appear to be deemed by them of sufficient consequence to be
interrogated in relation to his opinions, or of sufficient capacity to
comprehend what was said in his presence, at least not to any degree
which might render it unsafe that he should hear the discussion so
unreservedly going forward. This person, who was acting in the
capacity of waiter to the company, being under a temporary engagement
to the master of the house, to serve him in such work as might be
wanted about the house and stables, was a youth, of perhaps eighteen,
of quite an ordinary, and even singular appearance. His figure was low
and slight, and he was made to appear the more diminutive, perhaps, by
his dress, which consisted of short trousers, a long, coarse jacket,
and a flat woollen cap, drawn down to the eyebrows. His hair, hanging,
in lank locks, to his shoulders, was light and sandy, and his face was
deeply freckled; while a pair of long, falling eyelashes contributed
to add still further to the peculiarity of his looks, and to give his
countenance, with those who did not note the keen, bright orbs that
occasionally peeped from their usually impenetrable coverts, a sleepy
and listless appearance. He now sat on the top of a high wood-box,
placed near one corner of the chimney, with his legs dangling over one
end of the box, and his head drooping sluggishly towards the fire,
apparently as unconscious of what was said and done in the room, as
the little black dog that lay sleeping on the floor beneath his feet.

"Here, Bart," exclaimed Brush, as the company, having dropped the
discussion of all weighty matters, were now briskly circulating the
bottle, and beginning to give way to noisy merriment--"here, Bart, you
sleepy devil, come and snuff these candles. Our chap here," he
continued, winking archly to those around him--"our chap Bart, or
Barty Burt, to give the whole of his euphonious name, gentlemen, may
be considered an excellent specimen of the rebel party, who talk so