“Shameful? Yes. I hope he’ll be catched and hung higher than Haman. I’ll furnish rope to hang him!” was the indignant widow’s reply, and ere Rose could quite make out what ailed her, she had said good-afternoon, and banging the door behind her, was hurrying off, muttering to herself, “Somethin’ wrong in their bringin’ up. Needn’t tell me. I’d like to see my boys turnin’ traitor! The rascal!” and as by this time the widow had reached the shop where she was to stop for burning-fluid, she turned into the little store, and catching up the can with a jerk, spilt a part of its contents upon her clean gingham dress, and then hurried off again with rapid strides toward the cottage in the Hollow. The Carletons, Tom and all, were below par in her opinion, and kept sinking lower and lower, until she reached the cottage, where she gave vent to her wrath as follows: “A pretty how d’ye do up to _Miss Martherses_. Her brother _Jim_ has jined the cowardly, sneakin’, low-lived, contemptible Rebels, and is comin’ on to take Washington! The scalliwag! If things go on at this rate, I’ll jine the army myself, and tar and feather every one on ’em! Needn’t tell me.” Annie was no lover of gossip, and knowing that the widow was terribly excited, she made no reply except to pass her a letter bearing the Washington postmark. This had the desired effect, and utterly oblivious of Jimmie, the widow tore open _Isaac’s_ letter, in which he spoke of Captain Carleton as being very kind to him, and very popular with the soldiers.