esented the appearance of a military camp, rather than the peaceful
manufacturing town of yore. Every vacant lot was converted into a
parade-ground--and the dash of cavalry, the low, sullen rumbling of
artillery, and the slow, steady tread of infantry, echoed through its wide,
handsome streets. Flag-staffs were erected from public buildings, private
residences, and at the most frequent corners, and from these floated
banners of all sizes, tossing proudly to the balmy breeze the new-born
ensign of freedom--around which clustered the hopes of a people who felt
that upon them, and them only, now devolved the sacred duty of proving to
the world the capacity of a nation for self-government.

W---- gave her young men liberally; company after company was equipped,
furnished with ample funds by the munificence of citizens who remained, and
sent forward to Virginia, to make their breasts a shield for the proud old
"Mother of Presidents." The battle of Bethel was regarded as part of an
overture to the opera of Blood, yclept "Subjugation," and people watched in
silence for the crimson curtain to rise on the banks of the Potomac.
Russell Aubrey had succeeded in raising a fine full company for the war, as
contra-distinguished from twelve-months volunteers; and to properly drill
and discipline it, he bent all the energy of his character. It was made the
nucleus of a new regiment; recruits gathered rapidly, and when the regiment
organized, preparatory to starting for Virginia, he was elected colonel,
with Herbert Blackwell for lieutenant-colonel, and Charles Harris was
appointed adjutant. They were temporarily encamped on the common between
the railroad depot and Mr. Huntingdon's residence, and from the observatory
or colonnade Irene could look down on the gleaming tents and the flag-staff
that stood before the officers' quarters. _Reveille_ startled her at dawn,
and _tattoo_ regularly warned her of the shortness of summer nights. As the
fiery carriage-horses would not brook the sight of the encampment, she
discarded them for a time, and when compelled to leave home rode Erebus at
no slight risk of her life--for he evinced the greatest repugnance to the
sound of drum or fife.

One afternoon she went over to the Row, and thence to the factory. A new
company had been named in honour of her father; uniforms and haversacks
were to be furnished, and Mr. Huntingdon had entrusted her with the
commission. Selecting the cloth and accomplishing