"
"But heartily sorry to see me here, enlisted as a private in a
company of raw recruits, looking not unlike Falstaff's ragged
regiment?"
"Nay; I did not say that, Traverse. Many a private in the ranks has
risen to be a general officer," replied Herbert, encouragingly.
Traverse laughed good humoredly, saying:
"It does not look much like that in my case. This dress," he said,
looking down at his coarse, ill-fitting uniform, cowhide shoes,
etc.; "this dress, this drilling, these close quarters, coarse food
and mixed company are enough to take the military ardor out of any
one!"
"Traverse, you talk like a petit maitre, which is not at all your
character. Effeminacy is not your vice."
"Nor any other species of weakness, do you mean? Ah, Herbert, your
aspiring hopeful, confident old friend is considerably taken down in
his ideas of himself, his success and life in general! I went to the
West with high hopes. Six months of struggling against indifference,
neglect and accumulated debts lowered them down! I carried out
letters and made friends, but their friendship began and ended in
wishing me well. While trying to get into profitable practice I got
into debt. Meanwhile I could not hear from my betrothed in all those
months. An occasional letter from her might have prevented this
step. But troubles gathered around me, debts increased and--"
"--Creditors were cruel.
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