Special Messenger

Book Excerpt: ly. "Now sit very still while Moses serves the Madeira; only half a glass for Mr. William, Moses--no, not one drop more!" Moses served the wine with pomp and circumstance; the lean young bandmaster looked straight at the boy's sister and rose, bowing with a grace that instantly entranced the aged servant. "Celia," said the boy, "we must drink to the flag, you know;" and the young girl rose from her chair, and, looking at the bandmaster, touched her lips to the glass. "I...
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Book Excerpt: ly. "Now sit very still while Moses serves the Madeira; only half a glass for Mr. William, Moses--no, not one drop more!" Moses served the wine with pomp and circumstance; the lean young bandmaster looked straight at the boy's sister and rose, bowing with a grace that instantly entranced the aged servant. "Celia," said the boy, "we must drink to the flag, you know;" and the young girl rose from her chair, and, looking at the bandmaster, touched her lips to the glass. "I wish they could see us," said the boy, "--the Colvins and the Malletts. I've heard their 'Bonnie Blue Flag' and their stirrup toasts until I'm sick----" "Billy!" said his sister quietly. And reseating herself and turning to the bandmaster, "Our neighbors differ with us," she said, "and my brother cannot understand it. I have to remind him that if they were not brave men our army would have been victorious, and there would have been no more war after Bull Run." The bandmaster assented thoughtfully. Once or twi Read More