2
lic imc0, Hew SJIoomftcli), pa.
flfdtOltS.
3?
The fullowiiiff curious "Incident of
the War," by Mr. IJrct Harto, which was
tirst published in 1HGH, in a California
paper, and is now having a second run
through the general press, will bo'accepted
by the author's great army of admirers as
a thorough contribution to the. amuse
ment of the holiday season. Its represen
tation of tho farmer's incorrigible eager
ness to anticipate the "aged stranger's"
fancied tidings from tho battle-field whero
his son is engaged, anil of tho stranger's
repeated attempts to complete his sen
tence, has a ludicrousness of suggestion
admirably climaxed by the dramatic re
action of the last stanza :
"I was with Grant," the stranger said :
Said tlic farmer : " Say no more,
ltnt rest thee liere at my cottage porch,
For thy feet are weary and sore."
"I was with Grant" the strangersald ;
Said the farmer : "Nay no more
t prithee sit at my frugal board,
And eat of my humble store.
"How fares my liny my soldier liny.
Of the old Ninth Army Corps !
I warrant lie bore him gallantly
In the smoke and the battle's roar."
" I know lilm not," said the aged man,
"And, as I remarked before,
"I was with Grant" "Nay, nay, I know,"
Said the farmer, "Say no more j"
" He fell In battle I see alas t
Thou dids.t smooth these tidings o'er
Nay ; speak the truth, whatever It be,
Though It rend my bosom sore.
" How fpll he ; with his face to the foe,
1'pholding the flag lie bore ?
) I say not that my boy disgraced
The uniform that he wore I"
"1 cannot tell," said the aged man,
"And should have remarked, before.
That I was with Grant In Illinois
Sum three yean before the tear.
The farmer spake him never a word.
But neat with his list full soro
That aged man w ho had worked for Grant
Some three years beforo the war.
Nora's Dream.
rilUK bright Hunsliino of a pleasant
I June morning played merrily among
the branches of the tall oaks that sur
rounded the fine old country mansion of
Mr. Overing ; drank up the dowdrops
from the nol't grass, and beneath the win
dows. Hut it did not penetrate into tho
dwelling, for every door was closed, and
every window darkened, as if to shut out
the gladness of that lovely morning from
the sorrowing inmates
And in one of the darkest of the
many darkened rooms, Nora Overing
walked the floor and wrung her hands in
grief, for in the largo old dining room
below lay the corpse of her murdered
father ; and Oscar iStover, to whom she
had given her heart and pledged hor hand,
was suspected of the cruel deed.
A young man of about twenty-live,
whose brown hnir und eyes closely resem
bled Nora's, entered tho room, and with
only a good morning to the young lady,
seated himself beside Mrs. Overing, and
after inquiring after her health, request
ed to know her wishes in regard to many
little matters relating to tho funeral.
" You must do as you think best about
everything, Arthur, you know 1 have no
one but you to look to for assistunee,
now," she replied mournfully.
" Forgive me for troubling you, aunt,
but Moreton wishes to leave, and I did
not like to consent to his doing so with
out consulting you. Homo friend or rel
ative, I believe, he is dying and wishes to
go at once.
" Do as you think best in all things,"
was Mrs. Overing's only response.
" Have you seen Oscar?" said Nora,
advancing and speaking for the first time
sinco her cousin had entered the room.
" I havo not, nor do 1 expect to," he
replied.
" Then you believe this cruel charge j"
and she turned coldly away ami continued
her walk.
" I cannot say wliat 1 believe, my dear
cousin." lie said, arresting her steps and
taking her hand gently in his own, ; but
Oscar is Buspcetcd, and though the evi
dence before tho coroner was not sufll
eient to warrant an arrest, there are very
many who believe him guilty of tho act."
Arthur Daltou was tho nephew of Mrs.
Overing, and sinco his sixth year had
been an inmate of tho family, and re
ceived from her tho tender care of a
mother. His wayward mood-i when a
child, and reckless expenditure of prop,
erty as he grew to manhood, sometimes
drew a stern rebuke from Mr. Overing,
but from his aunt h4 had never received
an unkind word or a reproach of any
kind. He and Oscar had been rivals for
tlic hand of Nora, and his aunt was great
ly disappointed when she found that ho
was not the favored suitor.
With Mr. Overing, Oscar had been a
favorite, until a few days before tho old
gentleman's untimely end, when his man
ner underwent so great a change that the
young niun, believing thut some unkind
' person was endeavoring to creato a mi s
nnderstauding between them, had sought
k an explanation, unfortunately upon the
very afternoon of tho murder.
Something having occurred in the mor
ning which ruffled the temper of Mr.
Overing, he did not listen with inueh pa
tienee to the young man's desire for. an
explanation, and some unpleasant words
had passed, which, being overheard by u
servant were repented at tho inquest, in I
such nn cxagcratcd and distorted manner
that Oscar scarcely recognized his own
expressions.
Tho funeral over, Miss Overing urged
upon her daughter tho impropriety of
again seeing Oscar.
" 15ut mother, I fool as certain of his
innocenco as I do of my own, and now,
when all look coldly and suspiciously up
on him, would you havn mo desert liim
also?
" If 1 understand tho matter rightly,
circumstances arc against him," said Mrs.
Overing, " he was the last person seen
with your father, and the only one with
whom ho had any misunderstanding."
" Tho last person seen with him ; but
seen here in the house. t is true that
somo unpleasant words passed between
them, but Oscar einiio directly to ino,nnd
acquainted me with the circumstance.
My father left the house while we were
talking, passed down tho road, and was
out of sight before Oscar loft. Ho must
have turned into tho woods, for his body
was found there, and O.-ear went straight
homo by the road. 1 fe is about to leave
the neighborhood, and I have promised
him an interview tins evening.
" Then you have heard from him ?"
" Yes, more than once. Do you tkink
I could have lived through this, had he
not himself assured mo of bis inno
cence ?"
" And you will hold our ungagctneut
sacred for two years," said Oscar, when
about to part from the weeping Nora.
" Yes, as long as life lasts, if you wish
it."
" No; I ask only two years, and if in
that time I do not discover tho real per
petrator of the crime, and clear my name
from the stain that rests upon it, then
consider yourself as free as if he wo had
never met." And so they parted. She
to bear the sorrow of this long separation
as best she could, and he to engage in the
weary work of hunttng up tho real crim
inal. Again the sunshine played, and the
Juno roses bloomed around tho home of
Nora Overing ; yet neither lino or mcs
sago had she received from Oscar. Ilcr
mother's health was delicate, and her own
cheek waspalo and herstep languid. So
with Arthur they had resorted to a fash
ionable watering place, hoping that the
change would benefit them all. Nora
mingled but little with the gay crowd
that as usually frequented the place yet
some few acquaintances did sho make,
and among them was one, the object of
whoso attentions she would not under
other circumstances have mistaken. IJut
now hor mind was so wholly absorbed in
the thoughts of tho absent, that things
transpiring around her s,ecmcd like a
dream, and were as quickly forgotten.
lie had been introduced by Arthur, and
was received politely for his sake, and
without thinking of what the was doing
Not a had allowed hint to become more
and more attentive, until one lovely night
when alone with him in a vino covered
arbor, he had begun to breath soft words
of love into her ear. She was both sur
prised and mortified, and in order to gain
a little time to collect her thoughts, re
quested a glass of water.
He was gone but a few minutes, but
in that time tho vines behind her were
parted aud a note was dropped into her
lap, while a well-known aud much loved
voice whispered, " Read this when alone."
She started joyfully to her feet ex
pecting to behold Oscar, but tho shrub
bery was so thick around tho arbor that
she could discover no one, and had only
timo to conceal the note, before her would
bo lover re-appeared. With some con
fused excuses, and complaints of feeling
unwell, she left him, and sought her own
room in order to read the precious epis
tle. It was a tender, loving note from
Oscar, breathing of his unaltered at
tachment, and telling also of his labori
ous ami fruitless search.
She induced her mother to return
home at once, opened the house once
more to her young companions and
friends, aud whenever an opportunitp of
fered, expressed the firm belief in the in
nocence of Oscar Stover.
Mrs. Overing's health did not improve,
and tho good lady really believing that
her days on earth were numbered, und
that soon she would leave her darling
daughter without a protector, coutinually
urged her to accept tho hand of her cous
in. 'It is true, my dear, that only a few
short months must elapse before the time
allotted for Oscar's return will have ex
pired. Hut consider ail the long mouths
during which you have heard nothing
from him. Contrast this indifference
with the devotion of Arthur, and con
clude, as I iao long since done, that you
will never seo or hear from him again.
I am daily growing weaker and more in
firm, and the thought of leaving you alone
in tho world, adds greatly to my malady.
If 1 could but seo you tho wife of your
cousin, 1 should die content."
" My faith in ( (scar is as firm as bo
fore wo parted," replied Norah, "and I
am so suro that if successful or not he will
bo hero at tho appointed time, that I am
willing to promise, that if in the course
of one mouth after tho two years have
expired, I do not hear from him I will
sot your mind at case by becoming the
wifo of Arthur.
Nora's promise seemed to instil new life
into her mother, who quietly but busily
mado extensive preparations for tho wed
ding, Arthur assumed the manner of an ac
cepted lover, believing that ero long he
should rneoivo not only tho hand but the
heart of his fair cousin, for neither ho or
Mrs. Overing knew anything of the much
pri.cd, oft-read note, or tho littlo minia
turo so carefully concealed among her
treasures.
" Only ono day more I" said Nora, to
herself, somo months later, wheu retiring
to her room for tho night; "only one day
more, and not a lino from Oscar ! And I
have staked my hand, and would willing
ly have staked my lito upon his truth. "
A light tap at the door was followed by
tho entrance of the maid bringing the
note.
" This, Miss Nora, was left by a man
who charged me to deliver it into no
hands but your own."
It was written in an unknown hand,
and was without signature; simply re
questing " that on tho following day she
would, in company with her cousin Ar
thur, visit tho large oak tree near tho old
spring, and see tho earth on tho uorth
side dug up to tho depth of several foot
and warning her, " if sho valued her own
happiness not to neglect doing so."
Nora was startled, for sho remombercd
the note received in the arbor. Might
not t Ilia, too, be from Oscar?"
'This is a strange request, Nora. The
old spring has not been used for years,
and the bushes and briars around it ore
doubtless so thick as to bo almost impen
etrable. I think you might at least give
mo some reason for wishing to visit the
spot."
" Well, cousin, if you will accompany
me to the. place, 1 will irtvo you my rea
sons as wo go along."
" 1 will go with you certainly," he re
plied, but Nora fancied that his voice
faltered a little. They had walked sonic
distance in silence before Arthur again
asked an explanation.
" I had a dream last uight, cousin, that
troubles me greatly, although I can trace
it directly to a circumstance which oc
curred in the evening. I dreamed that I
saw my dear father standing under tho
largo oak near the old spring ; and look
ing at me sternly, as if demanding that I
should do my duty, he pointed to a par
ticular spot beneath the tree. And the
dream has mado so great an impression
that I am resolved to havo the earth dug
up and the place examined."
Arthur had stopped while he spoke,
and though she noticed that ho turned
very pale, sho urged him on.
" liut Nora, it is weak and supersti
cious to allow a dream to disturb you
thus. Let me beg that you will return to
tho house at once, aud not give this mat
ter another thought."
" No, wo will go on," she replied.
" As you will," said ho coldly, at the
same time remembering that they had
brought no implement for digging,
though he had seen a light spado near
the door, which ho supposed Nora had
forgotten.
As they ncared the spring he noticed
that the bushes had been beaten down,
and a path formed, by which they could
proceed very well.
" Others seemed to have been here be
fore us," he said, glancing at her inquir
ingly. " She hoped not," and quickened her
pace.
A sudden turn in the path through the
bushes brought them directly to tho tree,
where, to tho surprise of both, they bo
held a man standing, spade in hand, as if
about to commence digging.
Arthur rushed forward, assorting that
" ho was the master of tho place," and
ordering him " to leave the spot at once."
Tho man touched his hat politely. " I
am au officer, sir, in tho discharge of my
duty. You, 1 believe, are Mr. Arthur
Dalton; and if you attempt to leave this
spot, I shall arrest you on suspicion of
your uncle's murder."
' Upon what are your Mispieions bas
ed?" stammered Arthur, staggering back.
'Upon tho testimony of dim .John
Moreton, formerly in the employ of .Mr.
Overing. You will please stand aside,
sir, and ullow me to proceed."
Arthur covered his face with his hand,
and leaned against the tree.
Nora, in auia.emcnt ut'wliat had pass
ed, stood perfectly still. The ground
seemed to reel beneath her, but a strong
arm supported and prevented her from
falling, while n voice, not difficult to re
cognize, whispered. ' Tliiw is too much
for your strength. Let me lake you to
tho house."
She only shook her head in answer,
and kept her place, intently watching as
the officer slowly dug up the earth at the
foot of tho tree, liut nothing was found
until Nora pointed out a particular spot
us tho one indicated in her dream ; when,
after a few spadel'nlls of earth having
been thrown up, a small ba.-kot. somewhat
crushed und broken, was brought to tho
surface.
Methodically tho man opened it, aud
took out, first tho wristband ol a .shirt,
upon which was a dark stain, then u pocket-handkerchief
with somo stain, and last
ly a small dagger upon which was en
graved tho nunm of Arthur Daltou.
A low whistle from tho officer brought
un assistant to his side, und Arthur was
couveyed away in a close ourriugo that
was in waiting; and Nora, faint und sick,
returned to tho house with ( )scar, w ho to
mother and daughter mado known the
following circumstances, which shall be
put in as few words as possible.
Relieving that he would always bo
suspected of the murder of Mr. Over
ing, if tho real criminal was not discov
ered, Oscar resolved to devote himself
entirely to that object. Ho secretly ques
tioned all the servants ou tho place, and
learned from one who occupied a room
with Moreton, that the night before his
departure, the manner of the old man
had been strange and uneasy, and from
words muttered iu his sleep, he was led
to believe that Moreton knew or suspect ml
who the murderer was.
Upon this clue Oscar acted ; but for a
year the old man secluded himself so
cunningly, nnd moved so frequently that
it was almost impossible to trace him at
all. Discouraged at this, ho sought his
old neighborhood, hoping that Moreton
had communicated with some of his fol
low servants. A nephew had heard from
him a few weeks before, and in consider
ation of a large bribo disclosed his place
of residence. 15ut an unconquerable de
sire to again behold Nor.t led Oscar to
follow her, and when he reached the
place where ho hoped to find Moreton,
the bird had flowu, und it was only after
weary months of search that ho at last
found him. lie managed so as to come
upon him suddenly, and when nlone, and
they sternly demanded all ho knew of
tho murder of Mr. Overing. The old
man declared that ho knew nothing of
the matter, but in a frightened, uneasy
way that led Oscar to disbelieve him, and
finally between threats of puuishment
and promises of reward ho induced him
to go beforo a niagiutrate and make a
plain statement of facts.
The afternoon of tho murder, Moreton
had taken a small basket and gone into
the woods for tho purpose of getting a
wild vine that Nora wished to have set
in tho garden. Ho had accomplished his
object and was returning, when he saw
through tho trees Mr. Overing walking
down a path from tho opposite side, and
saw Mr.Dalton.who had gone to tho city iu
tho morning, vide up tho path from tho
opposite direction. Ho dismounted and
entered into conversation with his uncle,
and their tones soon became loud, as if
in dispute.
He was too far off to hear what was
said, but as he approached could occa
sionally distinguish tho word money;
and when quite near heard Mr. Overing
say, " I kuow that you want it to pay a
gambling debt, ond I tell you I will not
assist you." Upon which Mr. Dalton
drew a dagger and stabbed his uuelo to
the heart. Moreton stopped for a mo
ment, horrified at what ho beheld, then
rushed forward just as Arthur drew back
the bloody knife, who upon seeing tho old
man, declared that he would put an cud
to his existence also, if ho did not get
down upon his knees and swear never to
reveal what he had seen.
Mr. Dalton then wiped his hand upon
his pocket handkerchief, tore oil' u
wristband that had became stained with
blood, and emptying the contents of the
old man's basket into a hollow tree,
threw the knife and stained articles into
it, and taking Moreton with him rodo to
the old spring, where together they bur
ied the basket beneath the large oak.
Mr. Daltou then ordered Moreton to
return to the house as if nothing had
happened, form some excuse for ieaving
tho neighborhood the next day, aud to
keep himself carefully concealed until all
search for the murderer was over.
' I would have spared you tho scene at
tho tree, Nora, dear," said Oscar, " but
fearing the basket had been removed, I
wished particularly that you should see
your cousin's manner when accused of
the crime."
' And, oh, Nora," said Mrs. Overing,
between her sobs, ' to think that I, who,
was all tho time fearing that ul'tcr my
death you might be induced to marry
your father's murderer, should have beeu
blindly hurrying you on to that very
fate."
; Vc will forget till that," said Oscar,
' in the hope that you will now give con
sent to our speedy union." Hut beforo
Mrs. Overing could reply he was sum
moned from the room, and returned with
a grave face, to inform them that at the
examination beforo a magistrate, Arthur
had acknowledged his guilt and then shot
himself dead with a pistol which ho cur
ried concealed upon his person.
It will of course he taken for granted
that this rash act of tho young man ad
ded greatly to tho distress of his kind
aunt, and iu conclusion it is only necessa
ry to add that long beforo tho .Juno roses
bloomed again, Nora was traveling iu a
foreign land, tho happy wil'o of Oscar
Stover.
Jay Several of tho newspapers of the
country having perpetrated jokes on the
travels and exploits of " Sit: Traitxir,"
whom " Nchil Fil," aud nortm head off,
the Yalo Cournnt reports as follows :
" t) num sculls ! You damnum sculls.
He didu't either. .SVe Transit drovo a
In on' ttimihm Ver from tho Kast
ward. Ho is visiting his tutir. Mrs. Tic
T' i rii, in this city, and will stay till Or
f.M. Dr. Diymm tho Tvrri likewise W
nijur with us last evening, when he
laLt tn pi. Tho pugilist also mm with
him. Ho Limliila man budly iu the
! street. Ho ivlis no off aud novtan tint-
xii na Uounder."
TIIK
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