till Saturday,
+when they returned to Viamede by the same boat that had brought the
+captain and his party to the city.
+
+It was a very warm and joyous welcome that awaited them there from
+Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore, and little Elsie and Ned Raymond, and none
+the less joyous was the greeting given to Dr. and Mrs. Landreth by their
+relatives and old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+To each of the four it was a delightful reunion, and much of the evening
+was passed in recalling the events of their intercourse in those early
+days when Elsie and her cousin Annis were happy children together, these
+older ones gay, young married folks, the eldest son of each couple but a
+baby boy, though now each was the head of a young family of his own.
+
+These reminiscences were very interesting to themselves, Grandma Elsie,
+and the Keiths, who had been invited to Viamede to take tea with these
+relatives, and who were to go to the parsonage after a short stay with
+these others.
+
+But after a little the young folks grew tired of listening to the talk,
+and sought out another part of the veranda where they could converse
+among themselves without disturbing their elders.
+
+Captain Raymond's eyes followed the movements of his little girls with a
+look of fond fatherly pride, not without a shade of anxiety as they
+noted the weariness in Grace's face, and presently he rose and drew near
+the little group.
+
+"Gracie, my darling, do you not want to go to your bed?" he asked. "I
+think my little girl is looking tired and would be better for a long
+night's rest."
+
+"Yes, papa, I am 'most too tired to keep my eyes open," she replied,
+with a faint smile up into his face.
+
+"Then come, my pet," he said, bending down and taking her in his arms;
+"I will carry you to your room and bid the others good-night for you
+when I come down again; you are too tired to wait to do that yourself,"
+and he carried her away.
+
+Lulu sprang up and ran after them. "Shall I go too, papa?" she asked.
+
+"If you, too, feel too tired to stay up for prayers," he answered
+pleasantly; "otherwise I would not have you absent from that service."
+
+"Yes, sir, I'm not too tired. Good-night, Gracie," she said, and ran
+back to her mates.
+
+Their tongues were running on the old theme of the wedding so soon to
+take place, gifts to the bride, and dresses to be worn by her and her
+attendants. But all of them were pretty well worn out with the shopping
+and traveling gone through in the last few days, seeing which their
+elders thought best to hold the evening service a little earlier than
+usual, then retired to rest.
+
+"Papa, please may I ask a few questions now, before you leave me?" Lulu
+entreated when he came in to bid her good-night.
+
+"Yes," he replied with an amused look; "that is number one, and how many
+are to follow?" seating himself and drawing her to his knee.
+
+"Oh, I don't know exactly, sir; it will depend somewhat upon the
+answers, I think," she returned laughingly, putting an arm round his
+neck and kissing him with ardent affection.
+
+"Then let me go through the ordeal as soon as possible," he responded,
+patting her cheek and pressing his lips to hers.
+
+"I hope it won't be a very dreadful ordeal to you, papa," she said,
+smiling up into his eyes. "Firstly, then, are we to have school as
+usual between this and the time of the wedding?"
+
+"Yes," was the prompt, decided reply.
+
+"Oh, dear!" she said between a sigh and a laugh, "I 'most wish you were
+one of the fathers that could be coaxed. But oh, please don't begin to
+look sorry and grave. I'm determined I will be good about that and
+everything; just as good as I know how to be; and if I'm not I just hope
+you'll punish me well, only not by refusing to allow me to act as
+bridesmaid to Cousin Betty."
+
+"Love to your father and a desire to please him seems to me a far better
+motive for good behavior than fear of punishment," he said with grave
+look and tone.
+
+"Yes, sir; and that is my motive; please believe it, my own dear, dear
+father," she said, lifting dewy eyes to his.
+
+"Then I have strong hope that my pleasure in the coming festivities will
+not be spoiled by having a naughty, rebellious little daughter to deal
+with, or an idle one, either. Now what else?"
+
+"Only this, papa: that if you should have letters to write you will let
+me help you, using my typewriter, you know."
+
+"Thank you, my dear little helpful daughter. Should I find that I have
+letters you could answer for me in that way, I will call upon you for
+your offered assistance, as I well know it will be a pleasure to you to
+render it," he replied, with a smile and another tender caress. "And I
+hope you feel no doubt that it is not for lack of love for his dear
+child that your father refuses the holiday you have asked for."
+
+"No indeed, papa. I know you love me dearly. It would break my heart to
+think you didn't."
+
+"As it would mine to think my little girl did not love me. Now you must
+go at once to bed. Good-night and pleasant dreams."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+IT was early morning at Ion, breakfast awaiting the return of Mr. Edward
+Travilla, who had ridden into the village on some business errand,
+leaving word that he would be back within the hour to partake of the
+morning meal with his wife.
+
+Zoe, tastefully attired, was on the veranda, and the twin babies, fresh
+from their bath, looking, the young mother averred, like little angels
+in their dainty white robes, were toddling about there, laughing,
+cooing, and prattling. They were the idols of her heart. She romped and
+played with them now, but with frequent pauses to listen for the sound
+of a horse's hoofs or gaze down the avenue, saying in joyous tones to
+the babies, "Papa is coming, coming soon; dear, dear papa! and mamma and
+his darlings will be so glad to see him. Ah, there he is at last!" she
+added at length, as a horseman turned in at the great gates and came at
+a quick canter up the avenue.
+
+He lifted his hat with a bow and smile to his wife as he drew near; then
+alighting at the steps, where a servant took the reins and led the horse
+away, he hastily ascended them, and the next moment was seated with a
+little one upon each knee.
+
+"Papa's darlings!" he said, caressing them in turn; "papa's dear pets!"
+
+"Tell papa we have been wanting him," said Zoe, standing alongside,
+smoothing Edward's hair with softly caressing hand, and smiling down
+fondly into the faces of the three; "tell him he stayed so long we did
+not know how to wait."
+
+"I must acknowledge I am a trifle late, my dear," Edward said, smiling
+up into the pretty, rosy face, "detained by business; but here is my
+atonement," handing her a telegram which he took from his pocket.
+
+Zoe read it aloud. It was an invitation to a wedding (whose it did not
+say), at Viamede to take place in three weeks from that day.
+
+"Why, who on earth can be going to be married?" she exclaimed in
+surprise. "Rosie? Evelyn? Lulu? Every one of them is too young." Then
+with a look into Edward's laughing eyes, "Now you needn't laugh, Ned. I
+know and acknowledge that Rosie is a little older than I was when we
+married, but we would not have made such haste except under those
+peculiar circumstances."
+
+"Quite true, my dear," he responded. "But I suppose you will hardly
+think it necessary to decline the invitation on that account?"
+
+"Oh, no indeed," was the quick, laughing rejoinder. "I am altogether in
+favor of accepting--shall begin my preparations at once. But there's the
+breakfast bell."
+
+When they had fairly begun their meal the subject was renewed, Edward
+remarking, "My dear, you will want a new dress. If you like we will
+drive into the city this morning, make necessary purchases, and at once
+set Alma or some other dressmaker at work."
+
+"Oh, thank you, dear Ned," she returned, her eyes shining with pleasure;
+"no woman ever had a more generous husband than mine. But there are so
+many ways for your money to go, and I have several that would be, with
+remodelling and retrimming, tasteful, handsome, and becoming as any new
+one."
+
+"But you must have a new one, my love," Edward replied decidedly. "I can
+easily afford it, and it is a great pleasure to me to see my little wife
+well and becomingly dressed."
+
+"A very nice speech, my dear husband," returned Zoe laughingly, "and
+really I have not the heart to refuse you the pleasure of seeing your
+wife arrayed in finery just suited to your taste. So I am very glad you
+are willing to go with me and assist in the selection. Shall we take the
+babies along?"
+
+"To help with the shopping? I doubt if we would find them of much
+assistance."
+
+"They are good little things though, and would not be any hindrance,"
+returned the young mother laughingly. "But the trip might interfere with
+their morning nap, so if you think best we will leave the darlings at
+home."
+
+"I really think they would have a more comfortable time," Edward said;
+"we also. Hark! there's the telephone. Excuse me a moment, my dear."
+
+"Certainly, my love, but as I may possibly be the one wanted, I'll go
+along; by your leave," she added laughingly, running after him as he
+left the room.
+
+The call proved to be from Mrs. Elsie Leland. A telegram from Viamede
+had reached them also, and they would be at Ion in the course of an hour
+to talk over necessary arrangements for the journey, if, as they
+supposed, Edward and Zoe would like to take it in company with them.
+They too were invited, of course?
+
+"Yes," Edward answered; "mamma would certainly not neglect her eldest
+son at such a time. Come over as soon as you like, prepared to drive
+into the city with us to make necessary purchases before setting the
+dressmakers at work upon suitable adornments for the ladies of our
+party."
+
+"Nothing to be bought for the gentlemen, I suppose?" was Elsie's
+response, accompanied by a low, sweet laugh. "Will be happy to accept
+your invitation. Good-by till then."
+
+"Now let us go back and finish our breakfast," said Zoe. "If the Lelands
+are to be here in half an hour we have no time to spare."
+
+They were turning away when the bell rang again.
+
+It was Ella Conly who called this time. The same invitation for herself
+and brothers had just been received. They knew that Ned and Zoe must of
+course have shared the summons to Viamede, and, if convenient, they
+would call at Ion after tea that evening to talk over plans and
+preparations.
+
+They were cordially urged to do so. Then Edward called to his Uncle
+Horace at the Oaks, his Aunt Rose at the Laurels, and Aunt Lora Howard
+at Pinegrove, and learned to his satisfaction that all had received, and
+would accept the same invitation. But they had not yet settled upon
+their plans in regard to needed preparations and the time of setting out
+upon their journey.
+
+Edward suggested that it might be satisfactory for all to meet at Ion
+that evening and talk the matter over, an invitation which was promptly
+accepted by all.
+
+"Now let us finish our breakfast," Edward said, leading the way back to
+the table.
+
+"Yes," said Zoe, "for I am sure that I for one have no time to waste if
+I'm to be ready to start for the city in an hour."
+
+She was ready, however, when, in less than an hour, the Fairview
+carriage drove up bringing the Lelands. Elsie declined an invitation to
+alight. "We have none too much time now," she said, "for shopping cannot
+always be done in haste, and we are not making a very early start. Just
+get in here with us, you two, will you not? There is plenty of room, and
+we can talk over matters and settle plans as we drive."
+
+"A very good idea, and we are much obliged," returned Edward, handing
+Zoe in and taking a seat by her side.
+
+"Who is to be married, Elsie?" asked Zoe. "Surely it could not be mamma
+herself?" she added, with a light laugh. "I feel quite sure she would
+not accept the best and greatest man upon earth."
+
+"And I feel as sure of that as you do," said Mrs. Leland. "She thinks of
+my father not as lost to her but waiting for her to rejoin him in the
+better land. I have been trying to think who the coming bride is to be,
+and suppose it is Betty Johnson."
+
+"But it may be that the groom and not the bride belongs to our family,"
+remarked Lester. "Who more likely than Dick Percival?"
+
+"Why, yes, to be sure!" exclaimed Edward. "It is about time Dick had a
+wife. And mother would of course be interested and ready to do anything
+in her power to make it pleasant for him and her."
+
+"Well, I should really like to know something more about it before
+choosing gifts for her," remarked Zoe.
+
+"I too," said Elsie.
+
+"Then suppose we let that wait for another day, and content ourselves
+with purchasing what is needed for the adorning of you two ladies,"
+suggested Edward; and that was what, after a little further
+consultation, was decided upon.
+
+The city was reached in safety, and some hours later they returned, as
+Zoe said, "Laden with lovely things for their own adornment."
+
+The babies were on the veranda waiting, watching eagerly for papa and
+mamma, who, their nurse kept telling them, would soon be seen coming up
+the avenue. When they did appear, alighting from the Fairview carriage,
+they were recognized with a glad cry, and Zoe, forgetting her weariness,
+ran to the little ones, embraced first one and then the other, put a toy
+in the hand of each, spent another minute or two caressing them, then
+hurried to her own apartments to dress for tea and the family gathering
+expected in the evening.
+
+Elsie and her husband had driven home, but would return for the
+informal assembly of the members of the connection.
+
+The guests came early, Ella Conley and her brothers from Roselands being
+the first. Ella was in high glee. She had long felt an ardent desire to
+visit Viamede, and now hailed with delight the opportunity to do so. The
+circumstances of both brothers had greatly improved; they were disposed
+to be very generous to the only sister remaining at home with them, and
+had told her she must have a new, handsome dress for the wedding, and
+everything else she needed to fit her out well for the journey and a
+sojourn of some weeks at Viamede.
+
+Zoe felt flattered by being consulted in regard to necessary or
+desirable purchases, and greatly enjoyed exhibiting her own, and
+describing Elsie's, of that day.
+
+Then the other families, or delegates from them, arrived in rapid
+succession, and a merry sociable interview ensued. All were quite
+resolved, should nothing interfere, to accept the invitation to Viamede,
+but some of them could not yet decide upon the exact time when they
+would be prepared to leave their homes for that distant point, and for
+an absence of several weeks. But the Ion, Oaks, Fairview, and Roselands
+people would all go in two weeks in company.
+
+It was still early, when wheels were heard approaching from the
+direction of the village, a hack turned in at the gate, drove rapidly up
+the avenue, halted at the veranda steps, and an old gentleman alighted.
+
+"Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Elsie Leland, Edward, and Zoe in a breath,
+and they and the others gathered about him with words of cordial
+greeting and welcome.
+
+"You have given us a most pleasant surprise, Cousin Ronald," Edward said
+when the old gentleman was comfortably seated in an easy chair. "You
+have not been to tea?"
+
+"Yes, laddie, I took that in the village yonder where I alighted frae
+the cars. But the auld folks seem to be missing here," glancing about in
+search of them as he spoke. "I dinna see your honored grandsire, his
+wife, or my sweet Cousin Elsie, your mither. The bairns Rosie and
+Walter, too, are not here; what's become o' them a', laddie? They're no
+ill, I hope?"
+
+"They were quite well at last accounts, sir," replied Edward. "They have
+spent the winter and early spring at Viamede, and will not return for
+some weeks yet."
+
+"Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha!" murmured the old gentleman reflectively. "It's
+no the best o' news to me--an auld mon who has been wearyin' for a sight
+o' your mother's sweet face."
+
+"Don't say that, cousin, for we are going there ourselves, and shall be
+glad indeed to take you with us. I know of no one who would be a more
+welcome guest to my mother."
+
+"Have a care, sir, that ye dinna tempt an auld mon too far," laughed
+Cousin Ronald.
+
+"Oh, but you must go with us, sir," said Zoe. "What would mamma say if
+we failed to bring you? Besides, we want your company even if mamma
+would not be displeased were you not with us."
+
+"Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! Weel, my bonny leddy, I can no refuse an
+invitation that holds out so great a prospect of enjoyment."
+
+"No, you must not think of refusing, Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Edward
+and his sister Elsie, speaking simultaneously.
+
+"Indeed no," said Mr. Horace Dinsmore; "we can assure you of a hearty
+welcome, and my sister, as Zoe says, would be by no means pleased should
+we fail to take you along with us. But since the first division of our
+company does not start for two weeks, there will be abundance of time to
+hear from her on the subject."
+
+"Certainly there will, uncle," responded Edward. "I shall write to mamma
+to-night. Several of us have heard from her to-day by telegraph, Cousin
+Ronald, and we think we shall surely have letters soon."
+
+Then followed the story of the telegrams received that day, and the
+guesses and surmises as to whose wedding they were invited to attend.
+
+Mr. Lilburn was evidently much interested and more than willing to yield
+to their persuasions to accompany them to Viamede.
+
+"Well, friends and cousins," he said, "there is scarce anything I can
+think of at this moment that would delight me more than to gang with you
+to see them at that lovely spot--an earthly paradise, as it may well be
+called. I am somewhat fatigued the now, but rest for a few days--the
+days that must come and go afore you start--will no doubt supply the
+needed strength for the new journey; and the wedding festivities to
+follow will not come amiss even to a man of my ain venerable age."
+
+"No, indeed!" exclaimed Zoe, "I should think not. Surely people of any
+age may enjoy gay and festive scenes and doings. It has always been a
+source of regret to me that Edward's and my nuptials were graced by none
+of them."
+
+"Possibly there may be better luck for you next time, my dear," remarked
+Edward laughingly.
+
+"Indeed I want no next time," she returned with spirit. "I've no
+intention of trying a second husband lest I might do worse than I did in
+taking you."
+
+"It strikes me there might be a possibility of doing very much worse,
+my dear niece," remarked Mr. Horace Dinsmore pleasantly.
+
+"As it does me," responded Zoe, with a proudly affectionate look into
+her young husband's eyes.
+
+"I am glad to hear it," was his answering remark, given with a smiling,
+affectionate glance into the bright, sweet face.
+
+For the next two weeks Zoe and the other ladies of the connection were
+very delightfully busy with their preparations for the wedding.
+
+Letters had come telling that Betty was, as had been conjectured, the
+prospective bride; also who was to be the groom, where the ceremony was
+to take place, the bridal feast to be partaken of, with other
+interesting particulars. The dresses of bride, bridesmaids, and maids of
+honor were not described, as they would be seen by all the relatives at,
+if not before, the wedding.
+
+The journey to New Orleans was made by rail; from there they took a
+steamboat for Berwick Bay, preferring to make the rest of the journey by
+water. The party consisted of the Dinsmores, Lelands, Travillas,
+Conleys, and their Aunt Adelaide, Mrs. Allison of Philadelphia, who had
+come on from her home shortly before to join these relatives in their
+trip to Louisiana; for she too had been urgently invited to attend the
+wedding; and last but not least was Mr. Ronald Lilburn.
+
+They were a cheerful set, the younger ones quite gay and mirthful. There
+were a few other passengers, among whom was a lady clad in deep
+mourning--widow's weeds--who kept her face carefully concealed by her
+thick crape veil and sat apart, seeming to studiously avoid all contact
+with her fellow voyagers; observing which they refrained from making
+advances toward acquaintanceship. But now and then Dr. Conley turned an
+observing eye upon her. There was a droop about her figure that struck
+him as an indication of illness or exhaustion from some other cause.
+
+At length he rose, and stepping to her side, said in a low sympathizing
+tone, "I fear you are ill, madam. I am a physician, and if I can do
+anything for you my services are at your command."
+
+She made an inarticulate reply, in tones quivering with emotion,
+staggered to her feet as she spoke, made one step forward and would have
+fallen had he not caught her with his arm.
+
+Her head dropped upon his shoulder, and instantly the other members of
+his party gathered about them with hurried, excited exclamations. "What
+is the matter?" "Is she ill?" "Do you know her, Art? She has fainted,
+has she not?" The last exclamation and query came from the lips of Mrs.
+Elsie Leland.
+
+"Yes; she is quite unconscious," was Arthur's low toned reply "and this
+thick, heavy veil is smothering her."
+
+The next instant he had succeeded in disentangling it. With a quick
+movement he threw it back, lifted the seemingly lifeless form, laid it
+on a settee with the head low, laid his finger on her pulse for an
+instant, then began compressing the ribs and allowing them to expand
+again.
+
+"I will have to loosen her clothing," he said, leaning over her to do
+so; then for the first time catching sight of her face, he started back
+with a low, pained exclamation: "My sister Virginia! is it possible!"
+
+"Virginia!" exclaimed Adelaide and Calhoun in a breath; for both were
+standing near; "can it be?" The others exchanged glances of
+astonishment; then Ella asked in low, terrified tones, "O Art, is
+she--is she dead? Poor, poor Virgie!"
+
+"No; it is only a faint," he answered, going on with his efforts to
+restore consciousness, in which he was presently successful.
+
+Virginia's eyes opened, looked up into his with evident recognition,
+then closed, while tears stole down her cheeks. He leant over her in
+brotherly solicitude.
+
+"Virgie, my poor, dear sister," he said in tones tremulous with emotion,
+"you are with relatives and friends who will gladly do anything and
+everything in their power for your comfort and happiness. I think you
+are not well----"
+
+She seemed to be making an effort to speak, and, leaving his sentence
+unfinished, he bent down over her with his ear almost touching her lips.
+
+"Starving," was the whispered word that came in reply, and he started
+back aghast, his features working with emotion.
+
+"Can it be possible!" was his half suppressed exclamation.
+
+"What is it?" asked Calhoun; "what does she say?"
+
+"She is faint and ill with hunger," returned his brother in a moved
+tone. "Get me a glass of hot milk as quickly as you can, Cal," and
+Calhoun hurried away in quest of it.
+
+In a very few minutes he was back again with a large tumbler of rich,
+sweet milk, which Virginia drank with avidity. Some more substantial
+food was then given her, and after a little she was able to exchange
+greetings with the other relatives on board and to give some account of
+herself.
+
+"Henry Neuville is dead, and I set out on my journey to beg a home with
+Isa as soon as I had seen him laid decently away," she said. "I have no
+means at all--unfortunate creature that I am--but perhaps I can make
+myself useful enough to earn my bread."
+
+"And your brothers will be both able and willing to clothe you," said
+the doctor, Calhoun adding, "certainly; and to give you a home, too,
+should Isa and her husband find it inconvenient to do so."
+
+At that tears coursed down Virginia's cheeks.
+
+"You are good, kind brothers," she said; "far better to me than I
+deserve. But living with a man of the stamp of Henry Neuville has taught
+me how to appreciate true gentlemen."
+
+"O Virgie, did he die as he had lived?" asked her cousin Elsie.
+
+"I saw no sign of repentance or reformation," returned Virginia; "he
+died of drink and with curses on his tongue. I can't mourn his loss; how
+could I? but I'm the most unfortunate woman--the poorest in the whole
+connection. I wasn't brought up to support myself either, and can't do
+it."
+
+"Perhaps you may learn how," said Zoe encouragingly. "There are many
+avenues to self-support now open to women, you know."
+
+A look of disgust and annoyance was Virginia's only response to that.
+
+A few moments of silence ensued, broken only by the prattle of the
+little ones, then there was a sudden sound as of some heavy body
+plunging into the water, and a shrill cry: "Man overboard!"
+
+A great commotion instantly followed, the captain giving his orders to
+lower a boat and go in search of the man, and at the same time slowing
+the movements of the steamer.
+
+Our party were much interested and excited, most of them full of concern
+for the drowning one, who seemed to have strangely disappeared, for not
+a trace of him could be seen as the boat was rowed hither and thither;
+and at length, resigning all hope of finding even the lifeless body, the
+men returned to the larger vessel to report their failure.
+
+The ladies were in tears, and as the captain drew near, Zoe asked in
+tones tremulous with emotion, "Is there no hope at all of saving the
+poor fellow, captain?"
+
+"I'm afraid he's gone to the bottom, ma'am, though it's odd he couldn't
+keep up for the few minutes it took to launch the boat; but I suppose
+the wheel must have struck him. By the way," he added, as if struck by a
+sudden thought, "I don't know yet who it was. I must have the crew
+mustered on deck and see who is missing."
+
+He proceeded to do so at once, when to the surprise of all it was
+discovered that no one was missing.
+
+"A stowaway, evidently!" growled the captain, "and he's got his
+desserts; though I wouldn't have let him drown if I could have helped
+it."
+
+At that instant a light broke upon Edward Travilla and Dr. Conley, and
+both turned hastily toward their guest, Mr. Ronald Lilburn.
+
+He was sitting near, quietly listening to the talk, his features
+expressing grave concern, yet they could perceive a sparkle of fun in
+his eye.
+
+Edward stepped to his side, and, bending down over him, spoke in an
+undertone close to his ear. "I think you could tell us something of the
+man, Cousin Ronald."
+
+"I, laddie? What would I ken o' the folk i' this part o' the world?"
+queried the old gentleman, raising his eyebrows in mock surprise.
+
+"Ah, sir, who is to say he belonged to this part of the world?" laughed
+Edward. "I must own that I strongly suspect he was a countryman of
+yours; a Scotchman, at least."
+
+Then going to the side of his wife he said a word or two in an undertone
+that chased away her tears, while she sent a laughing glance in Cousin
+Ronald's direction.
+
+But they were drawing near their journey's end, and presently everything
+else seemed to be forgotten in gazing upon the ever changing beauties of
+the landscape as they threaded their way through lake and lakelet, past
+swamp, forest, plain, and plantation. They gazed with delight upon the
+cool, shady dells carpeted with a rich growth of flowers, miles upon
+miles of smoothly shaven lawns, velvety green and shaded by magnificent
+oaks and magnolias, lordly villas peering through groves of orange
+trees, tall white sugarhouses, and the long rows of cabins of the
+laborers, forming all together a panorama of surpassing loveliness.
+
+"Oh, it is an earthly paradise, is it not, Ned?" cried Zoe, clasping her
+hands in an ecstacy of delight.
+
+"Very, very beautiful," he responded, his eyes shining with pleasure.
+"But you know this is not, like yours, my first sight of it; I spent a
+very happy winter here in the days when my dear and honored father was
+with us."
+
+"And I," said his sister Elsie, softly sighing at the thought that that
+loved parent had left them to return no more. "It will not seem the same
+without him; yet with so many dear ones left--especially our dear, dear
+mother--our visit can hardly be otherwise than most enjoyable. Ah, Ned,
+is not that our own orange orchard just coming into view?"
+
+"It is, my dear sister; we will be there in a very few minutes now."
+
+"At home and with mamma!" she exclaimed in joyous tones; then called to
+her little sons, "Come here, Ned and Eric. We are almost at dear
+grandmamma's house, and she will soon have you in her arms."
+
+At that the little fellows came running to her with a joyous shout, for
+they dearly loved their Grandma Elsie, and to their infant minds the
+time of separation from her had seemed very long.
+
+To their Aunt Adelaide, the Conleys--Arthur excepted--and the young
+Dinsmores the scenes were equally new, and called forth from one and all
+demonstrations of admiration and delight. Very soon the boat reached and
+rounded to at the landing, where were gathered all the members of the
+Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and parsonage families to meet and welcome these
+dear ones from their own old homes farther to the north.
+
+It was an altogether joyous meeting, Cousin Ronald and Virginia, as well
+as the rest, receiving most kind and cordial greeting, though the latter
+was an entirely unexpected guest.
+
+Isadore took her sister in her arms, kissed and wept over her as a near
+and dear one who had gone through great trials during the years of their
+separation.
+
+"What a long, long while it is since we parted, and what sore trials you
+have gone through in the meantime, Virgie!" she sighed. "Ah, I hope the
+future may have better things in store for you."
+
+"I should say it ought indeed, considering all I've had to suffer in the
+past," returned Virginia. "I've come to beg a home with you, Isa, as you
+might have had to of me if I had been the lucky one in the matter of
+drawing a prize in the matrimonial lottery."
+
+"I will try to do the very best I can for you, Virgie," was Isadore's
+pleasant toned reply, though it was not with unmingled satisfaction that
+she saw opening before her the prospect of receiving this selfish,
+indolent sister into her peaceful, well regulated household as a
+permanent addition to it.
+
+Zoe was in ecstasies over the beauties of Viamede--the large, palatial
+mansion, the beautiful grounds, the lovely scenery.
+
+"Oh, mamma," she exclaimed, pausing on the veranda to take a general
+survey, "it is just too lovely for anything! It really exceeds my
+expectations, though they were raised very high by all I have heard of
+the beauties of Viamede. I wonder you can ever resign yourself to
+leaving it for a longer time than the hot season, when it is not so
+healthy as your more northern home."
+
+"Yes, I sometimes wonder at myself," Elsie said with a smile; "and yet
+both Ion and the Oaks are very dear to me--so many happy years of my
+life have been passed in them. Ah, no, I could not give up those dear
+homes entirely any more than I could this."
+
+"Ah, you are a most fortunate woman, cousin mine," remarked Mr. Lilburn,
+standing by, "and worthy of it all; no one more so."
+
+"Ah, Cousin Ronald, you, like all the rest of my friends, are only too
+ready to pass my imperfections by and see only virtues; some of them
+altogether imaginary, I fear," she returned with a smile. "I cannot tell
+you how glad I am to see you here again, and I hope you may so greatly
+enjoy your sojourn among us that you will be pleased to repeat your
+visit whenever opportunity offers."
+
+"Ah, many thanks, cousin, but have a care lest you should be in danger
+of seeing me here oftener than will be found agreeable," was his
+laughing reply.
+
+At that Elsie only shook her head with a playful smile, then turned to
+baby Lilly, who was reaching out her little arms to grandma, crying,
+"Take! take, gamma!"
+
+"No, no, mother dear," Edward said, coming up to them and taking his
+little daughter from the nurse's arms, "I can't have you wearying
+yourself with her." Then to the child, "Papa is going to carry you
+upstairs, little pet. Dear grandma has been sick and is not strong
+enough to carry you about. The friends and relatives will all be here
+for some time, mother?" turning to her again.
+
+"Yes," she replied; "they will all stay to tea."
+
+"And Zoe and I will join you and them again in a few minutes," he said,
+moving on through the hall, in the direction of the stairway.
+
+All scattered to their rooms then, but reassembled on the veranda some
+few minutes before the call to the tea-table. It was a large, merry,
+informal tea-party, Grandma Elsie having been most hospitably urgent
+that everyone should stay, partake with her and the others who had been
+making Viamede their home for months past, and spend the evening.
+
+The approaching wedding and matters connected with it were naturally the
+principal themes of discourse, and Betty was good-humoredly rallied on
+the conquest she had made and the pleasant prospect of having a home of
+her own with at least one loyal subject. Zoe insisted on a description
+of the trousseau, especially the wedding dress.
+
+"Drive over to Magnolia Hall day after to-morrow and you shall see
+everything for yourself, Zoe," Betty said, laughing and blushing; "at
+least all but the gifts which have not yet come in."
+
+"Thank you; I think I'll accept that invitation," returned Zoe. "But I
+suppose there is something to be seen here?"
+
+"Yes; the dresses of the bridesmaids and maids of honor," said Rosie;
+"and we who are to wear them think them quite beautiful. Don't we,
+girls?" turning toward Evelyn and Lulu, who answered with an emphatic,
+"Yes, indeed!"
+
+"Suppose you come and take a look at them, Zoe," proposed Rosie, as they
+left the table, and Zoe promptly accepted the invitation, Betty, Elsie
+Leland, Ella, and Virginia, and the Dinsmore cousins going along.
+
+"Oh, they are lovely!" was the united exclamation at sight of the
+dresses, Zoe adding, "I can't say which is handsomest."
+
+"That's just how it is with me," laughed Betty; "but I own to thinking
+the bride's dress a trifle handsomer than any of these."
+
+"Ah, yes; but just think how we may outshine you when our turns come to
+wear a wedding dress," said Rosie. "I mean to have one that shall be a
+marvel of beauty and taste. Don't you, Eva and Lu?"
+
+"I very much doubt whether I shall ever have any," replied Evelyn, with
+her grave, sweet smile.
+
+"If you don't it will be your own fault, I am sure," said Rosie. "And it
+will be just the same with Lu."
+
+"I'm not going to get married ever!" cried Lulu emphatically. "I
+wouldn't leave my father for all the rest of the men in all the world."
+
+"Ah, your father is glad to hear it," said a voice close at her side,
+while a hand was laid affectionately on her shoulder. "But my dear
+eldest daughter is still quite too young to be even thinking of such
+things."
+
+"Then I won't think of them if I can help it, papa dear," she said,
+lifting loving, smiling eyes to his face, "for indeed I do want to obey
+even your slightest wish."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter," he returned, pressing affectionately the
+hand she had slipped into his.
+
+"Now, Elsie," said Zoe, addressing Mrs. Leland, "let us show our wedding
+finery. You, Ella Conley, I suppose won't care to open your trunks, as
+they are to be carried over to the Parsonage."
+
+"They have already gone," said Isadore, she also having joined the party
+of inspection, "but the finery can be shown there just as well."
+
+"Yes, it can wait," returned Ella, "and will perhaps be all the more
+appreciated for not being seen along with so many other beauties."
+
+"I am the only one who has no finery to exhibit," remarked Virginia in
+an ill used tone. But they were already on the way to Mrs. Leland's room
+and no one seemed to hear or heed the complaint, everybody being too
+much engrossed with the business in hand to take notice of her
+ill-humor.
+
+But it was Saturday evening and the Parsonage and Magnolia Hall people
+returned to their homes at an early hour, taking their guests with them.
+
+"Now, daughter," Captain Raymond said, turning to Lulu as the last
+carriage disappeared from sight, "go at once to your own room and
+prepare for bed."
+
+"Yes, sir; and must I say good-night now to you?" she asked in a low
+tone, close at his ear.
+
+"No," he returned, with a smile, "I will be with you presently for a few
+minutes."
+
+She looked her thanks, and hastened to obey.
+
+"I am quite ready for bed, papa," she said when he came into her room.
+"Please mayn't I sit on your knee for five or ten minutes?"
+
+"That is just what I want you to do," he said, taking possession of an
+easy chair and drawing her to the coveted place. "I must have a little
+talk with my dear eldest daughter," he continued, smoothing her hair and
+cheek caressingly.
+
+"What about, papa dear?" she asked, nestling closer in his arms. "I
+haven't been misbehaving, have I? You are not displeased with me, are
+you?"
+
+"No, dear child; only afraid that you may be caring too much about dress
+and finery, and that perhaps I am not altogether blameless in regard to
+that--that I may not have guarded my dear little girl against it as I
+should."
+
+"I am afraid that perhaps I do care too much about it, papa dear," she
+sighed, hanging her head, while blushes dyed her cheek; "but I'm sure it
+is all my own fault, not yours at all; so please don't feel badly about
+it."
+
+He took up her Bible, opened it, and read, "Whose adorning, let it not
+be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,
+or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart,
+in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet
+spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this
+manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned
+themselves."
+
+"Papa, is it wrong to wear nice, pretty clothes, and to enjoy having
+them?" she asked, as he closed the book and laid it aside. "Is that what
+is meant in those verses?"
+
+"I think not," he said; "if I understood it in that way I should feel it
+wrong to allow a daughter of mine to wear them. I think it means that
+you are not to care too much about such adornment, but more, much more,
+for that other and greater adornment, even the hidden man of the heart,
+the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, remembering that in the sight
+of God it is of great price, worth infinitely more than any ornament of
+gold, the richest jewels, or the finest attire. Cultivate that with all
+diligence, my own darling child, if you desire to please and honor your
+heavenly Father and make yourself even dearer than you now are to your
+earthly one, and lovelier in his eyes."
+
+"Oh, I do, papa! I do want to please and honor God, and you too; I want
+to be just a joy and blessing and comfort to you, my own dear, dear
+father! I don't think you have any idea how very, very dearly I love
+you, papa," putting her arms about his neck and kissing him over and
+over again. "Gracie and I think--indeed we feel quite sure--that no
+other children ever had such a dear, good, kind father as ours. And I
+know Max thinks the same."
+
+"Well, daughter, I delight in having you and all my children think so,
+however mistaken you maybe," he said, with a pleased smile, holding her
+close and returning her caresses; "and it certainly is the earnest
+desire of my heart to be the best, kindest, and dearest of fathers to
+the darling children God has given me."
+
+"As I am sure you are, dear papa," she said. "I never have any doubt of
+it at all, even when you punish me. And, papa," she added, with an
+effort, "if you think finery bad for me, I am willing to be dressed just
+as plainly as you think best."
+
+"That is my own dear little girl," he returned, with a gratified look;
+"but I have not been dressing you better--more richly, gayly, or
+tastefully--than seems to me right and proper; also, I think quite as
+much sin may be committed by being proud of plainness in dress as proud
+of wearing finery. What I am aiming at is to have my little daughter
+look upon dress as a secondary matter, and feel far more anxious to be
+one who is pleasing in the sight of her heavenly Father than one admired
+and envied by some earthly creature as the possessor of wealth, and fine
+or costly raiment. In short, I want you to feel that the style and
+richness of your attire is a matter of little consequence, while to live
+in the light of God's countenance, pleasing and honoring him and growing
+in holiness and conformity to his will, is to be desired and striven for
+beyond everything else."
+
+"Yes, papa," she said softly, "I will ask God to help me to do so; and
+you will pray for me too, won't you?"
+
+"Indeed I will, my darling; we will kneel down and ask him now; ask for
+help to keep from indulging in worldly mindedness and vanity, and that
+our earnest desire and effort may ever be to serve and honor and glorify
+him in all our words and ways."
+
+"My own dear father," she said, when they had risen from their knees, "I
+am sure that if I don't grow up a good Christian the fault will not be
+yours." Then, glancing at the bed where Grace lay in a profound sleep,
+"I am so glad and thankful that I am not feeble like poor, dear Gracie,
+because if I had to go to bed and to sleep so early as she almost always
+does, I'd miss these nice talks from you. But, fortunately, she doesn't
+need so much help to be good as I do. Ah, papa, I've given you a great
+deal more trouble to train me up right than she ever has, or will."
+
+"My darling," he said, "if you only grow up to be a noble, useful
+Christian woman, such as I hope one day to see you, I shall feel more
+than repaid for all the anxiety, care, and trouble of your training."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+GUESTS and entertainers, old and young, went to church the next morning,
+riding, driving, or walking, as best suited the inclination of each.
+
+In the afternoon there was the usual gathering of the house servants and
+field hands on the lawn, near the veranda, where the family and guests
+were seated, and Mr. Dinsmore, Dr. Landreth, and Captain Raymond each
+gave them a little talk suited to their capacities, and the sacredness
+of the day, and their needs as members of the fallen race of man.
+
+The captain, standing before them with an open Bible in his hand, said,
+"My friends, I want to talk with you a little, about some of the words
+spoken by the Apostle Paul when he was taking leave of the elders of the
+Church at Ephesus. He told them that he had been testifying both to the
+Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our
+Lord Jesus Christ. Now, what is meant by repentance toward God? It is a
+feeling of true sorrow for our sins against him (and everything wrong we
+have done, or thought, or felt was a sin against God). And what is it to
+have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ? To believe in him as one
+abundantly able and willing to save us--to save us from sin, from the
+love of it, and the punishment due to us for it. We are all sinners; we
+have all come short of the glory of God, neglecting many things that we
+ought to have done, and doing very many things that we ought not to have
+done. We are all born with a sinful nature, and God only can change it,
+so that we will hate sin and love holiness: he only can give us true
+faith in his dear Son the Lord Christ.
+
+"'By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
+the gift of God.' We are saved by grace; it is only of God's undeserved
+goodness, not because we have done or can do anything pleasing in his
+sight. Paul speaks in this same chapter of the Gospel of the grace of
+God. Gospel means good news, and what could be better news than that?
+that God offers us salvation of his free, unmerited grace? What an offer
+that is! salvation as his free, undeserved gift, without money, and
+without price. His offer is, 'Come unto me and be ye saved all ye ends
+of the earth.' No one is left out; this wonderful offer is to each one
+of us, and to every other inhabitant of this world, so that if any one
+fails to be saved, the fault will be all his own. For God has said, 'I
+have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth: wherefore turn
+yourselves and live ye.' And oh, how plain he has made it that he does
+love us and would have us live! 'For God so loved the world that he gave
+his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
+perish, but have everlasting life.'"
+
+The service was not a long one, and when it was over the captain
+repaired to the school-room with Lulu and Grace to hear them recite
+their Bible verses and catechism.
+
+When that duty had been attended to, "Now, daughters," he said, "if you
+have anything to say, or questions suitable to the sacredness of the day
+to ask, I am ready to listen and reply to the best of my ability; but
+even a child may ask a question that a grown person cannot answer," he
+added with a smile.
+
+"Indeed, papa," said Grace, putting an arm round his neck and laying her
+cheek lovingly to his, "I think you do know 'most everything; and I'm
+oh! so glad God gave you to me for my own father."
+
+"I know you are, Gracie, I'm sure of it; but you can't be gladder than I
+am that he is my father, too," said Lulu, lifting to his eyes full of
+filial love and reverence.
+
+"Nor than I am that these two little girls are my very own," responded
+the captain, holding both in a close embrace. "But now for the
+questions."
+
+"I have one to ask, papa," said Lulu. "It is, what does the Bible mean
+by growing in grace?"
+
+"Growing in likeness to Jesus and in conformity to his will; having more
+and more of the love and fear of God in our hearts; more faith and
+patience, and more love to our fellow-creatures; for the more we love
+the Master, the more will we love those whom he died to redeem."
+
+"And the more we love him, the more we will try to be like him?" Lulu
+said in a tone of mingled assertion and inquiry.
+
+"Yes, my child; and it is the dearest wish of my heart that I may see my
+children thus growing in grace, and in likeness to the dear Master."
+
+"Papa, I want to," said Grace softly; "oh, I want to, very much!"
+
+"Then ask God to help you, my darling, remembering that he is the hearer
+and answerer of prayer."
+
+"And you will ask him for both of us, won't you, papa?"
+
+"I will, I do, my darling; there is never a day when I do not pray
+earnestly for each one of my dear children, that God will make them his
+own true followers and keep them in every time of trial and temptation,
+taking them safely to heaven at last. Life in this world is exceedingly
+short compared with the eternal existence which awaits us all in
+another--that life of infinite joy and blessedness at God's right hand,
+or of everlasting, untold misery, unending, inconceivable anguish, in
+the blackness of darkness, shut out forever from his presence," he added
+in moved tones. "God in his infinite goodness and mercy grant that the
+first and not the last may be the portion of each one of my beloved
+children!"
+
+"Oh, papa," said Grace softly, "how can any one help loving the dear
+Saviour who died that we might go to heaven and not to that other awful
+place!"
+
+"Oh," said Lulu, "I do want to love him more and serve him better! When
+I think of his wonderful goodness and love to us poor sinners, I'm just
+as ashamed as I can be that I don't love him at all as I ought, and am
+so often ill-tempered and selfish and bad. Papa, I do really think it is
+kind and good in you to punish me when I deserve it, and need it to make
+me a better girl."
+
+"And I shall be very glad indeed if you never again make it necessary
+for me to do so," he responded.
+
+"I do hope I won't," she returned. "Papa, I'm very much afraid I'll be
+thinking and talking to-day about the wedding and what everybody is
+going to wear at it, and I know I won't be in half so much danger of
+doing so if I keep close to you; so mayn't I?"
+
+"Yes, daughter; I am always glad to have you near me," he said kindly;
+"and it pleases me that you are desirous to avoid temptation to do
+wrong."
+
+"And you are just as willing to let me keep near you, papa?" Grace said
+inquiringly, and with a wistful, pleading look up into his face.
+
+"Certainly, my dear little daughter. I love you not a whit less than I
+do your sister," he said, drawing her into a closer embrace. "However,
+you may both stay here reading your Bibles and Sunday school books for a
+half hour longer. Then I will come for you and you may spend the rest of
+the day as close to your father's side as you choose." With that he left
+them.
+
+"Such a dear, good father as ours is!" exclaimed Lulu, gazing after him
+with loving, admiring eyes.
+
+"Yes, indeed! I am sure there couldn't be a better or dearer one. Oh, I
+do love him so!" said Grace, turning over the leaves of her Bible.
+"Let's read verse about, Lu."
+
+"I'm agreed; and let it be the Book of Esther. I do think that is such a
+lovely story."
+
+"So it is; and so is Ruth, and that's shorter. I don't believe we'll
+have time to read all of Esther before papa comes for us."
+
+"Maybe not," assented Lulu; "so we will read Ruth."
+
+They had finished the story and were talking it over together when
+their father came. It was then nearly tea time.
+
+Sacred music filled up most of the evening, and all the young girls and
+boys retired early to bed that they might be ready for the pleasures and
+employments of the coming day. The older people sat somewhat longer upon
+the veranda, conversing upon topics suited to the sacredness of the day.
+They were Christians, and loved to speak of the Master and the things
+concerning his kingdom.
+
+"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord
+hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him
+for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. And they
+shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my
+jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth
+him."
+
+As usual, Lulu was up early the next morning, and joined her father in a
+walk under the trees along the bank of the bayou.
+
+"Well, daughter, has the rest of the Sabbath made you ready for work in
+the school-room again?" he asked, smiling down affectionately into her
+face, rosy, bright, and happy with health and gay spirits.
+
+"Yes, papa, I feel more like it than I did on Saturday," she answered,
+lifting to his sparkling eyes, full of affection.
+
+"I rejoice to hear it," he said; "for it is by no means a pleasant task
+to me when I have to compel a pupil--whether one of my own children or
+the child of someone else--against his or her inclination; though I
+enjoy teaching when all are happy and interested."
+
+"As we all ought to be when we have such a good, kind, wise teacher,
+dear papa," she returned. "It will be difficult, very difficult, I'm
+afraid, to give my mind to lessons when we are all so much taken up with
+the preparations for the wedding, but I'm determined to try my very best
+to do so to please my dearest, kindest, best of fathers," lifting his
+hand to her lips.
+
+"A father who would far rather be obeyed from love than fear," he said,
+with a tender, loving look down into her face.
+
+"Yes, I know you would, papa, and my love for you is, oh! ever so much
+stronger than my fear; though I own I am afraid of your displeasure and
+punishments, for I know you can punish severely when you think it your
+duty and for my good; but I respect and love you too a great deal more
+than I would or could if you indulged me in bad behavior."
+
+"I don't doubt it," he said; "and I, as I have often told you, punish
+you when I deem it needful, because I know you will be the happier in
+the end for being compelled to try to conquer your faults; happier than
+you ever could be if allowed to indulge them."
+
+"Yes, papa, I know that is so; I am never at all happy when indulging
+wrong tempers and feelings," she acknowledged, with another loving look
+up into his face.
+
+At that moment they were joined by Evelyn and Rosie.
+
+"Brother Levis," said Rosie, "you surely are not going to be so
+unreasonable and tyrannical as to require lessons of us to-day?"
+
+"I'm afraid I am, little sister," he replied, with a smile, "and I hope
+you are not going to be so naughty and rebellious as to require any kind
+of discipline?"
+
+"I don't know," she said, with a pretended pout; "I feel no inclination
+at all toward lessons, but a very strong one in favor of a ride or drive
+over to Magnolia Hall."
+
+"Which can be gratified when study and recitations have been duly
+attended to," returned the captain; "and if in need of an escort you may
+call upon me for that service."
+
+"Oh, a thousand thanks! that will do very well indeed!" she exclaimed in
+a tone of relief and pleasure.
+
+"And all the good and industrious little girls may go along," added the
+captain, with a smiling look into Lulu's eagerly inquiring face.
+
+"Thank you, papa; thank you very much!" she exclaimed joyously. "I do
+want to go, and intend to be as industrious as possible, and as good and
+obedient, so that you can take me. And you'll take Gracie too if she
+wants to go, won't you?"
+
+"Certainly," he said; "Gracie deserves all the indulgences and pleasures
+I can give her."
+
+"You are very kind indeed, Captain, to spend so much of your time in
+teaching us to-day; for I feel very sure you would enjoy going to
+Magnolia Hall with the other gentlemen and the ladies this morning,"
+remarked Evelyn, with a grateful, affectionate look up into his face.
+
+"Thank you, my dear," he replied. "It would be pleasant to me to go, but
+it is also a pleasure to help my own children, and other appreciative
+pupils, to climb the hill of science."
+
+Just then Grace and little Elsie came running to meet them, and the next
+minute the breakfast bell summoned them all to the house.
+
+After breakfast followed family worship, school, play-time, then dinner,
+and, late in the afternoon, the pleasant drive through the woods to
+Magnolia Hall. It was only for a call, however, and at tea-time the
+Viamede family and all their guests gathered about the table there.
+
+From then until the wedding day the young folks were in a state of
+pleasurable excitement, though the captain kept his pupils steadily at
+their work, and they found it not impossible to fix their minds upon
+their studies for a portion of each day. The other relatives invited had
+arrived, and in a few days the marriage was to take place.
+
+It was Saturday morning. Scarcely two hours had been spent in the
+school-room when the captain dismissed his pupils, telling them, with
+his pleasant smile, that they had done very well indeed, and would be
+allowed a holiday until the wedding festivities were over, an
+announcement no one was sorry to hear, although he had made the lessons
+interesting and enjoyable to them as ever since undertaking the work of
+teaching them. All returned warm thanks, and Rosie, Evelyn, and Walter
+hastened from the room, which Captain Raymond had already left; but his
+two little girls lingered there a while longer, putting their desks in
+perfect order.
+
+"Gracie," said Lulu, "how much money have you left?"
+
+"Not a single cent," was the reply in a rather rueful tone; "and I
+suppose yours is all gone too?"
+
+"Yes; every cent of it. I feel as poor as a church mouse."
+
+"But we are not wanting to buy anything just now, and papa will be
+giving us some pocket-money again pretty soon," returned Grace in a
+determinedly cheerful tone.
+
+"Yes, so he will! Oh, what a dear, good, kind father he is! I really
+don't believe there are very many girls of our ages that get so much
+pocket-money every week. And papa gave us so much extra money too, to
+use in buying our gifts for Cousin Betty."
+
+"Oh, yes, and now I think of it, I don't believe we ought to expect any
+more pocket-money for a good while. Do you, Lu?"
+
+"No, I don't; for this wedding's costing a good deal--to papa as well as
+other folks; and the journey home will cost ever so much, besides all
+that papa paid to bring us here. Then, too, he's going to see Max again
+after we get home, and will maybe take one or both of us along--if we're
+good."
+
+"Oh, do you think so?" exclaimed Grace. "Oh, I'd love to see Maxie! but
+if only one of us can go it ought to be you, because you're the oldest,
+and so well that it wouldn't give papa half so much trouble to take care
+of you as of me."
+
+"I'm just sure papa doesn't think it any trouble to take care of you,
+Gracie," returned Lulu in her quick, earnest way. "And you are a better
+girl than I, therefore more deserving of such indulgences."
+
+"That's a mistake of yours, Lu," said Grace; "you've been good as gold
+ever since we came to Viamede--as well as before--and helped papa with
+your typewriter, while I haven't done anything but wait on him a
+little, and try to learn my lessons well, and amuse the little ones
+sometimes."
+
+Lulu's face had grown very red while Grace was speaking, and she hung
+her head in a shamefaced, remorseful way.
+
+"No, Gracie," she said in a low, mortified tone, "I haven't been half so
+good as you think; I displeased papa very much that day when you all
+went to Magnolia Hall, and I had to stay at home and learn my lessons
+over. I was very angry and cross with dear little Ned because he meddled
+with my herbarium, which I had carelessly left lying out on my desk. If
+papa had punished me very severely it would have been no more than I
+deserved, but all he did was to send me to my room for a while till I
+told him how sorry I was and asked forgiveness of him, and Neddie, too."
+
+Grace looked surprised. "No, I never heard a word of it before," she
+said; "but I'm sure you did all you could when you asked forgiveness of
+both of them--papa and Neddie."
+
+The little girls had no idea that their father was within hearing, yet
+such was the case, and their little talk pleased him greatly.
+
+"The darlings!" he said to himself, "they shall not be long penniless,
+for their father thinks them very worthy to be trusted with
+pocket-money. Two more unselfish children I am sure it would be hard to
+find."
+
+With that he rose and went to the library, to which they presently
+followed him, asking if there were anything he wanted them to do.
+
+"Why, it is your play-time, daughters," he returned, with a loving smile
+into the bright young faces.
+
+"But we'd like to do something to help you, dear papa," Grace said,
+laying her small, white hand on his arm, and looking lovingly up into
+his face.
+
+"Yes, indeed we would, papa," said Lulu, standing on his other side, and
+putting her arm round his neck. "Please, if you have letters to answer,
+mayn't I write them for you on my typewriter?"
+
+"Does my dear eldest daughter deem that a privilege?" he asked, smiling
+down into her beseeching eyes, while he put one arm round her, the other
+about Grace's waist, and drew both in between his knees, kissing first
+one and then the other.
+
+"Indeed I do, papa," Lulu answered in an earnest tone; "it's very sweet
+to me to feel that I am of even a little use to my dear, dear father,
+who does so much for me, taking so much trouble to teach me, and gives
+me so many, many nice things to eat, to wear, to read, and to amuse
+myself with--so many that it would take quite a long while to count them
+all up."
+
+"Ah, that reminds me," he said, taking out his pocket-book, "I shouldn't
+wonder if my little girls had about emptied their purses in buying gifts
+for the bride that is to be, and so forth. Get them out and let me see
+what can be done toward replenishing them."
+
+He noted with pleasure that as he spoke each young face grew very
+bright.
+
+"We've left them upstairs, papa," said Lulu, "and though you're ever so
+kind," hugging and kissing him again, "we don't want to take any more
+now when you have to spend so very much on the wedding, and to take us
+all home to Woodburn."
+
+"No, indeed we don't, you dear, dear papa," chimed in Grace, nestling
+closer to him and patting his cheek lovingly.
+
+"My precious darlings!" he said, holding them close, "your father can
+spare it without denying himself or anybody else anything at all
+needful; and he feels very sure that he could not get more enjoyment out
+of it in any other way. So get your purses and bring them here to me,"
+he concluded, releasing them from his embrace.
+
+They ran joyfully to do his bidding, and on their return each found a
+little pile of money waiting for her--two clean, fresh one dollar
+bills, two silver half dollars, four quarters, and ten dimes; all
+looking as if just issued from the mint.
+
+"Oh! oh! oh!" they cried, "how much! and all so bright and new!" Lulu
+adding, "Papa, are you quite, quite sure you can really spare all this
+without being--embarrassed?"
+
+"Yes, quite sure," he returned, regarding her with a twinkle of fun in
+his eyes; "I really think I should not be greatly embarrassed if called
+upon for twice as much."
+
+At that Lulu drew a long breath of relief, while Grace threw her arms
+about his neck, saying, "You dear, dear papa! I don't believe any other
+children ever had such a good, kind father as ours."
+
+"Well, now, I really hope there are a great many other fathers quite as
+good and kind as yours," he said, with a smile, pinching the round, rosy
+cheek, kissing the ruby lips, and fondly stroking the soft, shining
+curls of her pretty head.
+
+"I hope so," said Lulu, "but I'm just sure there's not another one I
+could love so, so dearly as ours. I do think God was very good to me in
+making me yours, papa. Your very own little daughter."
+
+"And me too," said Grace.
+
+"Yes; good to me as well as to you," responded the captain, "for my
+darlings seem to me the dearest, most lovable children in the world.
+Well, Lulu daughter, you may help me with your machine for a half hour,
+if you wish."
+
+"Oh, yes, papa; yes, indeed! I'll be glad to!" she exclaimed, hastening
+to uncover it, put in the paper, and seat herself before it, while her
+father took up a letter, glanced over the contents, then began his
+dictation.
+
+It was a business note and had no interest for Grace, who presently
+wandered out upon the veranda with her well filled purse in her hand.
+
+Grandma Elsie sat there alone, reading. "What a bright, happy face, my
+little Gracie," she said, glancing up from her book as the child drew
+near. "Has some special good come to you, dear?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; see!" exclaimed the little girl, displaying her well filled
+purse; "it was empty, and my dear papa has just filled it. You see,
+Grandma Elsie," drawing near and lowering her voice, "I was wanting to
+buy a few things for good-by presents to some of the poor old colored
+folks, but I'd spent every cent of my money and thought I'd have to give
+it up; and I'm oh, so glad that I won't have to now. And--Oh, Grandma
+Elsie, you and mamma will help me to think what will be best to get for
+them, won't you?"
+
+"I will be very glad to do anything I can to help you, dear child,"
+replied Grandma Elsie in her low, sweet tones, and softly stroking the
+golden curls as the little girl stood close at her side. "Suppose you
+get a pencil and paper from the school-room and make out a list of those
+to whom you wish to give, and opposite to each name the gift that seems
+most suitable."
+
+Grace's reply was a joyful assent, and she hurried away in search of the
+required articles.
+
+She was not gone more than a very few minutes, but on her return found
+that her Mamma Vi, Rosie, and Evelyn had joined Grandma Elsie on the
+veranda, had been told by her what was the business in hand, and were
+desirous to have a share in it.
+
+They had a pleasant time over their lists, each making out one for
+herself, while Lulu finished the work she had undertaken for her father.
+They decided to write to the city for what was wanted, and that anyone
+else who wished could send at the same time; so that matter was
+satisfactorily disposed of.
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, struck by a sudden thought, "suppose I run to the
+library and tell papa and Lu about it, and get him to tell her what to
+say, and let her write on the typewriter for the things?"
+
+Everyone thought it an excellent idea, and Grace immediately carried it
+out.
+
+"I quite approve," her father said, when she had told her story and made
+her request.
+
+"I too," said Lulu, "and I'll join you if papa will help me to decide
+what to buy. I'll write the letter too, if he will tell me what to say."
+
+"I am entirely willing to do both, daughter," he said. "Let us set to
+work at once, as it will soon be dinner-time, and I want to take my
+little girls out for a drive this afternoon."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa, thank you very much!" they cried in joyous tones.
+
+"Is anybody else going, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"Your Grandma Elsie, Mamma Vi, and our little ones, in our carriage; as
+many more as may wish to go either in other carriages or on horseback.
+Perhaps you would prefer to ride your pony?"
+
+"No, sir; not if you are to be in the carriage I may ride in."
+
+"Ah, you are very fond of being with your father," he said, with a
+pleased smile.
+
+"Yes, sir; yes, indeed! just as close as I can get," stroking and
+patting his cheek, then pressing her lips to it in an ardent kiss.
+
+"And it's exactly the same with me, you dear, darling papa!" exclaimed
+Grace, putting an arm round his neck. "And it's exactly the same with
+every one of your children from big Maxie down to baby Ned."
+
+"I believe it is, and it makes me very happy to think so," he replied.
+"But now, my dears, we must to work on our list of articles."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+IT was a large party that set out from Viamede shortly after leaving the
+dinner-table. Most of the young people--among them Chester, Frank, Maud,
+and Sydney Dinsmore, Evelyn Leland, Rosie and Walter Travilla--preferred
+riding.
+
+These, having swifter steeds, presently distanced the rest of the
+riders, as well as those who were driving, and in passing a plantation,
+which was the home of Nettie Vance, an old school-mate of the Viamede
+young folks at the time, several years before, of their attendance at
+Oakdale Academy, they were joined by her and a young man whom she
+introduced as her brother, both well mounted and looking merry and
+happy.
+
+"Bob and I were just starting out for a ride," she said, "and consider
+ourselves fortunate in meeting with such good company. May I take my
+place alongside of you, Miss Leland? I have a bit of news to tell which
+I think will interest you and Miss Travilla. It is that Signor Foresti,
+who, as you will doubtless remember, was a teacher of music--anything
+but an agreeable one, by the way--at Oakdale Academy when we were there
+together, is quite ill, partly from an accident, partly from drink, and
+extremely poor. I must say I hardly pity him very much for that last,
+but I do feel sorry for his wife and children."
+
+"I too," said Evelyn. "I wish it were in my power to relieve them, but
+my purse is about empty just at present. However, I will report the
+matter at Viamede, and I am sure the kind friends there will see that
+something is done toward supplying their pressing needs."
+
+"Yes," returned Nettie, "I have heard a great deal of the kindness and
+benevolence of Mrs. Travilla and her father; of Captain Raymond's also;
+though I for one could hardly blame him if he utterly refused to give
+any assistance to a man who had abused his daughter as Foresti did
+Lulu."
+
+"Nor I," said Evelyn; "yet I feel almost certain that he will assist
+Foresti. He would not let the wife and children suffer for the man's ill
+deeds, nor indeed the man himself, unless I am greatly mistaken; for the
+captain is a truly Christian gentleman."
+
+"Indeed he is," said Rosie, "and very benevolent; exceedingly kind to
+the poor; to anyone who is in distress of any kind. I am very proud of
+that brother-in-law of mine, Nettie, and don't care who knows it."
+
+"I do not wonder at that," returned Nettie. "I certainly should be if he
+were mine; it is very plain from the way in which Lulu and Gracie look
+at him that they are both fond and proud of their father."
+
+"Nor do I wonder at it," said Robert Vance, joining in the conversation.
+"Nettie pointed him out to me at church last Sunday, and I remarked then
+that he was as fine looking a man as ever I saw; tall, straight,
+handsome in feature, and of most noble countenance."
+
+"Thank you," Rosie said, with a smile and a bow. "I think him all that,
+and as noble in character as in looks. It is my opinion that my sister
+Violet drew a prize in the matrimonial lottery; and the captain also,
+for Vi is in every way worthy of him."
+
+"Surely," returned the young man, "one glance at her is sufficient to
+assure one of that."
+
+Rosie and Evelyn then asked where the Forestis were to be found, and
+what were their most pressing needs, and having learned those
+particulars, promised that someone from Viamede would call to see and
+relieve them, Rosie adding, with a smile, "We, as you probably know, are
+busy with preparations for a wedding in the family, yet I have no doubt
+some one or more among us could find time to attend to this call for
+help."
+
+"Yes," said Walter, who had been quietly listening to the talk, "mamma
+will be sure to find time for such an act of kindness; she always does."
+
+"I am sure of it," responded Nettie heartily, "from her sweet looks and
+all I have heard of her. And so your cousin, Miss Johnson, is going to
+be married?" she added, looking at Rosie. "We received our invitations
+yesterday, and are busy with our preparations. It must be delightful to
+have such a thing coming off in the family; particularly to be the
+bride; for I hear it is to be quite a grand affair and the match an
+excellent one."
+
+"Yes," returned Rosie, "we are all much pleased with what we have heard
+of the gentleman, and I hope they are going to be very happy together."
+
+"I hope so, indeed," responded Nettie. "I am but slightly acquainted
+with Miss Johnson, but have always liked her looks."
+
+It was near tea-time when the Viamede party reached home again; the
+ladies and little girls had barely time to dress for the evening before
+the summons to the table.
+
+It was while all where seated about it that Rosie and Evelyn told of the
+news learned from Nettie Vance in regard to Signor Foresti and his
+family.
+
+"Ah, poor things! we must do something for them," Grandma Elsie said,
+when the story was finished. "Papa, shall we stop there to-morrow on
+our way to or from church? It would be a work of mercy suited to the
+day, I think. Do not you?"
+
+"Yes," replied Mr. Dinsmore; "and it might be well to carry a basket of
+provisions with us."
+
+Lulu had listened in silence while the others were talking, and all
+through the evening she had but little to say, seeming much of the time
+lost in thought, though usually she was quite talkative, unless, as
+occasionally happened, checked by a slight reminder from her father that
+it would be more becoming in a child of her age to show herself a quiet
+listener to older people.
+
+The captain noticed her abstraction, but, guessing at the cause, said
+nothing about it till they were alone together in her bedroom; then,
+drawing her to his knee, "My little girl has been unusually silent this
+evening," he said. "Is anything wrong with her?"
+
+She drew a long sigh. "I have been trying to decide a question of duty,
+papa," she said, "and, please--I'd like you to tell me what to do."
+
+"In regard to what, daughter?"
+
+"Giving a part of my money--the money you put into my purse this
+morning--to--to the Forestis."
+
+"I think it would be right and kind for you to do so. Do not you?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and I will do it," she said with sudden determination. "It
+will be returning good for evil, as the Bible bids us; won't it, papa?"
+
+"Yes; and I think will help you to forgive the man for his ill treatment
+of my dear little daughter," drawing her closer and kissing her fondly.
+
+"Yes, sir; even the resolve has made me feel more kindly toward him. How
+much ought I to give, papa? I hardly think I'll have very much left
+after I've paid for the presents I've sent for, for the servants here."
+
+"No, not a very great deal, I presume; but you are not likely to need
+much before there will be more pocket-money coming to you."
+
+"Oh, no, sir, I'll not, of course, because my dear, dear father provides
+everything I need to eat or wear, and pays my travelling expenses too,
+so that I'm not really obliged to spend anything on myself," she said,
+putting an arm about his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to his.
+"Papa, do you think a dollar will be enough for me to give the
+Forestis?"
+
+"You may decide that question for yourself, my darling," he said,
+patting her cheek and stroking her hair; "I leave it entirely to you to
+give much, little, or nothing, as conscience and inclination dictate."
+
+"Thank you, papa; you are very kind to say that; but please tell me if
+you think a dollar will be enough for me?"
+
+"Yes, I do," was his reply, and Lulu looked satisfied and relieved.
+
+"I'm glad, papa," she said, "for I really do not know that I shall have
+more than that left after paying for the presents for the servants; and
+of course I can't give more than I have."
+
+"Quite true," he returned, with a slight smile. "I would have you make
+it a rule never to go into debt for your own gratification or for any
+other object. 'Out of debt, out of danger,' is an old and wise saying.
+Now, daughter, it is time to say good-night; but first let me remind you
+that to-morrow is the Lord's day, and to be kept holy. Try not to think
+of the exciting events expected in the coming week, but to spend the
+time in the worship of God and the study of his word, that you may grow
+in grace and conformity to his will, thus becoming 'meet for the
+inheritance of the saints in light,' and ready, when he shall call you
+away from earth, to dwell forever with him in that holy, happy land
+where sin and sorrow are unknown. We will kneel down together now for a
+moment and ask him to help us both to do so, 'running with patience the
+race set before us, ever looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
+our faith.'"
+
+Sunday was passed by the Viamede family in the usual quiet way, most of
+its hours filled up with divine service in the sanctuary or at home,
+and all retired to rest at an early hour, to rise the next morning in
+renewed health and strength, the children rejoicing in their holiday and
+the near approach of the wedding festivities.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore had the day before, on their way to church, called
+upon the Italian music teacher, taking with them delicacies for the sick
+man, and other articles of food for the rest of the family; some money
+also, in which was included Lulu's dollar; and finding the services of a
+physician were needed, had engaged to send one.
+
+Dr. Dick Percival undertook the errand, made a professional call, and on
+his return reported the man quite ill, but likely to recover with good
+and competent nursing. He went over again on Monday morning, but called
+first at Viamede to report to his uncle Dinsmore and the captain.
+
+Lulu was present at the interview and heard with interest all that
+Cousin Dick had to tell about the signor and his family.
+
+"There are three children," said Dick--"forlorn looking little
+creatures, with apparently no playthings except a few broken bits of
+china, and for doll babies, some corn cobs wrapped in rags."
+
+"Oh, papa," exclaimed little Elsie, seated upon her father's knee,
+"mayn't I send dem some of my dollies?"
+
+"Yes, if you want to do so," he replied, smiling upon her, and smoothing
+her curls caressingly with his hand.
+
+"And I will hunt up some playthings for them too, if I may, papa," said
+Lulu.
+
+"Certainly," he said; "you may do so at once, and we three and Gracie
+will drive over there in the carriage, which I will order immediately;
+that is, if Cousin Dick does not object to our company?"
+
+"Not by any means, Captain; I shall be delighted to have it," said Dr.
+Percival. "And will you drive over with me, Art?" turning to Dr. Conley.
+
+"With pleasure, Dick," was the reply, and in a short time all were on
+their way, the children well laden with toys and sweets for the little
+Forestis.
+
+Violet had been invited to accompany her husband, but declined because
+of some preparations still to be made for the wedding. Little Ned,
+however, had no such excuse, and gladly made one of the merry little
+party in his father's carriage.
+
+Dr. Percival, having other patients needing his attention, said he
+intended to make but a short call upon the Italian, and the captain did
+not think it worth while for his children to alight; but from the
+carriage they witnessed with delight the pleasure conferred upon the
+little Forestis by their gifts.
+
+Captain Raymond left them for a few moments while he went in to see the
+sick man, to whom he spoke with the utmost kindness, condoling with him
+on his sufferings, and inquiring if they were very great.
+
+"De bains ish ver bad, sare," replied the man, with a heavy sigh. Then,
+with an earnest look into the captain's face, his own flushing hotly,
+"You, sare, ish de fader off Mees Lu Raymond?" he said inquiringly.
+
+"I am, sir," replied the captain with some sternness of look and tone.
+
+"Mees Lu, she bees one goot leetle girl for send me that monish
+yesterday," continued Foresti; "dot make me ver sorry I haf so leetle
+batience mit her dat time she sthrike me mit de music book."
+
+"Yes," said Captain Raymond, "and I trust that when you are again able
+to teach you will try to be more patient and forbearing with your
+pupils. It will be better for both you and them."
+
+"Yes, sare, I vill try dat blan; but mine batience bees sorely dried mit
+de mishtakes off dose careless bupils I haf to teach."
+
+"I dare say that is true," said the captain, "but one who finds it
+impossible to have patience with pupils, should try some other way of
+making a livelihood than by teaching."
+
+In another minute or two the captain left--not waiting for the doctors,
+who were, as he knew, going in another direction--re-entered his
+carriage, and started on the return trip to Viamede.
+
+"Papa," asked Lulu, "can't we take a little different route going home?"
+
+"Yes," he replied in an indulgent tone, and gave the necessary
+directions to the driver.
+
+It was a pleasant, shady road into which they presently turned, and the
+children chatted and laughed right merrily, receiving no rebuke from
+their father and fearing none.
+
+They had not gone far on that road when they espied two horsemen
+approaching from the opposite direction.
+
+"Oh," cried little Elsie, "here come Cousin Ronald and Uncle Horace."
+
+"An unexpected meeting, Captain," Mr. Dinsmore remarked, with a bow and
+smile as they drew near.
+
+"But none the less pleasant," returned Captain Raymond.
+
+"Very true, sir," said Mr. Lilburn, bowing and smiling in his turn.
+
+"For the captain and you young folks, no doubt, but a trifle less
+delightful for us who have the load to carry," seemed to come from the
+mouth of one of the horses as he tossed his head to shake off a fly.
+
+"True enough, Selim. You doubtless envy me with only this gentleman to
+carry; and I pity you from the bottom of my heart; only that it must be
+good fun to hear those little folks chatting and laughing," was the
+answering remark apparently made by the horse ridden by Mr. Lilburn,
+speaking as they passed the captain's carriage.
+
+Lulu and Grace clapped their hands, laughing merrily, while baby Ned
+exclaimed, with a look of astonishment, "Me didn't fink horsey could
+talk like udder folks!"
+
+"Oh, yes! but why did they never do it before?" cried little Elsie.
+"Papa, did you know they could talk?"
+
+"I never heard them do so before, daughter," the captain said, with an
+amused smile down into the earnest, surprised little face, "and I
+suspect that it is only when Cousin Ronald is about that they can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+RIDES, drives, sports of various kinds, and preparations for the
+wedding, made the time pass very rapidly and pleasantly to the young
+folks at Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and the Parsonage, until at length all
+was in readiness for the expected festivities.
+
+The ceremony was to be performed at the church, the Rev. Cyril Keith
+officiating, and to be immediately succeeded by a wedding breakfast on
+the lawn at Magnolia Hall. That was to be about noon, so did not
+interfere with the usual morning meal and family devotions at Viamede.
+
+When these had been attended to, the ladies and young girls scattered to
+their rooms to dress for the important occasion.
+
+It had been arranged that Grace Raymond and Rose Lacy were to act as
+flower girls, dressed in white tarlatan, and white hats trimmed with
+white ribbon, and each carrying a basket filled with white roses, white
+japonicas, and smilax. Rose Travilla, Evelyn Leland, and Lulu Raymond,
+dressed as had been planned at the first, were to act as bridesmaids,
+while Lora Howard, Maud and Sydney Dinsmore, were to be maids of honor,
+dressed in white, and carrying bouquets of white flowers.
+
+Betty's own dress was a rich white silk, trimmed with elegant and costly
+lace--the gift of her brother-in-law, Mr. Embury--and a tulle veil,
+fastened to her head with a wreath of orange blossoms. Her bouquet was
+of bride roses and smilax. The Dinsmore and Howard cousins were to act
+as ushers and groomsmen.
+
+All this had been satisfactorily arranged, and rehearsals gone through
+with several times at Magnolia Hall and Viamede, that each one might be
+perfect in his or her part; otherwise timid little Gracie could not have
+been induced to undertake her share in the ceremony.
+
+When she and Lulu were dressed for the occasion they went in search of
+their father to ask his opinion of their appearance and attire. He
+scanned each daintily attired, graceful little figure with a look of
+proud, fond affection, clasped them in his arms and kissed them
+tenderly.
+
+"My darlings look very sweet in their father's eyes," he said; "but do
+not be too proud of your appearance, for fathers are apt to see their
+own children through rose-colored glasses; and it is not very likely
+that you will attract particular attention among so many attendants upon
+the bride, who will doubtless be gazed upon more admiringly and
+critically than anyone else."
+
+"I'm ever so glad of that, papa," Gracie said, with a sigh of relief;
+"because I don't like to be viewed with a critic's eye," she concluded
+with a merry, though slightly disturbed little laugh.
+
+"Well, dear child, just try to forget yourself, and I have no doubt
+everything will go right," he said, drawing both her and Lulu closer
+into his arms for a little more petting and caressing.
+
+That was interrupted by the entrance of their mamma Vi, coming upon the
+same errand that had brought them.
+
+"Will I do, my dear?" she asked, with a bright, winsome smile.
+
+"Ah, my Violet, my sweet and beautiful flower," he returned, regarding
+her with ardently admiring eyes, "I fear you will outshine the bride.
+You look very like one yourself, except a most becoming air of maturity;
+scarcely older and certainly not less beautiful than when you gave
+yourself to me."
+
+"And accepted you in return; deeds which I have never yet for a moment
+regretted," she said, with a coquettish smile up into his face; for he
+had put his little girls gently aside and risen to take a critical
+survey of his young and beautiful wife.
+
+"And never shall if in my power to prevent it, my love, my darling," he
+said low and tenderly, laying a hand upon her shoulder, and bending
+down to press a fond kiss upon her lips.
+
+They were in the library, whither the captain had gone, after arraying
+himself for the wedding festival, to wait for the ladies and damsels who
+were to go under his care.
+
+"Ah, Brother Levis, I have caught you in the very act," laughed Rosie,
+dancing into the room, already in bridesmaid's attire, and looking but
+little less attractive than Violet herself.
+
+"Ah! and what of that, little sister?" he asked. "Who has a better right
+than her husband to bestow caresses upon a beautiful and attractive
+woman?"
+
+"Captain Raymond, being my teacher, has an undoubted right to question
+me in the school-room," laughed Rosie, with an arch look up into his
+face, "but--I don't know that he has here and now. Now please let me
+have your candid opinion of my dress and appearance."
+
+"You will do very well, little sister; there is no fault to be found
+with your appearance, so far as I can see," he answered in a
+non-committal tone, and with a mischievous twinkle of fun in his eye.
+
+At that Rosie pretended to pout. "You keep all your compliments for Vi,"
+she said. "But--ah, here comes Eva, and I wonder if you can afford one
+to her. She is certainly worthy of it."
+
+Evelyn did indeed look sweet and fair in a becoming white chip hat and
+her pretty dress of pale blue silk trimmed with lovely lace.
+
+Rosie's own dress was a delicate pink; Lulu's canary color; all of the
+same material.
+
+"That she is, in my opinion," returned the captain, bestowing a fatherly
+caress upon the young orphan girl, then offering the same to Rosie.
+
+"Well, now, you are a nice brother--my big, big brother, you remember,"
+she laughed, "so I won't repulse you; help yourself and let us have it
+over."
+
+Just at that moment her mother came in, dressed for the wedding in a
+beautiful pearl-colored silk and point lace, a knot of white roses at
+her throat and in her belt, her lovely and abundant golden brown hair
+simply and tastefully arranged.
+
+"Mamma!" exclaimed Violet, "you are the most beautiful and tastefully
+attired one among us!"
+
+"In the partial eyes of my daughter Violet," was the smiling rejoinder.
+"But to me her youthful beauty far exceeds her mother's fading charms."
+
+"I incline to the opinion that the fading is perceptible to no eyes but
+your own, mother," remarked the captain gallantly.
+
+"I also," said Violet; "a richer, riper bloom is all that I can see."
+
+"Or that anybody else can," added Walter, who, ready dressed for the
+wedding, had entered the room just in time to catch Violet's first
+exclamation.
+
+Then the other members of the family and the guests came flocking in,
+the carriages were announced as waiting for their living freight, and
+presently all were seated in them and on their way to the church, which
+they found crowded with invited guests and other spectators.
+
+The ceremony was short, but impressive. Bride, bridesmaids, flower
+girls, and maids of honor were all looking their best, and behaved
+admirably; groom, groomsmen, and ushers also, among whom were a brother
+and an intimate friend of the bridegroom, the young cousins Arthur and
+Walter Howard, Chester and Frank Dinsmore, and little Walter Travilla.
+
+Old Mr. Dinsmore, the uncle and guardian of the bride, gave her away,
+and was the first to salute, and call her by her new name on the
+completion of the ceremony, the first to congratulate the groom, and
+wish them a great deal of happiness.
+
+Other affectionate greetings and best wishes followed in quick
+succession; then the carriages were re-entered, and all drove to
+Magnolia Hall to partake of the wedding breakfast.
+
+The place was looking its very loveliest: the grass on the lawn like a
+velvet carpet of emerald green, spangled with many flowers of varied
+hues, which filled the air with delicious perfume, and there, scattered
+about underneath the magnolia, orange, and other beautiful shade trees,
+were many small tables resplendent with the finest napery, shining
+silver, cut glass, and delicate china, and loaded with delicate and
+delicious viands.
+
+Presently every table was surrounded by a merry group quite disposed to
+do justice to the tempting fare, and the air filled with the pleasant
+hum of happy voices and low, gleeful laughter.
+
+The bride and groom, with their attendants, were seated about two tables
+not many feet apart, while the older members of the Viamede family and
+Cousin Ronald occupied another, quite near to both; and Mr. Embury and
+his Molly, with the Parsonage family, Virginia and the older Embury
+children, filled a third, not far from either of the others, when
+presently Nero, a great big Newfoundland dog belonging to Mr. Embury,
+showed himself at his master's side, looking up wistfully into his face.
+
+"I'm hungry, good master," were the words that seemed to come from his
+lips, "and surely your faithful dog might have a taste of this feast."
+
+At that some of the guests looked startled and astounded, too much
+surprised to speak, but Mr. Embury, who was not ignorant of Cousin
+Ronald's talents, though a little startled at first, recovered his wits
+instantly, and replying, "Certainly, certainly, Nero; that's only fair,"
+handed the dog a generous bit of chicken, and bade him carry it to a
+distance and eat it. An order which was promptly obeyed.
+
+"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! that's a bright and capable dog, Mr. Embury,"
+remarked Cousin Ronald, elevating his eyebrows in mock surprise. "What
+would you take for him, sir?"
+
+"He is not for sale, Mr. Lilburn," was Mr. Embury's grave rejoinder.
+"You must surely see for yourself, sir, that he is no ordinary dog, but
+an uncommonly valuable animal. There are not many of his race who can
+speak so plainly."
+
+"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! that is very true, sir. I don't wonder you are
+not inclined to part with him, for it is no easy matter to find a dog
+that can speak such good English, nor for that matter any other
+language."
+
+"No, sir, they are scarce indeed," said Mr. Embury, "and I had no idea
+Nero was one of them until he spoke just now."
+
+"Ah, I'm afraid the power of speech will be lost by him as suddenly as
+it was found," remarked Mrs. Embury with a low, gleeful laugh.
+
+"There must certainly be a ventriloquist among us," remarked the groom,
+with a searching look at Cousin Ronald.
+
+"Ah, do you really think so, sir?" inquired Mr. Lilburn gravely, "and
+would you do me the favor to point him out?"
+
+"Well, sir, I cannot say that I am absolutely certain, but strongly
+incline to the opinion that he sits in the chair occupied by yourself."
+
+"Indeed, sir, I didna think I filled the place so ill that room could be
+found in it for another mon!" exclaimed Mr. Lilburn, again raising his
+eyebrows like one astonished, then sending a downward glance over his
+own portly person, and assuming so comical an expression of countenance
+that no one could see it without smiling or laughing outright.
+
+So fully was he absorbing the attention of all that no one noticed the
+return of Nero until words were again heard apparently issuing from his
+lips.
+
+"That was a nice morsel, master, but not enough to satisfy the appetite
+of a dog of my size; so another bit, sir, if you please."
+
+"Yes, sir, you shall have it, since you ask so politely," returned Mr.
+Embury, handing him another and larger piece of the chicken, "but carry
+it off where there will be no danger of contact with wedding finery."
+
+Nero obeyed, and as he trotted away, a voice that seemed to come from
+behind Mr. Embury, said whiningly:
+
+"I'm hungry too, sir, and surely a human creature should be treated at
+least as well as a dog."
+
+At that Mr. Embury turned suddenly round as if to see the speaker,
+nearly everyone else doing likewise, but no beggar was in sight.
+
+"Well, sir," he said, "I cannot give to an invisible suppliant; show
+yourself if you want anything."
+
+"Sir," replied the voice, now seeming to come from a clump of bushes
+near at hand, "I'm not used to begging, and don't want to be seen. Can
+you not send a servant here with a plateful of your most toothsome
+viands?"
+
+"Quite a modest request, sir," returned Mr. Embury, laughing. "But I
+think you will have to wait till the servants have more leisure; at
+present they are all fully occupied in waiting upon my guests."
+
+"But then you'll let him have something to eat, won't you, papa?"
+pleaded little Mary Embury. "You never do turn anybody away hungry."
+
+"Certainly not, little daughter; if he could be found he should be fed."
+
+"But shan't I drive him out, sir?" queried a servant man; "we doan' want
+no beggahs 'bout yar. Dey mout help deirselfs to some o' de silvah when
+nobody aint lookin'."
+
+"Well, Bill, you might drive him out; he's perhaps a tramp watching his
+opportunity to help himself."
+
+Bill, well pleased with the errand, set down with alacrity the dish he
+carried, and hurried toward the clump of bushes that apparently
+concealed the tramp. "Ki, you ole tief you!" he cried, "git long out ob
+dis; nobody doan' want yo' hyar! I'se break yo' skull fo' yo' ef ye doan
+be gone putty quick!"
+
+He pulled apart the bushes as he spoke, but instantly started back in
+astonishment and terror as he perceived that no one was concealed there.
+
+"Whar dat fellah dun gone?" he exclaimed. "Dis chile doan' see nobody
+dar nohow 'tall!"
+
+"Ha, ha! you don't look in the right place," cried the same voice that
+had begged for food a moment before, the speaker seeming to be directly
+behind him; and Bill wheeled about with unusual alacrity with the
+intention of seizing his tormentor, but turned almost white with terror
+on perceiving that no one was there.
+
+"Wha--wha--wha dat raskil done gone?" he exclaimed, "t'ot he right dar,
+an' he aint nowhar 'bout."
+
+"Never mind, Bill; it seems he has saved you the trouble of driving him
+off," said Mr. Embury, "and you may come back to your duties. More
+coffee is wanted here."
+
+Bill obeyed, but on his return with the coffee kept glancing
+apprehensively in the direction of the bushes.
+
+"I wonder where the man did go!" exclaimed little Mary presently. "I've
+been watching, and don't know how he could get away without being seen."
+
+"Beggars are sometimes very quick at hiding, little lassie," remarked
+Mr. Lilburn.
+
+"Ha, ha! so they are!" cried the voice of the beggar, sounding as though
+he stood just behind her chair.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, with a start and a backward glance. "Why, where is
+he? I don't see him at all."
+
+"Don't be frightened, daughter," Mr. Embury said in an encouraging tone.
+
+"No, bit lassie, he's not dangerous," remarked Mr. Lilburn, with a
+reassuring smile.
+
+"Oh, do you know him, sir?" she asked, looking up inquiringly into his
+face.
+
+"I didna see him," replied the old gentleman laughingly, "but judging by
+his voice I think I know who he is--a quiet, inoffensive countrymon o'
+me ain."
+
+"Ah, yes, a rather intimate acquaintance of yours, sir, is he not?"
+queried Norton, with a searching look into the face of the old
+gentleman and a half mocking smile.
+
+"I think I may have heard the voice before, sir," Mr. Lilburn replied
+with unmoved countenance. "It is not unusual for beggars to accost one
+who is by no means o' the same class as themselves. In fact, as ony body
+can see, it would be useless to ask alms o' those no richer than
+themselves."
+
+"Ah, true enough, sir!" was the reply.
+
+Meanwhile, many mirthful glances had been exchanged by
+those--particularly the young folks--acquainted with the secret of
+Cousin Ronald's peculiar talent, and the guests at more distant tables
+were looking on with a good deal of curiosity. Bill was presently
+questioned as he passed them on his way to and from the kitchen. "What
+was it you saw yonder in that bush, Bill?"
+
+"Nothin' 'tall, sah."
+
+"But you seemed frightened; you looked scared."
+
+"Dat's de reason, sah; somebody talkin' an' nobody dare."
+
+"Why, how was that, Bill?" queried another voice.
+
+"Dunno, sah; maybe witches roun'; 'spect dat de splanation ob de
+mattah."
+
+"Oh, of course," laughed the gentleman; "but one hardly expects such
+company at a wedding."
+
+Questions were put to Mr. and Mrs. Embury and others as the guests drew
+together again upon the conclusion of the meal, but no satisfactory
+answers were elicited.
+
+A reception occupied some hours after that, then all returned to their
+homes, to meet again at Viamede in the evening, where a beautiful and
+bountiful entertainment awaited them.
+
+The next evening a smaller party was given at the Parsonage, and on the
+following afternoon the bride and groom took their departure for a
+little trip northward, expecting to settle down in their own home upon
+their return.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+IT was only the next day after the departure of Betty and her husband
+that a letter was received by Mrs. Cyril Keith, informing her of the
+death of her aunt Delaford, leaving the bulk of her large fortune to
+her, and a fat legacy to each of the Conley brothers--Calhoun, Arthur,
+Walter, and Ralph--and the sisters Virginia and Ella.
+
+Isadore was well satisfied with the provisions of the will, as were the
+others also, with the exception of Virginia, who frowned and grumbled
+audibly that she herself might have been made to share equally with
+Isadore, who had a good home and husband already, therefore really
+needed less than herself, "lone and lorn, and poor as a church mouse."
+
+"But you have no children, Virgie," said her cousin Elsie, in whose
+presence the remark was made, "no one to support but yourself; and the
+interest of this money will be sufficient for your comfortable
+maintenance."
+
+"Possibly, if I had a home, as Isa has; but not without," returned
+Virginia in a pettish tone, while her eyes flashed angrily.
+
+Elsie bore patiently with the rebuff, and said no more at that time, but
+considered the matter earnestly, carefully, and prayerfully, in the
+privacy of her own room, then had a talk about it with her father,
+without whose approval she seldom took a step of any great importance.
+
+Finding him alone on the veranda, "Papa," she said, taking a seat by his
+side, "I want a few minutes' chat with you before we are joined by
+anyone else. You heard Virginia's complaint of yesterday--that she had
+no home of her own. I have been thinking it over, also of the fact that
+Dick and Bob are in the same condition, and it has occurred to me that I
+might invite them to take possession here while we are absent at our
+more northern home, giving employment to the servants, keeping the house
+in repair, and the grounds in order; that is, merely overseeing the work
+and looking to me for the means necessary to cover the expense, I to
+retain my present satisfactory overseer, and pay his wages out of the
+returns from the crops; also those of the laborers."
+
+"You mean that you would simply give a home here to your cousins?"
+returned Mr. Dinsmore interrogatively.
+
+"Yes, sir; a home without expense--except, perhaps, some small increase
+of the wages of the servants in consideration of the additional work
+made for them, and a share of the fruits, vegetables, fowls, and so
+forth, raised upon the plantation."
+
+"A share? meaning all they might want to use? the 'and so forth' I
+suppose, meaning milk, cream, butter, and eggs?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I should call it a very generous offer, and I have no objection to
+bring it forward, seeing that you are well able to afford it, if it is
+your pleasure so to do."
+
+"I am glad my project meets with your approval," she said, with a smile,
+"for otherwise, as I think you know, papa, it would never be carried
+out. Ah, how thankful I should be, and I hope I am, that I have been
+given the financial ability to do such kindness to others!"
+
+"Yes," he said, with an affectionate smile into the soft brown eyes
+looking into his; "I know of no one who enjoys doing kindness more than
+my dear eldest daughter.
+
+"What a delightful winter and early spring we have had here," he
+continued after a pause; "but it is now growing so warm that I think we
+must soon be moving northward."
+
+"Yes, sir; when the last arrivals have had a week or more of the
+enjoyment to be found in this lovely region of country."
+
+"Yes; they are enjoying it," he said, with a pleased smile; "the younger
+ones especially, the children of your brother and sister not less than
+the others. And by the way, daughter, I think you will be doing no
+little kindness to your cousins Cyril and Isadore by giving Virginia a
+home here."
+
+"Yes, I think their home life will be more peaceful," she said in
+assent. "Poor Virgie seems to be not of--the happiest or most contented
+disposition."
+
+"No, she never was," said Mr. Dinsmore; "a discontented, fretful,
+complaining creature she has always been since I have known her, and she
+was a very little child when our acquaintance began."
+
+In the course of that day Elsie's plans were made known to the Keiths,
+Virginia, and her cousins Dick Percival and his half-brother Bob
+Johnson, joyfully accepted by the two gentlemen, and half ungraciously
+by Virginia, who said complainingly, that "Viamede was a pretty enough
+place, to be sure, but would be dreadfully lonesome for her when the
+boys were away."
+
+"Then you can amuse yourself with a book from the library, a ride or
+drive, as the horses and carriages will be left here for your use and
+that of Dick and Bob," Elsie answered pleasantly, while Isadore,
+blushing vividly for her sister, exclaimed, "O Virgie, you could not
+have a lovelier, sweeter home, and I think Cousin Elsie is wonderfully
+kind to offer it!"
+
+"Of course, I'm greatly obliged to her," Virginia said, coloring
+slightly as though a trifle ashamed of her want of appreciation of the
+kind offer "and I'll not damage anything, so that the house will be none
+the worse for my occupancy, but possibly a little better."
+
+"Yes, perhaps it may," Elsie said pleasantly, "though the servants
+usually left in charge are careful about airing it and keeping
+everything neat and clean. I really think you will have no trouble with
+your housekeeping, Virgie."
+
+"That seems a pleasant prospect, for I never liked housekeeping,"
+returned Virginia, "and I really am much obliged to you, Cousin Elsie."
+
+"You are very welcome, and I hope will be happy here," was the kindly
+reply.
+
+Another fortnight of constant intercourse between the three
+places--Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and the Parsonage--of rides, drives,
+walks, sailing or rowing about on the lagoon, and every other pleasure
+and entertainment that could be devised, then the party began to break
+up, those from the north returning to their homes, most of them by rail,
+as the speediest and the most convenient mode of travel. However, Mr.
+and Mrs. Dinsmore, Evelyn, Grandma Elsie and her youngest two, Cousin
+Ronald and the Woodburn family, returned together by sea, making use of
+the captain's yacht, which he had ordered to be sent to him in season
+for the trip by the Gulf and ocean.
+
+There was no urgent need of haste, and the captain did not deny that he
+was conscious of a longing to be, for a time, again in command of a
+vessel sailing over the briny deep; besides, it would be less fatiguing
+for the little ones, to say nothing of their elders.
+
+The little girls were full of delight at the prospect of both the voyage
+and the return to their lovely homes, yet could not leave beautiful
+Viamede without deep regret.
+
+It was the last evening but one of their stay; all were gathered upon
+the veranda looking out upon the lagoon sparkling in the moonlight, and
+the velvety flower-bespangled lawn, with its many grand and beautiful
+old trees. The little ones had already gone to their nests, but Evelyn,
+Lulu, and Grace were sitting with the older people, Grace on her
+father's knee, the other two together close at hand.
+
+There had been some cheerful chat, followed by a silence of several
+minutes. It was broken by a slight scuffling sound, as of a negro's
+footstep, in the rear of Elsie's chair, then a voice said in mournful
+accents, "Scuse de in'truption, missus, but dis chile want to 'spress to
+you uns dat we uns all a'most heart-broke t'inkin' how you's gwine 'way
+an' p'r'arps won't be comin' heah no mo' till de ol'est ob us done gone
+foreber out dis wicked worl'."
+
+Before the sentence was completed every eye had turned in the direction
+of the sounds; but nothing was to be seen of the speaker.
+
+"Oh, that was you, Cousin Ronald," laughed Rosie, recovering from the
+momentary start given her by the seemingly mysterious disappearance of
+the speaker.
+
+"Ah, Rosie, my bonnie lassie, how can you treat your auld kinsman so ill
+as to suspect him of murdering the king's English in that style?"
+queried the old gentleman in hurt, indignant tones.
+
+"Because, my poor abused cousin, I am utterly unable to account in any
+other way for the phenomenon of an invisible speaker so close at hand."
+
+Cousin Ronald made no reply, for at that instant there came a sound of
+bitter sobbing, apparently from behind a tree a few feet from the
+veranda's edge, then a wailing cry, "Oh, Miss Elsie, Massa Dinsmore, and
+de res' ob you dar, doan' go for to leab dis po' chile! She cayn't stan'
+it nohow 'tall! her ole heart like to break! Doan' go way, massa an'
+missus; stay hyah wid de niggahs dat lubs you so!"
+
+"Oh, Cousin Ronald, don't!" Elsie said in half tremulous tones. "It
+seems too real, and almost breaks my heart; for I am greatly attached
+to many of these poor old men and women."
+
+"Then I think they will not distress you with any more complaints and
+entreaties to-night, sweet cousin," returned the old gentleman in
+pleasant, though half regretful tones.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+THE next day the servants were gathered on the lawn and presented with
+the parting gifts procured for them by the ladies and little girls,
+which they received with many thanks and demonstrations of delight. But
+the following morning, when the time of parting had really come, there
+were some tears shed by the old retainers, yet they were greatly cheered
+by the assurances of their loved mistress, her father, and Captain
+Raymond, that in all probability it would not be very long before the
+family would be there again for a season.
+
+The feelings of the departing ones were of a mingled character--regret
+at leaving lovely Viamede, and joy in the prospect of soon being again
+in their own sweet homes farther north.
+
+The weather was delightful, light fleecy clouds tempering the heat of
+the sun; the fields and plantations clothed in the richest verdure of
+spring; the air filled with the perfume of flowers and vocal with the
+songs of birds; then on reaching Bayou Teche they found their own yacht,
+the _Dolphin_, awaiting them.
+
+The young folks of the party greeted her with a clapping of hands and
+many another demonstration of delight, and soon all were on board, and
+she was steaming out through the bay, into the Gulf beyond, her
+passengers, from Grandpa Dinsmore down to baby Ned, grouped together on
+deck underneath an awning.
+
+"We are in the Gulf now, aren't we, sir?" asked Walter at length,
+addressing the captain.
+
+"Yes, my boy," was the pleasant toned reply; "and are there any places
+along its coast that you or any of the others would particularly like to
+see?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir; yes, indeed!" exclaimed Walter with enthusiasm. "I for
+one would like greatly to see Mobile Bay with its fort. Morgan is the
+name?"
+
+"Yes; Fort Morgan is at the extremity of Mobile Point, where Fort Bowyer
+stood in the War of 1812-14. You remember what happened there at that
+time?"
+
+"It was attacked by the British, wasn't it, sir?"
+
+"Yes; in September, 1814, by a British squadron of two brigs and two
+sloops of war, aided by a land force of one hundred and thirty marines
+and six hundred Indians, led by Captain Woodbine, who had been trying to
+drill them at Pensacola.
+
+"Florida did not belong to us at that time; the Spaniards had made a
+settlement at Pensacola in 1696, were still there at the time of our
+last war with England, and favored the British, who there, as well as in
+other parts of Florida, organized expeditions against the United States,
+the Spanish governor, though professing neutrality, evidently siding
+with and giving them aid and comfort."
+
+"And when then did we get possession of Florida, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"In July of 1821," answered the captain.
+
+"Didn't Jackson capture Pensacola at one time during that war with
+England, Captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; in the attack about which Walter was just asking, before Lafitte
+forwarded to New Orleans those documents showing how the British were
+trying to get him into their service, Jackson had perceived that the
+Spaniards were, as I have said, secretly siding with the British, and
+now, with the positive proof furnished by those papers before him, he
+squarely accused Manrequez, the Spanish governor at Pensacola, of bad
+faith.
+
+"Then followed a spicy correspondence, which Jackson closed by writing
+to the governor, 'In future I beg you to withhold your insulting charges
+against my government for one more inclined to listen to slander than I
+am; nor consider me any more a diplomatic character unless so proclaimed
+from the mouth of my cannon.'
+
+"Then he set to work to raise troops, and in a very short time had two
+thousand sturdy young Tennesseeans ready for the field.
+
+"But before these reached Mobile, hostilities had begun. Jackson himself
+went there early in August, and on his arrival perceived that an attempt
+would be made by the British to seize it as soon as their talked of
+great expedition should be ready to move.
+
+"Fort Bowyer was but a small and weak fortification; had no bomb-proofs,
+and but twenty guns, only two of them larger than twelve pounders, some
+still smaller in size.
+
+"Yet small and weak as was the fort, it was the chief defence of Mobile;
+so Jackson threw into it a hundred and thirty of his Second Regular
+Infantry, under Major William Lawrence, who was as gallant an officer as
+any in the service.
+
+"Lawrence at once made every preparation in his power to resist the
+expected attack. But before he could complete his work, on the morning
+of the 12th of September, the British Lieutenant-colonel Nichols
+appeared on the peninsula back of the fort, with, as I have said, his
+marines and Indians, the latter under the command of Captain Woodbine,
+who had been drilling them at Pensacola.
+
+"Later in the evening of the same day the four British vessels of which
+I spoke appeared in sight, and anchored within six miles of Mobile
+Point. They were a part of a squadron of nine vessels in Pensacola Bay,
+under the command of Captain Percy.
+
+"Our little garrison slept upon their arms that night. The next morning
+Nichols caused a howitzer to be dragged to a sheltered point within
+seven hundred yards of the fort, and threw some shells and solid shot
+from it, but without doing much damage."
+
+"And our fellows fired back at him, of course?" exclaimed Walter
+excitedly.
+
+"Yes, but their fire was equally harmless; but later in the day
+Lawrence's guns quickly dispersed some of Percy's men who were
+attempting to cast up intrenchments, and in the same way several light
+boats, whose men were engaged in sounding the channel nearest the fort.
+
+"The next day was occupied in very much the same way, but on the third
+the garrison perceived that an assault was to be made from both land and
+water. At two o'clock the vessels were seen approaching, and Lawrence
+called a council of officers.
+
+"All were determined to resist to the last, and if finally compelled to
+surrender, to do so only on condition that officers and privates should
+retain their arms and private property, be treated as prisoners of war,
+and protected from the savages.
+
+"The words adopted as the signal for the day were, 'don't give up the
+fort.'
+
+"At half past four the battle began, the four vessels opening fire
+simultaneously, and pouring broadside after broadside upon the fort,
+which returned a fearful fire from its circular battery.
+
+"While this was going on in front, Captain Woodbine was assailing our
+men in the rear, from behind his sand-dune, with a howitzer and a
+twelve-pounder.
+
+"So the battle raged for an hour; then the flag of the _Hermes_ was shot
+away, and Lawrence stopped firing to learn if she had surrendered; but
+the _Caron_ fired another broadside, and the fight went on with renewed
+vigor. Soon a shot cut the cable of the _Hermes_, and she floated away
+with the current, her head toward the fort, and her decks swept of men
+and everything by a raking fire from the fort.
+
+"Then the fort's flag-staff was shot away and her ensign fell, but the
+British, instead of following Lawrence's humane example, redoubled their
+fire. At the same time, Woodbine, supposing that the fort had
+surrendered, hastened toward it with his Indians, but they were driven
+back by a storm of grape-shot, and almost immediately the flag was seen
+again floating over the fort at the end of the staff to which Major
+Lawrence had nailed it."
+
+"And was that the end of the fight, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"Very nearly, if not quite," he replied. "Two of the attacking vessels
+presently withdrew, leaving the helpless _Hermes_ behind; she finally
+grounded upon a sand-bank, when Percy fired and abandoned her. Near
+midnight her magazine exploded."
+
+"I should think that was a great victory; was it not, Brother Levis?"
+queried Walter.
+
+"I think it was," the captain said. "The result was very mortifying to
+the British. It was entirely unexpected, and Percy had said that he
+would allow the garrison only twenty minutes to capitulate. It is not
+surprising that he expected to take the weak little fort, with its
+feeble garrison of one hundred and thirty, when he brought against it
+over thirteen hundred men and ninety-two pieces of artillery.
+
+"The Americans lost only eight men, one-half of whom were killed. The
+assailants lost two hundred and thirty-two, one hundred and sixty-two of
+them killed.
+
+"One result of that fight was that the Indians lost faith in the
+invincibility of the British, and many of them deserted, and sought
+safety from the anger of Jackson by concealing themselves in the
+interior of their broad country."
+
+"Papa," said Grace earnestly, "did not God help our cause because we
+were in the right?"
+
+"No doubt of it, daughter," replied the captain; "ours was a righteous
+cause, a resistance to intolerable oppression and wrong, as our poor
+sailors felt it to be when a British man-of-war would stop our
+merchantmen on the high seas and force into their service any man whom
+they choose to say was an Englishman.
+
+"But I need not enlarge upon that subject to my present audience, as I
+am convinced that you all know of and appreciate that bitter wrong.
+
+"To resume. The Americans were highly gratified with the result of the
+conflict at Fort Bowyer, and their zeal was greatly quickened for
+volunteering for the defence of New Orleans, whose citizens testified
+their appreciation of Major Lawrence's achievement by resolving to
+present him with an elegant sword in the name of their city."
+
+"Was there not a second attack by the British upon Fort Bowyer,
+Captain?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; after their defeat at New Orleans. That, you will remember, was on
+the 8th of January, 1815. They reached their fleet, lying in the deep
+water between Ship and Cat Islands, on the 29th of that month, Fort
+Bowyer on the 9th of February, and besieged it for nearly two days, when
+Major Lawrence found himself compelled to surrender to a superior force.
+That left Mobile at the mercy of the foe, but just then came the news
+of peace, concluded at Ghent nearly two months before."
+
+"But wasn't there some fighting done there or at Mobile in the Civil
+War, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; on August 5, 1864, the government forces under Farragut attacked
+the Confederate defences there, consisting principally of the two forts,
+Morgan on the eastern side of the bay, and Gaines on the western, about
+three miles apart.
+
+"A line of piles and a double one of torpedoes stretched nearly across
+from Fort Gaines to Fort Morgan, leaving only a narrow channel between
+that fort and the point of termination. It was through that channel,
+indicated by a red buoy, that blockade runners passed in and out, and
+inside of these defences lay the Confederate ironclad _Tennessee_, and
+three wooden gun-boats. It was early in the morning of that August day
+that Farragut's signal was given, for the advance of his seven sloops of
+war. The firing was heavy and destructive on both sides. But I will not
+go into particulars at this time, only saying that the result was in
+favor of the Federals; but the victory cost many lives--of Federals 335
+men, of whom 113 were drowned in the _Tecumseh_--the leading monitor,
+which had struck a torpedo and gone down--and 52 killed by shot, while
+the Confederate loss was 10 killed, 16 wounded, and 280 prisoners,
+besides the loss in the forts, which is unknown."
+
+Just at this point a passing vessel attracted the attention of the
+captain and his listeners, and the conversation was not renewed until
+after dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+IT was Mrs. Travilla, or Grandma Elsie, as Lulu and Grace called her,
+who that afternoon started the captain upon the historical sketches so
+greatly enjoyed by the younger part of the company, to say nothing of
+the older ones.
+
+"We will pass near enough to Forts Gaines and Morgan to get a view of
+them--the outside at least--will we not, Captain?" she asked, with a
+smile.
+
+"Yes, mother," he replied. "Pensacola also, whither, as I have said, the
+British went after their fruitless attack upon Fort Bowyer--now Fort
+Morgan--then occupied by the Spaniards under Manrequez, and where they
+were publicly received as friends and allies.
+
+"All that, and the revelations of Jean Lafitte concerning their attempt
+to engage him and his outlaws to help them in their contemplated attack
+upon New Orleans, kindled the hottest indignation in the minds of
+Jackson and the people of the Southwest. The general issued a
+proclamation in retort for one sent out by the British officer Nichols
+shortly before, in which he had made inflammatory appeals to the
+French, who were prejudiced against the Americans, and the Kentuckians,
+who were discontented because of a seeming neglect by their
+government--a state of things largely owing to the arts of ambitious
+politicians.
+
+"Nichols had also sent out Indian runners to excite their fellows
+against the Americans, and in that way he gathered nearly a thousand
+Creeks and Seminoles at Pensacola, where they were supplied with
+abundance of arms and ammunition.
+
+"Jackson, in his proclamation--told of all this the conduct of the
+British, and the perfidy of the Spaniards--and called upon the people of
+Louisiana to 'arouse for the defence of their threatened country.'"
+
+"And did they do it, sir?" queried Walter.
+
+"Yes; they were thoroughly roused and much excited by the threatening
+aspect of affairs, and at once set vigorously to work to prepare for
+determined resistance to the threatened invasion of their country and
+their homes.
+
+"Jackson was impatient to march on Pensacola and break up that
+rendezvous of the enemies of the United States, but it was slow work to
+get his troops together, and November had come before he had his forces
+ready for the attack.
+
+"At last, however, he had four thousand men gathered at Fort Montgomery,
+due north from Pensacola, and on the 3d of the month they marched for
+that place, some Mississippi dragoons leading the way.
+
+"On the evening of the 6th, Jackson, with his whole army, encamped
+within two miles of their destination. Major Pierre was sent to the
+Spanish governor with a flag of truce, and a message from his general
+saying that he had not come to injure the town, or make war upon a
+neutral power, but to deprive the enemies of the republic of a place of
+refuge. Pierre was also told to demand the surrender of the forts.
+
+"The British, however, were in possession of Fort St. Michael, over
+which their's and the Spanish flags had been waving together until the
+day before, and as soon as the American flag of truce was seen
+approaching, it was fired upon from the fort by a twelve-pounder.
+
+"Pierre returned to Jackson and reported these facts; then Jackson sent
+to the governor a Spaniard whom he had captured on the way, demanding an
+explanation.
+
+"The governor asserted that he knew nothing of the outrage, and promised
+that another flag should be respected.
+
+"At midnight Pierre, sent again by Jackson, called once more upon the
+governor with a proposal that American garrisons should be allowed to
+take possession of the forts until Manrequez could man them with a
+sufficient number of Spanish troops to enable him to maintain the
+neutrality of his government against violations of it by the British,
+who had taken possession of the fortresses, it seemed, in spite of the
+Spanish governor's protests, the American troops to be withdrawn as soon
+as the additional Spanish ones arrived.
+
+"The governor rejected the propositions and before dawn three thousand
+of the Americans were marching upon Pensacola. They passed along the
+beach, but the sand was so deep that they could not drag their cannon
+through it. Then the centre of their column charged gallantly into the
+town, but on reaching the principal street they were met by a shower of
+musketry from the gardens and houses, while a two-gun battery opened
+upon them with balls and grape-shot.
+
+"But Captain Laval and his company charged and captured the battery,
+when the governor quickly showed himself with a flag, and promised to
+comply with any terms offered if Jackson would spare the town."
+
+"I hope Jackson wasn't too good to him," laughed Rosie.
+
+"The surrender of all the forts was what Jackson demanded and received,"
+replied the captain. "But one, six miles away, called Fort Barancas, and
+commanding the harbor, in which the British vessels lay, was still in
+the hands of the enemy. Jackson determined to march suddenly upon it
+the next morning, seize it, turn its guns on the British vessels, and
+capture or injure them before they could escape.
+
+"But before morning the British squadron had gone, carrying with it
+Colonel Nichols, Captain Woodbine, the Spanish commandant of the fort,
+and about four hundred men, besides a considerable number of Indians;
+and before leaving they had blown up the fort.
+
+"Jackson suspected that they had gone to make another attack upon Fort
+Bowyer and the town of Mobile, so hurried away in that direction,
+leaving Manrequez angry and indignant at this treatment of himself by
+the British, and the Indians filled with the idea that it would be very
+imprudent for them to again defy the wrath of Andrew Jackson; much
+dejected and alarmed, they scattered themselves through the forests.
+
+"As for Jackson, when he reached Mobile, on the 11th of November, he
+received messages urging him to hasten to the defence of New Orleans.
+
+"He left that place on the 21st, reached it on the 2d of December--but
+of what he accomplished there I have already told you."
+
+"Yes, papa," said Lulu; "I'll never forget that interesting story. But
+do tell me, will we pass near enough to Mobile to see those forts?"
+
+"Yes," he said; then turning to Grandma Elsie, asked, "Mother, would
+you like to stop and visit the forts?"
+
+"I am willing if the rest wish it," she replied; "but otherwise would
+prefer to press on toward home, my Ion home, which, now that we have
+left Viamede fairly behind, I begin to long to see again."
+
+"That being the case I am sure no one of us will wish to stop," returned
+the captain gallantly, a sentiment at once re-echoed by Mr. Dinsmore and
+all present.
+
+"We are nearing there now, are we not, my dear?" asked Violet.
+
+"Yes; we are moving rapidly, and if all goes well may expect to see the
+forts early this evening."
+
+There was an exclamation of pleasure from several of the young people;
+then Lulu asked, "Papa, are there not some other historical places we
+shall have to pass while we are in the Gulf or after we reach the
+ocean?"
+
+"Quite a number, daughter, but we will not delay our voyage in order to
+visit them at this time."
+
+"Perhaps some other day, then?" she returned inquiringly, smiling up
+into his face as she spoke.
+
+"Very possibly," he returned, smoothing her hair with caressing hand;
+for she was, as usual, close at his side.
+
+A pause in the talk was at length broken by a remark from Cousin Ronald.
+
+"You had some great men among your Union officers, Captain, in both army
+and navy, in the days of that terrible Civil War."
+
+"We had indeed, sir," was the hearty response; "a number of them in both
+arms of the service, and none more worthy of respect and admiration than
+Farragut, who did such splendid service at both New Orleans and Mobile
+Bay, to say nothing of other places. The city of Mobile could not be
+captured as New Orleans had been, by reason of shoal water and
+obstructions in the channel, but the passage of blockade runners,
+carrying supplies to the Confederacy, was stopped, which was the main
+object of the expedition."
+
+"Yes, he did good service to his country," returned Mr. Lilburn,
+"although, if I mistake not, he was a Southerner."
+
+"He was born in Tennessee," replied Captain Raymond. "In the winter of
+1860-61 he was on waiting orders at Norfolk, Virginia, where he watched
+with intense interest the movements of the Southern States, and
+especially the effort to carry Virginia out of the Union into the
+Confederacy; and when that was accomplished he remarked that 'the State
+had been dragooned out of the Union.'
+
+"He talked very freely on the subject, and was told that a person with
+such sentiments as his 'could not live in Norfolk.' 'Well, then,' he
+replied, 'I can live somewhere else,' and that very evening left the
+place, with his wife and son. That was the 18th of April, 1861. He went
+first to Baltimore, but afterward took a cottage at Hastings-on-the-Hudson.
+
+"The next December he was summoned to Washington, and on the 2d of
+February sailed from Hampton Roads for New Orleans."
+
+"Where he certainly did splendid service to his country," remarked Mr.
+Lilburn. "I hope she appreciated it."
+
+"I think she did," returned the captain; "he received many marks of the
+people's appreciation, among them a purse of $50,000, which was
+presented him for the purchase of a home in New York City."
+
+"Did he live to see the end of the war, sir?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; he was on the James River with General Gordon when Richmond was
+taken, and on hearing the news the two rode there post-haste, reaching
+the city a little ahead of President Lincoln. A few days after that the
+naval and military officers at Norfolk, with some of the citizens who
+had remained true to the Union, gave him a public reception.
+
+"Farragut was one of the speakers, and in the course of his remarks
+said: 'This meeting recalls to me the most momentous events of my life,
+when I listened in this place till the small hours of the morning, and
+returned home with the feeling that Virginia was safe and firm in her
+place in the Union. Our Union members of the convention were elected by
+an overwhelming majority, and we believed that every thing was right.
+Judge, then, of our astonishment in finding, a few days later, that the
+State had been voted out by a miserable minority, for want of firmness
+and resolution on the part of those whom we trusted to represent us
+there, and that Virginia had been dragooned out of the Union. I was told
+by a brother officer that the State had seceded, and that I must either
+resign and turn traitor to the government which had supported me from
+childhood, or I must leave this place.
+
+"'Thank God, I was not long in making my decision. I have spent half my
+life in revolutionary countries, and I know the horrors of civil war;
+and I told the people what I had seen and what they would experience.
+They laughed at me, and called me "granny," and "croaker"; and I said,
+"I cannot live here, and will seek some other place where I can live." I
+suppose they said I left my country for my country's good, and I thank
+God I did.'"
+
+"A countryman to be proud of," remarked Mr. Lilburn.
+
+"Oh, I wish I could have seen him!" exclaimed Grace. "Papa, wasn't he a
+Christian man?"
+
+"I think so, daughter," replied the captain. "He is said to have had a
+strong religious nature and a firm reliance upon Providence, believing
+in God's constant guidance."
+
+"Do you remember," said Grandma Elsie, "those lines of Oliver Wendell
+Holmes' written in honor of Admiral Farragut, and read at a dinner given
+him, in which this passage occurs?
+
+          "Fast, fast are lessening in the light
+             The names of high renown,
+           Van Tromp's proud besom pales from sight,
+             Old _Benbow's_ half hull down.
+
+          "Scarce one tall frigate walks the sea,
+             Or skirts the safer shores,
+           Of all that bore to victory
+             Our stout old commodores.
+
+          "Hull, Bainbridge, Porter--where are they?
+             The answering billows roll,
+           Still bright in memory's sunset ray,
+             God rest each gallant soul!
+
+          "A brighter name must dim their light,
+             With more than noontide ray:
+           The Viking of the river fight,
+             The Conqueror of the bay.
+
+          "I give the name that fits him best--
+             Ay, better than his own--
+           The Sea-King of the sovereign West,
+             Who made his mast a throne."
+
+"A fine poem indeed, and with a subject worthy of all its praise,"
+remarked Cousin Ronald, as Mrs. Travilla ceased. "No wonder you are
+proud of him, cousins, for he was, as I said a moment since, one to be
+proud of; I should be proud indeed of him were he a countryman of mine."
+
+"As each one of us--his countrymen and women--certainly is," said Mr.
+Dinsmore.
+
+There was a silence of a few moments, presently broken by the captain.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I think there are few, if any, of his countrymen, who
+are not proud of our grand naval hero, Farragut; and there were others
+among our naval heroes of that day, almost, if not quite, as worthy of
+our affectionate admiration. Captain, afterward Admiral, Bailey, for
+instance, who was second in command at the taking of New Orleans,
+leading, in the _Cayuga_, the right column of the fleet of government
+vessels in the passage of Forts St. Philip and Jackson, the capture of
+the Chalmette batteries and the city.
+
+"As you probably remember, he passed up ahead of the fleet, through the
+fire of the forts, the Confederate vessels, the rams, fire-rafts,
+blazing cotton bales, and dense clouds of smoke, meeting the attacks of
+all unaided.
+
+"Also it was he who was sent by Farragut in company with only one other
+man, Lieutenant George H. Perkins, to demand the surrender of the city,
+the taking down of the Confederate flag, and the hoisting in its stead
+of the Stars and Stripes.
+
+"It certainly required no small amount of courage to pass through those
+city streets surrounded by a hooting, yelling, cursing crowd,
+threatening them with drawn pistols and other weapons.
+
+"And who can fail to admire the words of Bailey, in his official report
+of the victory: 'It was a contest of iron hearts in wooden ships against
+iron-clads with iron beaks--and the iron hearts won?'
+
+"And not less admirable was his modest behavior at a dinner given him at
+the Astor House, when called upon to reply to the toast of 'The Navy.'"
+
+"Ah, what was that, sir?" asked Mr. Lilburn, pricking up his ears.
+
+"I was reading an account of it only the other day," pursued Captain
+Raymond. "The old hero straightened himself up, and began, 'Mr.
+President and gentlemen--hem--thank ye.' Then made a long pause,
+glancing up and down the table. 'Well, I suppose you want to hear about
+that New Orleans affair?' he continued. At that there were cries of
+'Yes! yes!' and a great stamping of feet. So Bailey went on; 'Well,
+d'ye see, this was the way of it. We were lying down the river below the
+forts, and Farragut, he--he signalled us to go in and take 'em. Being as
+we were already hove short, it didn't take much time to get under way,
+so that wasn't so much of a job as ye seem to think. And then the
+engineers, they ran the ships, so all we had to do was to blaze away
+when we got up to the forts, and take 'em, according to orders. That's
+just all there was about it.' And he sat down amid thunders of
+applause."
+
+"Ah ha, um h'm, ah ha! a nice, modest fellow he must have been,"
+remarked Cousin Ronald, nodding reflectively, over his cane.
+
+The call to tea interrupted the conversation, but on leaving the table
+all gathered upon the deck again to watch the sunset, the rising of the
+moon, and for the forts, Morgan and Gaines, which they were now rapidly
+nearing, and upon which all gazed with interest as the captain pointed
+them out and the vessel steamed slowly past.
+
+"Ah, what a terrible thing is war!" sighed Grandma Elsie. "God forbid
+that this dear land should ever again be visited with that fearful
+scourge!"
+
+"Ah, I can say amen to that!" Mrs. Dinsmore exclaimed, low and
+tremulously, thinking of the dear young brothers who had fallen victims
+in that unnatural strife. "We cannot be thankful enough for the peace
+and prosperity that now bless our native land."
+
+"No; and may it ever continue," added her husband. "Her growth and
+prosperity since that fearful struggle ended have been something
+wonderful."
+
+A few moments of silence followed, the vessel moving swiftly on her way,
+and a gentle breeze fanning the cheeks of her passengers as they sat
+there placidly gazing out over the moonlit waters, then the quiet was
+suddenly broken in upon by a loud guffaw, followed by a drunken shout.
+
+"Aint I fooled ye nice, now? Ye didn't know I was aboard, capting, nor
+any o' the rest o' ye. Ye didn't guess ye'd got a free passenger aboard
+'sides that old Scotch feller a-settin' yander a-looking like he feels
+hisself as good 's any o' the rest, ef he don't pay nothin' fer his
+trip."
+
+Everyone started and turned in the direction of the sounds.
+
+"A stowaway!" exclaimed Captain Raymond. "The voice seems to come from
+the hold. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen; I must see to his case, and
+that we are secured from the danger of a visit from him, as he is
+evidently a drunken wretch," and with the words he hastened away in the
+direction of the sounds.
+
+"Ha, ha! I hear ye, capting!" shouted the voice; "but drunken wretch or
+not, I wouldn't harm a hair o' any o' yer heads. All I'm a-wantin' is a
+free passage up furder north, where I come from."
+
+"Oh, mamma, I'm so frightened! so 'fraid the bad man will hurt my dear
+papa," cried little Elsie, clinging to her mother, while tears filled
+her sweet blue eyes.
+
+"No, papa will whip de naughty mans," said Ned, shaking his baby fist in
+the direction of the sounds.
+
+"Ah ha, ah ha, um h'm! little laddie; I have no doubt your papa is
+bigger and stronger than the naughty mans," said Cousin Ronald, "and if
+he catches the good-for-nothing scamp, can whip him within an inch of
+his life."
+
+At that Walter burst into a laugh. "Now, Cousin Ronald," he said, "I'd
+not be a bit surprised to learn that you are well acquainted with that
+scamp. However, I'll run after Brother Levis to see the fun, if there is
+any, but I'm sure nobody need be one bit afraid," and with that away he
+ran.
+
+"Ah, Cousin Ronald," began Violet, laughing, the others joining in with
+her, and all entirely occupied in looking at the old gentleman, whose
+face, however, could be but indistinctly seen, as he had so placed
+himself that the moonlight did not fall fully upon it, "confess
+that----"
+
+But she got no further. A shout of drunken laughter from the other side
+of the vessel again startled them.
+
+"Ha, ha! the capting's gone in the wrong direction to catch this
+customer. But he needn't to hunt me up. I'm a real harmless kind o'
+chap, an' wouldn't hurt a hair o' any o' your heads."
+
+Again every head was turned in the direction of the sounds, but seeing
+no one they all burst into gleeful laughter, in which the captain
+presently joined, having returned from his bootless search, fully
+convinced that it need be carried no farther.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+IT was a bright, sweet May morning. _Reveille_ sounded at the Naval
+Academy at Annapolis, and with the first tap of the drum Max woke and
+sprang from his bed. He glanced from the window as he hurried on his
+clothes, and a low exclamation of surprise and delight burst from his
+lips.
+
+"What now, Raymond?" queried Hunt, who was dressing with equal
+expedition.
+
+"The _Dolphin_! the _Dolphin_!" cried Max, in a joyful, exultant tone.
+"She lies at anchor down yonder, and I haven't a doubt that I shall see
+my father and all the rest presently."
+
+"Possible? What a fortunate fellow you are, Raymond," returned Hunt,
+hurrying to the window to take a hasty peep. "Sure enough! and what a
+beauty she is, that _Dolphin_! and the captain will be here presently
+getting you leave to spend the day on board; and it being Saturday, and
+he and the commandant old friends, there'll be no trouble in managing
+it. Accept my most hearty congratulations, old fellow."
+
+"Thank you," said Max, vainly trying to suppress his excitement, for
+his affectionate, boyish heart was bounding with joy at the thought of
+presently seeing all his loved ones; most of all, the father who was to
+him the personification of all that was good, honorable, brave, noble,
+and true; the father to whom, he knew beyond a doubt, he himself was an
+object of strong parental affection and pride.
+
+"And it's fortunate for you that I'm the fellow to set the room to
+rights on this memorable occasion," continued Hunt. "I say, Raymond, I
+think you must have been born under a lucky star."
+
+"Ah, yes, old fellow," laughed Max, "I rather suspect that's what's the
+matter. But hark! what's that?" as approaching footsteps were heard in
+the hall without.
+
+A rap quickly followed. Max flew to the door and threw it open, to find
+a messenger there from the commandant requiring his presence immediately
+in the grounds below.
+
+Little doubting what awaited him, Max obeyed the summons with joyful
+alacrity, running down one flight of stairs after another till the
+lowest hall was reached, then out into the grounds, sending an eagerly
+inquiring look from side to side.
+
+Ah, yes, in the shade of a tree, yonder, a few yards from the door-way,
+stood the commandant in earnest conversation with another gentleman,
+not in uniform, but of decidedly soldierly bearing. Max recognized the
+face and form on the instant, and flew to meet him.
+
+Both gentlemen turned at the sound of the approaching footsteps.
+
+Max hastily saluted his superior officer, saying half breathlessly, "I
+am here, sir."
+
+"So I see, Raymond," was the smiling rejoinder, "and for the present I
+resign you to this gentleman's care," turning toward the captain.
+
+Max's hand was instantly clasped in that of his father, who held it fast
+and, bending down, kissed his son with ardent affection, saying, with
+emotion, and in low, earnest tones, "My boy, my dear, dear boy!"
+
+"Papa, papa!" cried Max, his voice, too, trembling with feeling and
+excitement, "I never was gladder in my life!"
+
+"I am very glad for you, Max," said the commandant, in kindly
+sympathizing tones. "And Raymond, let me assure you that the lad is
+worthy of every indulgence that could be afforded him; a more
+industrious or better behaved cadet I have never had under my care.
+Hoping to see you again in the course of the day, I bid you
+good-morning. You also, Max," and with a bow and smile he left father
+and son alone together.
+
+"So good a report of his eldest son makes your father a very happy man,
+Max," the captain said, pressing the hand he held, and gazing into the
+rosy, boyish face with eyes brimful of fatherly love and pride.
+
+"Thank you for saying it, papa," returned Max, flushing with joy; "but
+with such a father I ought to be a better and brighter boy than I am.
+But I do try, papa, and I mean always to try to honor you by being and
+doing all I know you would wish."
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it, my son," the captain said, again
+affectionately pressing the lad's hand, then letting it go; "but now I
+must return to the _Dolphin_, taking my eldest son with me if he wishes
+me to do so."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa!" cried the boy, ready to dance with delight; "but
+may I go back to my room for a moment first? I'm afraid that in my hurry
+to obey the summons of the commandant, I haven't left everything quite
+in ship shape."
+
+"Yes, go, son," replied his father; "and if your morning devotions have
+not been attended to, do not neglect them any longer. I will wait for
+you here under the trees. By the way, I am to hear your recitations for
+this morning, so you may bring the needed books with you."
+
+"Yes, sir," returned Max, and hurried away, his father looking after him
+with proudly beaming eyes till the lithe, graceful young figure
+disappeared within the door-way, then taking a morning paper from his
+pocket, he seated himself on a bench beneath a tree to await the lad's
+return.
+
+He had not long to wait; in a few minutes Max was again at his side, and
+the two were wending their way toward the row-boat that was to take them
+to the _Dolphin_, anchored some distance out in the stream.
+
+All was so still and quiet in and about the vessel that morning that her
+passengers slept later than usual, but Lulu, as generally happened, was
+one of the earliest risers, and had not been up long before she hastened
+to the deck to exchange the accustomed morning greeting with her father.
+But, to her surprise and disappointment, a hasty glance about the deck
+showed her that he was not there.
+
+"Why, what is the matter?" she said to herself. "I'm afraid papa must be
+sick, for I do not know what else would keep him in his stateroom till
+this time of day. But," with another sweeping glance from side to side,
+"we're certainly anchored; and where? Why, it looks like--yes, it is
+Annapolis!" hearing the splash of oars and catching sight of a row-boat
+with several persons in it, "for there's papa, and Max with him. Oh, oh,
+oh, how glad I am!" and with the words she ran to the side of the vessel
+and the next minute was in Max's arms.
+
+It was a very hearty embrace on the part of both, their father standing
+by and watching them with shining eyes.
+
+"O Maxie, how you have grown!" exclaimed Lulu, gently withdrawing
+herself from his embrace and scanning him with keen scrutiny from head
+to foot; "you look every inch a naval cadet."
+
+"Do I?" he queried laughingly. "Thank you, for I consider it a decided
+compliment. And you too have changed; you are taller, and look more than
+ever like papa."
+
+"O Max, you could not say anything that would please me better than
+that," she exclaimed, flushing with pleasure; "and I can return the
+compliment with interest. I think you will look exactly like our dear
+father when you are his age," turning toward the captain, and lifting
+her eyes to his full of ardent filial affection; for he was standing
+there regarding both with fatherly tenderness, and pride in their
+youthful comeliness of form and feature.
+
+"My dear, dear children!" he said, bending down to give Lulu the usual
+morning caress, "your mutual love makes me very happy. May it never be
+less than it is now!"
+
+At that moment Violet, Grace, and the two little ones joined them, and
+more hearty, loving embraces followed, all, except Violet, being as much
+taken by surprise at the sight of Max as Lulu had been.
+
+Grace almost cried with joy as Max caught her in his arms and hugged her
+close, kissing her sweet lips again and again.
+
+"I doubt," he said laughingly, as he let her go, "if there is another
+fellow at the Academy who has such sisters as mine, or such a young,
+pretty mamma, or darling baby brother and sister," kissing each in turn;
+"and," looking up into his father's face, a telltale moisture gathering
+in his eyes, "I'm perfectly certain there's not one can show a father to
+be so proud of."
+
+"Ah, my dear boy, Love is blind to defects and very keen-sighted as
+regards good and admirable qualities in those she favors," was the
+captain's answering remark.
+
+"What a surprise you have given us, papa!" exclaimed Lulu; "me at least,
+for I hadn't the least idea we were coming here."
+
+"No, but some of the rest of us knew," said Violet, with a merry little
+laugh; "your father told me of his intentions last night--as a secret,
+however, for he wanted to give you and Gracie a pleasant surprise."
+
+"And it was certainly a pleasant one to me," said Max. "Papa, thank you
+ever so much."
+
+"Did you get leave for him to stay all day, papa?" asked Lulu in a tone
+that seemed to say she hoped so with all her heart.
+
+"He will be with us through the day, except during the two hours of
+drill, which we will all go to see; also all day to-morrow," was the
+captain's reply to that, and it seemed to give pleasure to all who heard
+it: all the passengers on board, for by that time the others had come up
+to the deck, and one after another gave Max a pleased and hearty
+greeting--the older people as one they had expected to see, the younger
+with joyful surprise. They gathered about him, some of them--Walter in
+especial--with many questions in regard to the daily routine of life at
+the Academy, all of which Max answered readily and to the best of his
+ability.
+
+"Haven't you lessons to say to-day?" queried Walter.
+
+"Yes, but I'm to recite them to papa," Max replied, with a pleased,
+smiling glance into his father's face.
+
+"You may well look pleased, Max, for he's an excellent teacher, as all
+his Viamede pupils can testify," remarked Rosie demurely.
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember now that he has been teaching you all while you
+were down there," said Max. "Well, I never saw a better teacher, though
+perhaps, being his son and very fond of him, it's possible I may be a
+partial judge."
+
+"Quite possible, my boy," laughed his father, "and I think no one of my
+pupils is disposed to view me with a critic's eye."
+
+"You need not say the rest of it, papa," said Lulu, "for I'm sure you
+haven't any imperfections to be passed by."
+
+"Quite right, Lu," laughed Violet.
+
+But at that moment came the call to breakfast, a summons everyone was
+ready to obey with alacrity. They had a pleasant, social time about the
+table; the fare was excellent, appetites were of the best, and everyone
+was in fine spirits and high good-humor.
+
+Max was called upon to answer so many questions with regard to life at
+the Naval Academy, and his replies were listened to with so much
+deference, that the captain began to fear his boy might become
+insufferably conceited. Disturbed by that fear, he watched him so
+closely and with so grave an air that at length Max noticed it, and was
+much disturbed with the fear that he had unwittingly done or said
+something to hurt or displease his dearly loved father.
+
+He took the first opportunity--following the captain about the vessel,
+after breakfast and family prayers were over, till they found themselves
+alone together for a moment--to inquire, in a tone of much concern, if
+it were so.
+
+"No, my son, not at all," was the kindly reply, "but I felt a little
+anxious lest my boy should be spoiled and made conceited by being
+applied to by older people for so much information."
+
+"I hope not, papa; I know very well it was only because I've been living
+there and they haven't; and that every one of them knows far more than
+I do about many another thing."
+
+"Quite true, my son," the captain said, with a smile, adding, "and now
+you may get out your books and look over those lessons, as I shall soon
+be ready to hear them."
+
+"Yes, sir; it will be really a great treat to recite to my old tutor
+once more," returned the lad, with a look of relief and pleasure. "I am
+very glad indeed that he is not displeased with me as I feared."
+
+"Very far from it, my dear boy," was the captain's kindly rejoinder;
+"the account given me to-day by the commandant, of your conduct and
+attention to your studies, was most gratifying to my pride in my eldest
+son."
+
+Those words, and also the warm praise bestowed upon his recitations when
+they had been heard, filled the boy's heart with happiness. His father
+returned to the Academy with him at the hour for drill, but the others
+witnessed it from the deck of the _Dolphin_. At its conclusion, Captain
+Raymond and his son returned to the yacht, Max having permission to
+remain there until near ten o'clock on Sunday night.
+
+A trip up the river had been planned for the afternoon, and anchor was
+weighed and the yacht started as soon as her commander and his son had
+come aboard.
+
+All were seated upon the deck under an awning, greatly enjoying a
+delicious breeze, the dancing and sparkling of the water, and the
+distant view of the shore arrayed in the lovely verdure of spring.
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, and Mrs. Raymond sat together, busy with
+fancy work and chatting cheerily, while the younger ones had their
+drawing materials or books--except Grace, who was dressing a doll for
+little Elsie. Few of them, however, were accomplishing a great deal,
+there being so small necessity for the employment and so many things to
+withdraw their attention from it.
+
+Max speedily made his way to Mrs. Travilla's side. She looked up from
+her work, and greeted him with her sweet smile. "It is quite delightful
+to have you among us again, my dear boy," she said, taking his hand and
+pressing it affectionately in hers.
+
+"Thank you, dear Grandma Elsie," he returned, his eyes sparkling; "it is
+a great pleasure to hear you say so, though I don't know how to believe
+that you can enjoy it half so much as I do."
+
+"I am glad to hear that you do, laddie," she said brightly. "Now suppose
+we have a bit of chat together. Take that camp chair by your
+grandmother's side and tell her how you enjoy that artillery exercise
+you have just been going through."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am," said Max laughingly, as he took the seat indicated.
+"It's really delightful to be treated as a relative by so dear and sweet
+a lady, but you do look so young that it seems almost ridiculous for a
+great fellow like me to call you grandma."
+
+"Does it? Why, your father calls me mother, and to be so related to him
+surely must make me your grandmother."
+
+"But you are not really old enough to be his mother, and I am his oldest
+child."
+
+"And begin to feel yourself something of a man, since you are not called
+Max, but Mr. Raymond at the Academy yonder?" she returned in a playfully
+interrogative tone.
+
+Max seemed to consider a moment, then smiling, but blushing vividly,
+"I'm afraid I must plead guilty to that charge, Grandma Elsie," he said
+with some hesitation.
+
+"What is that, Max?" asked his father, drawing near just in time to
+catch the last words.
+
+"That I begin to feel that--as if I'm a--at least almost--a man, sir,"
+answered the lad, stammering and coloring with mortification.
+
+"Ah, that's not so very bad, my boy," laughed his father. "I believe
+that at your age I was more certain of being one than you are--really
+feeling rather more fully convinced of my wisdom and consequence than I
+am now."
+
+"Were you indeed, papa? then there is hope for me," returned the lad,
+with a pleased look. "I was really afraid you would think me abominably
+conceited."
+
+"No, dear boy, none of us think you that," said Mrs. Travilla, again
+smiling sweetly upon him. "But you have not yet answered my query as to
+how you enjoyed the artillery exercise we have just seen you go
+through."
+
+"Oh, I like it!" returned Max, his eyes sparkling. "And I don't think I
+shall ever regret my choice of a profession if I succeed in passing, and
+become as good an officer as my father has been," looking up into the
+captain's face with a smile full of affection and proud appreciation.
+
+"Now I fear my boy is talking of something that he knows very little
+about," said the captain, a twinkle of fun in his eye. "Who told you,
+Max, that your father had been a good officer?"
+
+"My commandant, sir, who knows all about it, or at least thinks he
+does."
+
+At that instant there was a sound like the splashing of oars on the
+farther side of the vessel, and a boyish voice called out, "Ahoy there,
+Raymond! A message from the commandant!"
+
+"Oh, I hope it isn't to call you back, Maxie!" exclaimed Lulu, springing
+up and following Max and her father as they hastened to that side of
+the vessel, expecting to see a row-boat there with a messenger from the
+Academy.
+
+But no boat of that kind was in sight. Could it have passed around the
+vessel? Max hurried to the other side to make sure but no boat was
+there.
+
+"Oh!" he exclaimed, with a merry laugh, "it was Mr. Lilburn," and he
+turned a smiling, amused face toward the old gentleman, who had
+followed, and now stood close at his side.
+
+"Eh, laddie! what was Mr. Lilburn?" queried the accused. "That I'm no
+down there in a boat is surely evident to all who can see me standing
+here. Are ye no ashamed to so falsely accuse an auld friend who wad
+never do harm to you or yours?"
+
+Then a voice seemed to come from a distant part of the vessel. "Ah, sir,
+ye ken that ye're known to be up to such tricks. All only to make fun
+for your friends, though, not to cause fright or harm to anyone--unless
+it might be a gambler or some other rascal."
+
+"Hear that, now, cousin!" cried Mr. Lilburn. "Somebody seems ready to do
+justice to the auld man our fine young cadet here is so ready to suspect
+and accuse."
+
+By this time all the other passengers had joined them, everybody but the
+very little ones understood the joke, and it was received with merry
+peals of laughter.
+
+To Max the afternoon and evening seemed to pass very quickly, so
+delightful was it to be once more surrounded by his dear ones, not the
+least pleasant part being a half hour spent alone with his father after
+the others had retired; he had so many little confidences that he would
+not willingly have shared with anyone else, and they were heard with so
+much evident interest, such hearty sympathy, and replied to with such
+good and kindly advice. Max was even more firmly convinced than ever
+before that such another dear, kind, and lovable father as his was
+nowhere to be found.
+
+And, by the way, the captain was almost equally sure that no other man
+had a son quite so bright, handsome, intelligent, noble, industrious,
+and in every way worthy to be the pride of his father's heart, as this
+dear lad who was his own.
+
+"God, even the God of his fathers, keep my dear boy in every hour of
+trial and temptation, and help him to walk steadily in the strait and
+narrow way that leads to everlasting life," he said with emotion when
+bidding his son goodnight. "Keep close to the dear Master, my son, ever
+striving to serve and honor him in all your words and ways, and all will
+be well with you at the last."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+THE captain, Max, and Lulu were all three early on deck the next
+morning--as lovely a May morning as ever was seen. The sun had but just
+showed his face above the horizon when Lulu mounted the companion-way to
+the deck, but she found her father and brother already there, sitting
+side by side, both looking very happy and content.
+
+"Good-morning, papa and Max," she said, hurrying toward them.
+
+The salutation was returned by both in cheery, pleasant tones.
+
+"I thought I'd be the very first on deck; but here you both are before
+me," she added as she gained her father's side.
+
+"But pleased to have you join us," he said, drawing her to a seat upon
+his knee. "A sweet Sabbath morning, is it not? And how did my little
+girl sleep?"
+
+"As well as possible, thank you, papa. It is much cooler here than at
+Viamede now, and a delightful breeze came in at the window. But I almost
+always sleep well, and that is something to be thankful for, isn't it?"
+
+"It is, indeed," he responded. "May my dear eldest daughter never be
+kept awake by the reproaches of a guilty conscience, cares and
+anxieties, or physical distress; though that last I can hardly hope she
+will escape always until she reaches that blessed land where 'the
+inhabitant shall not say, I am sick.'"
+
+"Yes, sir," she said, "I ought to be very thankful that I am so healthy;
+I hope I am; but any kind of physical pain I have ever been tried with
+is far easier for me to bear than the reproaches of a guilty conscience.
+I can never forget how hard they were to endure after I had hurt dear
+little Elsie so because I was in a passion."
+
+"I can't bear to think of that time," said Max; "so let us talk of
+something else. The view here is lovely, is it not, papa?"
+
+"Oh," cried Lu in surprise, "we are at anchor again in the river at
+Annapolis, aren't we, papa?"
+
+"Yes; I brought you all back here in the night, to spend the Sabbath. I
+think we will go into the city to church this morning, and have some
+religious exercises on the vessel this afternoon and evening."
+
+"Oh, I like that plan, papa," said Max, "especially the afternoon part,
+for I am really hungry for one of those interesting Bible lessons with
+you for my teacher."
+
+"Yes, Maxie, I pity you that you can't share them with Gracie and me
+every Sunday," said Lulu. "Papa, won't you give us--Max and Gracie and
+me--a private Bible lesson all to ourselves after the service for the
+grown folks, sailors and all, has been held, just as you used to do when
+we were all at home at Woodburn?"
+
+"Quite willingly, if my children wish it; indeed, it is what I had
+contemplated doing," replied the captain; "for we cannot better employ
+the hours of the holy Sabbath than in the study of God's Word, which he
+has given us to be a 'lamp to our feet and a light to our path' that we
+may journey safely to that happy land where sin and sorrow are unknown.
+
+"Never forget, my children, that we are but strangers and pilgrims upon
+this earth, only passing through it on our way to an eternal home of
+either everlasting blessedness or never ending woe--a home where all is
+holiness, joy, peace, and love, or to that other world of unending
+remorse and anguish, 'the blackness of darkness forever.'"
+
+"It is very difficult to keep that always in mind, papa," said Max. "I
+hope you will often ask God to help us--me especially--to remember it
+constantly, and live, not for time, but for eternity."
+
+"I do, my dear boy; there is never a day when I do not ask my heavenly
+Father to guard and guide each one of my dear children and give them a
+home with him at last. But we must all strive to enter in at the strait
+gate, remembering the warning of Jesus, 'Strait is the gate, and narrow
+is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.'"
+
+Violet joined them at that moment, then the rest of the party, one after
+another. Then came the call to breakfast; and soon after leaving the
+table, and the holding of the regular morning service on the vessel,
+nearly everyone went ashore and to church.
+
+At the close of the exercises there, they returned to the _Dolphin_,
+dined, a little later assembled under the awning on the deck, and being
+presently joined by the greater part of the crew, another short service,
+consisting of the reading of the Scriptures, with explanatory remarks,
+prayer, and the singing of hymns, followed.
+
+After that, the captain took his three older children aside and gave
+them, as in the dear old times at Woodburn, a Bible lesson, in which
+they were free to ask of him as many questions as they would.
+
+"Papa," said Grace, "I was reading in Isaiah this morning this verse,
+'Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a
+foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure
+foundation.' Does it mean the dear Lord Jesus, papa?"
+
+"Yes, daughter; in both the Old and New Testaments Christ Jesus is
+called a Foundation. The foundation of a building is the part that
+supports all the rest; and that Jesus is to all his Church, his people.
+He is the foundation of all the comforts, hopes, happiness of the
+Christian; the foundation of the covenant God has made with his Church;
+the foundation of all the sweet and precious promises of God's Word; a
+sure foundation on which his people may securely rest, knowing that he
+will never deceive, fail, or forsake anyone who trusts in him. He is the
+only Saviour, the head of the Church, the only Mediator between God and
+man.
+
+"We are not to look too much to our feelings, doings, prayers, or even
+our faith, but on the finished work of Christ. We can have assurance of
+hope, but must attain to it by resting upon God's word of promise,
+remembering that it is Christ's righteousness which God accepts, not
+ours, so imperfect, so unworthy of mention.
+
+"In that way only can we have peace and safety, for our own
+righteousness is but as filthy rags, exceedingly offensive in the sight
+of God, who is 'of purer eyes than to behold sin, and cannot look upon
+iniquity,' so utterly abhorrent is it to his holy nature.
+
+"The Bible tells us, 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
+life; he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath
+of God abideth on him.'"
+
+"Papa," said Grace, low and feelingly, "those are dreadful words, 'the
+wrath of God abideth on him.'"
+
+"They are indeed," he said. "The one great question is, 'Do you believe
+on the Son of God?' There in Egypt, when God sent those plagues upon
+Pharaoh and his people, it was not the feelings of the Israelites that
+saved them, but the blood on the door-posts, symbolizing the blood of
+Christ, which would in future ages be offered to satisfy the demands of
+God's broken law; and it was when he saw that blood that the angel
+passed over, harming them not.
+
+"The scape-goat too, was a type of Christ bearing the sins of the people
+away into the wilderness; if our sins are laid on Jesus they will come
+no more into remembrance before our righteous Judge, but covered with
+the beautiful robe of his righteousness, God will treat us as if it were
+our very own. Ah, my beloved children, it is the dearest wish of your
+father's heart that each one of you may have that righteousness put upon
+you!"
+
+A slight pause; then Grace said in low, clear, and joyous tones, "Papa,
+I think we have. I feel that I do love Jesus and trust in him, and so do
+Max and Lulu, I believe."
+
+"I do," said Max with feeling. "I know I am very, very far from
+perfect, but I do desire above everything else to be a follower of
+Jesus, and known as such; to live near him, and honor him in all my
+words and ways."
+
+"My boy, nothing could have made me happier than that confession from
+your lips," his father said with emotion. "And it is no less a joy of
+heart to me to know that my dear little Grace is a follower of Jesus."
+He drew her nearer as he spoke, then turned loving, questioning eyes
+upon Lulu.
+
+"Papa," she said in tremulous tones, "I--I feel that I am not worthy to
+be called one of Jesus' disciples, but I do love him, and long to grow
+in likeness to him. I do ask him very, very often to take away all the
+evil that is in me, and make me just what he would have me to be."
+
+"And he will hear your prayer, he will grant your petition," her father
+replied in moved tones. "Oh, my dear children, your father's heart is
+full of thankfulness that he has reason to hope and believe that you are
+all true followers of the blessed Master, and that we may all live and
+love together, not in this world only, but also in the next."
+
+To Max that delightful day and evening seemed very short. He was
+surprised when his father, glancing at his watch, said, "It is half past
+nine, my son. Say good-night and good-by to your friends here, for we
+must go back to the Academy. It need not be a very sad parting," he
+added, with a smile, "as you may expect to see some, if not all, of us
+next month, at the time of the commencement exercises."
+
+"Thank you, papa; that is good news," said the lad, his countenance
+brightening very much, "for it is the greatest treat to a fellow to see
+home folks once in a while."
+
+"I know that, my boy. I haven't forgotten the feelings of a cadet, which
+are pretty much like those of other lads."
+
+The farewells were quickly spoken, father and son entered the waiting
+row-boat, and in a few minutes were at the Academy.
+
+Captain Raymond bade his son good-by at the door, reminding him in
+cheerful tones that he might hope to see him, and perhaps the entire
+Woodburn family, again in a few weeks.
+
+With that pleasant prospect in view, Max went to his room in excellent
+spirits. He found Hunt already there.
+
+"Hello, Max! glad to see you back again," he exclaimed in a tone of
+hearty good-will. "Had a royal time of it, I suppose?"
+
+"Delightful!" cried Max gayly; "and the best of it is that my father
+holds out the prospect of another visit from our whole family at the
+time of the June commencement, which you know is not so very far off."
+
+"Well, I must say you're a lucky dog, Raymond," returned Hunt. "I wish I
+had the same prospect of seeing my folks; but they're too far off, and
+money's too scarce."
+
+Violet was alone on deck when her husband returned to the yacht, the
+others having retired to the cabin or their state-rooms.
+
+"Waiting for me, love?" he asked, as he stepped to her side and passed
+an arm round her waist.
+
+"Yes," she said; "the air is so pleasant here, and I thought it would be
+really delightful for us two to have the deck entirely to ourselves for
+a while."
+
+"Nothing could be pleasanter to me, dearest," he said, giving her his
+arm and beginning a leisurely promenade.
+
+"And you have left Max at the Academy again?" she said interrogatively.
+"How manly he grows, the dear fellow! and so handsome; he's a son to be
+proud of, Levis."
+
+"So his father thinks," returned the captain, with a low, happy little
+laugh. "My dear boy is one of God's good gifts to me."
+
+"And how evidently he admires and loves his father--as he well may, I
+think. He grows more and more like you in looks, too, Levis. I can
+imagine that at his age you were just what he is now."
+
+"No, my dear; if I am not much mistaken he is both a handsomer and a
+better lad than his father was at the same age."
+
+"Doubtless not half so conceited and vain as his father was then or is
+now," she returned, with her low, sweet silvery laugh. "There must have
+been a vast improvement, however, before I had the happiness of making
+his acquaintance."
+
+"Max's?" he queried with mock gravity.
+
+"The acquaintance of Max's father, sir," she replied demurely. "I have
+known the captain now for five years, and can truly say I have never
+seen him show such vanity and conceit as you are pleased to charge him
+with, or at least to say were once among his attributes; and I will not
+have him slandered, even by you."
+
+"Very well, then, let us change the subject of discourse."
+
+"Agreed. How soon do we leave Annapolis to pursue our homeward way?"
+
+"A little after midnight, if that plan suits my wife's wishes."
+
+"Entirely. But you are not going to remain on deck till then?"
+
+"Probably. I feel no inclination for sleep at present, and the air
+outside here is, as you remarked a moment since, delightful."
+
+"Especially when enjoyed in such good company, I presume?"
+
+"Yes, that makes a vast difference, of course, yet I can hardly ask you
+to stay very long with me; cannot have the cruelty to rob my heart's
+best treasure--my young and lovely wife--of her beauty sleep."
+
+"What a gallant speech!" she laughed; "it surely deserves the reward of
+at least another half hour of her delectable society. Ah, my best and
+dearest of husbands," she added in a more serious tone, "there is
+nothing else in the world I so keenly enjoy as these rare times when I
+can have you all to myself."
+
+"Yet I cannot believe they are ever more enjoyable to you than to me, my
+love," he returned; "sweet as your society was to me in the days of our
+courtship, it is, I think, even sweeter now. And I hope mine is not less
+enjoyable to you."
+
+"Indeed, no," she said earnestly; "you seem to grow dearer and more
+lovable every day that we live together; a blessing far, far beyond my
+deserts. Oh, I can never cease to marvel that I have won so great a
+prize in the matrimonial lottery."
+
+"It is wondrous strange," he returned, with a happy laugh, "that a
+young, beautiful girl, belonging to one of the very best families in the
+land, and who might have had her pick and choice among its most
+desirable matches, should have been able to secure a middle-aged widower
+with three children. You may well wonder at so great good fortune
+falling to your lot, lady mine," with a strong emphasis upon that last
+word.
+
+"Ah, my husband, you could hardly bestow upon me a sweeter name than
+that," she said softly, and with a bright, winsome look up into his
+face. "It is so sweet to belong to you, and to have you belong to me.
+And then our darling children are such treasures."
+
+"Yes; our two dear babies."
+
+"Ah, yes; but I meant to include the others also; for I surely may claim
+now that even Lulu loves me, not as a mother exactly, but as a dear
+older sister."
+
+"Yes, I am certain of it, dearest," he said in tones expressing
+heart-felt happiness; "she shows it in many ways, and however many and
+serious her faults may be, hypocrisy and deceit are not among them."
+
+"No, indeed! I never knew anyone more perfectly free from those
+faults--so perfectly open and candid. I am sure that if her life were in
+peril she would not be deceitful or untrue in order to save it."
+
+"Thank you, my love," he said with emotion. "I share that belief, and it
+has been a great consolation to me when sorely distressed by her very
+serious faults."
+
+"But she is overcoming those under her father's wise and affectionate
+training."
+
+"I think she is," he said; "she is certainly struggling hard against
+them, though the training you speak of, has, I fear, been far from
+faultless."
+
+"Ah, you have not so much confidence in her father's wisdom as I have,"
+returned Violet, with a smile and a look up into his face which
+expressed a world of loving appreciation.
+
+The conversation then turned upon other themes not unsuited to the
+sacredness of the day; they seated themselves and sang a hymn or two
+together, then Violet went below and sought her berth, to be followed an
+hour later by her husband.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+THE next morning the _Dolphin's_ passengers, on awaking, found her
+speeding on her homeward way. No one regretted it, for all were full of
+joy at the thought of seeing home again, delightful as had been their
+sojourn at lovely Viamede and on the vessel.
+
+It was still early in the day when they reached their wharf, but
+carriages from Ion, Fairview, and Woodburn were in waiting, conveyances
+for the luggage also, and in a very short time they had left the city
+behind, and were whirling rapidly over the familiar road toward the
+loved homes they had left some months before--a happy company, the
+younger ones full of mirth and gayety.
+
+The grounds belonging to each estate were looking their loveliest, and
+the returning travelers were greeted with the warmest of welcomes. Zoe
+and Edward had reached Ion some days in advance of the others, and seen
+to it that everything there was in perfect order, while at Woodburn such
+matters had received careful attention from Christine and Alma.
+
+"Welcome home, my love," the captain said to his wife as the carriage
+turned in at the great gates. "And you too, my darlings," addressing his
+children. "Is it almost as lovely here as at Viamede?"
+
+"Oh, yes; yes, indeed, papa!" they responded, baby Ned adding, "Oh, me
+so blad to det home adain."
+
+Then a joyous bark was heard, and Prince, Max's dog, came bounding to
+meet them.
+
+"Oh, dere our big doggie Prince!" cried Ned, with a joyous laugh, and
+clapping his chubby hands. "Maxie dere too, papa?"
+
+"No, Neddie boy; we have left Brother Maxie behind at Annapolis,"
+answered his father; then as the carriage came to a standstill, he threw
+open the door, exclaiming, "Home at last!" sprang to the ground, and
+proceeded to hand out wife and children.
+
+"Yes," said Violet, who, as well as the children, had been gazing with
+delight upon the grounds from the carriage window, "and I for one am as
+glad as I was to see Viamede on our arrival there. How very lovely
+everything is looking! Ah, Christine and Alma," as the two came hurrying
+out to greet the returned travellers, "I hope you are well? What good
+care you have taken of everything in our absence."
+
+"Thanks, Mrs. Raymond; it is very kind in you to notice it; and we are
+delighted to see you all at home again," the two women returned,
+smiling with pleasure over the arrival and Violet's appreciative words,
+to which the captain added his hearty commendation, and the children
+glad, warm greetings.
+
+Prince's actions, in the meantime, told the same story of his feelings;
+he was fawning upon one and another, capering about and wagging his tail
+with many a joyous bark that seemed to say, "I am very glad, very happy
+to see you all here again," and receiving much loving stroking and
+patting in return.
+
+The servants, too, came crowding about, with smiling faces and
+exclamations of joy and thankfulness. "Bress de Lawd yous all safe home
+agin!" "We's pow'ful glad to see you, cap'n, Miss Wi'let, an' all ob de
+chillens!"
+
+"Dis chile 'specs yo's pow'ful hungry, Miss Wi'let an' de res'; but de
+dinnah's 'mos' ready fo' to dish up," remarked the cook.
+
+"Oh, we are not starving, by any means, Aunt Judy," returned Violet. "We
+had an excellent and abundant breakfast on board the _Dolphin_, and it
+is hardly the regular dinner hour yet."
+
+"And oh, papa, mayn't we run about everywhere and look at everything?"
+asked Lulu and Grace half breathlessly.
+
+"Certainly, daughters," he replied, smiling affectionately into the
+eager upturned faces, "though as dinner is so nearly ready, I think it
+might be well to first take off your hats and make yourselves neat for
+the table; then keep within doors until after the meal."
+
+"Oh, yes, sir," cried Lulu, "and there is no place we want to see more
+than our own rooms. So come, Gracie, let's hurry up there. Hark! there's
+my Polly screaming 'Lu! Lu!' She seems to know I've got home. Who can
+have told her? And where's your kitten?"
+
+"Here," returned Gracie; "don't you see I've got her in my arms? and I
+do believe she's glad to see me. Oh, you pretty pet! I often wanted to
+see you while I was away."
+
+They were hurrying up the stairs while they talked, and presently
+reached their own little sitting room. "Oh!" they cried in a breath,
+"how sweet and lovely it does look!" Then they made a hasty circuit of
+Lulu's bedroom and the little tower room opening into it, exclaiming
+again and again at the beauty of the furnishings, as though they had
+never seen them before, and the extreme neatness which attested the good
+housekeeping of Christine.
+
+Last of all they entered Grace's bedroom, to find its appearance quite
+as inviting as that of the others.
+
+"How sweet it does look, Lu!" exclaimed Grace. "Oh, I do think we have
+just the sweetest home, as well as the dearest, kindest father in the
+whole world!"
+
+"Of course we have," returned Lulu. "I'd a thousand times rather be his
+child than any king's daughter."
+
+"Would you, indeed, my dear child?" asked a familiar voice close behind
+her, while a kind hand was laid upon each shoulder. "Well, my darlings,
+contentment is better than wealth, and most assuredly your father would
+not exchange you for any king's daughters, or the children of any other
+man."
+
+As he spoke he bent down to press a fatherly kiss upon Lulu's lips, then
+putting an arm round Grace, caressed her in like manner.
+
+"Now make yourselves neat for the dinner-table, daughters," he said,
+"and after the meal, if you wish you may spend the whole afternoon in
+going over the house and grounds."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa," they exclaimed, looking full of delight.
+
+"Lu! Lu!" called Polly from the sitting room, "what you 'bout? Polly
+wants a cracker."
+
+"O Polly, I beg your pardon; but you have been so quiet ever since I
+came in that I really forgot all about you," laughed Lulu, running
+toward the cage, followed by her father and Grace. "So you want a
+cracker, do you?"
+
+"You shall have it, Polly," the captain said, opening the door of a
+small cupboard where things of that sort were wont to be kept. "Yes,
+here is a paper of them," taking one out and handing it to the parrot,
+who promptly took it in one claw, and, standing on the other foot, began
+biting off bits and disposing of them with a comically serious air and
+evident enjoyment.
+
+Just then the little ones came running in, eager to see Polly and hear
+her talk. But she was too much absorbed with her cracker to vouchsafe
+them a single word.
+
+"Is mamma ready for dinner, Elsie?" the captain asked presently.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Violet's own voice from the doorway; "and there is
+the bell."
+
+"Then we will go down at once," said the captain, picking up Elsie and
+Ned, and following his wife down the stairs, Lulu and Grace bringing up
+the rear.
+
+The diningroom looked very attractive as they entered it; there was
+perfect neatness and order, vases of freshly cut flowers stood here and
+there, delighting the senses with their beauty and fragrance, and
+forming a lovely decoration for the table, which presented a most
+inviting appearance thus ornamented and set out with delicate china,
+snowy damask, and glittering cut glass and silver ware.
+
+Everyone regarded it with evident satisfaction, Violet saying gayly,
+"After all, my dear, can any lovelier or better place be found than
+this--our own sweet home?"
+
+"There is no dearer spot on earth to me, my love," he answered, with a
+smile that spoke fond affection, and delight in her appreciation of his
+efforts for her happiness and enjoyment.
+
+"I think no place on earth could be more beautiful than Viamede,"
+remarked Lulu; "but this is more charming because it is our very own."
+
+"Yes," chimed in Grace, "papa's and mamma's and ours. It is ever so good
+in you, papa, to let us own it too."
+
+"Ah?" he returned laughingly, "but that is because I own you, you know."
+
+He had lifted baby Ned to his high chair, and now all seated themselves
+and the blessing was asked.
+
+They were a lively, happy little dinner-party, the children allowed a
+share in the conversation.
+
+"Papa," asked Grace at length, "are we to begin lessons to-morrow?"
+
+"No," he replied, "I will give you two days to run about and see
+everything here, at Ion, Fairview, the Oaks, and so forth. Then you must
+settle down to work and be very good and industrious if you want to be
+of the Annapolis party in June."
+
+"Oh, that will be so delightful, papa, and we do intend to be as good
+and industrious as possible!" she exclaimed, Lulu adding, "I am sure I
+do, and if I should deserve punishment, papa," she went on in an
+undertone hardly audible to anyone but him, for as usual she was seated
+close at his right hand, "please do make it something else than being
+left at home."
+
+"I have little fear of being compelled to punish you in that way or any
+other, daughter," he replied, giving her a loving look.
+
+"Thank you, dear papa; it is so kind in you to say that; and Gracie and
+I do just love to belong to you," raising her voice a little, "Don't we,
+Gracie?"
+
+"I do, I'm sure," returned Grace, with a loving smile up into her
+father's face.
+
+"Well, what shall we do this afternoon?" queried Violet. "I for one feel
+inclined to go all over the house and grounds, to look at every dear,
+familiar spot."
+
+"Well, my dear, then that is what we will do," responded her husband;
+"and the children may go with us or refrain, as they please," with a
+smiling glance from Lulu to Grace, which both answered with an eagerly
+expressed desire to accompany him and Violet; Grace adding, "But I do
+want to see Elf and Fairy more than anything else."
+
+"Well, dear child," said her father, "they are disporting themselves
+out yonder in the meadow, and you may run out to look at and pet them as
+soon as we leave the table, if you wish."
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa, that is just what I'd like to do!" she replied.
+
+"And I think all the rest of us will be glad to go with you," said
+Violet.
+
+Ned, however, presently began to nod, and had to be carried away to his
+crib before the others were quite ready to leave the table.
+
+"I think Elsie, too, looks as if she would enjoy a nap more than
+anything else," remarked the captain, with a kind look at his youngest
+daughter, who seemed to be very nearly nodding over her plate.
+
+"Oh, no, papa!" she said straightening up and opening her eyes very
+wide; "please, I want to see the ponies first."
+
+"Very well, so you shall, and the nap can come afterward," he returned
+in an indulgent tone.
+
+"Then, as we are all done eating, shall we not go at once, my dear?"
+asked Violet.
+
+"I think it would be well to do so," he returned. "Put on your hats,
+children, and we will go."
+
+Elf and Fairy seemed glad to see their young mistresses, who stroked,
+patted, and fed them with bits of sugar. The next thing was to explore
+every nook and corner of the grounds, which to them all looked lovelier
+than ever.
+
+Then they returned to the house, little Elsie willingly submitted to
+being laid in her crib, for she was very sleepy, and the captain,
+Violet, Lulu, and Grace went over the whole house, finding it in
+beautiful order, and saying to each other that it seemed a sweeter home
+than ever.
+
+By that time there were callers from Ion, the Oaks, Roselands, and the
+Laurels, those from Ion bringing the news that Grandma Elsie invited all
+to a family reunion to be held at her home on the afternoon and evening
+of the next day. An invitation that every member of the Woodburn family
+was glad to accept.
+
+"Ah, Brother Levis," said Rosie coaxingly, "you surely will not be so
+unkind as to require lessons of us to-morrow?"
+
+"No, little sister, to-morrow and the next day may be given up to
+amusement; but after that I shall hope and expect to have some very
+industrious pupils."
+
+"As you certainly shall," she replied, with a grave, emphatic nod; "I am
+glad of the promised holiday; duly grateful for it, too, as I presume
+all your scholars are."
+
+"Yes, yes, indeed we are, sir!" was the hearty response from Evelyn and
+Walter, Lulu and Grace adding, "And so are we, papa."
+
+The callers left early, declining an invitation to stay to tea; the
+family partook of their evening meal; Grace and the little ones, wearied
+with their journey, the excitement of the homecoming, and seeing so much
+company, went early to bed; an errand took the captain into the village
+for a short season, and Violet and Lulu were left for an hour or more to
+each other's society.
+
+They were on the veranda together, pacing slowly back and forth, each
+with an arm about the other's waist.
+
+"Oh, Mamma Vi, isn't it just delightful to be at home again?" exclaimed
+Lulu.
+
+"Yes, indeed! when the home is such an one as ours, and with such a man
+as your father at the head of affairs," returned Violet. "Lu dear, I'm
+so glad that you and all his children love him as you do, though really
+I do not see how any one of you could help it."
+
+"Nor do I, Mamma Vi; and I'm very glad that you love him so too; that
+makes me love you even better than I could if you didn't appreciate him
+so highly. But we can't love him so dearly without loving one another;
+can we?"
+
+"No, certainly not; I am very fond of all five of his children as well
+as of their father," Violet replied, with her low, sweet laugh.
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. Inconsistent hyphenation
+was retained.
+
+Page 27, "suceeeded" changed to "succeeded" (Rennie succeeded in)
+
+Page 76, "surrrender" changed to "surrender" (would not surrender the)
+
+Page 77, "mutined" changed to "mutinied" (them mutinied, spiked)
+
+Page 80, "confederates" changed to "Confederates" (drove the
+Confederates)
+
+Page 81, "quantites" changed to "quantities" (Great quantities of
+cotton)
+
+Page 82, "strips" changed to "stripes" (by the stars and stripes)
+
+Page 94, "sufficent" changed to "sufficient" (sufficient cause for)
+
+Page 102, "Ganesvoort" changed to "Gansevoort" (delivered to Gansevoort)
+
+Page 133, "whereever" changed to "wherever" (for herself wherever)
+
+Page 140, "y" changed to "by" (profit by so doing)
+
+Page 146, "he" changed to "be" (would be back)
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE AT VIAMEDE***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 32225.txt or 32225.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/2/2/32225
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/32225.zip b/32225.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a07b7b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/32225.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c1fb88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #32225 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/32225)
author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 19:57:14 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 19:57:14 -0700
commit	a8312d7c17687003df91a416c93e951ce6edbaaf (patch)
tree	5089d78f6c20e576250be97615779b490e979b5a