"MARCHING ALONG."
MONDAY morning at last! and a bright, beautiful day. The sky was as blue
as possible; the sun shone so brightly that it seemed as though it must
have been polished up for the occasion, and Colonel Freddy, as soon as
he awoke, could not help giving a little shout of joy.
But what was that right opposite his bed? A large wooden box, with
"Colonel Jourdain, Dashahed Zouaves, First Regiment L. I. Volunteers,"
painted on the lid in great black letters.
Up jumped the new Colonel quicker than any grasshopper, rushed to the
mysterious box, and raised the lid. Lying on top was a letter at least
six inches square, directed like the box, and closed with a great red
seal. Underneath _that_ was--what do you think? A splendid uniform for a
Colonel of Zouaves! sword, cap, and epaulettes, complete!
Freddy's eyes and mouth opened to their widest compass, as he stared at
the box, too much surprised to move. Presently his father came in,
looking highly amused.
"Good morning, Colonel," he began.
"Oh, father!" interrupted Freddy, finding his tongue at last, "do look
here! Did you ever see anything so splendid in your life? Where _did_
they come from?"
"Perhaps the letter will tell you," was all his father would say.
Freddy snatched up the big letter, broke the seal, and with sparkling
eyes read the following.
NEW YORK, _July --th, 1861_.
MY DEAR SON:
In consideration of your heroic determination to
enter the army in the service of your country, and
seeing how nobly you have prepared to engage in
the contest by making your hair look as if it had
been driven in or pulled out, I have thought best
to present you with this uniform to whip the
Southerners in; a suit of which I have also sent
to every _man_ in your regiment. As I entertain
scarcely a doubt that Old Abe will shortly summon
you to start down South to Dixie, I hope that you
will have a brave regiment, a pleasant encampment,
and a first-rate time. And that, in later years,
should it be necessary, you will _truly_
distinguish yourself, through God's assistance,
under the banner of our country, and stand up in
the field in the cause of Truth and Justice, is
the sincere wish of
Your affectionate Father,
L. JOURDAIN.
Freddy was delighted at this letter, with its mingled playfulness and
sincere patriotism. With all his fun, he was uncommonly intelligent, and
understood and appreciated many things which far older boys might have
failed to comprehend; and now his splendid blue eyes were raised to his
father's face, flashing with real enthusiasm; he felt and looked at that
moment, like his noble French ancestors, a born soldier.
But the serious mood was soon displaced by a fresh access of glee.
"Oh, thank you, papa!" he cried, "how very kind of you! How surprised
the boys will be! Hurrah! what a jolly time we shall have! and do you
think the President will really send for us? He will be a perfect
jay-bird of a President if he does!"
"No doubt he will be highly desirous to secure the services of the
gallant Dashahed Zouaves," replied his father, laughing; "but make haste
now, Fred, it's nearly breakfast time." So saying, he left the room.
Of course, the new clothes had to go on directly; and first my young
soldier donned a pair of remarkably baggy red trowsers, which looked as
if they had a connection with the Manhattan Gas Company like a new sort
of balloon, they were so puffy; and a pair of leather gaiters reaching
from the calf of the leg to the ancle. Then came a most splendid
bluejacket, covered in every direction with gold lace, a killing little
ruffled shirt, and a flourishing blue sash. Perched on top of his head,
where his hair had been the day before, was a red fez with a long blue
tassel, and, to crown all, or, I might say, _cutting-out_ everything
else, was a splendid sword, as bright as silver, with a terribly
sharp-looking edge, and an elegant gold handle.
When he was all dressed, he ran down stairs and found, on entering the
dining room, that he was the only one there. A large mirror was over the
mantel, which reflected the handsome room, with its deep bay window,
filled with flowers, its sideboard, loaded with massive plate, and the
breakfast table, covered with its snowy cloth, and nice beefsteak,
muffins, and coffee, looking so tempting to hungry folks.
Freddy's eye fell on the mirror, and a new idea came into his head.
"Hurrah! here's a capital chance to see how I look from head to foot,"
he thought; so, without remembering the long pier glasses in the parlor,
he dragged his father's arm chair in front of the fireplace, and,
jumping on the seat, stood turning and twisting about, staring at
himself all the time, and quite put out at not being able to see the
whole of his back at once. Finally he concluded his performance by
striking a tremendous attitude, with his legs as far apart as the chair
would permit, his sword in the air, and such a ferocious scowl on his
face, that it was a mercy his brows didn't get tied up in a double bow
knot then and there.
All at once there was a little laugh in the direction of the door.
Freddy wheeled round, and there were papa, mamma, and Bella looking on,
and trying hard to keep in the laughter!
Down scrambled Colonel Freddy from his perch, blushing up to the very
roots of his hair. There wasn't much more than the roots left, to be
sure; but his father laid his hand on the epauletted shoulder with a
good-natured, "Never mind, old fellow, you look fine enough to justify a
little personal reflection."
Hardly had Freddy taken his place at the table, and his father asked a
blessing, than there came such a tremendous ring at the bell, that they
thought the President must have come to town to see the regiment off on
its travels; but, instead of Old Abe, Major Peter Schermerhorn (who
passed the week with an aunt in town, and only went down to Astoria on
Saturdays) popped into the room. He was dressed, like Freddy, in a bran
new Zouave suit, and the very first thing he said was, "Oh, Fred! only
see what I found in my room this morning;" and Peter stood on one leg,
and twirled round to show off his new clothes.
"So did I in mine!" said Freddy.
"Where could they have come from?" continued Peter. "I asked Aunt
Edith, and all she would tell me was that the box was sent last night,
from a friend. Have you any idea, Fred?"
Freddy burst out laughing. "They came from a good fairy," he said, "and
there he is!" and he pointed to his father, who pretended not to hear.
"Hurrah for Mr. Jourdain!" shouted Peter, tossing his cap in the air.
"Will you have some breakfast, Peter?" asked Mrs. Jourdain.
"Thank you, ma'am, I had my breakfast before I started, all alone by
myself--but," looking at the nice beefsteak, "I think I _could_ eat a
little more."
"How many apples, by the way Peter?" asked Bella, mischievously.
"Only two," he answered, quite seriously, "and a piece of taffy, and
two cents' worth of peanuts! that's all, I think; no, a cent's worth of
ice cream!"
"Of ice cream!" exclaimed Bella, "where can you get ice cream for a
cent?"
"Why, on the street corners--real good ice cream, too--don't you know
that?" and Peter put on an air of superior wisdom, as though he was a
knowing young gentleman, who understood better than anybody where nice
things were to be had.
"But come, Peter," said Mr. Jourdain, "I should like to hear something
more about your encampment. How long is your father willing you should
have it?"
"Father says, sir," replied Peter, "that we can stay until he leaves for
Niagara, which will be next week, I guess. We're to have our camp on the
lawn, most a quarter of a mile from the house, and some of our men are
fixing the tents this morning. There are to be eight of 'em--isn't that
gay, Fred? and we've got the smoke house by way of a guard tent beside;
but there--I forgot all this time that I have a letter from papa for
you, sir--here it is."
Mr. Jourdain opened the letter, and read as follows:
MY DEAR JOURDAIN:
I send you three words, through my harum-scarum
Peter, merely to beg that Mrs. Jourdain and
yourself will feel no uneasiness concerning the
military expedition which has been the principal
subject of discussion in my household, and I
presume in yours also, since Thursday last. The
invincible Zouaves will be stationed too near the
house to make any danger possible, and as my
family are going to Niagara on Tuesday, and I
shall be left a "lone lorn creetur," it will be as
much an amusement as anything to make their safety
and happiness my special care.
Hoping that you will permit Fred to remain in my
charge a few days, I am, with regards to Mrs.
Jourdain,
Very sincerely yours,
H. SCHERMERHORN."
Ting-a-ling-ling went the front door bell, as if the bull in Cock Robin
had hold of the handle. Tramp, tramp, shuffle, shuffle, in the hall, and
then Joseph tapped at the door, and showed in a whole troop of merry,
noisy boys, all costumed a la Zouave, and with their hair shaved so
close that they had to frown very hard to keep their caps on.
The famous Dashahed Zouaves were all mustered, sure enough; and turned
out to consist of sixteen high privates, four captains, and a
standard-bearer, master Tom Pringle, with a perfectly magnificent
Star-spangled Banner in his hand, surmounted by an astonishing spread
eagle. Then came Major Peter Schermerhorn, who was the prime spirit of
mischief of the party, and last, though not least, the great Colonel
Freddy; who was dancing about in a high state of glee; while the rest of
the _men_, seeing that the _Colonel_ didn't regard dignity in the least,
had an impromptu Zouave drill (which consists principally in turning
somersaults) all round the dining room, the grown people looking on, in
agonies of suppressed laughter.
While this novel entertainment was in full swing, the bell tingled
again, and Joseph entered once more, to announce, "Master Frederic, the
escort and the band have _arriven_, and desire me to say that they are
awaiting your pleasure."
The escort and the band! Was there any end to wonders this morning? At
those magical words, the regiment couldn't resist giving three cheers
that nearly took the top of the house off; followed by three for Mr.
Jourdain, when Peter made a mock-heroic speech about the uniforms; and
finished off with a dozen more for anybody and everybody. At last Mr.
Jourdain glanced at his watch and said, "Come, Colonel, I'm afraid
you'll miss the boat if you don't make haste. Remember, you have a long
march before you, and it is almost ten o'clock now."
"Ah, that's a fact!" exclaimed the commander. "Ahem! fall in, old chaps,
that is, squad--battalion--what's his name; pshaw! and let's be off."
This mandate to "fall in" certainly appeared to be translated "poke in"
by the greater part of the corps, for it was directly followed by such a
treading upon everybody's toes, and a ramming of elbows into other
people's stomachs and chests, and such imminent danger incurred of every
eye in the company being put out with bayonets held upside down,
straight out, wiggle-waggle, and "various," as rendered it highly likely
that matters would be terminated by a fall _out_; but at last they were
fairly in line, and marched down the steps into the street; feeling a
little shame-faced, but excessively proud of their new and conspicuous
position.
All the neighbors were leaning out of windows, nearly petrified with
astonishment at what was going on; while at least fifty little ragged
boys stood staring at the door, their eyes almost popping out of their
heads, as the glorious Dashahed Zouaves made their appearance; trying
desperately to tuck in the broad grins that _would_ show at the corners
of their mouths, and disturb the proper gravity of a soldier.
But their good behavior was nearly put to flight altogether when they
beheld, waiting to escort them, three of the tallest policemen in the
city (to engage whom Mr. Jourdain had made that third call, you
remember, in B---- street), and Dodworth's splendid brass band,
marshalled in full force.
Oh! how their eyes did sparkle! They could hardly get into marching
order, or wait until Freddy, who had lingered behind to say good-by,
came out and took his place at the head of the regiment. Then, with one
more tremendous cheer, rang out the command,
MARCH!
Out burst the band with the glorious "Star-spangled Banner;" brightly
streamed the folds of the flag itself in the wind; proudly Colonel
Freddy waved his sword in the air; and so, with steps that kept time to
the music, and hearts that thrilled with a mixture of fun and
patriotism, the gallant Dashahed Zouaves marched off for Camp
McClellan.