Colonel Zachary Taylor, who had laterly arrived from Florida and was presently returning with a regiment of recruits for the Seminole War, was at Mrs. Kinzie’s party.  He was then a man of middle age with iron gray hair and close cropped side whiskers.  A splendid figure he was in his uniform.  He remembered Harry and took him in hand and introduced him to many of his friends as the best scout in the Black Hawk War, and, in spite of his dress, the young man became one of the lions of the evening.

“I reckon I could tell you some things about this boy,” the Colonel said to Bim.

“He may not be afraid of guns or Indians but he has always been scared of women,” said she.

“Which shows that he has a just sense of the relative importance of perils,” the Colonel answered.  “A man of the highest chivalry is ever afraid in the presence of a lovely woman and chiefly for her sake.  I once held a beautiful vase in my hands.  They said it was worth ten thousand dollars.  I was afraid until I had put it down.”

“A great piano player from New York” was introduced.  She played on Mrs. Kinzie’s instrument, after which Bim sang a number of Scottish ballads and “delightfully” if one may believe a chronicler so partial as Harry Needles, the value of whose judgment is somewhat affected by the statement in his diary that as she stood by the piano her voice and beauty set his heart thumping in his breast.  However of the charm and popularity of this young lady there is ample evidence in copies of The Democrat which are still preserved and in sundry letters and journals of that time.

The refreshment table was decorated with pyramids of quartered oranges in nets of spun sugar and large frosted cakes.  There were roasted pigeons and turkeys and chickens and a big ham, served with jelly, and platters of doughnuts and bread and butter and cabbage salad.  Every one ate heartily and was served often, for the supper was thought to be the most important feature of a party those days.

After refreshments the men went outside to smoke and talk—­some with pipes—­of canals, railroads and corner lots while the younger people were dancing and being proudly surveyed by their mothers.

As Harry and the ladies were leaving Colonel Taylor came to them and said: 

“Young man, I am the voice of your country.  I call you to Florida.  Will you go with us next week?”

Harry looked into Bim’s eyes.

“The campaign will be over in a year and I need you badly,” the Colonel urged.

“I can not say no to the call of my country,” Harry answered.  “I will join your regiment at Beardstown on its way down the river.”

That night Harry and Bim stood by the gate talking after Mrs. Kelso had gone into the house.

“Bim, I love you more than ever,” said the boy.  “Abe says you can get a divorce.  I have brought the papers for you to sign.  They will make you free.  I have done it for your sake.  You will be under no obligation.  I want you to be free to marry whom you will.  I would be the happiest man in the world if you were to choose me.  I haven’t the wealth of some of these city men.  I can only offer you my love.”