real life half so tragic as that frantic woman's pursued the search-tracing the poor girl and

look and manner. will haunt us."

I protest I am afraid she

"It was horrible! horrible indeed, George!" answered his friend, shuddering as he spoke. "And more than that, George," he continued, convulsively pressing the arm upon which he leaned; "was there nothing, nothing in that wretched creature's look and tones which reminded you of—of—”

her child stage by stage of their wearisome journey on foot to her native town, where they learned the false story of her shame had preceded her, and her indignant father—a stern, old, orthodox clergyman-had spurned the poor, broken-hearted wanderer from his door, and they could trace her no farther."

"Good Heavens! then it might be her! What must she not have suffered! She spoke "Of-of what, Charles? Good Heaven, how of sickness, want, famine, and madness. you tremble! What do you mean ?"

And

oh! what a fearful item to add to Harry For

"Did she recall to you no memory of any one rester's long account." whom we used to know?-think, now?"

"No, Charles; by my word no! What and whom are you thinking of? And yet, since you suggest a likeness-oh! Charles, the eyes, the figure-and, more than all, the voice!—and yet, it could not be-it is not possible-it could not be her, she was well married! Charles, you can not mean the beautiful girl, the teacher from the country, whom we used to see in old Selwyn's pew at church ?"

"The very same-Mary Stevenson."

"I forget the name, but I mean the girl whose beauty we all used to rave about. Why, did not she marry Harry Forrester? She did, I know." "So she did, George."

"The scoundrel!-don't waste your pity upon him!".

"Well, you may be in time to save the mother; but that beautiful boy! Oh! if the discovery had been made only one day sooner it might have saved him. And to think of what that child was born to! Why, if he had lived, and had his rights, I suppose he would have been almost a millionaire.”

"Quite one, I believe; he would have been heir to all his father's property, which was very considerable; all his grandfather St. Leon's wealth, which was very large; and, I suppose, half of the Forrester estate."

"And who heirs all this wealth, failing him,

"Well, then, that settles the question; it do you know?" could not be her."

"Did you never hear that Forrester deserted her, declaring their marriage was not a formal or legal one?"

"A little fellow about the same age, the child of Colonel Forrester's second son. How strange it is!-he has been brought up in luxury and ease from his birth; and this boy, who really owned it all, has been a pauper and an outcast, and died at last in want and misery!"

"Not a word of it; and I don't believe it now. The miserable scoundrel—she was only too good for him! Do not you remember our Yes it is terrible to think of! That wan, seeing her with him at the regatta, and after-starved, half-naked, miserable, though beautiful ward at the play? It was soon after their mar-child-that little, ghastly, coffinless object-was riage-and how we all of us admired her loveli- in reality-think of it!-St. Leon's true heir! ness and her gentle, lady-like manners? member well her intense enjoyment of the gay scene, which was all new to her, of course. Why, she was perfectly radiant in beauty and happiness; and I believe she was as good as she was beautiful. I honestly believe she was his lawful wife."

"I know that she was."
"You know it, Charles?"

I re

"Yes; and it is about this that I want to consult my brother John. All this took place .while you and I were in Germany, and it was only about a month ago that I chanced to hear of it. Possibly you do not know-for I did not till then-that when Forrester was dying (you knew, perhaps, he was killed by being thrown from his horse?)—"

"No; I did not even know that he was dead." "Well, then, he sent for John and his partner Ames (they were his lawyers), and owned the legality of his marriage, and furnished them with necessary proofs to establish her claim, and made his will, leaving all his property to her and his child; but he strictly enjoined upon them not to disclose the facts till they had found Mary, and placed her in a respectable position, which no one doubted could be done at once. But John told me how earnestly and vainly he had

INFANCY AND AGE.

NFANCY was but the beaming

INFA

Of the life's morn's blushing ray;
Each weak thought, prophetic dreaming
Of the future far away;
How alike those childish fancies
Is the certainty of now;
How the memory backward dances
To the distant fairy past-
Seeming e'en from thence to cast
Childish dimples on the brow,
And to yield, as once before,
Every serious matter o'er.

Age is like the day-god setting

In the West, beyond the plain;
Life's faint measure fast forgetting,
Listening to another strain;
First it murmurs, faintly stealing

Through the portals of the tomb,
Then 'tis heard, its soul revealing,
As the spirit passes through,
Sweet in cadence, varied-new,
Chasing every sense of gloom
From the soul, and placing there
Spotless robes for it to wear.

[N the last number of this Magazine was given | battery of light rifle-guns; or, in the language

Ia sketch of General Sherman, in which it of the prize-ring, Sherman is a light-weight and

was endeavored to show that the distinctive quick fighter, while Thomas is a heavy, ponderfeature of his character is a certain nervousness of thought and action inspiring a restless and resistless energy. A good idea of General Thomas may be obtained by contrasting him with Sherman. One may be called a nervous man, while the other is a man of nerve. Sherman derives his strength from the momentum resulting from the rapidity with which he moves; Thomas moves slowly, but with equally resistless power, and accomplishes his purposes by sheer strength. Sherman is naturally the dashing leader of light, flying columns; Thomas the director of heavily-massed columns. He may be called heavy ordnance in contradistinction to Sherman, who may be likened to a whole

ous pugilist, whose every blow is deadly. Sherman's plans are original, embracing new rules of war; Thomas originates nothing, but most skillfully directs his army on well-defined principles of the art. Sherman jumps at conclusions; Thomas's mind and body act with equal deliberation. His conclusions are arrived at after long and mature reflection. Sherman never takes thought of unexpected contingencies or failure. There is always a remedy for any failure of a part of Thomas's plans, or for the delinquencies of subordinates. Sherman never hesitates to answer. Thomas is slow to reply. One is quick and positive. The other is slow but equally positive. Thomas thinks twice be

fore speaking once; and when he speaks his | sentences are arranged so compactly, and, as it were, so economically, that they convey his idea at once. It is given as advice, but men receive it as an order and obey it implicitly.

Late at night he retired to his bed.

When beginning the campaign of Atlanta Sherman endeavored to effect an important innovation in the habits of his army by carrying out to the very letter his instructions to "move light," i. e., without extra baggage. In order to impress upon his officers the necessity of setting a good example to the men he published an order, in which he stated that the "General commanding intended making the campaign with

of the officers, and among others on Thomas, who moved in his usual heavy style, with a complete head-quarter train and the usual number of tents, adding indeed to the usual allowance, a large wagon arranged with desks, which, when covered by a hospital-tent fly, made a very complete Adjutant-General's office. The campaign began, and Sherman made several days' march without his tent, sleeping any where that night overtook him, but before reaching Resaca he was very glad to take up his abode near Thomas's head-quarters and make use of his tents and Adjutant-General's office.

The habits of the two men are radically different. Sherman is an innovator on the customs, not only of the army but every phase of social life, and is at least one generation ahead of the American people, fast as it imagines it-out tent or baggage." The hint was lost on most self. Thomas belongs to a past generation, and his exceedingly regular habits belong to the "good old time." He has been confirmed by long service in the habits of camp, and appears never to be satisfied unless living, as is customary, in camps. In September, 1862, his division of Buell's army was encamped at Louisville, Kentucky, his quarters being in the outskirts of the city. While encamped here, a member of General Halleck's staff arrived from Washington city and delivered to Thomas an order to relieve Buell, and assume command of the Army of the Ohio. In order to put himself in communication with the Commander-in-Chief, System and method are absolutely necessary Thomas was compelled to ride into the city and to Thomas's existence, and nothing ruffles or take rooms at the hotel nearest the telegraph excites him so much as innovations on his habits office. He employed the day in communicat- or changes in his customs. He discards an old ing with General Halleck, urging the retention coat with great reluctance; and during the earof Buell, and in declining the proposed promo- lier part of the war, when his promotions came tion. But to him faster than he could wear out his unithe change from a camp cot to clean feathers forms, it was almost impossible to find him donwas too much for the General, and he found it ning the proper dress of his rank. He wore the impossible to sleep; and at a late hour in the uniform of a Colonel for several months after night he was compelled to send his Provost Mar- he had been confirmed a Brigadier-General, and shal to his head-quarters for his camp-cot. The only donned the proper uniform when going into reorganization of the army, the murder of Gen- battle at Mill Spring. He was confirmed a Maeral Nelson, and other events occurring about jor-General in June, 1862, but did not mount the same time, conspired to keep the General a the twin stars until after the battle of Stone guest at the hotel for a week. During all that River, fought on the last day of the same year, time he slept as usual on his cot, banished the and then they only found their way to his shoulchamber-maids from his room, and depended ders by a trick of his body servant. This mefor such duty as they usually performed on his thodical and systematic feature of his character old colored servant. found an admirable illustration in an incident which occurred during the battle of Chickamauga. After the rout of the corps of M'Cook and Crittenden, Thomas was left to fight the entire rebel army with a single corps of less than twenty thousand men. The enemy, desirous of capturing this force, moved in heavy columns on both his flanks. His artillery opened upon Thomas's troops from front and both flanks; but still they held their ground until Steadman, of Granger's corps, reached them with reinforcements. As Steadman came up and saluted Thomas he inquired how the battle went. Thomas, in a vexed and indignant manner replied:

His style of living in camp is comfortable and even elegant. His mess consists of himself and two aids. His mess ware is principally silver of elaborate finish. The writer breakfasted once or twice with the General during the Chickamauga campaign. On the occasion of each visit daylight and breakfast were announced simultaneously by an elderly, dignified, and cleanly attired colored servant, who brought an excellent whisky punch, with "Colonel Flynt's compliments," as an appetizer. The breakfast-table was spread under the fly of the tent which served as a kitchen, and on it smoked fresh beef, ham, and strong black coffee. At each silver plate was a napkin of the purest white, artistically folded in the latest style of the first-class hotels, a silver water-goblet, a china cup, and the usual knives and silver forks. Better beef and better coffee could not have been found in the country in which the army was campaigning, while the hot rolls and potatoes baked in the hot ashes of a neighboring fire would have made many a French cook blush.

"The damned scoundrels are fighting without any system."

Steadman thereupon suggested that he should pay the enemy back in his own coin. Thomas followed his suggestion. As soon as Granger came up with the rest of the corps he assumed the offensive, and while Bragg continued to move on his flanks he pushed forward against the rebel centre, so scattering it by a vigorous blow that, fearful of having his army severed in two, Bragg

abandoned his flank movement in order to re- | him, and, as if ashamed of his momentary enstore his centre. This delayed the resumption thusiasm, the blood mounted to his cheeks and of the battle until nearly sunset, and Thomas he blushed like a woman. His eyes were bent was enabled to hold his position until nightfall immediately on the ground, and the rest of his covered the retirement to Rossville Gap. remarks were confined to a few brief replies to the questions addressed to him.

Thomas is not easily ruffled. It is difficult alike to provoke his anger or enlist his enthu- The other instance occurred during the aftersiasm. He is by no means blind to the gal-noon of the second day's battle, and in the midst lantry of his men, and never fails to notice and of a lull which had followed the retreat of appreciate their deeds, but they never win from M'Cook and Crittenden and the falling back of him any other than the coldest words in the cold- Thomas's right division. The General was sitest but at the same time kindest of commend- ting in the rear of the line of battle of his right atory tones. He grows really enthusiastic over as re-formed, engaged in watching a heavy cloud nothing, though occasionally his anger may be of dust in the distance, and in such a direction aroused. When it is, his rage is terrible. Dur- that it might be the enemy, or it might be the ing the campaign in Kentucky, in pursuit of reserve forces of Gordon Granger, which had Bragg in 1862, Thomas was second in command been posted some distance in rear of the battleof the army under Buell. The new recruits field at Rossville, and which it was hoped would committed many depredations upon the loyal march to the aid of the army. The doubt unKentuckians. While they were passing a small der which he labored cast a visible cloud over stream near Bardstown, Thomas was approached the General's spirits, and excited his nerves to by a farmer whom he knew to be a good Union an unusual degree. He had no disposition to man, and who made complaint that one of the resume the fight, and, fearful of the result of the General's staff officers had carried off the only next attack of the rebels, was anxious to avoid horse left on his farm. The General turned a resumption of the battle. He consequently black with anger at such an accusation against watched the development of the cloud of dust in one of his staff officers, and demanded to know the distance with painful anxiety. If it diswhere and who the offender was. The farmer solved to reveal friends then they were doubly pointed to a mounted infantry officer, but who welcome, for fresh friends insured the safe rewas attached to one of the regiments and not to tirement of the army. If it disclosed the enemy, the General's staff. The General rode up to then the day and army were lost, and it became him and demanded to know where he had ob- the duty of those who formed the last square at tained the horse which he rode. The officer re- Chickamauga to throw into the teeth of the vicplied that he had "impressed" him. The Gen- torious enemy a defiance as grandly contemptueral knew the man had no authority to impress ous as that of Cambronne, and die. There was horses, and choking with rage, he poured on no escape if the troops advancing from the rear the devoted head of the delinquent a torrent of were, as it was feared, the cavalry of the enemy. invective. He drew his sword, and putting the The anxiety of the General increased with every point under the shoulder straps of the officer, moment of delay in the development of the charripped them off, and than compelled him to dis-acter of the advancing columns. At one time mount and lead the animal to the place whence he had stolen him. He also required him to pay the farmer for his trouble and the loss of service of the animal.

The self-control and coolness of Thomas under fire and amidst the excitement and dangers of battle is absolutely surprising. He has been well described in an episode of the battle of Chickamauga as the "Statue Thomas." During that terrible conflict the Statue warmed into life but twice. At daylight on the second day, before the battle had been resumed, Rosecrans rode along the line of battle, examining the position which the troops had taken as best they could, without other guide than the sound of cannon or other director than stern necessity. He rode up to Thomas's quarters near the left centre of the field and asked him several questions regarding the battle of the day before. Thomas alluded briefly to the events of the fight, and in speaking of his brilliant charge exclaimed rather warmly, "Whenever I touched their flanks they broke, General, they broke," repeating the last words with unusual zest and evident satisfaction. At the same moment he caught the eyes of several officers turned upon

he said nervously to his staff, "Take my glass, some of you whose horse stands steady-tell me what you can see." A civilian standing near

him remarked that he felt sure that he could see the United States flag. "Do you think so? do you think so?" asked the General, nervously. Shortly after Captain Johnston, of General Negley's staff, reported to Thomas for duty, and the General requested him to venture toward the advancing force and learn if he could to which army it belonged. Johnston was gone for some time, running the gauntlet of the rebel sharp-shooters, who were fast enveloping Thomas's left wing. During his absence the anxiety of Thomas increased until it grew painful to the observer, and the relaxation which followed the revelation of the fact that the coming force were friends was a positive relief to the by-standers. As Johnston returned with General Steadman the nerves of Thomas calmed down, and his excitement was hardly visible save in the petulant tone and manner in which he cursed Bragg for fighting without any system. During the fight which ensued he remained as passive and apparently as unconcerned as if he were in the safest place imaginable.

tle without knowing exactly how to get out of it safely, in case the necessity for retreating arises. He has on more than one occasion furnished the means of getting the armies of others out of danger. At Stone River, when Rosecrans was de

to retreat, Thomas showed that the safety of the army depended upon remaining and assuming the offensive. At Chickamauga, when the same leader left his army in the midst of a terrible battle and at the beginning of a rout of the greater part of it, Thomas again came to the rescue and covered the retreat in a manner which saved the day and the army.

The contrast between Thomas and Sherman [tions leave a wide range for contingencies, demay be extended even to their personal appear-lays, and accidents, and are not easily disturbed ance; and in this, as in character, the difference by untoward incidents and unexpected developis most marked. Thomas's figure is very strik-ments. He never goes into a campaign or bating. Something of his height is lost to the eye by the heaviness of his figure. If he were as thin as Sherman, he would look the six feet two or three inches which have been attributed to him. He is about five feet ten in height; but so much does his heaviness detract from the appear-feated on the first day and his council proposed ance of height that he does not appear so tall. Thick-set, robust, and healthy, he moves heavily and slowly, but by no means feebly or unsteadily. His beard and hair were sandy at the beginning of the war, but they have since become silver sprinkled, and add to the great dignity of his appearance. His features are all large, with the exception of his nose; a long, thin Grecian feature which Napoleon would have admired. His lips are rather thick, rounded, and red. His chin and jaws, large and squarely cut, with his great, steady, though not bright eyes, indicate more than any others of his features his firmness and positiveness of character. His countenance is at all times severe and grave, but not necessarily stern. He seldom smiles; the writer, during two years' acquaintance, saw him smile only once; but the constant seriousness of his countenance is not repulsive. It may be called forbidding. It certainly forbids trifling. The simplest-minded man, seeking audience of him, will understand, on being received by the General, by a glance at his countenance, that he must be brief and to the point. presence is no place for loungers. His visitors must have business to transact or retire, and they never require any other hint than the countenance of the General. He is a man in earnest, and it does not take long to discover it. He is perhaps as free from display and pretension as any man in the army. He never does any thing for "effect." His manner admits of no familiarity. There is dignity in every gesture, but not necessarily either grace or love.

His

No one has ever accused General Thomas of being a genius-military or otherwise. His success has been obtained by long service and patient industry, and he is an example of what may be accomplished by the unremitting toil of a practical man. He is possessed naturally of that good, clear sense which is often inappropriately called common-sense, but which is of no common order at all. He has never been brilliantly educated, and is neither a brilliant thinker nor converser. He is doubtless well versed in West Point lore and the art of war. His education has been derived principally from a long and varied experience with the world, which has rendered him pre-eminently a practical man. His mind consequently takes naturally, as has been before stated, to method, and every thing he does is completed (in the full sense of the word) in a methodical manner. There is little that is original in his plans or his mode of executing them, but all are distinguished for their practicability and completeness. His calcula

With the army Thomas is a most popular leader. He has the deep-seated and deep-rooted affection of his men, which is not the less sincere because it is undemonstrative. He is looked upon by the army with a sort of affectionate reverence. His character is free from any stain, and he stands forth in the army as above suspicion. He has gone through the war without apparently exciting the jealousy of a single officer. He has so regulated his advancement, so retarded, in fact, his promotion, that when, as the climax to two years' hard service, he fought a great battle and saved a great army, and was hailed and recognized by the whole country as a hero, not one jealous or defeated officer was found to utter dissent to this popular verdict. He has in the highest degree the confidence of his men. There is a universal feeling of perfect confidence reposed in him, and to this more than to any other thing the nation owed the safety of its army at Chickamauga. This feeling of confidence in their leader did more to hold his corps together on that daydid more to keep up the esprit du corps of his command during the terrible attacks to which it was subjected, than did all the discipline which had otherwise been drilled into the men. The men of the two routed corps were just as good, just as brave, and just as tenacious fighters as were Thomas's men, but they had no faith at all in the wisdom of their leader. Men will not stand and fight under officers in whom they have not the most implicit faith. Such confidence is reposed in Thomas to the fullest degree, and is accompanied by an affectionate regard which adds to its strength.

Soldiers have a very natural mode of expressing their affection by titles of endearment, indicative of the peculiarities of the subjects of their admiration. Thomas has been christened with dozens of "nicknames." When he was at West Point and in the regular army in Mexicó, he was called "Old Reliable," from his recognized and proverbial fidelity to the service. During the Mill Spring and Stone River campaigns he won from his men the sobriquet of "Old Pap Safety." This was subsequently boiled down into "Pap Thomas," by which