ht for plunder; or that his
profession tends to "solitude and calling it peace." In a measure these
charges are certainly true; partly because poor human nature is frail,
and partly that there are tricks in all trades; not, however, we think,
to the extent that he should suffer excommunication without a hearing,
and while his own or adopted flag waves tranquilly over the land. Give
him credit when he deserves it, for it is his especial lot, when down,
to have no friends. In stirring times, however, when death is within the
walls and the enemy hard pressing at the gates, he has advocates and
admirers without number; then he has virtues worthy of notice; and while
his body receives the ball, his heart is praised for its devotion. Women
have embroidered silken banners for him, to strengthen his courage in
their defence, and put fine words thereon to serve him as a rallying
cry. In our revolutionary days, when the old continental spirit was
abroad, he was respected to a degree unknown perhaps at the present
time. The mistress entertained him with a hearty will, and the
respectable dame, who, when there was no flannel for making cartridges,
dropped something in the street that would make a dozen or more, enjoyed
the joke all her life, besides receiving a pension from Congress. That
he really receives now so much distrust, it is either because we know
nothing about him, or because the lightning age is so far advanced as to
leave his humble merits out of sight in the rear. He is rarely
noisy--never insults you--and passes well to the right in the street. He
is often polite, too; and if he does not, like Jack, offer to carry a
lady's muff, it is because his land-service has taught him the big thing
is not as heavy as it looks. If a mob defies the law, he will stand the
stones until one has knocked him out of the ranks. In short, he is a
complete protector and servitor of laws, of mothers, daughters, wives,
and property,--and, at the end of all, receiving his pittance with a
"Good luck to those who live better and get more."

It is not our intention, be it known, to attempt doing away with any
prejudice good society may entertain for one of its "sworn defenders;"
for, as we have hinted, the soldier is not presumptuous, and never
curses his unlucky stars. Our only object is, to give a brief
pen-and-ink sketch of the man in his bonded condition; in fine, say so
much, or so little, about him, that the uninitiated, sitting by the war