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The aspiring Dixeyites arrived, paid their money, and went aboard all in jovial spirits. Sails were spread, and off went the schooner, to plow her way through the briny deep, while those who had taken passage exclaimed

"Nor care what land thou bringest us to

So not again to ours."

The night was long, dark, and dreary, but while stars yet were peeping, the Yankee captain made a point on the Maryland shore, told his passengers it was Virginia, landed them safely, and advised them to make the best of their way toward Richmond, when he pushed off and was soon out of sight.

Morning broke, but only to reveal the sad consciousness that these recruits for Jeff. Davis and Beauregard were still on Maryland soil, minus their money, and in a worse condition than when they started.

Every day or two, for a while, brought back to his Baltimore home, one or more of these cheerless wanderers, in an awful dilapidated condition. Whether or not our Yankee Salt succeeded in getting another such cargo, is considered extra-problematical.

MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, of Ohio, was fifth in the class of 1842, numbering fifty-six. Being a professor at West Point, during the entire period of the Mexican war, he was kept away from battle until that of Rich Mountain, where, by his skill and bravery, was most unquestionably achieved the brilliant victory accredited to General McClellan. His subsequent achievements, as commander of the Army of the Cumberland, at Murfreesboro' and Chickamauga are matters of well-known history.

STORY XXXVII.

THE FEDERAL MAJOR AND TEXAN WIDOW.

A ROMANTIC STORY.

THE following amusing episode, as the sequel will show, lately occurred on a trip to New Orleans, as related by a gallant captain of the 27th Army Corps.

He says:-"We had a very pleasant trip down to the Crescent City, with some political prisoners from the Department of the Missouri, and persons who were allowed to pass into the Confederate lines to see their relations, look after their property, &c.

"Among the exiles was Ashton P. Johnston of St. Louis, Marmaduke, late of the Convention, Rev. Father Donnelly, of St. Joseph, and other of less import.

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Among the 'voluntaries' were young maids and old maids, wives and widows. Among the young maids was one who confidentially told me that she was going to Mobile to be married. It looked to me very much like sending supplies to the enemy; but I couldn't 'help' it, so let it go. They nearly all came to this place in charge of Captain Dwight, Assistant-Inspector General of the Department of the Missouri.

"In the party was a young widow. 'Pretty!' In my judgment she was interesting-when was a young and pretty widow not? Being young, pretty, and a widow, is it strange that a young officer, to whose care she was intrusted, should extend to her all the courtesies and attention proper and consistent with his official position? It was not strange; nor was it strange

that in return for his kindness, and at his solicitation, she should confide to him the tale of her woes.

"She was from Mexico; her husband had been conscripted in Texas, into the Relel army; had died, leaving her the sole proprietress of numerous droves of mustangs, and the mother of two small children, (mostly boys and girls.)

"Her spirits and her person, draped in the habiliments of mourning, for the length of time deemed proper, she resolved to quit the place where each familiar object reminded her of the time spent in conjugal felicity with the dear departed one; that one 'gone to a ranch from which there was no return;' so all the personal property, with the exception of some unruly mustangs, who refused to be 'cotched,' and some colored individual, who, having heard of the Proclamation. refused to be considered personal property, and wouldn't be 'catched neither,' was converted into Confederate tr- cash, and the ranch vacated.

"At Metamoras the Confederate money was exchanged for gold, passage secured on a Spanish vessel to Havana, which was soon bounding across the Gulf. Tears were shed, as on leaving one's native land they always will be; but it was all for the best; a residence upon the beautiful island of Cuba, a place in the affections and family of the dear relations who anticipated her coming; quiet walks beneath fragrant orange groves; the air of that delightful and salubrious climate, would go far in dispelling the gloom which shrouded her young and ardent soul.

"But, alas! for the orange groves, and ambrosial atmosphere, a storm arose, the ship was driven into an inlet off the coast of Florida, was taken by our block

ading squadron off Key West, for a blackade runner, and sent to New York, where, after an examination, she was released, and sent on her way.

"The fair widow, having escaped the dangers of the sea, resolved not to venture again, till her nerves had regained their wonted firmness. Having friends at St. Louis, she resolved to visit that city. Arriving there -there she remained until the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and the consequent opening of the Mississippi river, when she resolved to attempt Havana, this time via New Orleans. Major B. was on the boat. The major, you must know is a very gallant man. The ladies, dear creatures, will fall in love with him. In fact, the citadel of their affections invariably capitulates when he lays siege.

"The major was introduced to the fair widow by the captain in charge, and he had a soul to sympathize with her in her affliction, so to his special care she was consigned. It was soon a mutual discovery that their tastes and sympaties were similar. Did he admire any particular scenery along the shores?-ditto, she. Together they would pass hours in some retired place upon the guards of the boat, in sweet interchange of thought and sentiment.

"He had never met one before for whom he had formed an attachment so sincere, and she, from the moment when first introduced, felt that she saw in him. the realization of her hopes. In him she saw the only one who should ever catch the untamed mustangs, and again bring joy to the ranch.

"Thus did this enamored pair pass the long hours of the journey. Arrived in New Orleans. Would the major be so kind as to secure her rooms at the hotel,

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