1. CHAPTER I.
On a balmy May morning in 1861, the little
village of Bluemass, in Massachusetts, lay
wrapped in the splendor of the newly-risen sun.
Reginald de Whittaker, confidential and only
clerk in the house of Bushrod & Ferguson, general
drygoods and grocery dealers and keepers
of the post-office, rose from his bunk under
the counter, and shook himself. After yawning
and stretching comfortably, he sprinkled
the floor and proceeded to sweep it. He had
only half finished his task, however, when he
sat down on a keg of nails and fell into a reverie.
“This is my last day in this shanty,” said
he. “How it will surprise Lucretia when she
hears I am going for a soldier! How proud
she will be, the little darling!” He pictured
himself in all manner of warlike situations; the
hero of a thousand extraordinary adventures;
the man of rising fame; the pet of Fortune at
last; and beheld himself, finally, returning to
his own home, a bronzed and scarred brigadier-general,
to cast his honors and his matured and
perfect love at the feet of his Lucretia Borgia
Smith.
At this point a thrill of joy and pride suffused
his system; but he looked down and saw
his broom, and blushed. He came toppling
down from the clouds he had been soaring
among, and was an obscure clerk again, on a
salary of two dollars and a half a week.
