"'Here's a boy what wants to go to Michi_gan_, sir; can't you take him with us?' "'But, do you know him? Can you recommend him as a suitable boy to belong to our company!' No; they didn't know his name even. 'Only he's as hard-up as any of us. He's no father or mother, and nobody to live with, and he sleeps out o' nights.' The boy pleads for himself. He would like to go and be a farmer--and to live in the country--will go anywhere I send him--and do well if he can have the chance. "Our number is full--purse scant--it may be difficult to find him a home. But there is no resisting the appeal of the boys, and the importunate face of the young vagrant. Perhaps he will do well; at any rate, we must try him. If left to float here a few months longer, his end is certain. 'Do you think I can go, sir?' 'Yes, John, if you will have your face washed and hair combed within half an hour.' Under a brisk scrubbing, his face lights up several shades; but the twisted, tangled hair, matted for years, will not yield to any amount of washing and pulling--barbers' shears are the only remedy. "So a new volunteer is added to our regiment. Here is his enrollment:-- _"'John ----, American--Protestant--13 years--Orphan--Parents died in R----, Maine--A "snoozer" for four years--Most of the time in New York, with an occasional visit to Albany and Troy, "when times go hard"--Intelligent--Black, sharp eye--Hopeful.'_ "As we marched, two deep, round the State House to the depot, John received many a recognition from the 'outsiders,' among whom he seems to be a general favorite, and they call out after him, 'Good-by, Smack,' with a half-sad, half-sly nod, as if in doubt whether he was playing some new game, or were really going to leave them and try an honest life.