e New Jerusalem, with heaven and stacks of silver-fringed and
golden-tinged clouds beneath his feet, buried up to the eyes in floods of
liquid moonshine.

If "grandma" really thought that Lilian Ashford was a silly girl, and if
Lilian really supposed so herself, it must be added, in justification of
her conduct, that she had given the soldier boy a new incentive to do his
duty nobly, and kindled in his soul a holy aspiration to serve God and his
country with renewed zeal and fidelity.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER.

While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister,
informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and
with his mother's consent. The news from home was so favorable, that the
soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish,
and that he was now in his element.

Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts,
and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and
when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant
conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook. The letters which
reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained
all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event. Of course,
Tom was delighted by these letters, and was more than ever determined to
be diligent and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and never to
disgrace the name he bore. He was confident his friends would never have
occasion to blush for his conduct--including the original of the
photograph, the author of the letter and of the socks.

Tom recovered from the effects of his wound, as we have before intimated,
and took his place in the regimental line as a sergeant. January and
February passed away without any very stirring events; but in the month of
March came indications of activity. The rebels began to draw in their
lines, by abandoning various points, till the nation was startled by the
evacuation of their strongly fortified position at Manassas, and the forts
in front of Budd's Ferry were suddenly left for the occupation of the
Federal troops.

Hooker's men crossed the Potomac, and Tom was once more on the sacred soil
of Virginia. Skirmishers were sent out in various directions, and though a
deserted camp, which had been hastily abandoned, was found, there were no
rebels to be seen. The Union boys were not disposed to leave their
invest