DR. CHARTERVALE'S REPLY.

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relatives in Mississippi?" Then, after a pause, she added:

"If Captain Adams-a Union soldier-expects so bitter a rebel as Colonel Cauldwell to approve any but the most formal acquaintance between him and the colonel's sister and ward, he will soon learn his mistake. You ought to caution the captain, dear."

"Not I, indeed.

I shall answer his interrogatory, and perhaps add a few words of the personal history of Colonel Cauldwell. Adams is no boy, and may be safely trusted to manage his own little affairs."

"Well, tell him at least how great a rebel the colonel was, and how he hates all Northern men." Dr. Chartervale wrote as follows:

THE HERMITAGE, Wednesday Morning.

CAPTAIN SETH ADAMS, Planters House.

MY DEAR CAPTAIN: Many thanks for the favor you did me at Chicago. The specimen reached me all right this morning. I was very confident it was elephant and not mastodon, as had been suggested by some of my friends.

Yes, Miss Cauldwell (my wife's cousin, as you know) has a brother who lives with his wife at or near the town of Prentiss, in Mississippi,-the beautiful town which some of our Union soldiers found it necessary to burn during the war. Colonel Cauldwell was a bitter rebel

(so-called), and to this day hates with a bitter hatred all Union soldiers, and especially all true Yankees. He is otherwise a man of sense and a kind brother. He is also his sister's guardian under the laws of his own State and of Missouri. He really believes himself to be a great patriot-and he is, but I think his patriotism is bounded by the Mississippi on the west, and on the other sides by Louisiana and the Gulf, Alabama and Tennessee. I know him pretty well, and have told you the worst which can be truly said of him.

How did it " happen to occur to you to make the inquiry, Captain?

I am, your friend,

W. CHARTERVALE.

P. S.-Come out and dine with us Sunday.

CHAPTER II.

MONTICELLO SEMINARY, AND THE BUDDING OF A ROMANCE— A CONTRABAND LETTER-MISS CAULDWELL'S HOLIDAY AT THE HERMITAGE-AN ELEPHANT'S TOOTH.

HE "Monticello Seminary" for young ladies, as is widely known, is at Godfrey, Illinois. It was founded by the wise liberality of a gentleman from whom the romantic little town takes its name. To be a graduate of Monticello is a badge of distinction of which any young lady may be proud; and thousands of passengers on the great railroad which runs through the village remember the delightful glimpse of the Seminary buildings which is permitted by the grand old trees which surround them, and many, in looking at the quiet seclusion of Monticello, have thought, "If there's peace to be found in the world, it is there!"

Two hundred young ladies together, and all the cares and vexations of the world excluded! Love

-except that sweet sisterly affection which

springs naturally among school girls-is never permitted to pass the threshold of Monticello. Not even a letter from a young gentleman in the coolest guise of friendship must enter the sacred doors. Of course, no young lady thinks of anything but literature and belles-lettres, and Cupid dare not even look over the garden wall.

But "Love laughs at locksmiths," and even into this quiet retreat a letter from a young gentleman -a very harmless affair-did find its way one sunny Thursday morning. The letters by the St. Louis mail were all brought in as usual, and handed to the matron for distribution. Looking them over carefully, the good and careful matron selected one which was under ban at first sight; it had a return address on the left-hand corner, which read: "Seth Adams, Civil Engineer, St. Louis."

"Ask Miss Genevieve Cauldwell to call at my room," said the good matron, who had never in her life had a love affair, and did not mean that any one else should while under her protection.

Miss Cauldwell, accompanied by her room-mate, called as requested. Her face was calm and beautiful as usual, and not the faintest blush

A CONTRABAND LETTER.

23

suffused her cheek as she offered to take the letter which she saw in the matron's hand.

"Wait a moment, dear," said the watchful matron. "This letter is from a gentleman unknown to me as belonging to your family. You remember the rule?—it must be opened in my presence, or forwarded to your friends at The Hermitage.”

"Certainly, Madam," said Miss Cauldwell with perfect composure. 'Who is it from?

Please open and read it yourself; I have no gentleman correspondent.

"The letter is from a Mr. Adams, civil engineer. Who is he?"

This announcement was received with a very slight start. Miss Cauldwell hesitated. Then she said quietly: "Perhaps you had better forward it to The Hermitage."

And then, seeing the matron about to put the letter in her pocket, and unable to bear the suspense of waiting to know the contents until she should meet Dr. Chartervale, she said:

"I have no idea as to why the gentleman writes to me; read the letter, please."

The matron opened the envelope, and handing the letter to Miss Cauldwell, requested the young