nced, it was beneath half-closed lids; they did not smile
outright, but their lips twitched. Behind them an orderly bore a long
pasteboard box. The foremost officer was Major Heros von Borcke, of
General Stuart's staff. All dismounted. Jackson came out of his tent.
The air was golden warm; the earth was level before the tent, and on the
carpet of small bright leaves was yet the table, the chair, the
camp-stool, and the boxes. It made a fine, out-of-door room of audience.
The cavalry saluted. Jackson touched the forage cap, and sat down. The
staff officer, simple, big, and genuine, stood forward. "Major Von
Borcke, is it not? Well, major, what is General Stuart about just now?"

"General, he is watching his old schoolmate, General McClellan. My
general, I come on a graceful errand, a little gift from General Stuart
bearing. He has so great an esteem and friendship for you, general; he
asks that you accept so slight a token of that esteem and friendship and
he would say affection, and he does say reverence. He says that from
Richmond he has for this sent--"

Major Heros von Borcke made a signal. The orderly advanced and placed
upon the pine table the box. The other cavalry officers stepped a little
nearer; two or three of Stonewall Jackson's military family came also
respectfully closer; the red gum leaves made a rustling underfoot.

"General Stuart is extremely kind," said Jackson. "I have a high esteem
for Jeb Stuart. You will tell him so, major."

Slowly, slowly, came off the lid. Slowly, slowly came away a layer of
silver paper. Where on earth they got--in Richmond in 1862--the gay box,
the silver paper, passes comprehension. The staff thought it looked
Parisian, and nursed the idea that it had once held a ball gown. Slowly,
slowly, out came the gift.

A startled sound, immediately suppressed, was uttered by the military
family. Lieutenant-General T. J. Jackson merely looked a stone wall. The
old servant Jim was now also upon the scene. "Fo' de Lawd!" said Jim.
"Er new nuniform!"

Fine grey cadet cloth, gold lace, silken facings, beautiful bright
buttons, sash, belt, gauntlets--the leaves rustled loudly, but a chuckle
from Jim in the background and a murmured "Dat are sumpin' like!" was
the only audible utterance. With empressement each article was lifted
from the box by Major Heros von Borcke and laid upon the pine boards
beneath Stonewall Jackson's eyes. The box emptied, Von Borcke, big,
simple, manly, gravely