The most important thing in the whole world just now is the officers' ball to-night.

Don't you see them fixing up the dancing platform on Parade?
It's just as well the K.O.'s away, because to-night the mice certainly are going to play." It seemed good to hear the voice of friends again, and I was nothing loath to put aside business matters for the time and listen to Kitty Stevenson's chatter.

So, while I hesitated, Johnson had my hat and stick.
The city of St.Louis, I repeat, was then the richest and gayest capital of the West, the center of the commercial and social life of West and South alike.

Some of the most beautiful women of the world dwelt there, and never, I imagine, had belles bolder suitors than these who passed through or tarried with the Army.

What wonder the saying that no Army man ever passed St.Louis without leaving a heart, or taking one with him?
What wonder that these gay young beauties emptied many an Army pocket for flowers and gems, and only filled many an Army heart with despondency in return?
Sackcloth lay beyond, on the frontier.