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33 WIST MAIN STRin
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(716) 172-4503
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6
HEW EDITION-ISDUGEO IN PRICE,
BB9B^«Be
\
Bryce 's Home Series Library,
No. 194.
miGUSTfl J. EVANS WILSON'S UST NOVEL,
"At The Mercy of Tiberius."
I^R^IOE: 90 Oentci.
I hftve also the following of this celebrated Author's Novels
in my Home Series Library.
NOk 1«V. InDelloe.
** M*. Deulah.
** I7S. m. Elmo.
Ifo. l§a Taahti.
** 100 Idacaria.
•* I9a laes.
30C. £D.A.CII.
flEaUed Post Free to anjr Address on Meoelpt
or Priciei
Publisher, • TORONTO, CANADA.
.5 4 ay
i#.^ '^f
M
II
'' Two solditTs.
[I'niroacn.l
LIPPINCOTT'S
MONTHLY MAGAZINE,
MARCH, 1890.
P
3C!».l
TWO SOLDIERS.
and drays, cabs and clospd Jr^.-T .1 . . Piatforms. Wagous
the ordinarily b.r tht^^SrrT^^^^ ^^.^ «J '"™Wed aKng
dipped in the river UorbeiniTuVi^^f "" ^^""'l^^ '^'y ^«^^ ^een
JeL8,a bedraggledTt J^^'t^eS'^tlJrr^^^^ ^e street, and their
in their compoftion,eli 4^61^1 nT ». ^ ^t»»'"g amphibious
deluge that had been^oaL-ngThnitv for tw^S ^'""^ "^ ^?"'"«^ '^e
man, waddling aimleasly 2out «/ mI v""^' P^'*' ^^^ P^J'^
rubber cap and over(^rL7ri,«; .""W^,^ corner, en veIo|Sl i„
across theW, wheS't^^ ^TsT"k ' ''•''^" ^i'^^ '"'« '^^ t^^i-room
gloom that ov^rCrtL neiihbT, ^"""? '" ?"^"^"^ ^« 'he general
Be abroad hurried alonrundtft!?°^' """k T^ P«J««trians as had to
expected to have t^ swim SfU 2^^ ^, '»!«"gh they half
The dense cloud of so^Z„,okeThat IL "^ k'""'^ t*^'"' destination,
weeks past, and that S from anv H^l- ''''^"'!? ^^^ metropolis for
sipate, for he simnle rZnnZf ^ direction could never entirely dis-
the ouWirtB o^^ryTde^^o;^'i^^^^^^ ^y t^^oore shot ip i„
and walls, the windows and the - . •' ^"uf^ "P«" ^he rlaofs
"iferous deposit, ami i:e^"^o£CtTf'll"..H'^^^ P^*^' ^^^-
would leave its inky r^^onse iLn hI ) "^ ^^f ^"^ ^"^^ touch
" Bpell of weather" Ld not Ln^" f '"^' ^ °^«^« depressing
being in sight seeLd ^turatdTwith th? '' * /T' ""^ ^^^^^ ^'>'4
hpinS ..^«.^* y: '^"^V™!?" !^Lth the general doom.— Ptro»4 i;,..v-
sitting atSdTngyXTnZo^tis'^ir ^'^^^"-^^ C^^ryj;;^
onSy^moreStrltandSaHvth?^^ '"^^ recruiting rendezvous
contentment. *^*"*"^ ''^''^^•"S ««% ^ himselT in supreme
* 295
296
TWO SOLDIERS.
♦« ^T ?•'''*' *'"' '■'*'''"^' ^^''^ ^'^"^ «^'«'*'y morning that had wrved
to make him impervious to wind or weather. One-large, formal, im-
pressive, and bearing the stamp of the War Department ii heavy tyi«
across Its upin^r corner-had borne to him the m>tification of \xL IL
motion to tlie rank of Captain (Tnn.p ])) P:ieventh Cavalry, ^mce
Curran, retire. . The other-a tiny billet-had given him even l^^r
re-read it simt, he found it on the snowy doth of his |«rticular break-
rftt " on H f ir^'^'"'""- c-orner of the snug refcx^-tory of - The QuiX)n
Utv, on the books of which most respectable if somewhat venerable
club his name had been lx)rne among the list of Army or Navy Mem-
bers ever since 1.18 "graduation-leave," fifteen years Ix-fore.
West Poin , had been spent in the city where for the mst sixteen
montlis he had consi.lerecf himself fortunate in Ix^ing statiined o^^
cruuing-service During the second year of his term at the Academy
e was startled by the receipt of a sad letter from his mother, telling
h m briefly that his father, long one of the best-known aming thi
business-men of the city had bc^n compelled to make an assignment.
What was worse, he had utterly broken down under the strain, and would
-uroUbly never be himself again. Proud, sensitive, and hon'orabl^ Mr.
Ijane had insisted on nay.ng to the uttermost farthing of his means.
l.ven the old homestead went, and the broken-hearted man retired with
his faithful wife to a humble roof in the suburbs. There, a few mon lis
:^rr^'f n' ^T'^^ l'i« last, and there, during FrecVs gmduatl
year she followed him. When the lx,y entere<l on his «iLr in the
army he was practically alone in the world. Out of the wreck of his
father's fortune there came to him a little sum that started him in the
service free from debt and that served as a nest-egg to attract future
accumulations. This he had promptly banked until some good and
safe inv^tment should present itself, and, once with his re^ment on
the frontier, Mr. Lane had found his pay ample for all his needs.
It 18 unnecessary to recount the history of his fifteen yeare' service
temptations to which young of^cers were subjected, he had won a repu-
tation as a capital "duty-oSicer," that was accented here and there by
some brilliant and dashing exploits in the numerous Indian cam-
paigns through which the Eleventh had passed with no small credit
Lane was never one of the jovial souls of the regiment. His mood
was rather taciturn and contemplative. He read a good deal, and soent
many days in the saddle exploring the country in tL neighborhoXf
his post and in hunting and fishing. 8 uuu ui
But, from the colonel down, there was not a man in the Eleventh
who did not thoroughly respect and like him. Among the lauies, how-
ever, there were one or two who never lost an opportunity of giving the
lieutenant a feline and not ineffective clawing when his name^camfup
tor discussion m the feminine conclaves occasionally held in the regi-
Ciciii. oomeuraes, too, when opportunity serve*!, lie was made the victim
ot some sharp or sarcastic 8|)eecb that was not always easy to bear in
silence. Mrs. Judson, wife of the captain of B Trof.p, was reputed to
TWO SOLDIKRS.
lad served
>rnial, ini-
eavv type
f Ins pro-
airy, vice
m greater
read and
ar br(»k-
he Qiioun
venerable
vy Mem-
letNhip at
It sixteen
fd on re-
Academy
T, telling
long the
ignment.
»d would
able, Mr.
8 means,
ircd with
V months
aduating
!r in the
ik of his
m in the
3t future
ood and
nient on
ds.
i' service
it of the
a repu-
here by
in cam-
1 credit,
is mood
nd spent
hood of
'leventh
es, how-
ving the
ame up
be rari-
e victim
bear in
>uted to
297
"g
be "down on I^nc," and the men had nodiffi«>nIty whatever in locati
the time when her changj! of lM>art t(K)k phuv.
The truth of the matter was that, thanks to simple habits and
to his s^'iise of economy, Une had nui^e a snug little Imlanoo in the
bank, and the adios of the regimnit k'liovwl it to bo bigger than it
r«Mlly was; and, having approve<l the fnrnJKhing an<l fitting up of his
quarters, the next thing, of course, that they essjiycd to «lo was to
provide him with a wife. There the trouble k^n. Simultaneously
with the arrival of his first bar as a first lieutenant there <«me
tr<)ni the(li.sUint f^t Mr^. Judson's younger sister " Kmmy" and
M«. I^>rings pretty um-c Puiisv Fletcher. F^ine wan prompt to
cal «)n lK)tli, to take the young ladies driving or riding, to k- attentive
and (X)iii-t(M)us in every way ; but, wliil(. ho di<l thus " |)orcH«ive a <livid«l
duty, what was Mrs. J^ning's horn»r on diwwveriiig that pretty
I'ansy had iai K-u rapturously in love with "Jerry" I^ttimore, iw
handsonie, retik less, and mi|Kviinlous a voiing ilragooii as ever lived
and nothing but prompt measures nreventtnl their marriage I Mis^
JJleteherwas suddenly re-tnmH|M)rt(H( to the East, whither Jerry was
too hard up to follow ; an<l then, in bitteriuws of heart, Mrs. Tiorinir
bam«l ixH)r tred f,,r the wh(»le traiisaetion. "Why had he held
aljwt ami allowe<J that— that seamp— that ne'er-do-weel— to out in ami
win that innocent child's lunirt, as he (vrtainly did do?" Against
l^ttimore the vials of her wrath were emptied coram p»f,fico, but
against I^ne she mild not talk so o|)eiily.
Mrs. Judson had l>eheld the sudden departure of MIas Pansy with
an e<pianimity she cmld barely <iisgui.se. [ihUhhI, there were not lack-
ing g<KKl Christians lu the garrison who pointinl significantly to the
tact that she had almmt Um hospitably opened her diK)M to Miss
* leteher and her lover during that brief but volcanic romance. Certain
It 18, however, that it was in her hon.se and in a («rtain little nook off
the sitting-room - ,t their lon^, .lelicious meetings occurrtnl almost
Uaily, the lady oi liie hou.se being busy about the dining-room, the
kitchen, or the chamkrs overhemi, and Emmy, who was a gmxl girl,
but densely uninteresting, strumming on the piano or yawning over a
iHKik ut the front window. ^ b «' «
" What Mr. Lane needs is a gentle, UKxlest, domestic little woman
who will make his home a restful, i)e.aeeful refuge always," said Mrs.
Jud.son ; and, inferentia ly, Emmy was the gentle and m.xlest creature
who was dtstinetl so to bless him. The invitations to tea, the lures bv
which he was indiieed to become Emmy's escort to all the hoi>s and
dances s-edoubled themselves after Mi.ss Fletoher's departure : but it
was all ,n vain. Without feeling any jmrticiilar affinity for Mr.
Lane, Emmy stood ready to say " Ye8" whensoever he should ask ;
but weeks went on, he never seemed to dmw nearer the subject
and just as Mrs. Judson had determined to resort to heroic measured
and pom out that his attentions to Einn,y had excited the remark
„„,""" 5"'"—", »"•- "lui use iKjor cniiii nci'seji was looking wan
and strange, there was a stage-ro()bery not twenty miles from the
post, i^ne, with fifleen troopers, was sent in pursuit of the des-
Fradoes, and captured them, after a sharp fight, ninety miles up the
29%
TWO aOLDlRRS.
»"«. thigh. Uy U,e time L wrU" rTl ^'f' ". ^""^' *'"^"k''
«K»in in the field «„ I.Hliun <^^,« ^ , Tt ^- "*'''' ''!« "«''»«"' wa«
Fort Cimi, aKHi... W|,S heT *^ t "'"' ^7 ^'^ «""'"''« ho never Haw
-<i^l;H?::;;\^!|;.y::.iii;:-'!; «i?«i" «" ^- .no. .harp and
of hi« regiment a year afW U.nt ImL.. i^^ H-'"' ''"' q"urtern.a«tcr
given therc^4uir.ini-detalaV,.Tr 1 :/'"'" ^V^'''^^ «»<' finally wa«
tenant., and, for fi.e fi^^t tit fr/''" '"^* ^'^ ^!" ''''^ "^ ^'^^ ^i^"-
more among the Aiendfor I yo h i^l ff' /"'," ''''""^'^ "'^^
Securing pkusjjntouuHo^ in Vi 'T ''^'" " hachelor.
erate annual duen witlu>nt hav inL s^h) 1. w ' ^^ '\">''"^' '"'^ '"^'^J-
years jmnt, yet never knowimr ? I ""ything of it but itu biljs for
'" thecouie of the fh"t wc!r«r ?' '"".' ."^' "'^ chum8, and
ali of them. Bail ;,Tho 4" next h m ^"'7' ^' ^"^' ^""'"^ «''"-*
»ent nod pros,H3roiH la vyeT Terrv «, " '"''":''' T."*^^^ " P'-«™i-
- ooeasionally in.irted orS mn, /' ""''" "^^ J'"'' '^''''"^' ''"« and
wa8 thrivii^ in the irori.n,:. i '" « «*"^'t"'<'nt eraok in his chair.
'Change," and wa^ onTof Z^^^ '''-**' nmde a fortune C
chant^^f the m<>t oZlis FT F ^'"'jP.'^ "»^ oomnns.sion-nuT-
cl<^ together, and 'u^ 1 " k to fen'"^, ^r^'^'!.'' *''^^ ''^^
a nioet every day. Mr. I^ne had s rll ."•^'"*'' '"''*> ^'-''^ other
Hkin to enthusiasm, ckl, rand ret ^^...1 ""i" '"• ^''''' ^'''' '^ ^«^''»"g
wa«, he ielt a glow of de th 1/ "'"' "^^'""^^ «« ''« generally
"the old crowJ." but thnf / at the pro.,Hx;t of onee more meeting
distinct sense^^disa ;>on ,r"l L '^ !''« ^-»« -Tf
hands with much efTuiiin of "'"uirt 1. d^ had jumped up and shaken
or a minute or two, and U.e ' 'Now 1 '"y-^lear-fellow^-ed him
he round to look you un S v.l fl' 7""' "'^ 7"" «^PP'"g ? I'll '
-of c«n^ we'll CeTout\ ^tse"»Tuf f '?-^' ^^
was eager to get back U> his d«.k am ' . ^ i^l'^ ^^'"''^^ «"^ he
not know him at all until ! ? ' , ^" ^^^ ^"« ^<^ave. Terry did
quired what lleM t doi '' ^^^hfn ^^S^i^ ^''"^ *'« ^^"-''^^«-
nian who ra«|,ed him from In . . ^'^'^ u ' * '^*^ >'««'^- B"t the
were over, a.d the md^Tg ^ulu.T T"u"*'^ ^"«'»^« ^>o»^
«8Uu'i,f&:^:V!.'!!,:^ *« -"y. - your he .dc«l.
Howl'"™ ml^ rkilUi^r "'' " ''" "'"' yo-"-" ■»" «"e«?
i
TWO SOLDIERS.
to d^L'i'ril^^^^^^ ""''^ ' '"^^ ''^ ^^' ^' ^- <^'d -
;; Not a« "'Hjaual id^, I fi„d, Warden, but a very uniu«t one."
Uli, yes 1 know, of ooiirac, vou have uome Indian-fiuhtiuir to do
onoe ,n a while; but that probaf,ly a.uount. to very littfe f mean
wljan you're ,n peruianent ca.np or g.,rri«on. I should think . wZZ
your em,>eramcnt would ju«t stagnate in such a life. I wondTyou
Wn't res.gnu] years a^^. and oome ha-e and u.ade a nameTor yo^
"The life haa been rather more brisk than you imagine." he au-
Bwered, wOh a qu.et sniile, "and I have grown Very fon! of my p,^
would that have consisted ?" ^ A^ow,mwnat
"Oh well, of coume, if you reirilv like the army and livinir in a
deeert and that sort of thing, I've notfiing to say," Jd W , ui *« but
It always s ruck me as such a-such a-well. h\id such a wastid lif.
WvT-but'n^Tat'^Il'.r' 1^^" (7^ ^""^ Warde^was-fweHin^ vL^!
Dy ) but not at all the thing for a man of your ability. We all
us. We were talking of it some years ago here in this very mom •
there d been something about you in the pa^r.,-some gene^Tor^he;
had men loned you in a reiK,rt. Let's seH didn't yo5 .ret wounded
or something, chasing some Indiana?" La„e repl ed thaf heTliev^l
that "HometKing like that had haij^ned," but b^Ked his fdend to^
on ; and Warden pnK=eeded to furtl/er expound hisTws : ^
fati.'^r'^''^'^^^ '"''^ resigned years ago, taken hold of vour
father s old busint^, and made a Fortune. There's U^n a i^rfc^t h^m
LooTirT.r " r ' "T^ «'^^^ ''•-^ «f iron siLX ^^ ,tof 7"
Look at Terry : he is roiling in money,_one of our most subetantiaf
men; and you know he was a mer/ drone at school. Why F^
f your father could have held on six months longer he'd haie S
the richest man ,n town to-day. It always seamed to me that he mTle
such a mistake ,« not getting his friends to help him tide hin^ o^r "
f . ,Y°" Pr^^bly are not aware," was the reply, "that he^rnt io
toTl' ''/[''"l^'T?" called,_and that it was ?he r Sre or .^fUl
to help that broke hun down. The most active man in pu8hin7hrm
chilfVeriy '" ''^^' ^ '^'"y'' '"'^«^' -'- *^«d formerly £hb
" Well " answered Warden, in some little confusion, for this and
other matters ,n connection with the failure of SamS'j^ne & Co
years before, were now suddenly recall«l to mind, " that's pw^bly tru;
^on^^a^^'^^^To^"'^^^ ''"^ r^ toughTm'^rrX
W^t CnP «n^ K -'i?^ "^u"^ ^'"''' "^"^ ^^ ^*^^ ^'hen you left
tnl^l K J ^"''^ "P }^^ «»"«^''° again* and been a big man
to^ay,-had your own establishment herefmairied some r' ' ^ "
^•-•t; sjiaiij^
ou
girl —
Lane shook his head'.
On the other hand, then
ih. '1 ^° '^^J^ej hand, then, you've been fooling away all this time
the army, and what have you got to show for it?^'
in
300
TWO fiOLDIERS.
"Nothing— to speak of," was
answer.
the half-whimsical, half-serious
..s,-any day. k'rc always m.dy L^hL™, ,vl,odl ^f, '''T ""j
ym. io raeet M«. Wa„le„ an";! see m^ l,o»r Now «™7me „in ZV
J^Zd ^^i'^^^rSd^s^eii'ixH^s:;.^^^^^^^^
enee from the scene of hostilities, and cordially sho^c hands wTS
,™L?f^ ™ ■?. '"' g"" '»«k to his old home in the K tS the Ilea
tepant found his name assoc atcd only with his father'. e^i\,,Z .? i Vi ■
joiith. Money makes the mare bo/' said Mr Wnrden Tn . ...k !
conversation ; and money, it seemf/wrwhat h^^it ,t n te li^™'
he shonld have come home and " made a name for h?m Jf " ^ ^'"'
Which now It pleased him to parry rathir than aL/e" dTrSt?v H^!
"eiore. Ana then— then all of a sudden there came over thp am-r.^ ^e
his dream a marked and wondrous chanee Hp nn Ln™^ J T^ ^^
vitations to balls, parties, or dinners whef he W '"•
were to be present. Mabel Vincent had just rSe^ ^07^?^^^^^^^
abroad, and Lieutenant Fred Lane had fallen in love at first sSht
It was a note from her that made even thaf rl,mr„ !^i,i «:
this most dismal of days, fairly gbw and shine wi^f a l^''-®''' °?
k^n^ilV ^'^'^,f M gla'dn'ess sudfasirio'e^ lifetaZrer
Captan Fred Lane Eleventh Cavalry, was in her dainty hand w!
turned h.s chair to the window to read once arain the Sous wnrf
but there entered, dripping, a Western Union m^e^enger w fha telZ^^
Teanng it open, Lane read these wnr^« . « A 11 ^„^. •!: _.^®'^™-
tionson your promotion and in wonderm"ent ai'ihi^i^lo'neirSon
of your successor. Noel is named." selection
Lane gave a long whistle of amazement. « Of all men in thp r^
ment I" he excIaimeS. « Who would have thought of Gordon NoS'
(
i
'i
(
i
I
TWO SOLDIERS.
II.
901
The colonel of the Eleventh Cavalry was a gentleman who haA
some peculiarities of temperament and dispo^itL^ S fa^t il n^
cited as a tlnng at all unusual, for the Siassed tel^LcZ .? T
suUIterns and even the ti^P c;>mmander^ of eve^. ^X ^^^^
the p^^r;'^f^i.^'C^:^^
went smoothly in the regiment unless the captlns we,^ af on 1 !
with their companies ; for, while at any time CofonelS^s would ^Z
prove an application for a lieutenant's leave onCn^^f^r"!*^
^aylT^XyTj^l %«',,tTr.''»^"-"\'<' Noel,-,„ the
of the fellow " ^ * ""'® ®*1"''"'6 service out
k„rt" • ^'" '"'°'''" ' '•* '■™' """^de mine; and y„„'
01. that giibject." ^^^^ ^^"' y»" '"'<"' <« ■nuch as I do
Greene somewhat ffloomily nodded asmnt »„^ I.:. ,... , .
wouna up for the day, plunged ahead witr/ds "reniar'kT:"'""'""' """^
^key^uVlS^lSZt'' -'it.' '<^'™e" Greene, a^l I'l,
.od neve, a opt... " irnKt^^hfr^^i- .XjISi!
302
TWO SOLDIERS.
'^mZ^ilyf^lZ^^''^ !;? ?"« \?'«^ -" h»ve hi, fetter
a.™bTtak« KaJ I^^' ^ ' immediate recall and nominating
even thatX^^bfcmL'Ull^^LTCl"""'' ^ ™ *«' ^o"
ins.fnt'VuT'l ''* '™"'"' ."" '<'«»• «"»»« "onW not bet, for at that
Dont ^, Arb^; come back, old fello^afd joir4""c p Jn, ^
snail It be/ Say, you all know D ck Caasidy of the SeJentl.?
I heard euch a good rig on him this morning. ^I got a leSr from
Tommy Craig, who's on dnty at the War Depaftmentf and hetldZ
What dt.™ *"'" "^"«, •" 8^' »"« "*■ th-^Vblasted colC detaS
Sa X^That?^™''^""" ""'"' '^ '-'» •■'- '^™-' for,'to
h^rn'oS^Tint 'ir'ii vsi:fi,i-K^i IXrt:
a^d"i"rerro^i.?tst'7^^^^^^^
cu Jra^^'ali 3r 'J ^''' r'^. "Pi" ^"^'^ «"d fa^ to go in to re-
ished .heir^modSr7o';rn':ZlVro'l\"^Tr^,to;e' '^^^^
?„!.,?'".•'""'/? !»"" biUianl-room; Wharton Td Lee sS
in the direction of their quarters; and presently Mr. Noel waflhe onW
man in aie club-room without an occuAion o/some Im Z SLS
Now, whj; should this have been the case? Noel's whole m»nn»r
sZyStrLt^'f '"^ "■"' "'"""".'-' hU ey- ttrand
tZ bv l,t Chf^ """ °"% '?'"' *" '^' ^*^'' ••« hailed e«eh in
i"™ .teS'^."!"..'"""^ ?■«} '» tones of most cordial friendahin"
„ mugutu ana naa coimral anecdotes to tell the mrtv
he was a tall, stylish, fine-looking fellow, with Sprc^ve darHtm
mizjuf ^r" -r' y- r""-"" "» tErs:«tlLv'of
more than half his associates ; his figure was really eltgant in its grm
TWO SOLDIERS.
303
WDse of the word : andvTthlt „-*PI«^"">"» "«« with him in evei^
politely but posUW:^\itJ^X1^Z'.?tS^^''^^'' T^'y ™
"cultivated" by nonef ^ '"' '>™'her officcra and
joiner ^Mxrcfvi^^^^^^ 'HfsLr^j ^^^?.««!?- ^-i
tial family, and was welooral in tl re^Z7 f. '" °^^ ^"A '"«"««-
made friends rapidly, and was for twSnr .1 ^" ««l"'s.tion. He
youngster as therl was in the s^rvt Th.n tV ^"^"^ "l P^P"'«^ *
attaclied was ordered to the Pla^n? , J T ^ ^''^^ ^^ ^'^^^^^ ^^ was
journey by boat, and by the t me H ^^^"^^1,. It was a long
oixlersand-^telegams were aLi^^^^^^ reached the old frontier city
Mr. Noel's great surprise deS^h^T' "^"t-^^ ^^'^^' ai,parently U>
him to report for teSarv dutv i ?K ^ ^'?,«>'»Pan7 aJd directed
of Washington. He wr Lrf p.VI . ' ^'' pepartment in the city
his regimeft had so^ Jl ""baS wUhT^^^^^ '"""^ "^^'^ *'-^
m Kansas and the Indian TerXv 'I^.p^. ^^'^ l""'' ""^ ^'^^^^
gave ear to the oft-repeated annpl^7V .7 ^ V Secretary of War
haye Mr. Noel andTet^^ trSer /^ K t"'^ f *^>^ ^'^^^'^th to
duty with their respecUyrcomoan I o <? •^'? gentlemen returned to
the Pacific coast thrat ntee7repo?t«TL' dntt' '^7 ""''' T^^^^ ^
Vaucouyer and Walla W-i I h lSL.fi J "*^ ^"^ ^^ut along. At
and good-fellowshirwh^t l^d o'Tn thl' "^" ^^ his io^yiahV
absence, though there were ou^-am] nnf u ^''?'" ""*^ ^ ^«^^ o^ his
said that the man wL would t'^vr" /''''? 'V'' ^'«^«»th who
little skirmishes between the vnrlnna A f u ^* ^^'^''® ^'^re several
dians, with no great Z on .T •?''*'*u'""'"^ ^°^ the agile In-
retired to the nafura f^ess of t ^lat'L l"' "'^'^ " ^"P^^" ^^^"
here Mr. Noel was fo^nrtot too m f^?'^''"^"'.^^''^ ^^«"' ^"d
and was sent in to San Franoi^n^ t ^ ^^^ P^'"' "» ^^e campkign.
war was brought to a dose w tlmn^ recuperate. The short but bloo^dy
actions, but h% rejoined aftrraliJh^^^^^ ^^» P^rt in any of i^
cjsco where it wis understc^d thaf } f 1 Tu^^r'^f '" S^n Fran-
riding night and dav »r!^.ul '^® ^"^^ ^^«^en down only after
the wildfrnesstitrorderftorbZr^ ™iles Lngh
urgentlyneededatthe W) andwaJJ^^^^^ ''«''"^"' '^^' ^««
haS occurred down. in thrKlamaTh T «l *^^^ "^"'^ ^^^^y ^^ ^hat
promotion to a first-lieutenancy 3 i^1^\°^""*,TV ^hen came his
stationed at the Presidio For ' thre^ Ztt 7"'^ ^T ''> ^ ^ '"^^P
f y, the life of part e. of every S ZTt ^' ""^ ^H S«^^* «^ «^e
He was in fiviiK^J^^* . ._ur ^X *'?*^ ^oth m town and in <«,rrJo«^ .
.»d was th7mir "Tlar ZhTT'' ^' i^""*^ -■gbt'it&r night,
'Ha. the div.io„ «>.^if Sdtlt ^.°5'"hif Sdt it^^
304
TWO SOLDIERS.
ik
reinforce the one regiment that was trying to cover p. wh?)le Territory.
There was pathetic parting, with no end of lamentation, when Mr. Noel
was spirited away with his Iynx-eye<l captain ; but they need not have
worried, — those fair dames and damsels ; not a hair of his handsome
ijijl head was in danger, for the — th had grappled with and throttled their
' foes before the detachment from the Eleventh were fairly in the Terri-
tory, and the latter were soon ordered to return and to bring with them,
as prisoners to be confined at Alcatraz, the leaders of the outbreak,
who would be turned over to them by the — th. To hear Noel tell
of these fierce captives afterwards was somewhat confusing, as, from
his accountj it would appear that they had l)eon taken in hand-to-hand
conflict by himself and a small detachment of his own troop ; but these
were stories told only to over-credulous friends.
^ The Eleventh came eastward across the llockies in time to par-
ticipate in the great campaign against the Sioux in '76, and was on the
Yellowstone when Cus 3r and his favorite companies were being wiped
out of existence on the Little Horn. The news of that tragedy made
many a heart sick, and Mr. Noel was so much affected that when his
comrades started to mpke a night ride to the front to join what was
left of the Seventh, he was left behind, ostensibly to sleep off a violent
headache. He promised to ride after and catch them the next day, but,
througls some error, got aboard General Terry's steamer, the Far West,
and made himself so useful looking after the wounded that the surgeon
in charge was grateful, and, knowing nothing of his antecedents, gave
him a certificate on which he based an application for leave on account
of sickness, and went to Bismarck with the wounded, and thence to
the distant East, where he thrillal clubs and dinner-tables with graphic
accounts of the Custer battle and of how we got up just in time to
save the remnant of the Seventh. The Eleventh fought all through
the campaign of '76 and the chase after Chief Joseph in '77 ; but Noel
was again on temporary duty at the War Department, and there he
stayed until '78, by which time various officials had become acquainted
with some of the facts in the case. The Eleventh "cold-shouldered"
him for a while after he got back ; but they happened to be now in a
region where there were no " hostiles," and where hops, g^rmans, theat-
ricals, tableaux, and entertainments of all kinds were the rage. No
other man could be half so useful to the ladies as Gordon Noel. He had
just come from Washington, and knew everything; and when tlieytook
him up and made much of him 'twas no use for the men to stand aloof;
they had to take him up too. Lane was adjutant of the regiment at
this time ; and he, having seen every report and letter with reference to
Mr. Noel that had been filed in the office, would hardly speak to him
at all except when on duty, and this feeling was intensified when, a year
or so later, they were suddenly hurried to Arizona on account of a wild
dash of the Chiricahuas, and as the different companies took the field
fl li and hastened in the pursuit Mr. Noel was afflicted with a rheumatic
fever of such alarming character that the youthful "contract" surgeon
who had accompanied his troop held him back at the railway and
II || , speedily sent him East on a three months' sick-leave, which family influ-
''" ' ' ence soon made six. And this was about the record and reputation that
I
le Territory,
en Mr. Noel
^ not have
i» handsome
rottled their
n the Terri-
; with them,
le outbreak,
ar Noel tell
ng, as, from
land-to-hand
p ; but these
ime to par-
I was on the
being wiped
•agedy made
at when his
in what was
off a violent
^xt day, but,
e Far West,
the surgeon
edents, gave
i on account
d thence to
I'ith graphic
in time to
all through
f ; but Noel
id there he
? acquainted
f3houldered"
be now in a
mans, theat-
rage. No
il He had
en they took
stand aloof;
regiment at
reference to
)eak to him
I'hen, a year
tit of a wild
ok the field
I rheumatic
ct" surgeon
ailway and
amily influ-
utation that
i
Tiro SOLDIERS.
305
Mr. Noel had succeeded in makmg when Captain Rawlins was ready to
bet Captain Greene that, despite it all, the regimental Adonis wo^ geJ
the recru.t.ng-deta.l mc« Lane, for everybody knew Fred Lar^wd
as toprophesy tluit he wou d apply to b^ relieved and onleml to reToin
h 8 regiment, and everybody was eager to see him take hold of Xr
old^Curran's troop, for if anybody' could "straighten it out" ^e
The news that Noel was named by the colonel caused a sensation
tS'-Sd^R- "^-rf."''^'^ theileventh will TrSfy notto'u
lorget. Old Riggs" had become the commander of the resiment after
It seemed that the fndian wars were over and done with, ZTtlZksZ
our peculiar system of promotion, was now at the head 'of an orSnL^
tmn with which he had never served as subaltern, captein orTntr
field-officer. D.sc.plme forbade saying anything to 1 is face,-lfi,r whioh
the coloue was devoutly than kful,-but every Ixidy said to everylx^v
So did Noel, though he rushed into the club-room apparentlv over-
whelmed with amazement and delight : apparently over-
"I supposed o£ course it would be Follansbee. I never dreamed
he would give it to me. Come up, crowd ! come up every bc^y'it^
champagne to-day." he jovially shouted ; and there we^ men who
could not bear to snub him openly. Nothing had rX e"er b^^
proved against him: why should they judge Eira? But tliire w?rS
^veral who declined, alleging one exeus^ of anoUier, and eveTtC
'' WpII nVT t^.'" ^^'^ applauding Wharto'n's toasl:
butlSvlle'^Tofi^""^ ''''''''' ^ '^'^ •-" ^«"-^^
III.
t.n^,T' ^^r ^^^. ^'^ ^^"^ ^°°^» *''e sensation of being reluc
tent to rejoin his regiment. When the colonel wrote a perVoiml Tetter
to him some eight or ten weeks previous, telling hL that C.™
would ahnost surely get the next va^cancy on the r^imT 1 st and Z
rlore Pffi^^'^'^'^^'i^'^^"',^'^* *" «^'"^ ^^^^ toll em at ont a^d
restore efficiency and discipline to Troop D Mr Lai.P rpnl!^3.k
the utmost readiness; but tliis was befoi/Mabefvii^^t Z ttol^
ife and changed its whole current. How much and how devotSl v he
Z^^Z' ^'"1 ^''r'}^ "^^^^ ^«^"^«<1 »«til the day his pSion
mched Inm, and with it the news that his successor wL a reldyT^r.
nated He knew that within the week he might exiiect ordeJ^ fmm /£
tm'n'U rr^^^^^^^^ *^-P '' ^"^ ^niSrilrasriad
turned over his funds and property to the officer designated to relieve
him ; he knew Noel so welf as to feel assured that hfwould noTwa^t
for the arrival of formal Mni««, k..* :rxi i , "« wouia not wait
o*„-* iU ■ 1 " ', — ''v-icr. i/ui, IS. itii; cuionei wouui uermifc wnniri
306
TWO SOLDIERS.
m
ask^ tTatX J?T. T^y ^u"' ."'^'^*> «"^' ^""y « ^««k before, he had
T? J^. -i ^r *'"''® *^^ ''^"«'' 0^ being Miss Vincent's escort
It was with great disappointment that he reclived her answer S
was spoken Imwevcr, in a tone of such sorrow thrp^rS„efeu
that the barbs at least, of the arrow had been removal.^ '^'
M. T " i;n«w how to tell you how I regret having to sav ' No'
•rrangcraente already „.d/ B„t how could I y aSS Mr'
said Miss Vincent; and, if not asking too much would M^ZLL
cms mr. Kossiter, of wnom he had never before heard mentinn hi
was ^ger to meet and entertain him. The gentlema^was T arrit7o„
Monday, and Lane spent a delightful evening at the vfnc^nt? won
dering why he hadn't come. Tuesday would surelvhrin^KT '
explana^on said Miss Mabel; and Z Tueiy S,eT^ p^i^^/t to
^11, and glad to spend another long evening at the hosSe oW
homestead, and stoutly did he hold his ground thrZh C suUl
s,ve relays of visitors, encouraged to do%o by a Shi loS inTs"
lady's bright eyes that spoke volumes to his throbbhig heart Id th«f
breakfast-table, flow early she must have risen to write it lland to
have seen the announcement of his promotion in the WkslnWfnn ^
spatches^ True, he remembered that^it w2 J^ue^ hf Z^^^^^^
be up betimes to give her father his coffee ; Ir ViLnt «^«T,c. ^
business-man of the old school, who liked ti bJgin e^rk fn^he dlv
Of course he had seen the name in the Washirfgton news „"'! h«H
read the paragraph to her: that was the way to aWuntfor it But
InJ^t' ""^ ^ J^^, ^ '""^ '" '"^ «^««*' half-shHa fS^nfidenfia
wording She merely wrote to .say that Mr. Rossftir had^S t «
tjT/r^. -'^'"^ V^ ?^"^ York until the end of the wik- and
Z^^'dSf^'L^4-'!;'-e^"^^^ -.engagement, she'^ouldt
^- - oa.vT.t lu leueu uic invitariou which with annh rar^^^t^
ttT^^Tl^i * T^ ^^ ^ "'"^- Lane to Jly folt L b^^^^^^
fast n his haste to rush to the writing-room and ^nA kJ„ "!,„''
All Thro. '"??/?, the writing-room and send her°a reply,
All The Queen City" had been quick to see or hear of his « su
sudden
before, he had
inoent's escort,
answer, which
)oor Lane felt
r to say * No/
ioe and a h'ttle
most felt con-
bold thing to
t meeting, and
Jre were other
Jthing? Mr.
?8 to pay us a
And he is
goes with me.
id."
10 uneasiness,
g. Mr. Ros-
eau and pay
1 means ao,
Mr. Lane get
she wouldn't
Anything she
intold eager-
coming man,
mention, — he
' to arrive on
ncents', won-
g him, or an
IS prompt to
Jspitable old
three succes-
look in his
art, and that
ssive on his
it I — and to
ihington de-
• pleasure to
ph-e was a
in the day.
vs and had
for it. But
<Jonfidential
wired that
week; and
e would be
such regret
t his break-
reply,
tis" sudden
TWO SOLDIERS.
307
:p";.r ::nr;rot:sf rU^.^^'-^ ^'--^^> -^ ^- ™ the
that sS:L"prigr mS ,'r' ^^"* -° «»^« - -
had shown a ma^rked InS in C? "^ f'^ ^"."7 ""'^on, who
in society and had dan^d wUh him „nT ''"T^.*^'^ ^""^ «'* '^^'''^^
one of 4forlornest,'st"pidest^en^I^^^^^^^ tt.:r "• .•: ^l '«
I supposed a cavalry officer to be " l«new,— utterly unlike what
i^^^^^^ii'^l^^^ t^A^n up with him
and intimate friend. ' ^ '^^ "^^^y "^^^r most devoted
" What an outrageous fib I I wasn'f • ur^A ,v t
friend had no' rte„Tdv»4 „t' " ^'^ "^"''' "'"'"^ '"°"8''' ''"
though I'm awfully fond ofT„ T^ .'PTf *''=" y" have, and,
the world,^„d Z "i'lt^'/'"'' ™"'<'" t have this repeated fo^
inowher so well Uiai I^„r"u°T'' *? ^I^' '' '» «nybody,-I
and would chlnlTt „ C S "''1'''^'' !.''".''7 ^' »™ °'m/now
fickle in love aa in herfn^dslZ, L?"""" '^ '^ '"''• She is as
inseparable you and she wn '?^' "** -™? <^" ' have forgotten how
andVn hrsre'fLlTo^KatKe wl'' ti^^^^^
of my finger whom Mr Lan«> ^hnTlllTr ii • " , ^ "^" * ^^^ « snap
Mabel Vincent hT'd ^tter in^rr « ?^i'° ^^^' ^'^^^ ^"^ if it>8
as he entered K dark offiLth^^ S '*v^ »" profound ignorance
with her precious note in T * . drenching Wednesday raorniuff
-red whanrVincent'^t^Xrth^^^^^^^^ He neither^newTo?
sweet self, for he lovS ITv Z\^\:ft^ T*^ ^^ ^^^^'^ o^"
the strenAh a J ^1%^"^ ^'}V ^,'8 whole heart and soul, with «I1
bardly control" his Toii8o\s^n? T^ ?u^ ^°^*^ "^t"^' He'oouTd
to the sergeant ncCi 1 th.T.^ '" *'!' «^»r^^'onal oflBcial tone
and madeX custo3reDort r^?^^^^^^ '' "^"^ ^^"i "* *^^ ^^^^
I^ne stepped in.> his SlellS^it^mCdTuicf^^^^^^
308
TWO SOLDIERS.
!i i
llii:^
'1? I
neat fatigue uniform. There wasn't a ghost of a chance of would-be
recruits wandering in that day ; but he was a stickler for discipline. He
required his men to be always in their appropriate uniform, and never
neglected wearing his own while in the office; yet in all the Queen
City no one but his little party, the applicants for enlistment, and the
lew citizens who came in on business had ever seen him except in civil-
ian dress.
"These reports and retunis all go in to-morrow, I believe?" said
Ijane to his sergeant.
" They do, sir."
" Well, will you take them in to the clerk again," said Lane, blush-
ing vividly, "and tell him to alter that ' First Lieutenant' to 'Captain'
wherever it occurs? The— official notification is just here," he added
almost apologetically. '
" Sure I'm glad to hear it, sir. All the -^en will be glad, sir ; and
1 m proud to think that I was the first man to salute the captain to-
day was tV9, sergeant's delighted answer. " I'll call Taintor in at once."
But Lane was blissfully thinking of the little note, now transferred
to the breast-pocket of his uniform blouse, and of how not his honest
old sergeant but sweet ,Mabel Vincent was the first to hail him by his
new title ; and in thinking of the note and of her he failed t» notice
that, 80 far from coming at once, it was fully ten or fifteen minutes
betore laintor, the clerk, put in an appearance, and when he did that
his face was ashen-gray and his hand shook as though with palsy.
'The sergeant will tell you what is to be done with the papers,
laintor, said Lane, conscious that he was blushing again, and conse-
quently striving to appear engrossed in the morning paper. The man
picked them ud one after another and without a word ; he dropped one
to the floor m his nervousness, but made a quick dive for it, and then
for the door, as though fearful of detention. He hurried through the
room in which the sergeant and one or two men were seated, and, reach-
ing his big desk at a rear window, where he was out of sight, dropped
the papers on the floor and buried his face in his shaking hands.
A few minutes later the sergeant, coming into the little cubby-hole
of a room in which Taintor had preferred to do his work, found him
with his arms on the desk and his face hidden in them, and the soldier
clerk was quivering and twitching from head to foot.
,, J' ^'^^t's the matter with you, Taintor ?" growled the old soldier.
Didn t you promise me you'd quit drinking ?"
The face that looked up into his was ghastly.
"It isn't drink, sergeant," moaned the man. « At least, I haven't
exceeded for a month. I've got a chill,— an ague of some kind.
Just let me run down to the drug-store and get some quinine,— with
perhaps a little brandv. Then I can do this work. Bo, sergeant. I
won't abuse your kindness."
" Well, go, then," was the reluctant answer : " but get back quick.
And only one drink, mind you."
Taintor seized his cap and fairly tottered through the adjoining room
to the stairway, down which he plunged madly, and, heedless of the
pelting rain, darted across the street to the gas-lighted bar-room.
of would-be
jipline. He
1, and never
the Queen
mt, and the
ept in civil-
ieve?" said
iane, blush-
* Captain'
" he added,
id, sir ; and
1 captain to-
in at once."
transferred
his honest
him by his
id to notice
en minutes
he did that
palsy,
the papers,
and conse-
The man
Iropped one
k, and then
hrough the
and, reach-
it, dropped
mds.
cubby-hole
founa him
the soldier
>ld soldier.
, I haven't
ome kind,
ine, — with
rgeant. I
•ack quick.
ining room
less of the
TWO SOLDIERS.
worse
to it."
IV.
come upon the follo>vi„g announlSnt 5 '""""''' ^^'' *"
" Distinguished Arrival.
■e hearfest welcome from the Qu«„ City. ForSSeTZm he
Z 7^^ r" • *"' «''"°!" -^Siment, and' ha, been prom" St in every
fran^fj hJT^ TV^ 'Satot the hostile Indians of our wXn
irontier. JHe has /ought a most everv aavno-P tv\l^ «., *i "«»iern
was disabled in the aLoc ca,npa^r^„^73^'"^"5j\<i «>","■•»';
guarf of his regiment that reaffl tl e ^m o^h^l^ . ' °^™™"
f^t^ri f" 'r '° '^' ''■^-»a„fofThr4il;?Cm a^S"
tetri:^ S9 Sr3'-' S»"-™
jeward for gallant and distinguished' .S^dr^n X' fiefd1,e°reive„*
fiXkin'gra: "' ""''''■ '^•'^'' "■' p-auo"!: ~m;;
theti;ehasnot;ete^i,^..T'"™ *" ""^ ■^"»»"' "' onoe, al.hougf
£^4tt^^?.;rar„ie:?t^^^rrj"»ee^^
IZ. h;trrr^' thetn^'fTh V -^f'"™ - "-■^ aTv^e
looki„„l WL I u!l'.-,: _-ra«y<»i,ola .W? Ho«r well vou're
«eld h=u„ting-i^ oW'G^nWnraTl^V&^nr tt
' ^i xlv'^' ^°" '° "^ "°"''' "'• ^"*^." «id Noel-
I
I ill
ill!
mil
410
TWO SOLDIERS.
much cordiality and extended his hand Known, oowed with
TM 1! *^''^"'' ''"°'^'" *»'^ ^«» "*hat you were a friend of NopI'. «,
^ ^ ir T,' '° T. y^'l *^^"'^' «"^ '"vited you to my hoL " '
" Friend r exclaimed Noel. "i^Wend/ Whv »r5L T _.
and chums! Why we've xJZuW ^ZH^ .• ^' ^® ^® ^^" partners
Vr^ Ar!„ ^' T . . *" **^®^ *"'8 continent together With«ni f
youaJa™"?"""" "■*' ^°" '•"' ^ »» "" Sioux «,a.p.ip,. w,«
.•..t'^^'r,"!Srf:j;:1'/dt'vo'";r„ XTlIrr™™? '"re-
time, „cept„„thi,'deW, whl^htd bZ'.h'Th'L'l.t ol5 &.'' "'
Oh, yes ; I remerabor having heard that Uiis was voi r h^m!" T
now that ^Ik is here." "" """ **'^'"^>' «^P«^ yo"»
;; I am very sorry indeed, Mr. Withei^, but I am already en«»ired "
You must make ear y bids if vou wHnf ir^ Jlf *u- ^ engaged.
It was just so m the regiment. He was always LdemLw.n'
when m„ you con.e, F.^? What evening shalfwe s^y?!^^^ "-*'"'
-ponse. " I fancied Vou J^htbe'^^LtrSn.oT'w^"'' P"""""
Yes, yon bet 1 didn't let the grass grow under ' mv r^ tu
moment we got the tel»raphic notifiSition t^t ft" Slonel'st^n.^'
course, are all in the bank." '^' *' """"^ ""'''' "^
"Suit yourself about that. Freddr iM hn^ t>_ • j
street with Amos now. HoWll to-'Z^w mo™L do" ^""^ '"™
« 1^1,:,!^' "■^!!?-- J»».-]' ""d ™«..he" «./time yon come in."
d.w„-iiwni;7th .^""C^Tr^^b'riSTereTtrt ~""^"?K
going over to see the worHJlSr" ^S.'e^r«^^nd^e^"y^ ^^
going
Come.
I
I
TWO SOLDIERS.
>en at the club,
wa, bowed with
d of Noel's, or
' houBc."
e been oartners
ether, Withers I
X campaign ? —
the trail to the
n,if I recollect
t withoQt that
J manner, and
ling to Captain
ipaign. Were
ment through
any length of
old home,
our home. I
known to me
'ery busy man
dine with us
y expect you,
»dy engaged."
I young man,
the shoulder,
nand.— Well,
r
e property to
ine's prompt
7 feet. The
el's nomina-
)el, laughing
ty? There's
as, they, of
going down
m come in."
come along
oor. We're
yoa know.
311
"Yes, come with us. I think I have heanl it was vour father
who-ah-who was m the same line of business at one' time, Mr.
liane, ' said Mr. Withers. '
" (hptain Lane, Amos l—Oiptain Jjane ! Great Scott I you mu.^n't
mister' a man who has been through the yearn of service he has."
1 Ijep pardon. I did not ho underHtand you, (Jordon, when we
were ta king l«.st night with the-whon we were having our smoke
and chat after dinner.— You will como with us, won't you, captain ?"
I wish I could. Mr. Withers, but my office-hours have to be
observed, and I cannot leave in the morning. Thank you heartily
none the 1(H«.-Then you will Ikj here to-morrow, Noel ?" ^
lo-morrow be it, Fred: so au rcvoir, if you can't join us I
raustnt k(^n Withers waiting,— business-man, you know. God bless
^ou'l" So I.m'^''" " ^'^'" *" '^'"''''^ ''"'^ delighted I am to see
" But about dining with us, Captain "
"Oh Lord, yesl" burst in Noel. " What evening, now? I'd
almost forgotten Getting in among bricks and morUir addles my
head. Tisn t like being out in the .saddle with the mountain breer.^
all around you : hey, Fre<l? Gad I I <lon't know whether I ci^
stand this sort of thing, after our years of campaigning." And the
and windows "^^^ "'^""'^ "''"" *''" ^'"'^ «'»» dingy walls
VJh\^y^T rrnfT '^^'"V^")^ ^won'm^, oiiptain," suggested Mr.
Semen.''" "''' •^"'' " ^^'^ ^"^'"^^^ ''' "'^^ >'^" '^« ^'^V
"^»*»a" be very happy, Mr. Withers."
. Good! That's the talk, Fred!" heartily shouted the lieutenant
bringing his hand down with a resound ing^vhack between Wh
shoulder-blades. "Now we are off! Come along, Am^' And
^rriTe.'"' ^^^^P^^"^ ^«^» ^^^ ^"^k stairway undipped into^he
"Not a very demonstrative man, your friend the cantain hn^
seems^to be solid," was Mr. Withers's remark. ^ ' "^
airilv « Cp h^«'llj ^^* u "ir"'^ "' *^^'^ '"^^^ *^*"°^ " ^^^^^^""^ Noel,
airily. Lane has his faults, like most men. It is only those who really
know ..m, who have been associated with him for years, and S
he tru . and likes, that are his friends. Now, //go h rough fire
Tf AVi r ^"« F^^««% conventional society manner this mornine
tJnl i'^ ^^" "^^^^ ""V^^ ^"^^ «^ th^ «taii^ and had stoirup on
tiptoe and gone over and put my arras round his neck, you would
L'm ^i^'^' ^"r^"' .*^"P."e ^^^ "^'^'^ «»d dancing SuHhat
room like a coup e of grizzly bea« when you came up, fnd the mt
h^hLllZt' ''^^•"* ^"" ^1 ^^"'^ ^«^« »''»«h«J ^"'"^on «nd^t
oeniua nis iry> qniHMkn m o on^^r^^A Tr_— •._ , i . . . . . rr""
nio.|.* ^^'\^Z "i" X " °^ Y""^" i"" jusc ougnt to nave seen him the
nf«nn K ' ^^ ''^u"' "T'^^ °"'* detachments down near Guadalupe
Canon when we were hunting Geronimo. Some d-d fool of a ranX
man had met him and said I was killed in the little affa^^ ha"wHh
the Apache rear-guard. Why, I waa perfecdy amazed atThe motion
TWO SOLDIEXS.
he showed.
;M
^. Ever sinoe tli. n I've sworn by Fred Lane • iUouah nf
oou«e .. has tmit« that I wmh he could jret nd of" ' ^ '
"Goodufficer, iV.'t he?" » * ,
" Ye— €8, Une k '» hnlf a bad soldier. Of course it remains to \^
""M;rtTmlT"''''r''' "'f^- HehasonIyrst^,."rs'rrc!:, »
Hut I m«an he— well—is a brave man,— has shown un well i.i
these Indian fights you were telling „8 al^ut ?" ^ '"
H m I ' answcrtxi Noel, with a quiet little chuckle : " if he waPi,>
when old J,m Blazer was our colonel during tho«e y..ar« of tl .^S
ami Cheyenne and Nez I»erc6 wars he ran two men out ol the reg^
ment sm.piy bo«iuse thoy manapl to got out of fiehl duty two Tuc-
oessiye years. Oh, no 1 Lane's afl right as a soldier, or he woddn't Tk..
wearing the crossed sabres of the P:ieventh "
Mr. Withers li:itened to these tales of the doings and saving of the
regiment with great interest. " I^„e might ha-,f In^cn he e ^ dozen
ITJ ""'^.r' '" '^'"!f '[' "«"^^ "« «"« "'«"'• c-on-nmnity wouhl have
known anything at al about the dangei^ and haixlshij/his comrades
and he had encounteml in their frontier service. It's only wh^^^me
i^™p its^ln?'" " " '•"' ''' ^^^^" ^"^^'"'"^ whaU;rr
♦h« ^V^\ *"« ^""•'"'n *o the great moulding-works of which he was
the sole head and proprietor, and presented his foremen and his cleTks
to the captain and told them of his career in the Indian ware on fhe
frontier, and then up on 'Change and proudly introduce " my coul
Captain Noel" to the magnates of the Queen City; and, thou^iVotoTe
outof a dozen was in the least degree interest^ in "the clptain" or
^red,a gniin of wheat what the army had done or was doh^ron the
frontier, a most every man had time to stop and shake hands^^ia .
whl r ^Tf"^""' ""^r'-t ^^''' Witters was said to bTrman
whose check for a round million would be v .Id nl sl-ht. and .nvbodv
who was first-cousin to tb.t amount of "spot tai." .v4 worth /S
to chat with even in the midst of the livol: .! t,.;j.Je 'twixt t>ull ^aS
U>ar on the floor of the Chamber of Commerce. A tall gray laii^
gentleman with a slight stoop to his shoulders and rather t r^^anxS
Slv th 'rHr'M''''"^'^ ''^^' '^r'' ^^^"^ "*^« pit" and sTun^
eagerly the little telegraphic slips thrust into his hand by scurryinir
T^^\ r ^^'r^^^^ Mr. Vincent, and ]/r. V S
V /«* ^ Noelknew L.eutenant-or rather Captiin-Lane.
/ ^<*^ Fred Lane? He is the best friend I have in the world "
uv. tr^thus-, ^^i^ answer, "and one of the best men that ever lived!"
_An I 1 m glad to know you,— glad to know what you sav The
^ptein 18 a constant visitor at our house, a great friend of ours', in fart!
Ah I excuse me a moment." And Mr. ViScent seized a certain weH
knownbroker by the arm and murmurecl some eager inquiries 1^^
-=.,^ w«,cn ine ocner listened with iii-disguised impatien'ce.
Withers and of course, "the captain" were the centre of a cordial
"a^r J^A T «*^«l»>ou8-group so long as they remained upon the
floor, and the secretary presentfy came to them with the compliments
*
■.'Wh^
TWO SOLDIERS.
318
9 ; though, of
remains to \)c
fot \m troop."
rn up well in
'if he wnpii'f,
Eleventii. A
Why. Amofi,
of Hi 'ioux
t ol ihe regi-
luty two 8UC-
i wouldn't Ihj
ayings of the
here a dozen
' would have
Ilia eomradea
y when some
itever of our
hich he was
id his clerks
wars on the
" my cousin
3ugh not one
captain" or
loing on the
ids cordially
9 be a man
nd anybody
^h .'rir ping
Kt bull and
gray-haired
red, anxious
»nd scanned
y scurrying
fr. Vincent
ne.
the world,"
ever lived."
say. The
urs, in fact,
ertain well-
liries in his
of the preHulent ami u card adraifting Captain Gordon Noel to the
flwrof the Chamber at any time during Uh.o« houn., which that
officer most graci'fully ackn„u ..nlgd and then went ou .-plying to the
questions of hw new friends alxHit the strange regions thn>..gh which he
had scouted and fought, and the chara(terisfi«>H of the Indian tribes
with whom ho had been brought in contact. And by he time Cousin
Amos det;laml they must go up to the club for lu.x^heon, everybody
was much impresmHl by the hearty, jovial manner of the dashir.g
<avalryman, and there were rcpeatetl hand-shaken, promises to call, ami
prophecies of a delightful sojourn in their midst as he took his leave
Has Captain Lane oome in yol to lunch?" inquired Mr. Wither-
of the livened attendant at "The Queen City," as his cousin inscribed
his name and regiment in the visitors' Ijook, as intrr nlumi by "A W "
in ponderous strokes of the pen. ' *'
"No, sir. It's cjHwiderably past the time the g ntleman generally
comes. I don't think he'll be in to-day, sir."
1 " '^'!? 'J,? '^*'"'' '^"'^' Gordon. We'll order for wo. What wine
do you like?
*♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦
Over at the dingy rcK^ruiting-oflRce Captain Lan. had forgotten
n»K)Ut luncheon There were evidences of carelessness on the part of
he clerk who had made out his great batch of |>apors, and the further
he lookttl the more he found. The orderly had Inicn sei-t for Taintor
and had returnal with the information that he was nor at his desk'
Sergeant Burns, vyhen calleil i4)on to explain Imw it hap, cnal that he
allowed him to slip away, promptly replied that it was haf-past eleven
when he came out of the captain's office and said that the. captain
would want him all the afternoon, so he had best go and g. his dinner
now. Half-past twelve came, and he did not return, 'i he sergeant
weut after him, and came back in fifteen minutes with a h orried look
about Ins face to say that Taintor had not been to dinner tt all, and
that tlio door of the little room he occupied was locked. J - had not
been lu the bouse since eight that morning.
»l 'l^"t -f?'"^' ^''"' ^«'«,^'"nkin' again," said Burns; "but he's so
sly about It I never can tell until he is far gone."
" You go out yourself, and send two of the men, and make in-
quiries at all his customary haunts," ordered Lane. " I will stay here
and go throngh all these papers. None are right, so far. I e never
laiiwi me before ; and I do not understand it at all "
But when night came Taintor was still missing,— had n t been
seen nor heard of,-and Captain Lane had written a hurried note to
the lady of his love to say that a strange and most untoward case of
iTuTnf? r^. Tv''"^ ^^"'^ necessitated his spending some time
with the Chief of Police at once. He begged her to make\is excuses
to her good mother for his inability to come to dinner. Later in the
evening he hoped to see her.
hea2f"rN«nJ^ Mi. Vincent, pensively. « Wl.e™ have I
814
TWO SOLDIERS.
V.
feshioned prig tha/he has h^S o apr^ 'b^" A^ f ^° ^^^-
Vmcents' late on the previous dav Utlf 1 ^^^^ ^®«^'^g the
there for fully two hoSrs n the endl^v T"^^ ^ ^'' '^^'^^^ «"d sat
letter address^ to Ccent Jre tZ" *^.^°^P^« « brief, manly
the old style of addrS a gentleman of 'f^^^ T" '^^^ ^^« th«°
mission to pay his addreX^ i't "daXr ^ T'^''^^^^'
task was the composition of this UiZfrZ ^ • ^ ^^"^ difficult
was desperately in earnlt LwLr J /'*'"*'"' '«'^^^^- »«
attempts^he iissivrwTs 'cot^^^^^^^ ffisTitIC' '"'.f ^^ "^^'^^
was to send that letter bv an nS,, f Ir ^r?"^^ '" ^^^ morning
he turned to his sero-eant nnrl .S^/^ ^''- ^'^^^nt's office. Then
a word had ^^^: S^^^r::! .tfJZ^' ^' *^^ ^^^- ^^t
"and^ot^th'^rn^vltTnl^^^^^^
and this morning making inourieshnfJll ."""^'^ ^*""^« ^^^ °'ght
tives came and burst into h"s trunk nr ^ i*'' "^ P^'PT' ^he detec-
having He had been taking fway h'lfc'eTo^f "^.> '' "°^^*^
m small packages and secretinrf hpm w. ^u '^•' ^'''''" *'"« to time
heard, sir, that I never Tnew£fi! , ^u""^ ''^'^'''' ^"^ thing I
gooe to b^d atnight^wo^dd ttSnJly s ed orof\'-' ^'^" '^/^^
away and never reappear until bTaS tZ i n H ^" '^.°"' ^"*^ ^^
now will the lieutenant-the canta^n ttl i *''? morning. And
Are the check-books alJTightrs^r ?" ^ "' ^^' ^'^'"^ ^^'^ ^"^t'«">
« W^if ^"' *^''' '^^"^ mto'your head?" asked Lane
his delrironrsraLfsaTd ?hat"h:Ud^^^^^ T "^^'^'^ ^'"^^^ «*
that he hadn't completelv SrovP^l.^.^ t''^."^.* '"^P ^^ V^V^t
look like Taintor'sCall . he saTd it morp^ handwriting on it did^t
tain ; and it made me BusDicious T n T'"^^^!-*^^^ «^ *he cap-
night." suspicious. I never heard this until late ij^t
he ^rS^cS . Taking out his check-book, '
the number^of stubs Ind Wd ZT^^ '"^ co'npared'them with
-y,^at at least fi^'si^Thtk^t^^^^^^^ --h to his dis-
stay ht^tnlVheTl^urntioStmS ^ ''' ^^^V Y^
and ask him to sit down and ^^ait^L]^^' f^^ 5"? ""^ compliments,
I'll be back in a veryXrt time' ' ^^^^^ «^^ ^^^ the morning paper!
hadSyTklp^lhTr^^^^^^^
way into the ofli«, and asked to ^ the ^^^fj^'"^' '^ «'«<'« ^'^
TWO SOLDIERS.
315
• far to convince
lore of an old-
fter leaving the
I rooms, and sat
a brief, manly
•e nor less than
requesting per-
A. very difficult
r soldier. He
jd after several
n the morning
s office. Then
d^erter. Not
^ the sergeant,
unts last night
J- The detec-
ug in it worth
n time to time
One thing I
after he had
> room and go
srning. And
: the question.
ys writing at
irap of paper
J on it didn't
'■> of the cap-
util late last
check-book,
I'them with
I to his dis-
bank. You
onipliments,
ning paper.
iptain Lane
Bank. His
Jrent estab-
icated, and,
B made his
" Will you kindly tell me if any checks on the recruitiqg-fund have
lately been presented for payment?" he eagerly asked.
The captain was referred to the book-keeper, and that official called
him within the railing.
" No less than four checks were brought here yesterday for pay-
ment, and they came between half-past two and three o'clock in the
afternoon," was the book-keeper's report. " There seemed to us some-
thing wrong in the simultaneous presentation of the four, and I was
on the point of addressing a note to you this morning to ask you to
come down to the bank. Everything about it appears in proper
shape and form, except that three of the checks have been endorsed
payable to your clerk, William Taintor, who came in person and drew
the money."
" Let me see the checks, if you please," said the captain.
They were speedily produced. Lane took them to the window and
closely examined them.
" I could not tell them," he said, " from my own handwriting ;
and yet those three checks are forgeries. I believe that the endorse-
• ments on the back are equally forgeries. Now, can I take these with
me to the office of the Chief of Police? or do you desire that the
detectives should be sent here? Taintor deserted last night, and all
traces have been lost. What is the amount that he has drawn ?"
" One check, payable to the order of William Hayden for board
furnished to the recruiting-party, is to the amount of forty-five dollars
and fifty cents. The second, payable to James Freeman, and endorsed
by him to William Taintor, as was the first, is for rent of the building
occupied by the recruiting rendezvous, precisely similar in form and
amount to the previous checks, for the sum of sixty dollars. The
third check is payable to William Taintor himself, marked ' for extra-
duty pay as clerk at the recruiting office for the past six months.' The
fourth is made payable to the order of Sergeant James Burns, ' extra-
duty pay as non-commissioned officer in charge of the party for the six
months beginning January 1 and ending June 30.' "
This check, too, had been endorsed payable to the order of William
Taintor. All four checks, amounting in all to the sum of about one
hundred and sixty dollars, had been paid to the deserting clerk during
the afternoon of the previous day.
" Had you no suspicion of anything wrong?" said Lane.
" I knew nothing about it," said the book-keeper. " They were
presented to the paying teller at the desk, and it was not until after
bank was closed, when we came to balance up cash, that the matter
excited comment and then suspicion. Taintor has frequently come here
before with drafts and checks ; and if you remember, sir, on one or two
occasions he has been sent for new check-books when the old ones had
run out"
X. !.-.,•. tj r^ij Liuc, saiu ijuuu. - iiu nas oeen empioyea nei'e lu
this rendezvous for the last ten years, and has borne, up to within my
knowledge of him, an unimpeachable character. If any mor« checks
come in, stop payment on them until you see me, and, if possible,
detain the person who presents them."
m\
fiiH
316
TWO SOLDIERS.
l=«t night and' ifas tu™rf ^° /' t''^ ""''« <»"• % clerk deserted
stolen half a dozen checks frl L b^k t» f '^''' ^'"^'- «« <»«
of vanous parties, fomed the en" 0^,™,^^ "'^? "'" ^ *« «"Jer
recru,ti„g.f„„d in the KrstSnrBank ^Tlf .'? "" "■^" "^ the
funds to^ou there will be no C We h av^tl T '"'''"''« "'«' "•«
the clothing account; but as quiSly as DoS^l. T ■,'i\*"' ri*™ ''»'
for your signature and mine '" Possible I will have them ready
"i;7itS frorthe'^Srtl &Lr7"«^ N-'. ''"-ly.
to have a nest-egg in ,he bank^rbih, ,S^h T?,"!""""/^,'?'''^ ^ ™»'
a fat cousin, sn't it? He h„= ™l„ " u ■"*» good thing to have
me nn^ 1,. '•.:!.. x " . ^« .""s always been verv lih,«l .,.j*i..- 'j .
a fat cousin isS't " H "hi aZ'" f"' ^''^ " K""" """g «« h«ve
i, luckily, iv; bnV/dt ;„"tiL'T:ir^-^'?!;i\:'<' kind ™
^".'""H»ft- Noel left, a diWi^t re^et/'L'S '''-K-"
me, and,
'^. ' -"V"'v> -i ve oniy drawn on him twirv q^ tmi k , "*
Five minutes after Noel left a A\Z\T ^^' ii«rry along."
note for Captain Lane, irwas a.Wr.^1^ * messenger entered witf a
of Mr. Vincent. He opencdTt tlfhff *lr "" /" *''^ handwriting
merely these words : ^ '"'*' ^ trembling hand. It contained
eJi^^/o'Stli^cl^^^ ^^'"-. Can you
tion ; and I much desire to sTe you. *^'" *^^^ ^''^^"* '^^'^^V-
delay into the private roomTf Le flf ^^^^^^^^ T «^?^« ^^thoS^
mg even older and graver in thp w!n r I'f ^'^'^* ^^' Vincent, look-
btn-lding, was seated aThidtl and t^f '^'' -T ""^'^^ ^^-^
memoranda and figures. He nu.h^ h" i^ ^^T"^ ^'*^ ^ book of
ward at once at sight of Lane anTm^' !^ . ^1 '¥'" ^°^ ««"»« for-
«-»n"„'h:";,aftirLXTr^JgTt ^'^4o' ""• ^'"i *» <■"- •
seem to rush into matrimonv ZhU^^tL f ^. 5 Pf'P'' "owadays
parents, and your lo.er w^a snrpris o mf'°1'' ■^f^'"-* *» tl>eir
the act that you should have so "X Itr/Z^A^fP^' *^* ". «
the Wthat/oT-shouId ha-^emtrC.^. .. .,
■ -laKe tins chair, rm^^n.-r, » k^" ^x;"''. x-j —•--"" «t mi.
continued, as h« returned to his desk
at
iich to
say to you," he added, with
ou-Hatfrom w^^tL^Svai^CvK »4t,:it — '
TWO SOLDIERS.
317
of my aoauaintan^ to whom I could intrust my daughter's future with
more .mplicit confidence. It is true that both h^er mother and Had at
one time other hopes and views for her, and that we wish your prof^
sion was not that of arms. And now I beg you to be patient wi?hmT
and to pardon my al uding to matters which you yourseKroach n this
;;;ir"paTa one't ^t^^V ^^" ^^" "^ i^-lyol^e not dependent on
your pay alone, but that from investments n real estate in ^rowinc^
cities in the West and in mines in New Mexico your pres^.t^iTomf
IS some five thousand dollars. As I understand ^you, fhe p opertvis
steadily increasing in value?" ^ ' P™perty is
to Hnln^r ^^^"^'^ '"'"''^"^ *^"' ^^"' ^''^ «°d I think it will continue
least/' '' ^'"'^ *^ '""^''-^^ '^'^ ''^^ ^'^'^ investrTente at
"I am glad of this, on your account as well as here, for Mabpl hfl«
been reared in comparative luxury. She has never Swn what it was
to want anything very much or very long. She has beeTiSu JS
^1. oVsSrtnV ;?" whole life'woulS be one equalT/frt^^
i^ggan" "" ^'^ to-morrow, sir, she would be a
And here, in great agitation, the old gentleman rose from his chair
white frPrr^'r"'^ P^'^^P "^^ ^""° ^^e little n"m, wlghi^^^^^^^^
r>fe ItTu""^ 'T^^^ ^"^ ^"••"'"g '"*« f««e away fr ,m the sfl^t
so dier, that he might not see the tears that hung to the \L\^ ovfZ
umc we are ruined,— and the money I hope to get in New York to f WIp
Tn whinh'^M^tr'"' T^>^ ^" ^^^^- Next month at this tie the houl
in which Mabel was born and reared may be sold over her h^^d M.
*\U ii^^ ' ^^^ ' ^^ you understand that f you win her -iffpr.
ta and she become your wife I have not a penny w^wTich to bT^'
^ny'r^n^TlhTSm^j"^ ^T' " ^^""^^ ^'^^ "^y^^^ ^i«h«r than
«uy man in tnis world if I could know that your daughter cared for ma
and would be my wife Do not think that I faif tf sTmie and
of anv Ln T^' ^'^^ ^^'' ^^^ ™y own I could ask nothing
You^ri 1 'l'j;tIT..'l'!^^' ''. - ^-^ then, at one if needtf
within ten d'ays/' '^"^""^ """ ""'^' "''^ ''"^ '""'' '^J^^^ "^^ ''^g'"»ent
.rrul^^ fS" consent, and my best wishes, captain," said Mr VinoenL
11, !
318
TWO SOLDIERS.
i:.'!nl
"Not a word Mr. Vincent; and I can form no idea what her
answer will be. Pardon me, sir, but has «he or has Mrs. Vincent any
knowledge of your business troubles?" ^
"My wife knows, of course, that everything is going wrong and
that I am desperately harassed ; Mabel, too, knows that I have lost
much money—very much— in the last two years; but neither of them
knows the real truth,— that even ray life-insurance is gone. A year
ago 1 strove to obtain additional amounts in the three companies in
which I had taken out policies years ago. Of course a rigid examina-
tion had to be made by the medical advisers, and the r^ult was the
total rejection of ray applications, and in two cases an offer to return
with interest all the premiuras hitherto paid. The physicians had all
discovered serious trouble with my heart. Last winter our business
was at Its lowest ebb. I had been fortunate in some speculations on
Change in the past, and I strove to restore our failing fortunes in that
way. My margins were swept away like chaff, and I have been vainly
striving to regain thena for the last three months, until now the last
cent that I could raise is waiting the result of this week's deal. Every
man in all the great markets East and West knew three weeks ago that
a powerful and wealthy syndicate had 'cornered,' as we say. all the
wheat to be had, and was forcing the price up day by day • and I
had started in on the wrong side. Even if the corner were ti break
to-morrow I could not recover half my losses. The offer the insurance
companies made was eagerly accepted, sir: I took their money, and it
dribbled away through my broker's fingers. If wheat goes up one
cent, we cannot meet our obligations,— we are gone. We have been
compelled to borrow at ruinous rates in order to meet our calls • I say
we, for poor Clark is with me in the deal, and it means ruin for him
too, though he, luckily, has neither wife nor child. Are you ready
sir, to ally your name with that of a ruined and broken man —to
wed a beggar's daughter?" And here poor old Vincent fairly broke
down and sobbed aloud. Long watching, sleepless nights, suspense
wretched anxiety, the averted looks and whispered comments of the
men he daily met on 'Change, the increasing brusqueness and insolence
of his broker. Warden,— all had combined to humiliate and crush him
He threw himself upon the sofa, his worn old frame shaking and
quivering with grief. The sight was too much for Lane. This was
her tather: it was her home that was threatened, her name that was
m jeopardy.
"Mr. Vincent," he cried, almost imploringly, "I cannot tell you
how utterly my sympathy Is with you in your anxiety and distress. I
beg you not to give way,— not to abandon hope. I— I think it may
be m my power t» help a little ; only— it must be a secret between us.
ohe — Mabel must never know."
VL
Is the three days that followed, the transfer of funds and property
at the recruiting rendezvous took place, and Mr. Noel stepped in wi
Lane, relieved and ordered to join his regiment. The former was
having a delightful time. A guest of the wealthy Withei-ses could not
I
.1
I
lo idea what her
irs. Vincent any
foing wrong and
that I have lost
neither of them
8 gone. A year
•ee companies in
a rigid examina-
le result was the
1 offer to return
liysicians had all
ter our business
speculations on
fortunes in that
lave been vainly
til now the last
:'s deal. Every
3 weeks ago that
we say, all the
by day; and I
• were to break
er the insurance
• money, and it
at goes up one
We have been
>ur calls : I say
ns ruin for him
^re you ready,
oken man, — to
snt fairly broke
ights, suspense,
•mments of the
>s and insolence
and crush him.
e shaking and
ine. This was
name that was
annot tell you
nd distress. I
[ think it may
ret between us.
s and property
itepjped in, viae
le former was
erses could not
TWO SOLDIERS.
319
long be a stranger within their gates to the Queen citizens and evi^rr
SSXLtr "ITtL'Zb h'^S Tri ^italiti^'onh'e mlrr^
oiaj onaracter. At the club he had already become hail-fellow with all
he younger element and had made himsdf decidedly Zuraramoni
^geft^'^;.'^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^S' "^^ -et that jolly ^KnX;?
eager to oe presented to lum. He was ready for pool billiarrla hnwl
i^V'^Tn ""t'.^'.T^r^^^^^^*^"" *^e staKor!^a^1nd"
l^L^hf ''^'"^^'^' ^'"^^'^' '^^^^< «°^ ^r^^^ked innumeSe jokes
during the various games, was a capital mimic, and could peiSnate PaT
Hans, or Crapaud with telling effect, his presence was pSm^ bv
eve^ one as better than a solid week of sunshine^metLg the
Queen City rarely, if ever, experienced. "reining ine
IT K T ^^"^' **1 *'i^ contrary, was nearly worrying his heart onf
out bemg told, he felt sure must be the case; but, beyond rSftW
she Iked and trusted him, the captain had not tlStest id^ jf to
the nature of her feelings towards him. He was a modest felb^ «^
has been said. His glass told him that, despite a pah^^of c lear^'rav
eyes and a decidedly soldierly cut to his features C w«« IT ^[^^
women called a handle man^ and^what wTmoW^thr werl HttL
strands of gray just beginning to show about his b^^ad teh^d and
in the heavy moustache that shaded his mouth. Lane si JheTl Jp
remembered that he was in his thirty-sixth year How Sle cai^
for him,-fifteen years her senior ? Lane mng the do^^.i^^^H^^^t „S
and felt once more that his heart was beating even as it did «??!
o'clcK..k when he was ushered into the awful prSenc^ of her father
to .1 ^'^J V"'««"* h^ ^ot left her room to-day, and is ^7x411 en^u^h
^and Mrs' V- '"""l^t' ^'f '''f '^' servant who came tr LXr
nSlf he J"'"""* ^^^'^ '^ ^ ^^^"'^ ^^"^ of Miss Maffi
tuJ^'l '*'" ^^"iT' 7,f7. ^'^''''y" stammered the captain. " Please sav
«l5 • *^f, ^^?^''^^ not yet refer to himself by his ne "tX^
*h^ ^°?- *^^"' ^^i^<it^ and miserable, and yet with something akin M
nlX"«n '~^f ^^"^ simple-hearted fellow would haveTramS Til
ft^rite™',! west-bound cp, and was soon &r down town «t hia
'!i!
320
iH
m
ililjl
Hini^j .
Iliiiii
TWO SOLDIERS.
he say anTwr;^^''^^'"^^^^*^'-*^^ handsomest you have"
a <^! tore itio tH Jr-' '^'"^ ^^^^^"^ ^« ^^^^ « dinLjn
toWmeuteld^^ another, and similarly reduced that
of hif ro&'ft^^^^^^^^ -'^/-^^ l-'ted the expn^ion
^JDo get well by Saturday at latest. I cannot go without seeing
F L"
forwirSt"bo7,rh?s td- ^''" "'-^ '"^ O"™'- - '- «"-
IK>p;^7;jhTm,4'^^?!'; ■•' ""^'^'f'" "- ">« -w", as the captain
the w^riT. the'^'e^rd ^^lT.^^l 'igl't wa, ,till burning in
counting over pronerfv 3 o^^*^""""^ ^^ 'P^?' "* *^« rendezvous,
thought-<]id thit mo,r nSr "I *''^- ^""*"' "■« <"". but she
peH,fp,the^wa,amS-,™?i S T";^ ^»"an, Maty Ann-thai
stepp^'into hebri^rnST' •'"."■"'■r'i''' '""^'f '" 'i"«^. ""d
hoa« listening to her rftri.,\r'' . "'' «1«"' """""y dclieions
" How good you are to me !" she wmf^ « T'„« fl^
are sti I— e5-nui4e T ^.luL a .' -.'^^ ^o\ver& were— and
M. L. V."
He had to go to
*Ka ^it'^'^^T^^P'^ "°*" *'"^«y afternoon came. He had
TWO SOLDIERS.
S21
>rist, as he came
T, as the captain
m«n " ™^"k ^}^l^ ^]^P^]^^^ an<i begged you to bear me out, old
Cousin Mattie simply ordered me to appear in my war-paint, and I had
to do It. You are to go in to dinner with her, by the way : ind I wish
you were en grande ^ue instead of civilian spike-tail. Here's Amos »
And Amos marched him around to one guest after another.— " self-
made men^s.r,"-heavy manuflicturers and moneymaker., with their
overdressed wives. Lane strove hard to be entertaining to his hosted
but that lady's mind was totally engro^ssed in the progress of the
feast and dread of possible catastrophe to style or servicf Her eyes
glanced nervously from her husband to the butler and his asslsta^
and her hps perpetually framed inaudible instructions or waS;
and so 't happened that the captain wos enabled to chat a goo<l dea
with a slight, dark-eyed, and decidedly intelligent girl whofarto his
right and who was total y ignored by the youui cub who t^^her h^
-the eldest son of the house of Withers, a callow youth of twenty/ ^
M- M^"'" u I . "''^ ^^' ^y "^™®' ^ ^°°W'" she had said to him. " I am
M.S8 Marshall, a very distant connection of Mrs. Withers's, the teacher
tTfi^r the'gap'" """" <^etailed-.isn't that your soldier expression ?-!:
aaid^lnt I'mnglj:! '"" ^''" "" ""^ '"P''"^^^'"' "^^ ^ ««'^^"
"I had a cousin in the artillery some years ago, and visited his
wife when they were stationed at the old Lrmcks 'across tierve
There 8 no one there now, I believe. Listen to Captain Noel • hli's
telling about Indian campaigns." ^ *
{^"deed, pretty much everybody was listening already, for Noel with
much animation was recounting the experienc^ of the chase a^tl'r the
Chiricahua chieftain Qeronimo. He was an excellent tiilC anT !
diplomatic and skilful in the avoidant" ^;^S^S^'r'^^^^^ ^^^
idd '.id' ''r;,«^tl>^««"? of dramatic incidents which he so gmpfeUy
told and yet the impression conveyed-and intended to be LvevS-
was tha no man had seen more, endured more, or ridden haX^T
and farther^ than the narrator. Flattered by the evident inSsh^wn
eW"h: t^beT' ?'r'''^ that convention was brisTTt Ws
end ot the table the lieutenant soon lost himself in the enthusiasm of
h s own d^cnptions, and was only suddenly recalled to earth by^Sin^
^SibTe'exlTiof^ had ceased its diiJiier-chat, and thaVS'hf
possiDie exception of the hostess, who was telegraphing signals to the
nervoTs laugh.^ ' '"^ ''' *"'"^ *"^^^^^ ^^"« "^'^ ^
"I'd no idea I was monopolizine the talk." Hp ««;rl <iv^ „ij
command to ours when we neared the Guadalupe? Amos 3 Mr
Hawk, had been asking me about the chase after&ntmo" ^'•
« You'klrtL n'P;~^?P*"^" ^rr"^'«'" ^"^^^••^i Lane-
lou know that Captain Lane and I are of the same regiment,
Jlii,
322
TWO SOLDIERS.
iiiliii
illli
iilii
and, though not actually together in the chase, we were in the «im«
him'r "'^*''''' «^Ptein,-my brother Henry's son. Did you know
*},o "^T"^ ^""^ ^ ^^^' ^® '« °"« of *he warmest friends I have in
InH f T^'--«"t« de of "7 own regiment, that is. We were ^n
stantly together one winter when I was on stiff duty in WashTnZn"
"Do you know, Captain Lane, that I have found your comrade
^es lU''^ interesting man?" observed Miss Marslmll and her
eyes turned upon her next-door neighbor in calm but keen scrutiny
look^ If fl-' "P r^^rtaining," was the reply ; and the dai^™^^^^^
looked unflmchmgly into the challenge of the dark-brown. ^^ ^
les, 1 have listened to his tales of the frontier at breakfpQf
.-.. «:ej:q « °/e„«';s^^ rs sr- -p'»
Ana must needs have a good memory to be able to tell of it all
K'S^ T^'n" T ''''"""*^ *he .same incident more than onc4" An7
Miss Marshall's 1ms were twitching at the cornere in a manner sua-
gestive of mischief and merriment Combined ^'
youJ^ womr"^ ^" " ''P'^*" "^'^^ ^^ ^^'^^""^ ^ ™ost observant
ro^r ^^T-^ ^ ^'"^ """^ "^" *o tax your loyalty to a redmental com-
rade «ipta.n: so you need not answer. Captain Noel iXrS sTd
entertams me principally because of his inteL indl^vidualit^ld hfs
en ire conviction that he carries his listenei^ with hi^ ' Age Lnnot
wither nor custom stale his infinite variety;' but there shouW Tt be
quite so much variety in his descriptions of 'a single ever TMs t
).,•= r^T have the advantage of me, Miss Marshall," answered Lane
h^ eyes twinkling with appreciation of her demure but droll ex pos^e
of Noel s weak point. "It is the first time I ever heardts vSn
" It is the last time he will mention it in your presence if he saw
the exnression in your face, Captain Lane." P'-esence, it he saw
n„f .fVh^^iTi •"*'*ospective eyes of yours look clear through and see
out of the back of your head. Miss Marshall ? Your free was turnS
towards him. You stopped short in telling me of your ^usTn in ?h.
artillery and your visit to the bflrr«nl.= Ja hJl 1° i:^??^" '" ^^^
thing I did not care half as much toTiear-^s yS^r^o;; i^p^s^JoZf
^Pir^r^l'-. ^Zf "'["^ *h^ quadruplex account of tTe^nSride
« w n^** 5^*^" thought of the army.^ ^ ^^'
^ Well, of ooui«e the first thing a girl wants to know is what the
TWO SOLDIERS.
323
most observant
■I
}
shoulder-straps mean ; and I learned the very firet day that the blank
strap meant a second lieutenant, a single silver bar a first lieutenant
and two bars a captain -that is, in the artillery. Now, why this pro^
voking distinction in the cavalry? Here's a captain with only one tar
a captain whose letters from the War Department come addressed t!>
Lieutenant Gordon Noel I"
;| Noel never speaks of himself as captain, I'm sure," said Lane.
Neither do you ; and for a vear past, ever since I have known
you by sight, —and here a quick blush mounted to her temples.—" vou
occasionally came to our church, you know," she hastened to explain —
you have been referred to as Lieutenant Lane or Mr. Lane -but we
know you are a captain now, for we saw the promotion record^ in the
Washington despatches a fortnight ago. What was the date of Captain
Noel 8 elevation to that grade? I confess I took him for your junior
in the service and in years too." ^ J J
« I^J ^^^ ^''}^^ "^^^ ""^ *° ^'^ youth," answered Lane, smilingly.
And about the captaincy ?" ' s / •
"Well, he is so very near it, and it is so apt to come any day, that
perhaps he thinks it just as well to let people get accustomed to ^llinff
him ifuU. rher he won't have to break them all in when the com-
mission does come."
"Then he is your junior, of course?"
" Only by a file or so. He entered service very soon after me "
iJut was not m your class at West Point?"
" No : he was not in my class."
" In the next one, then, I presume?"
" Miss Marshall, is your first name Portia ? I should hate to be a
witness whom you had the privilege of cross-examining. There are
l^ies learned in the law and I expect to read of you ^ called to the
bar withm a year or two."
^^ J Never mind. Captain Lane. I will ask you nothing more about
_ " No, Miss Marshall, I presume that ray clumsiness has rendereil
It totally unnecessary."
of fhpm Pnf?!'*! ^ ^vfFl'*" ""'"^ 'dispersing. Lane did what most
M^il goSJnV^^^^^ '^ "^°* ^^" *^ '''^ P'^"« «-^ ^^« M-
^ '; Captain Lane," she said, « I beg your pardon if I have been too
nquisitive and too critical, as I know I have been; but yoVhave
wnrM "w-u ^""^ ^r'"''- ^'^'^ *^ ^^ard a comrade's failings from the
« ^1, y'^^ """^ ^°'"S>ve a woman's weakness ?"
There is nothing to forgive, Miss Marshall. I hope sincerely
that we may meet again before I go back to the regiment."^ ^
HJm r Kr-^""' ^^ ^".^ ^^? T*^^^"S homewani from a final peep at the
dim light in a certain window, he hnd fJm« f« +k;„i, k..™'?!!"i:1u,
V^'ZIT T -""i K" "ot been for ihe ;;cid wh Sh
placed that dark-eyed governess by his side.
3r-
TWO SOLDIERS.
I ill I
;!•!>• I
VII.
bright fortune? Does it mean victorv? /r;, T .1 ?"* " ""«'"•
ter itz'?"weretl,equ«.io„Xt . owX^thr^gh't bra'b'VV""-
to-day she was to " be down fnr „ iw;! "',.,"&» "'s brain. To-day—
then L " ,,„h".o t artola\^l':''''^o:id''r^^"'r'';r''
yet „,„n that loVf"S„l'':„XJe"T,;.as Ltrf i'T
dre^ and ,,™,rT;^r4'lLtttrr':^^^^^^^^^^
he .?rei:<t :;ia!"irlhaf li'^ "'vthr '' I'H"^- '- ™he„
:tTt a?d£l«-H^^^^^^ "
What coldly, a^d 8„tffJtLn;at Z^^ ^^'^e-
Clark was pale and nervous ; eve^ eHck oflhp " ? u » *^°- 5''-
make him start. A clerk sinnd ,» .Z ;„ ? . *'.".'"'■ ^""l '»
dotted qnotations. "'' '"»"■"■»«»'. ™tehing the rapidly-
" Have you heard from Mr. Vincent '" was the fir=t „„„.•
without a word, a telegram was handed him rtl- ' ^^l"" ' ""?•
sawato„ee.andClarls^plia ttlt;r";tiou "" '" "'P''"' ""•'
touch^Ta^ BXi^h^l;^' ''"-'^- ^ WaMen instant
"Sl'-hralraTa^r.-jJ^to^od-VT^^^^^^
quarters of a cent between us and begLyT I couM l^r J K f "^I
Vincent : 'twould kill hJm F,r^« ^^ u^ • " "^^ '*> ""* »ot
*!". "™* -*^ven his home is mortraa-ed "
wasTtenT " ''"'°'' '"-"P '"P ^' *' «'»-' -loorfr-clerk's h«.d
'f Three-eighths, sir."
the flit^litave nol^iket^'LTT ^"L " ^- ^"'■'" '"''"<"' r^ «>
m Treasure notes,-„„e hundred eaoh,-had you not V '^"".'""'« "
TWO SOLDIERS.
326
ig, and lay for a
arrows alx)ut his
ifts of li^ht that
"Does It augur
the 'sun of Aus-
^rain. To-day
! afternoon," and
le?" Tenthou-
but whisoer one
It lacked hours
not five o'clock ;
e in bed intoler-
ad had his bath,
to rouse hira.
s after ten when
from well, and
I the doctor had
planation some-
ork with their
igh noon when
hastened to the
^hat it had only
ead it and care-
moment he v»'as
)seted with the
k & Co. Mr.
ker" seemed to
ng the rapidly-
queetiou ; and,
» cipher, as he
harden instant
ied his face in
Hse 1"
^oice.
fit I Three-
«r it, but not
id."
e clerk's head
follow you to
ir call at the
Better have it
« I'll see Warden at onoe. D-,, him I he would sell m out with
I no more compunctions than he would shoot a Imwk "
New York ?" asked Lane, as they hurried from the office.
J4ot an at«ml He made old ll(«siter what he is,— hauled him
out of the depths, set him on his feet, took hira m here with him for
ten y^rs, sent h.m East with a fortune that he has trebled since in
Wall Street, and now, by heaven ! the cold-blooded hrute will not lend
nim a pitiful twenty thousand."
At the bank Lane found an unusual numl)er of men, and there
was an air of suppressed excitement. Telegraph-hoys woild rush in
every now and then with despatches for various 'parties, and thes^ we^
hirif h^T'L""^-,'"'^''- ^J^P' "^ ^«^' ^"-"^^^ conversation reachS
hira as he stood, a silent watcher. " They cannot stand it another day."
Ihey ve been raining wheat on them from every corner of the North
and West. No gang can stand up under it." <' It's bound to break,"
etc. To an official of the bank who knew him well he show«l the
telegram he had received at the club, and the gentleman looked up in
u S^ ^?" ^""' *^'^ "^' captain ? Surely you are not "
lau^h "V^r'' T^ empfiatically," replied Lane, with a qu:et
iaugb. Yet I may have sudden use for that sum. I teleeranhecl to
oTceStSV'ilT""^ '"-^''^y- ^-' P-^-P^' oug^tTSal
of cZr:: know-^" "'"' '"' ' ^"""-"^ '' "■" ^ ^^"« ' ^^-^^
living the man of busing to attend to the necessary formality. Lane
miw.? •J'"^'^"';^ i""!^^ ^"^» *'^^ crowded street towa^ls the
was at Its height. The day was hot; men rushed by, mopping their
tt 2 to rOh^'^J^^ TP^^ ^'^ ^^'^''"^ "-^ the^'brold en-
trant to the Chamber, and all its windows were lowered to secure free
the^lr?"^ '.^ "^ ^^"^ ^^"^'^^^ »'« •^^"l^ ^'^^ theXuts^
wwT .? '" *''' P'^ ^^'" ^'^^^ *h« ««^«Jc«« roar and rattle of
sTSX"h ' ?°^ PT"^.1?*- ^'''^' ^y ^'*^^« '^' minute-hand w^
f hal?ve^?'' h?h ''w' ^"^ '"" "" '^'S? ^'•^"^ ^'^••^- " H^ «he touched
reaZl^^init^ ^"* o^ ^ve minut. and
ThefeJ^\ r^rn/'"*^ f' r""^ ^"'-" ^•"g'^' ^^J^'"" stroke,
emt Cnf nf T J T-.t" *^' '*'^*' " general scurry towards the
TuTL^ZjfiU ^^ ^v!.''^'"^' ^ rapidly-increasing crowd along the
cust:!:rjJ!:? =^„".„-."^^P--g out,ai/brokers.and'their
nPiVhhnrJ;^^""^ """-^ <-y,Taiu3 iimiiDeness iiitie offices ail over the
Son sora?^fl„«?T'' '^ *>lPa««ed along under his post of obser!
^r^' and T «n r^%'"!f f'^^^^y P"^'' «"^ fi°«"y Clark himself ap-
P^^fJ' and Lane hastened forth to meet him. ^
^ved by a mere squeak so far," was the almost
Vol. XLV 22
326
TWO SOLDIERS.
"run ♦h^ o? J- . " ♦^ *"'^'"' ^^8 a "»ore respite "
y th at^, ti.e. I CrZ^i;Xjx7o^J!^, fc^''^
but 1 m no expert in these matters." ' ' '' *""*' ^'•'^'^ ^
1 .1 ^?" ^^®^®' ^^^^''^ '^ wise to keen out (s£ if Wk
whether they will break or nn^9 "' «?ep out ot it. Who can say
♦Kn "P""/"" ?*> back to the office from here? Q,^\ \ I'll • •
there in ten m nutes " said T-nn« " r .. t in ' ^ " J^'n you
change of a few wor U nn, I IT . P""^'' "'"«''• "fte' 'he ex-
tl.e ways of the worW, hoZever LlM^ ™V.""i!^ ']"'« ^'^'^'d '■>
profession. ' """"o^™ "ell he might be informed in his
"pite his best eiforls to conZ himself . ^ '^P'?'"' '"-eraWing de-
hall, and there, hurtyinTdown Z ILf^P^ P°" J'/"' '"'" "'» troad
dently to m«t I ira.^Sntly she heldtrth^i; "^T M™- Vincent, evi-
the parlor, and then he Sw that h.l f ''"' '"""' "'"^ '«' •>'"' 'nto
that her e;e, we« .!rf wiTh wtping ""* """ ""^ ™'' "'"l He and
I felt'.lm"l"mtt'':S yr" MrVilnT:^";'"/'" ""■™"^«'' "•>»'
I-sa^-ilPS tdl;;"-''"' "' "'"■ •■'' «'"«-'--' -'^'^ lady; and
BidtteH y-'-aEfe; "^' ^T ('»'' "^ '■™™ ^ew York?
what Mr. Vi„ee„t.:t;3*l;;dtSn :e^^
KossiSrbuT^e-mllyTas n^^^ "^T "F^'-'e-^ in Mr.
at one o'dock." ^ ' °^^'*^ "P *« *^e closing of the board
him"X"\''^rC^t,/,,f^ ^hat the Ro.ssiters refused
eon. I would rather RTand live in « h"'' Hi <>haracter8,-father and
to either of them." ^Ind now h! ^^ *^'" ^ '?"^^'' obligations
cheeks. "* """^ *''^ ^^a'-s were raining down her
the Z^rt rg^ir Y^avlE^ fii^^^ • "^fT' ^«eve
rorehofld. " But wv
e respite."
think you? pnc«,
only olimb a hair's-
that it miifti break ;
it. Who can say
rybody confi(Iontly
lys ago; and look
(xl ! I'll join you
me down town this
of Vincent, Clark
:iich, after the ex-
r, Mr. Clark care-
>ig safe. Then he
id good-by.
he Vincents' door,
bigail whom he so
before, yet lacked
ed little versed in
! informed in his
lease to walk that
in, trembling de-
er into the broad
frs. Vincent, evi-
and led him into
id and pale and
murmured, "but
i on the train as
, dear lady; and
►m New York?
iw perfectly well
ng.»
^pointed in Mr.
ing of the board
-ossiters refused
srs, — father and
ider obligations
ling down her
cannot believe
)f the strongest
)rner was pr^
TWO SOLDIKRS.
327
I o!;!!^J" ^"^ ^u'} ** '''^'" ^^'^ ™'^™'"»' «"^ ^^^ i" the universal
I opmion aiuong the best men now."
foJd^n,e'il!f 1^^ 1^ ^7' *^Y ^"*' ?'"^ ^'' Vincent has con-
fessed to me that us whole iortnne hangs by a single hair.— that this
wretched speculat.(,n has swallowcl everythi„g,_tgat a r li of a sinSle
, P;j;ny means begga.y to us, for ho can L logger answer ^i^'brlS
have had'aTtMiTn^^r "I T^'',\^'' T'^H-' ^^"' ^'' ^'^'^ ^^^ to
, nave had a little better luck locally. T Infer from what he told me
i tloi^h^'Jr, • f ' ?'"^ ^^f ^'^^ '°^ *'^7 ''«^« sustained, there
1 W^I;i.^ ^ ^ ^^ •""'" '•'"' «° overwhelmed Mr. Vincit on
" You give me hop(5 and courage " cried the ooor flnn'mia ho^r^cA
, woma„,as she seized/and presse<l 1^^ Imnd. ' Kl^ nTyo'ul^^
.~d';Su'of hjpt^rfir^^^ ^'^" ^^' ^^' -- ^-"« -^
»m 1^^"^ ^ have your go«Hi wishes, too, Mrs. Vincent ?-even though I
am only a soldier and have so little to offer her l»eyond-beyond_"
But he coulc not finish. He had looked into her fac^^w^ such
h?tri^T stlk'%- "^^".'r "^T'J^' "- ^'-- heJ^lIly win
He tried to speak of his great love for her sweet daughter.
mdysvmmThr "fZr"^'^ T" t' ""^^^'•^' -^^'' ^^-^ ^^^
reaay sympatiiy. 1 have seen how dear ray child has been to vmi
mZ\ It ^on^T"' V^^ you that-we once Ll othT v^is fo;
Mabeh It 18 only fair and right that you should know."
ilow could it have been otherwise, Mrs. Vincent? T^ fh^rr. on«
oriiJ^trTlr' 'f /.^ ''^'i ^''y ^^^^onTrne So'h^h fo^
To f.«!l • tT^ ^^""V^ ^'""^ th^t your consent could have been
so freely given. I do not dare hope that she can possibly care L me
tearl'^ -f rh^l^!t^'" '''T'' 'h^"/.' ^^^^ she, smiling through her
glan^'^aroTnf " T?/Jf ^'"^^r^i '^'''''' ^^-^ «°^*^>^ '''^''^ ^"^ quickly
hr^nT! ' T y ^^''^,'^" ^"^ ^n^^ portidres, the pictires bronzes
n:Jwi'!^u!™ul"^. ^ «7^^ welcome to him, while the rosv color
white wr^W^'T'''^ ne eaiue quickly forward and took her sofl
S^n. Tm,. u' T *'''",''^'"S • ««^ his kind gray eyes were
glowing I She could not meet them : she had to look awav Sha ToJ
1 I
m
mM
328
TWO SOLDIERS.
ll'ii,:i; ! i
th?;!f^^^^^^^ her b.o., contesting with
flowers began to rise and faH f« Th.!, u T"^ *^^'? treasured, envied
clear lakeltirr^ by sudden wtl^hT^'^ on the billows of some
she hanlly heard/tlough her^;s lit ^'^ ««'<^' ^e did not know:
realized that both his hands were ti^hflv I '° ^T^ ^''''^' ^^e only
ing to seek a chair and dravvT^T ^ -^i^P'"^ J"'^' «°^ that, scorn-
could not bear trreL^e^n for «n-'tT^l''^"'^ ^^' ^>^"«« he
-perhaps still more b^usrof thp Z ^'*""* /^at slender little hand,
hafprorapted hirtoTs^narenHl i ?' ''^u^.^^'^ ^" ^'« "«t»r« t^a
deep and tender bve -Cantri^L r^'"!? '^^T *'"'"g ^er of his
beside, and, bending over her wa^nL' t^Pf'^ ?" ^"^ ^»^« ^^^^e
words'the old, old Lry of a bvern ^^ ^^^^'° ^'«^""' incoherent
the sweet old sonff tha7d«vJZ^ ^^^^ '^."^ ^'^^ «"d longings,-
since God's crSltAh'e^Ci^^^^^^^^^^^^ ay thoufhSng
be heard or sung exceot in nnfnr^ ^ 1 . "' ^^^^^> "®ver can
as stone, no true^S eve^listeiedtThet^^^^^ ^>^^^ *^ ^^«^
without a thrill at heart On.i !! i • *^ , "^^ ^ "»« « ^^"6 love
Lane-yes, and of men n^Talf h^"'^' '" '^^ ^'^l''"^' '^ ^'^ ^^^^
intensity of feelina-there Jnm!! « ^''^'! ,'?! ^'1**^ ''^ character, in
be in the glow afd fervor Td^nf »"""•''"* ^^'- '^''' «"^' ^hethe^ it
and strength of mlreTTear^^ the intensity
date from which all other «n' i ! ^'^'i"^'' °^ « ^'^«t'™e; it is the
apportionmenTit itt miv :r^^ ^T^^^ ^^'^^ *^^''' <3"«
last, when all, ill but this a.JlbYn^.LjV'*''''!^"* '"g«^« to the very
in her pride of plao^ made the ^11^ T^ ^^V^y^S brain. Rome,
niundaiehistor/:everythiLinh^^^^^^^ ^'^^ *^^ «hmax of
or the reverse. The dd Sd mpf.? T^"' ""f ^^^^^^
—not one ?" he pleaded ''»"'«> J^ioel '—not one word of hope ?
. n-STf t^"""^ '"''•' '"''^'^ '■'-' '"''-g -to hia deep e,es through
wf btSirn.;;':tt"yrd"fr;e"'Tir '"^""^ ^™ f' c-p*"-"
whom I so r^rd and mtmJ-h„t Z F^"* " ""x™'- ^ieve me,
of myself."^^ " ' ''"'"^ <'° ""' know_I am not certain
indin w^'7ht:tt'd":;e^ThS . ^^'^^ "^j"'' «•'•« "g"*'
yo. tr^ and .tee™. "^^^ ^^^^^t^ -
mc
ha
o i:ffi„ 1 • •'^ "^"'^'^ ^" "^® ana et me s
a little love m your true heart. Then by and by
to arouse at least
-six months,
perhaps,
lov
wil
self
I and
I tra>
8t0\
hea:
rapl
did
Mr.
befo
reco
selec
Wit:
that
trav!
beti
And
wast
TWO SOLDIERS.
OJ, contrasting with
e treasured, envied
he billows of some
he did not know :
y word. She only
rs, and that, scorn-
])s, too, because he
slender h'ttle hand,
' in his nature that
telh'ng her of his
on one knee close
broken, incoherent
s and longings, —
!*, ay, though sung
«, never, never can
she be cold to him
a man's true love
etime of men like
h of character, in
s, and, whether it
I or the intensity
lifetime ; it is the
IS, take their due
ingers to the very
Jg brain. Rome,
ol the climax of
'urbemconditam"
d ; the new world
died upon the
ly and devotedly
the avowal,
leword of hope?
3ep eyes through
you so, Captain
one, believe me,
1 am not certain
just that right,
could win even
you admit even
Jve given me,"
M in the clasp
days at most I
nise. Only let
► arouse at least
lonths, perhaps,
329
i — ril come again and try my fate. I know that an old dragoon like
: me, with gray hairs sprouting in his moustache "
But here she laid her fingers on his lips, and then, seizing both her
hands, he bowed his head over them and kissed them passionately.
The day of parting came, all too soon. Duty— the mistress to
whom he had never hitiierto given undivided allegiance— called him to
the distant West, and the last night of his stay found him bending
over her in the same old window. He was to take a late train for
St. Louis, and had said farewell to all but her. And now the mo-
ment had arrived. A glance at his watch had told him that he had
but twenty minutes in which to reach the station.
She had risen, and was standing, a lovely picture of graceful woman-
hood, her eyes brimming with tears. Both her hands were now clasped
m his; she could not deny him iliat at such a time; butr— but was
there not something throbbing in her heart that she longed to tell ?
"It is good-by now," he murmured, his whole soul in his glowing
eyes, his infinite love betrayed in those lips quivering under the heavy
moustache. "^
She glanced up into his face.
" Fred,"— and then, as though abashed at her own boldness, the
lovely head was bowed again almost on his breast.
"What is it, darling? Tell me," he whispered, eagerly, a wild,
wild hope thrilling through his heart.
" Would it make you happier if— if I— told you that I knew my-
self a httle better?" ^
" Mabel I Do you mean — do you care for me?"
And then she was suddenly clasijed in his strong, yearning arms
and strained to his breast. Long, long afterwards he used to lift that
traveiling-coat of gray tweeds from the trunk in which it was carefully
stowed away, and wonder if— if it were indeed true that her throbbing
heart had thrilled through that senseless fabric, stirring wild ioy and
rapture to the very depths of his own.
" Would I be sobbing my heart out," at last she murmured, " if I
did not love you and could not bear to have you go ?"
VIII.
AT "a^^** ^" ^"^^""^^ P'"®*^^ g"'l t^iat Miss Vincent is, Amos!" said
Mr. J^oel one morning, as the cousIko were quietly breakfasting together
before going down town. ^ ^ & 6
"Pretty ? yes," said Amos, doubtfully. " But look here, my boy •
recollect that you want to think of something more than 'pretty' in
selecting a wife while you are in here on this detail. Now, Mrs.
Withers and I have been keeping our eyes open, and our ears too, for
that matter: the fact is, I always have both eyes and ears opei,—
be the man I am in the business world, Noel, if that weren't the case.
And, pretty though Miss Vincent may be, she's not the girl for you to
waste your tirae ou." e> j *"
"But why not?" asked Noel. "They have a magnificent home,
»
•I'l
330
TWO SOLDIERS.
^^^^'u^i^^^^i::^ -«--t and culture.
was vlJUdr/bS7n iMaT ■;;^^^^ ''' ^^^ " ^^^ ^er father
he has been losing heavn^for the W T""' ^^<^ °^«nth, and in fact
his broker on 'Change Jet it ^.!t f •*'^° ^^'^^ harden, who is
that wi,e of WardeANsVreSr'lnir"' "^^^ ''r --T««"
talking, and everything she ma?«Zfr.:^^^^ can't help
information goes broaS ZrTe entfl'' • ^'"'?.^™ ^'" *^^« ^^7 «?
oorner broke, as it did old vILnf ^ H'*^' ^^ eo"i^, when the
absolute loss'of his homestead "nd, ^'"T^ u'^ I^"" «»t «f ^t S.out
!^me only io the nickTtbfe I am toTw, ^rtr^l -^"* ^he rdly
out of time; he never could have con .T^ ^^^^^n^eked Vincent
have another plan for you. Wait m^l ^ a^T' ,^^'^«" ^^h we
from the East; between her S her tS l^r^^ '^''f^ g^^ back
much money invested in the best-navIL K? • ^^^ have just about as
with cfp«rLat':^d'tJe''"^f°'''' ^--P-'r- SI. „as there
P«vioasfy met." ' """" <""'"■ ^o^S P<»ple whom I had „ot
twi<: '?h«'y<;„r" friend 'tea, vl^r ',^ "^-^ ''"- ''-^ »- or
Now, you'd much better let S Sv off M™"^r '" """ l"'''^'-
W„t haa uo more^luo. iu tfe^^ilrhfL"^ St ^ U^
»eirtttTJ"alZlnt,S "■""^"'^-^ "--J I -
many questions about thrS.tZ w 'Hu ™^' «»'' »«k«d a great
noticed that Lane, who sat on Z" ^"T "i^' ^o" ^Pe^k of it I
«em to be partie„lariy°„S L^'t XTJP 't »'' "'**''''«. d dn't
although of couree he liadTbTc vil i-l^^ T '"? *" "^ •^""'"g
diately a4r the Ihorntl" ai&n'nd E f""^ '^^ "'"O'' ■••»™.
the court-martial, where I ^Tluml^^ to go on to New Yorlt on
b^ m tim. for' the party StnT.hrTi""/ '""'^' '^«" only got
with her, and bv thia timf t!!:."K*- ^^^ ™ ™y second mLfn.
I didn't even have a diannTir '"'" 80"« "ut to join the reeimenf
«ally ti t he was L^S tthlt^L^^^ '» ■"■"• »" ^o/S;
«ally jiat he wa's'Litten Tthat^L??:??^^ ""
That's what I ..rtainly hearl,"11d Vith,
««; "and aa soon aa
TiVO SOLDIERS.
oement and culture •
=t attractive girls in
aom I have admired
y; "but her father
t month, and in fact
i' Warden, who is
ays than one; and
er,— -she can't help
' lum in the way of
)f coui-se, when the
il out of it without
?ss. But the rally
irden has said that
e knocked Vincent
^Gordon Noel, we
''f sister gets back
hayejust about as
this town as any
i'sjust as pretty as
IS a woman worth
u meet her, by the
331
you get to know
people
^ Sh?
whom
' was there
I had not
ave heard once or
' in that quarter,
ncent, if he can.
ut I don't believe
^rtainly won't if
had in the last
u%, "and I re-
nd asked a great
speak of it, I
;he table, didn't
e was escorting,
> up a conversa-
' at us, and par-
t wonder at it."
' almost imme-
' -New York on
, then only got
second meetino-
the regiment!
Do you think,
nd as soon as
« young people m society, i venture
can readdy find out all about it. These girls all know one another's
secrets, and are generally pretty ready to tell them. That's the result
01 my experience.
It was evident that Amos Withers's cousin was not to be neglected
in the Queen City. Two parties at private houses, a reception at the
club, and three dinners were the invitations which he found awaiting
him at his office. Half an hour was occupied in acknowleddng and
accepting or dechning, as happened to be the case, these eviden&s of
hospitality; then, having no esiiecial interest in the morning paper, his
thoughts again reverted to what Mr. Withers had been tellini hiiTabout
Miss Vincent, and the possible relation between her and his regimental
comrade. He had been very much impressed with her the ififrht be-
fore. Her beauty was of such a mre and radiant character, she was
so genial and unaffected m her manner, so bright and winning, with
such an evident liking for his society, that Mr. Noel had com! away
flattering himself that he had made in this quarter a most favorable
impression. He had thought of her very much as he went home from
the party,-of her inter^ted face, as he talked or danced with her;
and she danced delightfully, and was so good as to say that his step
perfectly suited hers. He remembered now, too, her remark that it
was so delightful to dance with army officers, and graduates of the
Point, they all seemed to feel so thoroughly at home on the floor.
Noel was not a graduate of the Point by any means; but he saw
no reason for disenchanting her on that score. He was quite as good
as any of the W^t-Pointers, in his own opinion, and in society^^
very much more at home than many of their number. As a dancer he
was looked upon in his regiment and throughout the cavalry as one of
the most aoipmplished in the whole service. And all this interest and
all this cordiality he had accepted without hesitation as a tribute to his
own superior quahfications and attractiveness. It was therefore with a
feehng akm to pique that he heard of this possible engagement exist^
ing between her and Captain Lane. g"gem«ut exisc-
In all the Eleventh Cavalry there was no man whom Gordon Noel
feared and possibly hated more than he did Captain Lane. S ar^
from the fact that Lane as adjutant of the regiment had seeHllX
^mmun.cations that passed from time to time relative to NoeFs abinc^
from his command when his services were most needed and when an^
r"HlFnf r"^^-^r%''^^°. '^''^ P°^^^^« precaution tot wkh
L, ?• 7 ^""^ '''^^^ ^^°^ *^^^^ ^^^^^^s been, and how thorough a
custodian of regimental secrets he was considered. But all the ^me
tlic mere fact that Lane knew all these circumstances so much tX
d sadvantage, and had seen all his lame and impotent excuses, had made
s^'^awerhim.^^^'^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ -P^^ ^- ^
' "' •'•""" ^-"Y^^ i" auciety or m the presence of his brother
nt1^r!'K''''"r^'"^P^.' [^' " "^^'"^"^ ^^^* he looked upon Une S
other than feelings of the warmest regard and comradeship It w^
S Z v" ^f^^f^tboughts, which he admitted to no soul on^earth thS
Koel realized what his real feelings were towards a man who had never
iiilil!
Ill t
i
II' w.
•Pf
m
332
TWO SOLDIERS.
&^^^ on an .«..,, ,.,,,,„,
He was a man who rarel/rearanninf anT/''\^'^'^."""""g«"'^'-
was a bore. To be sure, he had T/ IS v ? *? '^^'^ letter-writing
regiment had expressed a desire fn hi % '^*? *^^> ^o*" «« ™an in thf
day ; the 8tyh-sh^wl?t7flanrersu?t t wSX h^"".' , ^* ^"« ^ ^«*' ""'^^y
some self was wasting its eWan^ on thS f ^"^/••?>'^1 his hand-
room, instead of beifg se^nTthe bom^t 5 ^ °^ ^^^^"^ «™Pty
rooms at the club. Businei w ,s ^ul ^ ^^^^ ''^ ^^e billiard-
and Mr. Noel could stand i^?o lo^ J A r^n 'T'^l^T ««'"''^g i">
the sergeant to the room. ^ ' ^ ''"^ ^''''"^ ^is bell summoned
-^ , X n return at once." And with f hof i,..T ii • *"" "P ^"^re tor
cane and strolled leisurely up thT treet H L'l '"' f '^ ''?' *"^ "g^t
man-and more women-would tnrnf^' i i 7""' ^ ^S"'"^ *hat many a
?lim, elegant in build, always drS'in^"!^ ".'"r *^^" ^'^^^ Tall,
in any community Wuld hT4 bSlro Jfn'I f"* *^«^^G|ordo„ Noel
able man. His face, as has iLTZJT^^\^ remarkably present-
handsome, shaded by de^ ttck ^1^? ht'V" 'J^^^f ^^'^^ " «°d
his moustache, dark and drormnt l! i' f ^•''''' ^^^^ and waving,
of the even white teefh tha ZTfd mdl:" J ^ ' "'!^."^? *^^ ^""-->^'
and joyous laughter. One wodd s^v JnT i • '" 'xf ^"^"^"^ ^^iles
a man of singularly sunnrdiWi^^'i^V"^^* ^«^^' ^hat he was
him at the club ; and so th^eSers ?1 er^ h^ '?? ^^ *^7 «^"«d
as he entered ; for, though onra^f^tn!^^^ f'> J\^^«' «hout«
and four days of that timp hi ho J , ^ . ^^*P^^^ ^'n^e his arrival
before the Jurt-mSllrNt l^ork W^^^h^' fT^ ^\ ^-^'-ooy'
his way into the hearts of all the vounrf^"' ^^"^ nevertheless woi
no more popular man than GordT lif )?!? ^'^""^ *^>« olub, and
doora of " The Queen City " ^"^^ ^'"^ ^^«^ ^ome withii the
^^^^^^^^^ the first question
was^far too hot for anythb^ stron^r '^^^^^'^^"er, saying the day
».^s r=-&f^'|nxs ii"r£, V,..
-Ph«,v 1 "„: . . ^ ^'^^ a quiet-lookine man ««of«^ ;„ _ ,.
a very
arm-chair, lowering f* a lit reW-oking „«„ ^.^l ;„ . b,
reading. ^ " """"en' tke newspaper wliicli he had been
Well, throucrK hJo fatU^^^ .'n 1.. I .
course, that Vincent was"nSriVbusT^ Z^^'^Tl ^"" «" ^^°ow, of
last wPfifc- » "* "^"X ousted before that corner went under
he did stand for a
I know this," was the calm reply, « that while
:>ccasion8, public and
tless aud dissatisfied
:;idedly uncongenial,
v^hom letter-writing
for no man in the
It was a hot, sultry
arrayed his hand-
f a bare and empty
ity or the bilh'ard-
ts were coming in,
his bell summoned
its coming in such
up to the club for
} men up there for
itraw hat and light
igure that many a
than once. Tall,
iste, Gordon Noel
aaarkably present-
his eyes dark and
ark and waving;
:ncG the brilliancy
is frequent smiles
S^oel, that he was
ind so they found
nth jovial shouts
since his arrival,
Jg his testimony
aevertheless won
id the club, and
come within the
le first question
saying the day
1 ?" he asked.
m yet?"
' the Miss Vin-
fellow, too, and
xt€."
leated in a big
h he had been
u all know, of
ler went under
id stand for a
TWO SOLDIERS.
333
s
wav ^n A f fy^'^'^J'^n g^"'g *« have everything their own
ir;<^r ^' a'id't" f^'^ ^r^'"^ ^ rumo^and X^L gi s ty
hinTtht;7r -^ " k»ow they generally know pretty much eve^-
dtXtVbeSTrfnrvo^rT^^ "^T ''k ' ^^ -"
officer. Lieutenan' - .nP S 7 ^^"^^^^^ here, the recruiting
"Nn nn^T ^ r .u . '? ^^ ^y anything about it to you ?"
k.oJh^r "^ ^- ^°™' ""■"'« ■"«• ■«^»"'<' you like to
and i?ri'™ 4 m^m" '^ ^° "'" """ *" P'^^- » ?™« of billiards,
p™sfn"^toEe^S°^„i!;'^ "'J" r^ "orning, Gorion Noel was
334
TWO aOLDIERS.
I:;
ilii
! havra^Sl £er 'andlThe'o t ^''\ ^ ^^' ^ ^^V o^ two, and
' VinflPnf « V 'Al ^^^ " ^^^ friends to meet him ?» asked mJ^
i Is' ive'^rdo^tet":' TV''"' ? >« ««"-i^t^£
attention to any friend of CaoW,^ I '".'" "l" '"^''''''g to show
Mabel r "•""" ^"« * What do you think,
"I have^lt MrtCl S'""" ^"""^ "»"""'' -"• "-ol" .>«ority.
"He^'l^f- ^T'" '^'^ ^er: " Captain Noel."
kindly left T"' A nir 'fPyup-staits, that Captain Lane yerv
«^„the .ie,eihat;ralIKL':;:.S•'&t^-^^^^^
friend of %nr Lid ca'in til^ v'°''' "P-^ * "'k'"/ «<>«1
mother, I'll brine him aro^^H t^S-' "'"'.''^ y^" """^ ■"> »''J«="on,
>va might go Hhe U,ea ™ aft.™f T" !?"'"«'"' '»'' "■» P*^'h»f^
Noel will eniov^it Fl»f if ,*"''™^s- I ■? vary sure that Captam
olub i^^Sfy delists wih h?r' r"'^"""£- ^'"^"^y i" 'te
Irish so^g or t^II a &!ty ri'lllTaXe^-"'' ?'? rS.""
he comes here. He's a wond.rh, J ■ ^ A ^" """ ^'^"^ "hen
tion about their serviiTfhf f "'"' S"" ''I* *° "f"" "f "forma-
of anything of the S ; bnt Nodtm ta^T' V"'" ^ ^"''"' T'^'
the wonderful country hrou^hwtll ,1. / '""'™ " " ''™ "'»'"
and all that they have &hJ! h ""tl: **™ "*"'«' '"«' '""ght,
but that fellowLs ILaL n?!*'^'" "'?"' <«^P«g°«- By Jove
some hair-brSdth i4^^ p'"' °* ''""^ *™'*' *'«' >"' ^•' through
''S,rfZ^ivV:irl= :.C«PWn Lane or Mr. Noel r
great deal of ^^' wili " «P«»king of. Lane, no doubt, saw a
^jutanfi l^hTthetime aSf oTl' ^1 ^f ^^1 """ »« "-^
™s almost ino^sTLlfsiSrhnnH^ /''*^'^?'^' ^''"'' ''^ (N**')
■■"'^^r'^^erS?^'™""^^^^^^^^
there^kj uZ^lf:^T.^^^":C --' -"«■ -!<«
eayingfjr a m°"luriat'N!i'lT'°''' '■''''; ^'''' "'"^««tond me as
ttaiy, he iicverTt^lcs „f ? disparage Lane's services; on the con-
Neifto dSleCt at a rnf^"?*" "'"' '^'-""^ enthusiastic reg^l
-eing, inThe mX offli tV^wSti s^tefT''^^"
paignme, what a deal of l,„»i.i,:„ Zj j™™ ,"* .=!*»'« of his cam-
the^simpie .^ason that Le ™ S tle^^ml^d '■ "- ' ■™'""*'^ «"
<(
Your father tells me," said Mrs. Vincent, " that
) go through
he met him one
a day or two, and
t him r asked Mre.
be consulted in the
something to show
'hat do you think,
vith much alacrity.
3el."
^to know from the
captain Lane very
' tlie fair cheeks of
the oflScers of the
e was here. Mr.
?iment. As Cap-
at perhaps he ao-
a\y a trifle prema-
y difference," said
id a mighty good
lave no objection,
ind then perhaps
lure that Captain
Everybody in the
hear him sing an
liim started when
> full of informa-
! so seldom spoke
s at a time about
ited and fought,
igns. By Jove !
as been through
or Mr. Noel ?"
no doubt, saw a
ays that he was
while he (Noel)
Indian parties,
it." '
h actual service
derstand me as
es ; on the con-
lusiastio regard,
you can't help
lis of his cam-
sflcountered for
d to go through
Ttf^O SOLDIERS.
335
day on Change when Mr. Withers brought him in; that was before
the crash, and when he had no time to pay him any attenTbn Of
cou^ the cousin of Mr. Amos Withers was received with a Z*t dZ
of bowing and scrapmg by Mr. Withers's friends in that Lnorable
body. But all the same I know your father will be glad to meet Mr
Noel now ; nd by all means bring him, if you feel disposed, to-niZ'
What manner of looking man is he?" ^,w-uigui.
« Jl^/.r^u^^^i^^ handsome man, mother," said Mabel, at once.—
one of the handsomest I ever saw ; and he certainly made himself
thfTlt^nsV? ""'' ^'"^ '''' "'^'^' ^' ^' "^'^'^ ^' ^-»- «^
Jn P J^^'^a M ^J"?^ *^1*'^'^ physically between him and Lane," put
n Regy. "Noel is such an elegantly built fellow,-so tall and fiSe-
looking. Lane would be almost undersized when standing beside
sZ'ld^udy"'^ "' " disadvantage when they appear tofether, I
hke table of the Vmcents that evening, and, as Regy had predicted
Noel proved very entertaining and a most 'agreeable gu^t^wtle
showmg much deference to Mr. Vincent and%ttentio„ to his good
wife, he nevertheless managed to have a great deal to say aW
^e regiment and its daring and perilous service on the frontfer^ and
^n^«nH \l -^T '"^ .^^''^ """^ * P^^^«"^ ^««J about Captab
Lane and their long and intimate acquaintance, and before dinner was
over had won a warm place in MaSl Vincent's heart by the way^
And that very evening, as Frederick Lane,--far out under the
star-ht sky of Ari«)na,-with his heart full of onging and love for
^Z'vt t^"V?^i.'°^^^'^^.^^^ ^ ^« '^' o^«r the diofatrplain whh
the lights of old Fort Graham already in view, Mabel VincenrsJtS
by Gordon Noel's side, was looking up into his handsom? fe aud
listening to his animated voice betw^n the acte of « Twelfth N?^t'"
IX.
of th."'Lnf]'''p distance from the Arizona border, with the blue range
IJ. A^ ^^u".'"^ shutting out the sunset skies, with sand afd
^tus and Spanish bayonet on every side, the old post of Fort Graham
stood m the desert like a mud-colored oasis. All the quarter anZ
s^houses, stables, c^rmls, and barn^cks, were buil? of the 1 ve
a«fo66; and though whitewash had been liberally applied esn^klTv
about the hom^ of the officer, and the long Venetian bHndslTth^^
front windows had been paint^ the co<,lest^f de^Hreens a„1 c£
T^1?1^:Z'F^.^.}^^^^^^ the a-^^ thatL'X:rre"na^/
^i^'TT" '^ 7"''^^ ^""^^ ^^ "^ ^t (iraham was an arid and forbid-
d ng station so far as one could judge by appearances. TreL, vSre
bu 'iTX r f^""* ?«k°own within a Jay's march of thTC3
^»,h . ^A t"«es when the Navajoes were ^he terror of t^e S
Southwest and even tiie Comanches soietimes ca, ied S raids acT^
1
!|l
1
1
(
M !
Hill !
336
yfFO SOLDIERS.
and to the piou^^ of hTtlt 1)^/'^ to the " FortAine«'
ite very gat^, and many a^tTme aid 0^^"'"'""''"'"*^/ '"^'^ '«^ P««t
thanked Go<l and the g^neraT^^verleL hut^Iir l","^ ^ ^"'^^^
just where it was, ibr Imlian pursicTr ro^^ ""? ^^'^ ''^ P'^'
of ita dingy walls • and «o frni, ! '^ ''''" ^''®" "n^e in sight
deo^de the^agta^^ralleS^^rnr^^^'t re ]Z Z T" ^'^" ^-^"^^
and now, with the Southern Padfic iierci.rf 1.1 ''T g«7'«o«ed ;
tauoe below, and landing stori and £ 1 ^. ^""^^ ^"'^ * 8^>"rt dis-
M^ithin four' miles of ^ t^rlls ft fe"'/^-" ^';'''''^^'^'?^^'«^'« d6p6t
of cavalry at Graham ; anyone of L^ 00 > th^ jr.'""'';'"'" ^ ^^^
new .mmand, the relict of the l^l^Z^^::::::^!;^^::^
to suit himself and tim" U^cJ^l.^ ''^ '"'^''?"* ''"» ^^'^ troop"
to interfere. A mor inde >ez2nr devT,n ^"'"^'"^^ 5^^ «"^«J'«rns
drunken lot of troopei^ we^rarel^^^^^^^^^ '"^ occasionally
and, while steady and ren^ble men fn ^1? '\?''^ '."?'' organization,
end of their tern^ of eSent" ou d Ssefe^^'f ^^^ «'. *!-'
■Troop, but wou d go over to C-int-^h nl , ^" ^S^'" in D
at another station, all the sSm^f^. ^"^^f^f .«' Pf'-haps to a company
ment would drif?ot4r nto "^'a' i Hp ''^"^ ff '''''' ^" ^^^^ regN
therein assembled. InTthislrthegLglh"; Cat{ -'V*^""" ^P^"*«
expected to bring up with a round f^?r„^ 1 F^^^.'" ^^"« ^«» now
soldiers. Ol^ient to tl^e colonel's hehJ l. 'Tt'"" ^^'^ dvtiM
wupleof daysathead-QuartSX/h 1 ^ ^^ ^^^ '^^PP^ over a
eveiy officer at the post,^hafcSl^^^^ a most cordial gating from
fair defamers,~an(l then had TSnp^ he ]adies,-not omitting his
trying duties! Ever/daras he was rh.Vl ^'?^'!,"^ ""^ ^'^ »^^ ^^^d
home of her whom lie so de^^fp^iri 1 u '^ ^^^^^'^' «^«y ^om the
filled with-oni; wlTktw^^^^^^^^ ^Tf ^^^ ^1^r« to her
joy that topmost in the S packet iV li ' ^'?'* ^""P^ ^^^^ ^
adjutant's oLe when he V^chJhiL^f 2 a ^''"'*^?^ *^'«^ «t the
to him in her beloved hand Untfl VoZu ^ ^1"^^^ ^'^^'^ ^^^'^^'^
table condition the new "oo.-comm^^^^^^^^^ - ^abi-
♦okl J- . "'^'"^^^ "ana. until lie c
or the close of that amiable
Mrq K«rr. A ^ •'TOop-commander w!
of that most pm=ioua miSe She had w^r„ ""If"™"'' '^^'^ *«"!
day after he 4, apd a swe^Cwomanl? leZft i;;^'"^ ""^ '-""/^'^
timid yet so full of faith and pride Lhi^ m3,_so shy and half
remarked on the wonderful clmn^ for ,he betterTh^T/ '^"''»"'
Lane amoe he went East. Nevfr ted hey ^n tt ."^ ■°°"""''"
blithe m manner. He seemed to walk on aiff hi. «',J»y<>»'. «>
everyone; his face seemed "«Imrt til,. u ,' ""* ^^ beamed on
Nash, and'neither shTnn7„n„ ""!.'„'° tllt^''". "-."H IV'said Mrs.
as to the explanation of irall" "ir.,!".* j"'"°"^'"''«*'>'"'<»tdonbt
being loved idlntei^M Id toTon^ T"^^' "" '""^g^. "d
won^an m garrison was his friend, Lt^A^,, i^7 Z^Si;;;'^?,
jlay--the post had
he " Forty-Ninere"
lentfll trail Jed past
' aud the emigrant
>ld fort was placed
vhen once in sight
nore than thrice a
ilways garrisoned ;
ge but a short dis-
artermaster's d6i)6t
maintain a force
itioned was line's
ran, « the Devil's
I- years l)efore his
It " ran tlie troop"
etl his subalterns
and occasionally
iuch organization,
discharges at the
e on" again in D
ps to a com2)any
cters in the regi-
the choice spirits
tin Lane was now
'orm intodi'tiful
stopped over a
al greeting from
■not omitting his
and his new and
away from the
ig letters to her,
5art leaped with
iing him at the
billet addressed
uarters in habi-
of Captain and
>f that amiable
our every word
her I — the very
shy and half
)ne at Graham
had come over
so joyous, so
7es beamed on
1 it," said Mrs.
siaintest doubt
Je change, and
Y man — every
would, gladly
TWO SOLDIERS.
337
But there were reasons, Mrs. Vincent had said, why it was most
desirable that there should be no announcement of the LgagTmeri
yet. What the^ were she did not explain to Mabel herselffbS? assur^
her that ,t was her father's wish as well. Lane had rushed to tie gr^t
jewelry-house of Van Loo & Laing, and the diamond sohta re tha
flashed among the leaves of the exquisite rose-bud he smilingly handed
her that night was one to make any woman gasp with delightf Could
anything on earth be rich enough, pure enough fair enoufh, to lavbh
on her, his peerless queen? 6 > "^ mvisu
She had held forth her soft white hand and let him slip it on the
engagement finger and then bend the knee like knight of old and kis^
It ?erven ly. She revelled in it, rejoiced in it, but, heeding her mother^
advice, stowal It away where none could see'it, in the secret drawer of
her desk, and Lane was perfectly satisfied. " I will tell von the rLon
some day » Mrs. Vincent had said to him, "but not jus now for ?
might be doing wrong;" and he had protested that she-^ne^l neve tell
h.m. What cared he, so long as Mabel's love was his, and theru. der
stood each other as they did ? • ^
, And so, while people at Graham plied him with questions and
insinuations and side-remarks about the « girl he left behbd him" n
he East, he kept faithfully to the agreement, and though all the gar-
rison knew he wrote to her every day and took long rides a one that
he might think of her, doubtless, and though every oTe knew a
ho.se dainty missives that came so often for Captain Lane were wri en
by M,S8 Mabel Vincent, never once did he admit the exirtencTof an
eiigagement,-never once until long afterwards ^""''^^^^ ot an
The first real tidings that the Graham people had of her came in a
Itt fZ ufTJT; ^.^''\^^^ '^^^''^ ^"^^^ ^ long,rhrm?ng
f «1I ITiU 1 1^* '^^ "^"'^ '° '«^«^1 of her cro.n-S and real
^ all to them ; and that very evening one of the number unabirto
bear the burden of so much information, shifted it S her mentis
shoulders by writing it all to Mr^. Nash. Perhaps the Lt plaTwm
be ^to, read the extract which referred to Lane Exactly as Sr.Nc;: J
" By this time I presume Fred Lane is busily engaged with his new
troop. I served with them in the Sioux campaign, andX^never TvT
me any trouble at all So, tx>o, in the GerLi^i cha e a S To
7.2^T" ^^r.P'^ked me out to go ahead by night from CarriS
c ate It. 1 knew they would follow wherever I would lead and wnnM
A^t\ "' t.l;r«"gh thick and thin. If Lane starts ir^hriVe^o
^^:i^...*te.^.^!^ ,^^ .J"«t as well for him ; but I expect he IZZ
fully welcomed anywhere; the people ai. chaTming.^y^t Laneta^
338
!
f
:iliN|ii!!j
i|i!|l
^iii
» !
i!il'
I iH
m>uy,
■liiiMllm
TWO SOLDIERS.
frfn'jrr-^^^^^ sa^he didn't
hard Juck in seveml w^ys. it told thaJZ^'t ^ *''"^' ^' ^'^^ ^«d
31i>eculation, and everybody sayT he til l W u™T'^ '" « ^'^ wheat
e.ba..i.sed whe^/iet^e "ngterT^^^^^^^^ ^ -^^
a heavy shortage, which he had to mike un «? 1%- ^^^''J ^^^M^ite
probably nioet inconvenient Lin ?hT n^ f " ^^^ ^''^n it was
dered at. She ,s a beau [fnJ «rJ . . ''*^'^' ^"^' '^ '««'' to b- won-
I fancy, has laid^ris hea'a h rC luw^^r^' "'^ many am",
Io«8 8 the heavier in th a ca^e l^' ^/Lln' V;'^^'^"'"' *^«^ ^«°e'8
nothing. A young Jadv told L^. V^l^' "^ ^^^'^ '^ ^'^^ ^ome to
back o? it allf-fi she Mss vLr"*"^*^ 'J^*' .'^'^ ^^ something
Rossiter, of New York a^haVZ'/"' ^''P^>^ '" ^«^« '^'th a Mr^
to have been married th'iscomif. ^1 ^".' ""T * •^^••' ««d they were
learned that her Ser ad bee? ^^T^'' ^^'^^^' the gentler^an
had not a penny to give her Mv^'nfn^ '^!"'*''^ '" speculation and
Vinoent, and knowf her intim^felv ^71™' ^''^^^^^
s.raply threw her over a s? ort t^S' Zl t^ 7\ ^'^^ ^'' ^'''^^^'
exasperation and to hide her h^rrbrS ? ?u' '' ^^ ^^^ «°d
Vincent began to showsuch plealJ; in T. '^'5 ^^^.^orld that Mabel
on, sober ifdy friends sa^ ; a^Zcw mJ^R^^!^^^^^ SJ.e led him
old Vincent was sharper and shrewder' fuf ^ ^^"""^ **"* that
made instead of losing a pile and n^wL- ?"^ °"^. «"PP««ed and
and they say that shI is so n ..K • ^ '^ 'V\"g t« be taLn back,
chances are all i„ it favor Thi ",' T l'^^ '}"' ^^'^^^ *''«' die
anxie^for Lane. -^^'^ " ^*^^ ^ ^^^ 8»eh sorrow and
nighl Mii VlnS^t^^Sere 'iS^^ ^' ^^l^Ji-^^eir^-ts' last
danced together a ffreatTJ w ?^ ^'^^ ? peach-blossom, and we
half the ^ople in ?he ooms came to 1"Z!'"' t '^^^'^ "^ ^ ^'-v:
me they had never s^n so d^b^h. A { ^^""'8^' t« me and to tell
depends on the leader.' I have S^n^^'''"'"'!:' ^^^^^^ 'o
every night for the next foriS J^d ° , T ' ^T '»» °g or other for
r^ment and the true friends f had to Cl '7t Z^'"^ ^'' '^' '^^
good last night to meet old Colonel Vr?J ^ S "^'"^ .™^ * wo'^'d of
home is hereout he commanded tl^ ^J?^!.? J^ '^''l"^ ^'«*' ^^^^se
pign, and when he saw me hfthre^Tht ^^"^ '" 5^" S'«"* ^^m-
Lg^ed me before the who"e throngTf peop'r GiT' 7 ""'' «"^
chie? always, and believe me, dear,MSd of mTne^ ^'^' '' '"^
" Yours most affectionately,
" GoBDON Noel."
of the one received bv M,^ Kal t !_ .® . which formed the basis
club say he didn't
•e true, he had had
loney in a big wheat
^ beart. I tell you
1 friend of his,— as
-but he was much
'. There was quite
time when it was
it isn't to be won-
1, and many a man,
>weyer, that Lane's
ar it will come to
ere was something
in love with a Mr.
ear, and they were
t the gentleman (?)
n speculation and
5 school with Miss
that Mr. Rossiter
it was pique and
world that Mpbel
»ns. She led him
« found out that
•ne supposed and
3 be taken back,
2 fe'Iow that the
3uch sorrow and
Prendergasts' last
■blossom, and we
reak up I believe
rae and to tell
;' everything so
ing or other for
long for the old
me a world of
tired list, whose
the Sioux cam-
d my neck and
my Jove to our
)
ately,
DON Noel."
here and there
rmed the basis
! was cosily en-
e improvement
s, to drill- and
dajs knew no
TWO SOLDIERS.
339
relaxa on from labor from reveille tnitil "retreat" at sunset, and then
I came the del.c.ojw evemngs in which he could writ« to her a^ read^a
j chapter or two of some favorite work before going earlv lo bed Mtor
^ the first week he seldom left his house after e\ht^^c&TanT\he ^^
I r.son had hereft)re ample opport.mity to di^uss his aki^. sS^
I ^ «[«"/'•„ "^e'ved from Cheyenne written to the new majVr of the
I '^lu '2\ ^'^ '"^ '^"'^^ J'^'"^' by promotion &^ pC?
I ?r^"/,"'<^'* **;** **^"^'"^ *°^°' '^^^ writer ^id that Une of the
f Eleventh Cavalry hud sold his property there for fifteeiT thousand
I dollars about the end of June, and L L} bought it fi^"w^yX2
I hundred only mne years before. He could have Lt eighth thousand
I just as well bv wa.tmg a ew days ; but he wanti the^motj; atTc^^^
No one, of course, could ask the captain any direct questions ab^ut
his affairs of either heart or pocket, but Lane was puzzled to ac^oun
for some of the remarks that were made to him,Lthe interiZtl
nes about the methods of speculation, the tentativ s i to ch3S^
"making a good thing" in that way, and the sharp and scruti^inL
glarces tliat accompanied the queries, "xhe sweet, symmthetic semi T/
Hdential manner, the inviting way in which the'la^diersS^^^
his present loneliness and their hopes that soon he woul/bHng toThem
a charming wife to share their exile and bless his army home^all thT
too seemeH odd to him ; but, as he had never been in love nir engagS
And then he was very happy in her letters. They were neither ar fr^
quent nor as long as his, but then she had such a roLT^f sS al d^ti^
Bhe was in such constant demand; there were visitors or pT Ues eveTv'
mgnt, and endless calls and shopping-tours with mother every day an5
she was really getting a little run down. The weather w JoDnSiveW
warm, and they ong«i to get away from the city and TtoX mout
tains. It was only a day's ride to the lovely resorts in fhe A ledS
but papa was looking a little thin and wor/again, and the dS hS
said us heart was affeeted,-not alarminglylr sirioush buTmamma
could not bear to leave him, and he declafiit utterly '^CsbTeSb^
hS.fr" ^'' ^"''""^ " single day. He and Mr^Cla^were verv
n^TtioThiruTd:r 5! ''-' '^^ '"^^' ^'^ "^*- «^ -'-^^^ ^^^
But let us take a peep at some of those earlv letters — nnf nf th^
answers to^ his eager questions, not at tlie shyZro? maiden love
that crept in here and there, but at those pages any one might rid
« a 1 1 1. , » , " TuMday night.
A ':, ; ^ a delightful german as we had last night at the Pren
sam about hira. How I wished for a certain other cavalry cantain
now so many cruel miles away I Mr. Noel took me ZX^^^i.
340
TWO SOLDIERS.
1'
:||!ii||
i !
spot I wisT. A..gu8t were I.ere 7 w?s h vn, 1""'^'"^ '^ *''« ^^^oml
,1"""^'^"^' Your letteraJe such LdeUrr ''"'^^ I ^'^'^'-^^
other girls have anythinir like thom V ^ ' .*'' ™®- ^ wonder if
on my birthday; bu^t Jn^XZ JZ' IZlf^ ^""'^ ^^'« P'«*"re
or the original will feel neglected/" '^^ "'"^^^^ «»re of it^
^^ ^^^T^z^t:::^^ an
walls being raised, we hadrdellZfiU t"? \''*"'P^' ^"^' '^^
place IS one of the finest on the hShte TL """• u*^' ""' '• Their
«^n It. Cantain Noel took rae n and J.f ''k'"S ^'^^ ^'^"^d have
fiill of aneotfote. Everyb(x]yTkes iZ "i 't p^'^^* «"^J Jo"/ and
cause he is such a loyal fZd of youTs He /'.^ '^'^ ^«'"^ »>«■
and of all the dangdrs you have sharS Jn^ *'^' '^ ""'«^ «f ^o"
how intereiJting all this must Tto rae sllT'"''?' '"^ ^^^ ^^^w
had so little to say about him Ih^ i ^^^t'^cs I wonder that vou
the regiment and ^never wSlTaik^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ --h afi
evening we had a Jittle thele imTv ll ^?"-''''^^- Wednesday
filled two adjoining lotrcs r«L? ^^ , ^^ ^""^ '* "P> and we lust
but he tal J most^ofl • tinietuh If T^f •^^"?^ Hilton's I^c;!;
or doi/of interell^/^S^o, t7b^;i7w?uf t"frd\"^^^r^>^ ''^^"-y
I fear, to the late supper Re|v Jave nfif^ ^ ^ ^.'^ ^ headache, due,
Fanny Holton came to taKe^for a driver '^I'^; i^!' '^' ^^^atre
going, and begged off. Then X told mP f? ^r.^ "^ ^ "^^* ^^^ J'"ke
the .arriage waiting, and tha he wouldX sn^H-^'^^ " ?'^^' ^^ '»
came ,n and said the air would do mp^T f ^'^PP^'oted. Mother
carvie back feeling so much br^ter Mr^^i/"^ ^" ^'^ ^'^^^ «"<i I
^ept us laughing all the timo^ Comifj'h^rP T ""''^ "'""^'"^' «"^
house, as she had to dress for .linne? h?,f Sf'J^""^ ¥''^' °"t «t her
"le home and Mr. Noel to the Xb Hp K *''^*^'???h'"an to drive
mordent she disappeared, and said he so holl^*" ^/"''"^' °^ 3^«" the
■■ Tit -s>.s TJi^^ :fti«:-s «
and
lie had to lead with
with me.
Rust for the eatire
tatlier ought to go.
tiess be the favore<J
»»ere; I wish— oh,
' rae. I wonder if
11 have the picture
! utmost care of it,
" Friday nJght.
You see what an
1 out. We had a
ig. Tlie day had
1 ainopy, and, the
the riv. p. Their
3h you could have
rht and jolly and
5 him mainly be-
» 80 much of you
; and you know
wonder that you
talk much about
elf. Wednesday
«JP, and we just
' Holton's ftscoi t,
It my escort, Mr.
K and Mr. NoeJ
unday evening.
t caller has just
all, and you are
II, there, now, let
hing that I say
a headache, due,
fter the theatre,
id not feel like
in Noel was in
inted. Mother
M'e went, and I
■y amusing, and
got out at her
ihmau to drive
ingof you the
going to write
'Ou- ; out X do
[r. Noel joined
in to luneheon,
TWO SOLDIERS.
341
^lli' Ihfy'thut J:i soTifr^ ' "/"^ ''^^^ ^- ^"- *« -y beloved
•%
^haS gone, papa Hiwke of 1 m .1 p"/~7 1^'" i^i-ed Une. After he
«« V J 1 " Wednoiday.
I orist cart, AaS V Si„ ' 7^ •"• . ^^ °"'"' '"'^'= !?''«> ^""'
I had some bvely presonti. Mr Nr.ll . •' . , ""' .'."?"ly. a"<I I
I nm-a, and it ploasid ^ v/tv . l i ""' *"' " l^a""""! basket of
I and vet I knmvTi !l.™ ''^ "*' ^ "'°"' J"'"'' ""nraJos to like me
^now^it; «:fr t^lrs;s:;:rr;™"'' ' '^' "««''«
read my te' ?' ' ""'"" "•' ''"*""'"' "•""' '''"■' ^"^- DW"'' yu
of gladnea^ : ' " """ ''""'^ •»" " g"e Ca,,taiu Lane a thrill
-'■■".f^lo:' ardtel"'%''°^ t"'1.™'^^? ™'t^:;lp„sit .o yonr
X.
"" the plethoric pitro The"' "f m:."^ ■Ch."'" ''7-'"^ '"^'^
'•r every conceivable kind Ri;„^^ i i Change and m businrss
m the e eeant villas th^t ,.. j li ^ °* *"® ^'^ ^'ty and even
glare at mldlywTstte^"^^^ ^'^' ^^-
without a hugrrunsrXnf = I'- "?*" "^^ '"^^ '» venturing forth
pr^cinctsofthHlub where E "^'*'"" ^^^^^^''-^
palm-loaf fans y/ere in ZuJLif- ^^"u"^ ^""^ «» ^^^^y side and
in shirts of IthTI! fl/I"f ^'l^^.^^'^"' t!^? men strolled in to luncheon
tesimal neckt&V Everrone whtoJlTi """"'"^ "^^'""'^ «"^ "^fi'""
gone; and yet the VbUriin^r^^^^ '^"1 ^«"» «'"^
the anxiety in the mAthT, f "^^eretl. ii^ch day seemed to add to
hopeful a„d^,^„,3,,t, and had g^^ "t:^ Z ^^^^^
342
TWO SOLDIERS.
self grievous wron0---fh«fil;oi,i:u-°^ *"^* he was doing him-
will,-.in a w^k"r so T ofnnT ' ^v^ ''"^^ answered, "I will,-I
taki'ng his vaTtL" V'n ^r Ir I W' TnV^^n P" /J
accompany them Mm Vin«.„* «,<■ j / l ^?' '*'"' ""'"' he <»ul<l
on« and joining the W^™':; ItpZ^^""^?'^ ^Z iT^ at
Woodrow were alwara eiml. fi-i^JJl.^u rtxis. ; OJariasa and Eleanor
*c might stay unuK mm »^^ ^'"'- ^"f ^abel begged that
not be^contenVthere withrufthem orTf T'^,iK<"»o.- * could
Mrs. Vincent could noTS he woldTinJl,-''! T"]'"'" T*«'i »<*
her greatest apprehen^on " "'""'' ^ *^"" ">e cause of
steaw color, tL3aoKrwourd"i,^r™'l^ .?*","« »f "•■"« »■•
looking privokinSv 00^1 my^^cT?^"' '"'j *''' "='"'' »* ■"»■>«*,
"withfu^.v^ngflrfah^r" '^''''' °'"'' "^ ""^ '"P"^^ i'-
.:S7n^at^-n^ S^T^ ^^ i- - ^"^^^
boiled eggs froKie to OctoZr" f ^^^Y^'^.^ <>"' hens laid hard-
be«. fe^^^^^^ He had
and New England'Cds^riaSb^.t'' """ "» ""-^ '" '""■.
WnV- I moan fViof >4- !-1-»^ •
em vemon 'oFtiie' oW' Whv rn^?"^"'' '"',^ 5^'* '^ ^« *»«d « '"od-
He's with her in^ntl^" ^ °* ^'" '"^^ ^"^ ^^^^^^^^ John?'
thou;?'L^^hTJCu'^^^^^^^^ ^'- ^^^ --'« ^«H I
TWO SOLDIERS.
343
home long after the
ache,' he said, but the
artache. The family
t he was doing him-
y demanded rest and
1 doctor's face with a
iswered, "I will,— I
just now. Clark is
And until he could
and yet she began to
prevent her going at
Illarissa and Eleanor
Mabel begged that
j go too ; she could
ithout mother; and
' frame the cause of
subdue was Gordon
ostumes of white or
le club at noontide,
w he expressed it,
7, bless your hearts,
jadi I've come in
nd rushed for cold
1 be all melted, of
just like so much
ir hens laid hard-
syes would twinkle
the cracked ice of
ry junior, one Ian-
, " don't you envy
?er. "One would
lose beastly works
know."
I love-making by
»urtship business.
aguely. He had |
er, and, from the
ed to share in the
o college for him,
if we had a mod-
yourself, John?'
"Come and have a
^ "Never mind, Jimmy," said Morris, risinj;.
cigarette." °
And it was not only in the club, over their cigars that mpn
spoke sigmficantly of Noel's attentions 'to the lovely dau^'hW^
LTn? *v7'.°ir'- t/*.7^ "^' '^' "^^-^^ ^»d^> who d^ the greater
part of the talk. If they noticed and spoke of it, what must not the
ZTh^rt ^" ""^'"^ '. ^""^Z quittinlthe hospitable roof of Cousb
tl^ VJnlnf^ ?T ^T\^° *°^"' midway between the club and
the V noent homestead, and those two points became the limite of
h.s field of action. The Withers houseLd had gone to the Mair-
rlnTSeff f "^ the massive master of the ^establishment wTs
treatmg himself to a month's vacation. Almost all the pretty rirls
were gone. What more natural than that Mr. Noel should so ^e!
quently seek the society of the prettiest of all, even if she were
Z^ Twt""' "^^"^^ ".rP^^ ^^'^ «he ;ri:fore he Zl
rifV ^,^«^\^^« no monitorial Amos to call him off, no one to
bid him turn his devotions elsewhere; and she herself iould s°e no
harm, for was not almost all his talk o£ Captain Lane ^^^he not
his loyal and devoted friend ? The captain's^lettei^^me eTery day
and he seemed nleased to know that No^l had such pZantTh ^ To
say of him, and was so attentive,-or rather kind, because i t w Wt
really on her account that he came so frequently. ' iTbe sure Can
am Lane did not say much about the matter one way or the otS
quiet^rftljanhf co^rThSk! XXs'Sle'^SK^td"^^
manner to Noel had been gaining in dSnt':„r<Ldnls^4ht"i:
fyini X'~bT^'^ -^"^ P'^^' was Mabel's attempt at a selS^
^ ng plea ; but conscience again warned her that she knew better,-far
"Do^ Captain Lane know of this and approve it?" was the *rravp
question her mother had at last propounded. ^^ ^^^^
1 have written to him with the utmost frankness mother" wa«
r^S7'" r"t.! '?^y' ^'^•^^ ^ w«^« of color swept ovrCte'anZ
rebellious light gleamed in her eyes, "and he h^ never hintS at such
If hela" iTt^^^'- ^^ ^^ «^-« -"fi^-- - rthanl'ou^lt
But the rest was left unsaid.
mJt7.^lJ'""^"' ' ?^^ "•"'«• "^y- "«" k°o«°g that a™,-
th,? "..?/?„'' °" ;,^'°°'> «"»«.«» was mistaken policy.^ The wZ.
painted, there can be no more joy over the sinner that repenteth than
344
TWO SOLDIERS.
. And meantime how went the wnr W »^fk t ^^ canonized,
simple-hearted man that he was l^lZf- ^'?;? ^^'''^^^^^ honest,
mate marvelling as he often moyf^hlleT^h^ i" such modest esti-'
won the love of a being so radLt «n p-^ • -Z^^* ^^ ''^"^^ ^^ve really
a dream that was all bll^and Sty exS f ' "f, ^'^^^' '^^ ^'^^^ i^
prvading longing to see her if h?' ^P* ^°'' *^'® 'ocessant and all-
, intensity that he had Z me^Z^^fJ"^' •'''' ?« ^«^^ her with an
^ was she absent from h^thoSf an/ 1^?- . ^""^ ' T^'^^ '"^^^t
h,m crowned with a halo such Z ni '^''^'^f '^^^ ^PP««'-e<l tc
if the very newsboys and workm^ nf f !! I the night, wondering
privilege, that they could stenunnn lu f^ '^^''^'^' ^^eir blessed
liad pressed, that they could ^^e C I ^'^f°"^^ ^^^ ^'^^^ ^ot
as she strolled in the 3 of .i- "^^J ^''''^^P^ ^^^^ ^er voice
way of the little paJk tha adioShit"^ '^'t ^'^^''^'"^ P«"^^'
did h,8 heart went out to any one who ln« T"' ^^^"^ ^«^ ^s he
with the city where she dweft. hI had feJI t "' ^"^ '"^» ^^'^'^'^^
Gordon Noel that, at times, he had dfffl.. u ""^ J-^^^.^ contempt for
was tempted to wVite to h m to sht on^.h" ^'"^"'^'^ ^«^ he
dential relations and have hfrn write lonrl/^ ^f '' '? «P«° <^o«fi-
lier. There were three men in h!.^ ^"T ^^^* should tell of
mysterious interest ZplTb^ustth T J\^^^™ ^' ^'^^ a vague
ijndezvous on Sycamore St^t on v^^ " '"'''*'^ "' ^^'^^^^
Hewassofullof hopeTndSand W^""^"^"'"-''^ ^^^ home
garrison seemed to hold nLllt h^,t il "^ ^/?^'*"^^ *hat the whole
dreamed of the stories the rf en w re t:;^'^!'^ ^"".T «« "^^^^
^^fjhispering about the post Noel hadlr^/^' confidences women
and Mre. Riggg had not soared hl^vJ "^^'"^^ ^S^'" *» Mrs. Riggg
Queen City f^jetyth^the'e"^^^^^^ V^^ "?"-*<^ -
He had been associated with £ne fn sZ. ^'l Y'"cent's making.
di8astrous,butthecanti,;n ho^ I *?™® speculations that nroviSl
shape after all, and as ^c^ a.l ™?™®"t that they came out in e-ood
dauSiter he Ctd'on Lr atplL^Mi'""^^^ ^"-^^
Ws coming to the rescuet.?h"^2T*h/h^!,'f^'T*'«" «bout
Vincent himself,— as indeed he h«d n ^ ^^^'* ^^^^^ ^^om Mr.
the moment alone, iu aCst of c^nL^ryf"'"^ ^^^" *hey were for
about the dear old father. Neif wSk von wm L°" T.™"* ^»'' «^
and then, as vou snv ™„„i„ „ni "**" J^""'. *"' •» "> the mountoin. .
I shall be happy in'vou7ri^T";'/'r l^u' ^'T '" ™'«. and thenrtoo'
w, «,d .-a „„eh w„« i„ ^>'ni„::t tdisJ^ Tro«^r.';r
TWO SOLDIERS.
345
jest temptation and
be canonized.
? Faithful, honest,
in such modest esti-
he cou]d have really
Mabel,, he lived in
le incessant and all-
3 loved her with an
)t a waking instant
IDS she appeared tc
knew. He used
» night, wondering
tlized their blessed
les her little foot
3S hear her voice
e gravelled path-
-Loving her as he
was even familiar
ars a contempt for
iguising. Now he
3t, to open confi-
lat should tell of
be felt a vague,
ilisted at the old
from her home,
de that the whole
liness. He never
)nfidences women
lin to Mrs, Riggs,
was now said in
''incent's making,
ons that proved
f money and had
>meout in good
Lane loved his
formation about
leard from Mr.
en they were for
hom he believed
inceut had told
Lane's prompt
Ipect of my going on a two weeks' scout with my whole troop early in
the month ; but your letters will reach me safely."
Why was it that she should experience a feeling almost of relief
in reading that he was going to be absent from the garrison awhile,-—
going out on a two weeks' scout ?
I She had sent him, as she promised, a lovely cabinet photograph of
hereelf that had been taken expressly for him. It came to the old
trontier fort just as the men were marching up from evening stables
and the messenger, distributing the mail about the post, handed the
packet to the captain as he stood with a little knot of comrades on the
walk. There was instant demand that he should open it and show the
picture to them, but, blushing like a girl, he broke away and hid hira-
seit in his room ; and then, when sure of being uninterrupted, he took
It to the window and feasted his eyes upon the exquisite face and form
there portrayed. He kept it from that time in a silken case, which he
locked in a bureau drawer whenever he left the house, but in the even-
ings, . • when writing at his desk, he brought it forth to light again
f^' et it where every moment he could look upon and almost wor-
And then came her letters announcing their safe arrival at Deer
rark :
"Our journey was most trying, for the heat was intolerable until
we got well up among the mountains. Papa came ; but I know he
IS simply fretting his heart out with anxiety to get back to the office.
Mr. CJark only returnwl from his vacation the day we started. Gordon
Noel (^me down to the train to see us off, and brought mother a basket
of such luscious fruit. He says that he has no home to go to, now that
we are ffone Indeed, he has been very thoughtful and kind, and I
cheeJf 1 '^ ^"'^^ ^^^^^' ^^^'^^ ^'^ ®^°^^ *^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^y ^"^
" Do you really mean that you will be gone a fortnight? How I
shall miss your dear letters, Fred ! And now indeed I will try to
write regularly. There's no one here I care anything about, though
the hotel seems very full, and there is much dancing and gayety. You
say my lettei-s will reach you; but I wonder how."
Lane read this with a sigh of relief. He had persuaded himself
that It was because he dreaded the effect of the long-continued hot
weather upon her that he so desired her to get to the mountains. Any
other thought would have been disloyalty to his queen. He wished—
just a httle bit— that she had not written of him as Gordon Noel •
he much preferred that she should call him Captain. She would not
write so fully and frankly of h^.m if he were anything but friendly, he
argued, and she would not tolerate his visits on any other grounds
Yet she did not tell him that they had walked up and down the plat-
lorm together for ten minutes before the train started, and that when
It was tune to nart liP haA Kon«- Ar^^.,,y ^.^A „«:4 _i i. • . _ • •
letter?
3 time to part he had bent down and said, almost
Do
in a w..ianpr .
you want to send a message for me to Fred Lane in your next
"I will do so, if you wish," she murmured ; but her eyes fell be-
fore the gaze in his, and the hot blood rushed to her face.
346
TWO SOLDIERS.
00 l^t 'Jtl'^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^--t I BO loog to see, a«<,
five l^Str^r iTe!: ?n"' '" 'f "^, *^^"-^ *'-* ^^"ow-1
with delight ov^'r tLfr tenJerne^^^^^^ ^'^'^^^' ^«»^ wiJd
and then none i^m^ fLTu ^ . ^^* ^^ written Saturday
and brought tLTo'L^^^^^^^ *" ^¥ ^-rth day'Sm^;'
" Papt left us to^go Uck T h. "«- > ' /^^ Womtment, somehow,
couid stJind it no longer TfS^ f^A^- °'f^V '^^ ^^«*«- " He
Witherees came on sSurdav and * ^/^ ,^»«^ ^'"le good here. Th.
is with them sL «I wl3'- ^^''^ ^^^^^^^ g'^^> Miss Marshall
striving toTead m! fet^^PTh? "\^''^ ^^!f ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ -
and says vou wprp ' «n ^ . ,^^«/Peak8 so admiringly of you
WitheCranlfdo norrel'^mtt' ^'' '^' "^^^.* ^^^ ^^'^^ «* the
her to me. You s^ s^I am mth"'^''"' '''^' ^^^^^ ""^^hing about
friends. ' ' ^ ^"^ """^h more communicative abSut my
app^ln: the TpVoot^bttiSt ?r^«^ '''''''' W^^ should
night train Sunday a^dfrSlvwnf ^^ i^^ '^^^^ "«*" the mid-
And he. Lanl^to^peJ S^gTrT^ht' '^ ^" '^'^•"
XI.
onJe^' rhXSl7in t'<^'r ^^^ "^^^ ^"^'« -™P-^ had been
ordei^ cx)minff frorkmrSlnn a "^''' "^^^ postpoued/no further
any troops int'o KratTltt^^^^^^
thing had hap^nS^?/"^^]^^^^^ "Some-
"to^hangetheSlf nf ^^ 1 ^7!«e> ^ho was a keen observer
lacked th'^radiarand^^^^^^^^^^^ His S
back from the East " i7hp iS^n • iH'^*^ ^^^ ^^^"^ «'^'°e he came
in circulation ?'^wa; the natuS If • "^ ^"^JV"^t°^ ll^' «*^"«« that are
that others were bS)re him r/hlf^f '^^ ^' ^' ^^'"°'"S *« ^^'^
one could question him There It ^ I'-'^^^'u' ""^^^^ ^" ^tiH, no
trankness and k'ndi that hTld Zl^'^f "K"' ^'"'' ^^'^h a" his
confidence. He never hkd? rnlt i^^H ^'T^ ^'^^ ^"^'thing like
something thS rendered h1nf«fTf"* ^^ '^*'^f ^^^ «"^ thi! was
some one of themS iSof 7 '-''"^l' "' ^ '''^'' had chosen
a«rn„„f fL ^ul -_ .^ <^^^urse, reading the contents, could r^A;Ur
bad „et ^^ of p.^r;:pi:, '^ sts "ca „i;^^i
TWO SOLDIERS.
347
I so long to see, and
e week that followed
3is' heart went wild
IS written Saturday,
the fourth day came
►ointment, somehow.
:," she wrote. " He
le good here. Th^
firl, Miss Marshall,
he idea that she is
admiringly of you,
t you dined at the
ing anything about
micative about my
ight. Who should
lyed until the mid-
see him."
company had been
tpoued, no further
^ required sending
The captain, far
bat he was not re-
moment. "Some-
a keen observer,
days." His face
VQT since he came
le stories that are
Jginning to learn
?ard?" Still, no
him, with all his
m anything like
k; and this was
inpopular among
fule, had chosen
positary of their
3 had never in-
was it. Now it
d for the coming
) weeks that fol-
me, well-known
3, could readily
iptions of dances
>untains. They
quainted with a
large circle from all parts of the country, fhey danced every evening
r^ularly in the hop-room, and were so thoroughly acquainted, and so
accustomed to one another's moods and fancies, that hardly an hour
passed in which they were not occupied in some pleasant recreation.
Lawn-tennis had always been a favorite game of hers, and her mother
was glad, she said, to see her picking it up again with such alacrity.
The open air was doing her good : her color was returning ; the lan-
guor and weakness which had oppressed her when she first arrived
after the long hot spell at home had disappeared entirely. But with
returning health came all the longing for out-door active occupation,
and, instead of having, as she had planned, hours in which to write to
him, almost all her time now was taken up in joyous sports, in horse-
back-rides, in long drives over the mountain-roads and through the
beautiful scenery by which they were surrounded. "And so," she
said, " Fred, dear, in regaining health and color, I fear, your Mabel
has very sadly neglected you."
His reply to her letter telling him of Mr. Noel's unexpected ap-
pearance at the Park was rather a difficult one for him to write. It
was dawning upon him that the attentions of his regimental comrade
to his fiancie were not as entirely platonic as they might be. Desire
to show all courtesy and kindliness to the lady-love of another officer
was all very well in its way, but it did not necessitate daily calls when
at home, and far less did it warrant his leaving his station without per-
mission — running the risk of a reprimand, or even possible court-mar-
tial — and taking a long journey, being absent from his post all Satur-
day and certainly not returning there before the afternoon of Monday.
If this were known at the head-quarters of the recruiting service,
Lieutenant Noel in all probability would be rapped severely over the
knuckles, if nothing worse. Lane could not, and would not, for
an instant blame his JiancSe, but he gently pointed out to her that
Mr. Noel ran great risks in making such a journey, and that it
would be well on that account to discourage similar expeditions in
the future. To this she made no direct reply ; but that she observed
his caution is quite possible. At all events, no further mention of
visits on the part of Mr. Noel appeared in any of the letters which
reached him before the orders for the scout actually did arrive ; but
that was not until near the very end of the month. It was just about
the 28th of August when rumors came of turbulence and threatened
outbreak among the Indians at the Chiricahua Reservation. Troops
were already marching thither from the stations in Ar'rona, and
Captain Lane was ordered to cross the range and scout on the
east side of the reservation, in order to drive back any ren^ades
who might be tempted to " make a break." Just one day before the
start he was surprised at receiving a letter from Mrs. Vin6ent. She
spoke gladly of Mabel's improved health and appearance ; she spoke
hopefully of Mr. Vincent, whose letters, she said, were more cheerful
than they had been, and who had been able to come up and spend two
Sundays with them. Mabel had doubtless told him of Mr. Noel's visit,
and how glad they were just then to see any face so pleasant and
familiar. And now she wished to ren ind him of their contract before
348
TIVO SOLDIERS.
ii'liillliiil
il.v
Ji:S"CLt^r t^^^^^^^^ --^ro;. ...at she „«.
would not venture upon that nf MV ^" ^^^ '•^^«"« ^%, so she
ionger existed, and if Teso dtrt^ t wo'^V J?"^*^^ "^'^3^ ""
Wn^to his .iatives, as she w^M^rS^iTn^L^^^
andj:-^^^ tn.e uneas,
etters before,-had^ever sluLm "^?V- ^-^^ ^^^^^ "«^^^ J'«^lov^
Ws to her betrothed sS l^e "eVTsont "? '^'"^ ^vhata woma.t
However there was no one in tk^Xison fn J^«'.!' ^"^ ""^^fi"^-
to formally announce his en.'LS Un'^^'i' *!' 'P^'""^' «»red
making remarks or inquiries asmSS'^ m^^^'^ ^""^ '^"^"^ of iate
^ng mformation from hinrin^he pa^^rf^ been successful in extract
should be forwarded once a w^fo; 3 ^'^ directions that his mail
railway-station nearest the ChlToahua Moimt^^'^'^'^ ^^Me.,i. the
It by sending couriei^ once in a while ncZft?!l ""^^"^ ^« ««"J^1 get
doing 80, Lane marched awar n^. ' provided there was no danger in
absence of an entire Sth'rf? ''^"""^. ^" ^''^^ P^^'^ed to b^ a^
t e end of SeptembeTand the' Xlof " '''' T' G-ham undl
ehange from his scouting-rig l''ta^^e fn^'"!'' '^ ^""^'^« ^•™ to
clothes into a trunk, and t^o drive JottiT^"""^' *? *^^°^ « ^ew
the^a^Mance could .rry him, in^rdt t.^^^^:^^^
f^^XZZi:tV^ A
to take to the mountains, thrS wh ch if " *^' reservation and
scouting; and to him and to h ?troon wL ' /' T!^^*"^ ^«« ^ben
turing and bringing thorn back to fT. ? '"^''"'^"^ ^^^ ^"'3^ of cap-
many a long m1le%outh 'rL rl waT'Tr'"- J^'' '"^^ ^^
more before he made his wav tlfhJ^ ^* ^^ ^^' ^'^''^ ^eeks and
There he found a small packXe oft r^'TT ^^^ P^sone^
direct from Graham where thp^^.-i^ir/'^'^'"^ bad been forward^
the Agency before ;eachinlth^ rl'f '"*'^ ^i"^^ '^'^' ^« ^^o"W JoinS
probably Waiting C Vmo.f'^'r'' ^\'^5« bis other lettel v^ere
from Mr. Vincent. Briefly iS UsW "".t ^^ '^'^«^ ^^^oZ
to us as soon as you can obtl elt oHC '^ " ^^^'^^^ *'"'"g^ «o"^e
which excite my greatest appiXnln Id t7 wu ^^r^''" ^^« "««er3
My health, I regret to qav & !• -r ' ^"^ ^ ^^^ *bat I must see von
announced to all d,eir reCvi a„d ,haXf "'"J """^ •«» '■''™al)y
,I^n .howe^J on Mabel S^H jM^-^rrlf?"?,™'"''''™ haj
......re surprise expressed that slie ihonf,]"™™ ••■"■"ug" mere was some
W,r,.as not been «„ a. a>« ^II? ^-.^Vaf ?!;.;&
r-
TH'O SOI.DJKRfi.
349
T« fk- , ^*^ *^'"'^ "«^'* f^'Ofii the mountains "
whichhe^ firJ. (&t„r? .? """Icrabe se.ise of soraetliing lacking
vfeit to IW Pa^l n„ "" "'"' ',•"" """O-nc*) Goido,, Noel'!
fri™^''orw'S^M'lE'l„"V'''' Departaent-an old .„d kind
reservation W Zai «1 aT "'S ""■■ .f"'"^ ««■ '■i°>^lf. «* the
, briefly s.a.«. l.i/n^Str! l^:^'^:''!'^^^^^^^ ^'l"'
him to one side ' ^ ""^ °" ""= ""l""'" » shoulder, and drew
" Y^r^^iSs Jun^^a??^^^--^ ^ P^^- -ed C«r
knows'^lttttbwCSln^^^^^^^^ «-""^- -^<J heaven
cent stumbJed oVrtbe bodv ,„ k a" P"?*' "^"^' ^"^ ^r. Vin-
\ shock, and died of htrtSl .h ^^''r '^^' ^^ prostrated by the
I of the tragedy for^^^^H/at^.T,^^^^ ^^'''' ^^' P«P«^ ^^^e full
il'm afraid. Now you will wTnV .n. .'"'! ^''' °T *^ ^ ''^d here,
troon Tnef +lii ^ ^ ^"* *° ^^''^' at once. Never mind vonr
I Late at night W reached fh?f" ^ ^"^^"^ ^^ ^^^^ marches."
hours behind. He tekJanhed^flVKT.Y'.?^^ *° ^'^^ ^^^ *»-ain Ave
fast as train couW brin|Sltt?^^^^^^ 'Y' ^'^ Tf^ ?^^ to her as
him. He strode T^moi^ri^^^ f '"l^^^^ad only just reached
glittering stars, yirning to rLc herT ^' T^ ^^f ^"'''" ""^«'- *''«
this bitter sorriw. Time ancfaiin h ^"^«^5>^^ and console her in
particulars which he hTd obllinT?. k'"^ ^^'^ '" ™'^"^ ^^^ ^^
They were all too brief but i^t^S'l f ?«Partment commander.
Clark had been encourage! by Sbe ^fv. .T"'^ *^^°" fact,-that
deeply, in the ho^e of retrfevh ^^0!*^"^ i" ^^""^^ ^*'^^
JLuckily for Vincent hpU ^ the osses of the past two years.
(the moirtg^e from hts iomP^lr'^^'' fT ^^"'"^"^^ i" "ft^ng
standing ^p^^^^^^ haHS. ^f '" ,*^^'°^ "P «".^ «f h'*« out?
partner; but^Wwo^der^ fl^t^T^^ '"PP^^ ^' ^^"fi'^e^t
("P to the end of August at jeasf ^ ^"^ ^"^ ^*^^ that
(directed. "fhP ^roff I? fu'.^*..^^''*' Clark had not sent to him. a.
letter Mr. VinoeiV ha^e;;;' ;ri;S/h^^^^^ ^° ^^-^^ referred the fir^t
350
TWO SOLDIERS.
iiiil
'ililfESi
illiiHiiiHi
hiiu in response to his telegraphic reouest. Wore ihere any letters ? he
eagerly asked. None now A small package had been foSed t^
he reservation last night, and must have passed him on^e wa^^
Others had been waiting for him at the mountain-station untU he was
t^"^ V'l^ arriving with his nrisonei^ at the A^^nc^ EveT;.
^ing then had been sent thither, an5 there would be no getting Ihem
before starting At Graham the telegraph operator showed h!m th^
duplicates of the telegrams that had 1x>me fofhim in his absent 1
only two. One announced Mr. Clark's suicide and Vincent's nroTt'ra
tipn and danger; the other, two days later, briefly read 'Mtfr C<St
died this morning. Mrs. Vincent and Mabel fairly well "
f ha 7ir f^u"^ " ^^"^^^ ^^''" ^"^^ * J^lo"« pang shot through
the poor fellow's heart as 1 3 realized that in all their be?eavemenTand
grief It was Noel's privilege to be with them and to be oni^t^ them
while he, her affianced husband, was far lavond hail. He w^ XmS
of his own thoughts an instant after, and bitterly upbraided In'mS
that he was not thankful that they could have had so attentir^nd
atufficfeitt? ^"^ ^^" '"^^ '^^ *« ^- -"^"--^y - -?
He had torn into fragments the anonymous sheet that had met him
at the r^rvation apd yei its words were gnawing at his heartstrings
now, and he could not crush them down : «ari8irings
Will P^.^^ y^?^ engagement denied ? Because she still cared for
Will Rossiterand hoped he might come back to her after all.
ihir.^ r ^ i ^*''1''o ^f ^ ^^y ** *^« ""^^^^ h^tel the second and
third times he spent Sunday at Deer Park? Because she wished to
hide from her mother, as she did from you, that he came at aU
Why does she meet him on the street instead of at home^
^gXtmyS!'^'' '"^"'^ '° ^'"' ^'^^"'^^ ^"' *" '^'' ^•"^ y«« ^''
,t« J^^o """"'^r^^. others exactly of their import, were what met his
startled eyes at C. iricahua,but the instant he noted that these carefully
tvpe-wnt jn sentences were followed by no signature at all,— not even
t htl^"f1- "^ i^>iend,''-indignation ancf wrath followed cL on
ItSl T tT"?' ^""^ ^'^ ''"^' «o°te"Pt he had destroyed the
cowardly sheet ; but he could not so easily conquer the poison thus
mjec^ m his veins. All the long, long journey to the^Ct they
haunted him dancing before his eyes, sleeping or waking, and it was
with haggard face and wearied frame that he Inched the Queen Cky
and, taking a cab, drove at once to her home. ^'
, . ?t was a lovely evening in early October. The sun had been
Binning brilliantly all day long, an/ almost everywhere doors and
wmdows were open to woo the cool air now gently stirring. The cab
stopped before the well-remembered steps, and Lane hastened to the
br(»d door-way. No need to ring : the portals stood uivitingly open.
The gas burned brightly in the hall and in the sitting-room t^theleft
He entered unhesitatmgly, and stood all alone in the room where he
n?,« sp^n^ so many nappy hours listening to the music of her voice
watehing the play and animation in her lovely face. He caught a
glimpse of his own, gaunt, haggard, hollow-eyed, in the mirror^er
/
icre any letters ? he
been forwarded to
him on the way.
ation until he was
J Agency. Every-
be no getting them
r showed him the
in his absence, —
Vincent's prostra-
ad, " Mr. Vincent
well."
pang shot through
■ bereavement and
be of use to them,
He was ashamed
pbraided himself
so attentive and
^et — why was not
that had met him
t his heartstringij
jhe still cared for
fter all.
I the second and
ise she wished to
ime at all.
ad of at home?
the same you are
'ere what met his
at these carefully
at all, — not even
followed close on
id destroyed the
the poison thus
» the East they
king, and it was
the Queen City,
e sun had been
Inhere doors and
rring. The cab
hastened to the
invitingly open,
•room to the left.
5 room where he
isic of her voice,
. He caught a
the mirror over
TWO SOLDIERS.
361
the old- fash ione<l mantel. What was he, that he should Imve won a
creature so radiant, so exquisite, as the girl who had made these silent
rooms a heaven to him? There was the heavy portiere that shut off
the little passage to the library. His foot-fall made no sound in the
deep, rich carpeting. It was there she welcomed him that wonderful
Friday afternoon,— that day that was the turning-point, the climax,
of his life. Hark ! was that her voice, low, sweet, tremulous, in there
now? Hush! Was that v sob? — a woman's suppressed weeping?
Quickly he stepped forward, and in an instant had thrust aside the
second portifire; but he halted short at the threshold, petrified by the
scene before hinf.
Mabel Vincent, claspe<l in Gordon Noel's embrace, her arms about
his neck, gazing up into his face with almost worship in her weeping
eyes, raised her lips to meet the passionate kiss of his. " My darling,*^
he murmured, " what can you fear? Have you not given me the
right to protect you ?" And the handsome head was toased proudly
back and for one little minute was indeed heroic. Then, with instan-
taneous change, every drop of blood fled from his face, leaving it ashen,
death-like. ^ '
" Gordon /" she cried, " what is it ? Are you ill ?"
Then, following the glance of his staring eyes, she turned, and saw,
and swooned away.
XII.
A dreary winter was that of 188- at old Fort Graham. Captain
Breese became major of the —th, and his troop was ordered to exchange
with K, which had been so long at head-quarters, and this brought
old Jim Rawlins up to take command of the little cavalry battalion at
the oasis. ' There were many of the officers— Rawlins among them—
who thought that after his success with " the Devil's Own," as D Troop
had been called. Lane was entitled to enjoy the position of battalion
commander; but Mrs. Riggs had promptly asserted her belief that he
was not in position to enjoy anything. He had come back to the post
late m the fall, looking some years older and graver; he had been very
ill at Jefferson Barracks, said letters from that point, while waiting to
take out a party of recruits to the regiment; he had resumed duty
without a word to anybody of the matters that had so suddenly called
him East, but there was no need of telling : they knew all about it •
at least they said and thought they did. Mrs. Riggs had had such
oomplete accounts from Noel, and had received such a sweet letter from
Miss Vincent m reply to the one she had written congratulating her
upon her engagement to Aer (Mrs. Riggs's) "favorUe amom aU the
oj5/Mjer«,— and the colonel's, too." " She was so sorry— so painfully dis-
tress—about Captain Lane," said Mrs. Riggs. "She never really
cared for him. It was gratitude and propinquity, and pleasure in his
attentions, that she mistook for love ; but she never knew what love
was until she met Gordon. They were to be married early in the
spnng, and would take only a brief tour, for he had to be at his station,
bhe dreaded commg to the regiment, though she would follow Gordon
m,the end of the world if he said so, for she knew there were people
352
TWO SOLDIERS.
iim
\im
^^^'^ZXI!::^^ ^;r - «He '.ad to;
together. She haci written to h Tl "^ u "^ ^'"''^ "^^^'^ »>« ^appy
Ka«t and they ha.l tE dl^d ' '"^ ^"".""' ^""^ l^^^"^"' ''^ oame
with snoh ,/rfeot «c ti_ ^^d'su 7'"''' ^'•- ^^' ^^^ ^-''^v.!
Captain I.ane'8 feelings. Of ,?" «' r ?'''"•! «?"«i^'«'-ation for
reconcihation or future friend^ 7!'. T/'"" '«'^' «" possibih-ty of
Captain Lane humb^; oS^/^^^^!" *''-" ^^^ -^ an end uncles.
J«>ringit; fbrtl.efea^rfu exS^nofhr^ ^l "r^"^^' '^P^''^^
hini listening at the portiere 1 ad ZL?/ 1 / '^ • ''^''° *'"'^ discovered
came to, (Jonlon said, u. tTme toTv IV ^«'"J.away, and «he only
window, 80 utterly wi e S &?p w ^'^^i^^S Inm out of the
Riggs a friend who Tould m^;oo ^0,^ '" *'''"^^"' *« ^^^« "'Mrs.
countc<l on to deny any to Lth^t '^^ T' °'^' T^ ^^« «""'*' bo
appointment raightVJn Nation "^^'' ^"*^'"'" ^"« '" '"« ^■•-
Bhe SrIS: U;:rai]lnow.^^' ,t t^T'- ^' 'r ''^ '«"- *o -'"-0''
to her unoi^ened ; and she knew w£? 1" ^"' ^""^'^ «"^' ^^''^ «^"t
though she might have ''told jlI^lT l'^^\\o Mr,. Riggs that,
word of it until his eves v ml ^^ ' "'^ f\'^''^' ^'^ never knew a
night in the library ^hl'^'^tLf«rn'''^ \*'' '''"?'' ^^"^ ^'''^tohed
^ There were othe^rnatteA whor^ln M^ love dream began and en<led.
Mrs. Riggs. He warnVrs! ior fit^'V^f ^'™^'^ ^^"^ «>"«"Jting
service nT^ht make him a oLS n la ''^'l^nant. Any accident of
" he might^e ordere^^ to^-o^at C O '/ P'^^^"' ^^'"^ ^•^"°^«^'>
nothing would give him Tre^L ^ ?^*^'"a"l>'> as she well knew
account-he hesilted 1 %M a^L^W "«?;-««'«')' «« Mabel's
that, if Colonel Rig^ would annfnv. ^'' I><^Partment had said
Euroi^e, for the purine of p^^^^^^^^^^ six months leave to visit
be obtained. Would she kindly et^^etc" P'"^^*^'^"^' «t»^'««> ™'ght
story Z rn^t^H, iT'Toixt '" ""T^ T'^ ^^ «'^^ o^ the
b. 1^ ^.^eT^r££r =-^^^^^ -en
JKsSv:l^^-S^?-^
Their home remain J to them and h. " T^l 7'^ ^" changed iiow.
the wreck of Mr. V nc^nfrbut Rel' Tl '"^' ^"'*""e, together with
and seek to earn wlmt he could wF. f ^-F °J'* '"^o the world
wa.3 no one to step in and build uu^L old 7 '^'' f ^^^^^ss. There
advised that everything be dosecf n f Ir % ^'J^ ^'^^ executors had
ieft in lameutable^confiion tr ucS^^ ^^ai,^ had been
nothing, that is, but coSon i^d t ^ ;:,^^ ^^^^^V'^ ^Ise to leave,-
importuning her for payment of ll S -p ?' -^^pP e were constantly
c^nt^cted fy the firm^. ^"C' t^Z^:^^L^^^ ^' '^^y --
them^^rtunehe\:!;^l?^l:?tedO^^
/
ne 88 she had to;
I never 1x5 happy
ng befof" he came
Noel had Iwhaved
consideration for
all possibility of
at an end unless
nercifully spared
» they discovered
vay, and she only
? him out of the
I to have in Mrs.
nd who could bo
^ne in his dis-
! letters to which
e and were sent
Urs. Riggs that,
e never knew a
1 that wretched
pgan and ended.
' was consulting
^ny accident of
t were followed,
she well knew,
ely on Mabel's
ment had said
leave to visit
studies, might
one side of the
little else than
Iding garrison
en.
, letter written
tj to speak of
t she implored
changed now.
, together with
ito the world
iness. There
executors had
lirs had been
se to leave, —
TC constantly
hat they were
hcT iisiening,
would. ha;re
property «fiid
girl he loved
TWO SOLDIERS.
353
/
the home in which she had been reared. The very rcK)f under which
11 Its CO limns he fouiiil full account, written evidently bv some on.
XtliU!" "'^"'" ^ """ ■" ""' '-"-' 0.4 .^■.M« Z
hat ol!a«.r 8lttins at lii» desk with hi, head pillowcl n E L H,
ZtTr •"" P^'P-.P^f^"<i'fin^?,nl '^eeVt'lo:'' "a1,"Z
^me Dr. Gowen happening i„,o the hospital while Lnc^a, viiin^
A want you to go right to your quarters and s av there I^hp fi.r
12:: '"" r rKh'' ' '^'^^^' ™^''^^^'" fever,'^^: ^^i'^jiS
oraers. 1 H f^ with you in a moment." It was onlv the be<rinnimr
of what proved to be a trying illness of several N^^vks' dlmtion^
smmm
u»u J ^^»v «» ;rear dgo. i^ater that evenino- he mef Iwii- in tu^
Ti::t:^zr:^i'f nr '"? p'-ant trgn-.!: z^
r 0„ the following day Mias Mf;shalf wa/'in the hall, reading,
.354
TWO SOLDIICRS.
to/u three or7„,.r It .go??'' ^'"' '=™ ■-»'-«« l"^"'' »'■« wrote
^^^'a nevo,- did," M Une. " Do you think that she did writ* to
frieJ«hip,.„d she ™.t. 1.^ tZX^.^^y^ sSee^-^^^fhoCh
1 had only met you once or twice before I fpl/X„f t ^ **' Although
"Is she at home?" asked Lane, eagerlv
was he there frequently when they were there before?" «at^
Lane, an old, dull pain gnawing at hfs heart. ' ''^"'" ^^^'^^ ««ked
ana ir M l&t V'e^-'.u^ra ^i, ^ ^ -' -
«he couid not speak, and when she did^Ke checked w! ^ "*" "^"^'"'^
n„. A •' ?»".*'''' ^'''''® ?g«^ aod suffered ! and it is all our doin^ —all
our doing!" she moaned, as her tears burst forth anew ''^'°^>"-""
Never mind my crowWeet and gray hairs, dear lady," he said.
^*
?, she said, for Mrs.
e children.
I saw Mrs. Vin-
ith her. She haa
! a letter she wrote
it she did write to
fled great surprise
very sure of your
ilence. Although
knew you so well
t)vable a woman as
she had told nic.
3 go to the moun-
e wenther is very
has advised that
wish to go, as it
able to get there
no reason why he
! before?" asked
edge during our
generally Satur-
2ed be, I will lo
.all." ^
icent in response
ition. " If pos-
mswer." What
for New York,
iset came. Ar-
anging his dress
ace his memora-
md asked to see
ane was shocked
■"ears seemed to
le lines in her
ling forth both
ivered and she |
o a chair, and, j
2 lew moments
TWO SOLDIERS.
366
5ur doing, — all
lady," he said.
" It is high thne I began to show signs of advancing age. Then.
too, 1 am just up trom a siege of mountain fever."
" Waa that the reason you did not answer?" she presently asked
I never got your letter, Mrs. Vincent. When was it mailed ?"
About the lOth of May. I remember it well, l)ecau»e— it was just
after Mabel and Captain No«<I got back from their tour."
" Pardon me, but did you post it yourself?"
i-**i" ^u^ •^*If P*^*T ' ,*'» *y^ ^""^^ ™y ^''^^^^' I l^ve them on the
little table m the vestibule.
" Where any one r n ^ them ?"
"Yes; but who would v^^uch my letters?"
Une did not k lo -, of o irse. He was only certain that nothing
trom Mrs. Vincent ia reach d him during the past six months.
Captain Lane,"* ^r:^a,at last. « [ want you to tell me the truth.
Just after Mabels ma ...age I heard that e story was in circulation to
the effect that it was your money that umblod Mr. Vincent to tide over
the crisis m his affairs a year ago. It was even aaid that you had sold
property at a loss to supply him with means ; and some people in society
are so cruel as to .say that Mabel's trous.seau was actually purchased
with your money, because it had never been repaid. I know that Mr
Vincent often spoke of his obligation and gratitude to you. Tell me
rlhisftor^tS" '^^^ ^^^ ^'" give my husband money?
" I never gave Mr. Vincent a cent."
"Oh, I am so thankful I We have been the means of bringing
such sorrow to you " * ®
u "L^yo",raake no reference to that, Mrs. Vincent. Neither your
honored husband nor you have I ever thought in the least responsible.
u «ru *"^® ^*"®^ "^*^^> yo" ^ave been misinformed."
J\ hat cruel, reckless stories people tell! It hurt me terribly
mid then when no answ. r came to my letter I felt that probably there
M^LlT 7?/" It, and that you ware hiding the truth from me.
Mabel heard it too ; but she said that Captain Noel investigated it at
once and found that it was utterly false. I could not be satisfied until
1 had your own assurance."
,.J' t""^ "TJ''" ^^\^ '^"J}^ ,'^'^' ^'*'» * «™'Je that shone on his
worn face and beamed about his deen-set eyes like sunshine after April
showers. " You are going to be advised now, are you not, and seek
change and rest in the mountains?" '
^ " We meant to go this week ; but Mrs. Paterson, of Philadelphia
IS urging us to spend the summer with her at the sea-shore, wherSshe
W a i-oomy cottage She is a cousin of Captain Noel's, and was an
intimate friend of Mabel's at school. That was where my daughter
first heard of him. Oh, I wish— I wish " / "augnier
.^r/'^^' ^'f%'^-^^\^-^^Q ffi^- Vincent's teaijs poured forth, and it was
some time before she could control herself. , it was
At last the captain felt that he must go. It was now his purpose to
leave town as soon as he could attend tofne or two matters of bEJs^
Shall I not see you again ?" she asked, as he rose to take his leave.
"I fear not," he answered. "There is nothing to require more
I'!:'.
k§
> 1 J !
356
TWO SOLDIERS.
the j«ervatio„ they oanTheU Tnohtl " ^""^ '""' "" '°"" "^""^
tho„,.'"'l lir^uTe.^"!'!':/:! 'T.^'' -^r" a force to watch
Lane." ^ "^ ""' ^O'ng back ; but it 18 Jike yoa, Captain
whiitm ;:«*? 'll^iid «« Sr' •-«! -d -k«I nothing of his
have left town that very evenhlMr h'''f '"''^"<'-. »« '"^^-t «»
estate agent whom L Zl h» J S.! • ^ ''^ <»nsnltatiou with a real-
even as^e was ll™^>tLXr" kit'"il"^ '" '"'^7^^' '>»'
there came a knock at hi <)nn..?„T.t^ . '» a roomy leather bag
dress, who moSed the tl tov Inl ™**T' ° TV" P'"'" "'"l^""
phot^raph ! . ^ *" "''*'■ "»'' and then held forth a
'"tK*'" '^"?'," *''»' your man Taintor?"
inspects '^"C^„'''^ot"irim"?? " ""^ ^'■^'' ''°--' ««» -«f"l
captlinri thTr: it st'e" mistke''''&1" ''"' ,*? T ''"'' '"^ *«
Lu7L ml:ntttatra?erd";:- "hcS"''^? "'"' J™' -
writing, and manages to get^akng anTiun^rtHn^T'"!-"'' '^I*"
woman who nassea «s 1.S wife ^/m ,, ^PP"" a good-lookmg young
back here te'^bte?' ^'^^ "*"" "» "'!'''= brouiht him
TheZHde"«frh,m"' """^ °' "■" -™i«-g-P«.ty to see him?
entirefy" %l^ £T t'JZ^f''' T-"* ^^T' '''■ ^''^ « new lot
at all, id theTwtLlUenKy '""'••"' ^' "'""«"'"■ "'' ™P'«'"
^^ w!h the thTrr ,T°"'^'' P""*^ •'" a different part of tfce
heart iha^you had w/i^l J^'tf"'' Tfu^ "h"?; but when the Chief
until you c^uTd «« Wm bit hi h» A*°"i'" ^l^ '^"^"^ ">« ft"""
«>nld3ave h- .mTou w;retm1„S ''"'"^- '^'" **'^ "-^ ^^ he
ti-e 0^; one feltl' '""" '^"' ^"'■'* "" '"'■ ^--t. She was
"Beg pardon, sir. hnf ia«'f +u-4. i-t-_x_. ^t ?•
The capfail, lives theri, I think" "^ '^'*'* mother-in-law?
tZ^U^L^:^.!^^^^ *! -^ face. A uuestion w.
at his very tongue's en jf -1""yZT ■"! """' "f ' ^ <I"««''™ "««
w.rni„g?):_b|tf,:s«fl;i itJiA^Tm^iSTgt^hr" ""^ «''"''
TWO SOLDIERS.
357
[ shall seek a cooler
nt."
bs' sick-leave."
!st with my troop."
ouble brewing again
d no doubt disaffec-
aud to scout around
all a force to watch
3 like you, Captain
Bked nothing of his
md. He meant to
iltatiou with a real-
in his service ; but
roomy leather bag
an in plain civilian
then held forth a
iswer, after careful
» see him, and the
lis hair and beard
«^here he was up to
i bag with him, as
copying and type-
>od-looking young
link brought him
wrty to see him?
r. It's a new lot
with the captain
for the party ?"
iter because Cap-
ferent part of the
t when the Chief
hadow the fellow
there any way he
incent. She was
mother-in-law ?
A question was
ould have given
t.
" Y r^ ^^'""i" ^^ ^'^ S®"^ ^^^"^ o^ "»7 coming, I will leave on
ae late train, as I purposed, and you can wire to me when he returns.
Then keep him shadowed until I get here." ^ci-urna.
And with this understanding they parted. Lane going at once to a
DO resor on one of the great lakes. Four days later Ime the de-
Jpateh he looked for, and, accompanied by two detectives, Lane knocked
^UtVolTeLtr^^ '" ''^'^' ^""^^'"^ ^^^^'^-^ -^^- ^-^^■
A comely young woman opened the door just a few inches and in-
luired what was wanted. "Mr. Graves wm- not at home." He cer-
Jam ly wou d not have been in a minute more, for a man swung out of
the hird-story window and, going hand by hand down the convenient
lightning-rod, dropped into the arms of a waiting officer, and tlmlS
iTh ^T^?/"*^ ^'"''•^"" ^P^"t b«*»°d the bars in the Central Station
|The identification was complete. v-^utidi otauon.
.Lane was to appear and make formal charge against him the follow-
ng morning. Going down to an early breakfasThe picked up oneTf
Ithe great daihos at the news-stand, and, after taking^his seat at t^ble
and ordering a light repast, he opened the still moisfsheet The fir^?
te' 'I » ' t^'-^'T T '"^"g*^ ^° «tart him to his feet. " Indian
lOutbreak." "The Apaches on the War-Path." « Murder of Zent
Curtis at San Carlos." "Massacre of a Stage-Load <rpLseni?s"
li^'^^^t;^^ Cavalry, a victii" "Hor/ibTeXl
inffi •^ ^^^ *^^ ^^^^ ''^^. ^^""^y ^''^^y t'^l^^- Warnings disregarded •
fe ITJ'f ^J *^'- "«'g»^boring troop-commande,^ p^h-poS and
r^rof ot h V""'"'T'^ "^ '^' ^^r*^° ^"^^^" ' a sudden startling
Irubh of one body upon the agent and his helpless family ; a simulta-
neons dash rom the otiier end of the reservition upon the ^TerS
rutcWed^fcddt^'l' ^^r""'^ ambushed; a vLlo^sS
Dutcnered in cold blood. There was no more thought of breakfast for
Lane. He hurried to the telegraph-office, thence to the pol c^sStion
thence to an attorney whom he w^as advised to employ, S by nZ'
|at7thf£^^^^^^ "^" '-''-' ''' -'- ^^^ --^ ^l
XIII.
K„nT^^ JC'^'"'^ ^^r'^:^> a most valuable sheet in its way, in its
Sunday edition contained the following interesting item : ^'
Li 1 u i^^f °*: '? ^"^""'^^ '^'''^^^^ ''^s eclipsed of late the banquet tfiven at
Nie c ub last night in honor of Captain Gordon Noel, Ttlie EleTnth
Cavalry, on the eve of his departu^ to take command^f hi7troornow
hastening to the scene of Indian hostilities in Arizona AsTs' weU
™io„T«;''""^' '''' "^"' f ^^« niunierous ouibr^^ at th
llZZT^ Z'IJ,1T^,!L ^.^--^ '^-- th- gallant officer applied
U^ :•"",: •• 'i^;'^^ "t.iu Ilia present autied m our midst and ordprpfl
bro/iLrX";:,^!:.*"'' "■"' "^ ""^'■' ^-'■^ -"^ '"
LdllS,?™/'-!'"','' '°'" ''r'y- ^""^ '«'''« ™ decorated with flowcre
j.«d g^^teued ^uhplat, and crystal. The met oompicuou. devf^"™
358
TWO SOLDIERS.
K^^Tt- ''^T ^J *^' ""^y^^'y^ ^^*^ *h« ""'"ber 11 and the letter
K, that being the designation of the captain's company Hr« honor
Sps^a- sis ?£^,£ S
were blanching and hearts were still stricken by the dread new« T^l
butcheries and rapine which marked the Indians^ fli^hfwKr fu ^
shrank from such pilous work, wire Ls t rma^tl'tdd su^'
press the fervent adm ration with which hp hP!,r^ fKof *i P"
soldier who tet no ,i.e in demlZg^et'll t I'S™ Zt^
the man who never yet had faltered in hU HnftT +^1 u ^™,'
honoi-ed chairman. If in the nn^f ho ho^j o. j J • P'^*?^^. <>i "leir
esteem, all the more woulS he t y to mert T^f"^ m ""'^S "^ '^^^^
must he share them now. His hparf H,'« h^Vlf T- u v? "^^^' ^^
time ^ p^ve hi„^f loMl^Sf h'lr;"^^^^^^^^^^
midst, and we predict that when the records .^tlT • ^ '°. """*
express. But there was aareatJ^l ^^JT'"''^ "^'V, *^^ *^^'
that would have elicited soSing Lore 1^^^^
officers who knew Noel well ^ * '''^''^ g"» ^«>'n
TWO SOLDIERS.
359
we™^;U^S^l^„ttT„t^h:flt,"■■'^'•■■' *" fe« "dings
the Queen City. Tliefiret ^^1,' ^ ""^ "'™' reluctantly lei
I^ne,d^pi,ethefa"tl,rttshS';iT;"°"«'' *" ?"' Ca^^n
was yet by no mwmatnnJ hTIu !^ ^'T '*'">"'«J "nd that he
be joinedV some of h^^hw'ita: ™f It'f,,*'' ^'"''^"^ "»»«
be fierce and stubborn. TeleirrinS'tf.! '•""' """ipaign would
the general commanding the S Zn? 't Jf^"^ "djiftant and
once, and asking to be SotiL m ™T , "' i" '"'""<'«' "> ^^rt at
join the t™op,fe was orhft^Sn1n„tr°"'' ■""^' ^'^"^
C^ArllS-f ^4^r^i^-^^^ 7 -de of ,his in the
Despite his many faults there JaVnn T ^f " "^^^'^ unwelcome,
very much in love ^? h h l w feb"? hTS^ *^f G^^^on i^oel was
the active part of his profbL^nThi-uTu"''^^ ^^"^ ^° love with
who had stood by hhn in the pisf InT * ^! '^^"^''^P''^^ ^« ^'«tives
letters informing them ha" bis wife's Zt^"^^ V^-g^"* anci pleading
that if he were cornel efat this moin? T 'V" ^dicate a statf
peri ous duty in the ApacVfcount^v SI '''^' ^^^.""^ *« g« "PO"
be the effect upon hc-r. ^Tfa possuS thW T "^ ^/^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^
be a delay of a fortnight. He eaiculat!d S m "'f^ *^"^ ^^^^'^ should
would either be safe across th. Mplio k f ^^ *^^* *"^« ^be Indians
reservation ; then he 3 ^ o^t a^"idn w'^ S^^>f ^ ^''^^^' *« ^^e
and no possible danger. But a new kinT J a ^'''''^'^ ^^ ^''"•"P^t^
ment, who knew Joseph rXr f h!n t^ u^°^^ '° ^^^ War Depart-
honorable Secrelry had ^col t ^?7>^^ "^t. In some way the
of Captain No^Kmna^^^^^^^ Previous hiLry
«eme„ ^f ed to made' p^om^t aK^^^^^^^ gen":
was desig^atS ti'pr3 ,ronr/"f/'r^"* "^^'^ ^" <>&
Noel's re1.de.vous arplplrandVie^^^^^^ ^ ""^ *^'^ °^^^
bim to start without delav and to nnf.Yu ft ^ '"^ ^"^'^ ^^''^ «ent to
of the date of his departure Vmn«f^ ^"^ department by telegraph
i?g. This correspoXcr£;i never T"?' ''? ''""^^°' P^'^^^^"
tim^ and it was kLwn only to h X^^ -^^^^^^^^^ '"^^"^^ '' '^'
wards. As soon as he found that 1 T Tl^^ f?' "^'"^ ^^^ after-
a letter in which, gallansoUe/lhaTlpr^^^^ he dictated to his clerk
General that thefews from Alona ' 7 ' ^' "^^"^"^^ the Adjutant-
outbreak of alarming Sn^Zh J fl "^""1'""^^°^^ ^'"^ *''at an
be might be relieved^as aTl ^ ^ '^'e^^^^^ '"'-5 ^^^"^ '^''
- • ^' .I'i^i!."? !:^PV^ ^'a? ««"t. as the order d'irecting
u- , , v„v. xjciu. jLo rnis no repiv
mm to proceed had already been ismi^j"' P^.T"" " • """8
a^u^t *e moustachcd li^ Ir Z =L^tS If^^^
Noel left the Queen Gty a hero in the eyes of the populace. He
,1,
i)J|
ii
360
TWO SOLDIERS.
ill
was just six days behind Lane, of whose movements the Queen City
had no information whatever.
And now came an odd piece of luck,— a slip in the fortunes of war.
The cavalry stationed in Arizona were so far from the reservation at the
time that they had long and difficult marches to make. Only two or
three troops that happened to be along the line of the railway reached
the mountains neighboring San Carlos in time to quickly take the trail
of the hijstiles. Except the one little troop of cavalry on duty at the
reservation, none of the horsemen in Arizona had us vet come in actual
conflict with the renegades, and, oddly enough, it was the Eleventh
that first met and struck them. Old Riggs himself had not taken the
field, but the battalion from head-quarters had been whirled westward
along the railway and actually reached the pass through the Chiricahua
Range before the Indians. Expecting just such a possibility, these
wary campaigners had their scouts far ii; advance of the main body,
and prompt warning was given, so that only the rear-guard of the
Indians was reached by the eager cavalrymen ; the bulk of the Apaches
turned eastward and swept down like ravening wolves upon the
oefenceless settlers in the San Simon Valley, burning, murdering, pil-
laging as they went, full fifty miles a day, while their pursuere trailed
helplessly behind. When they had succeeded in crossing the railway
most of their number were mounted on fresh horees, and the section-
hands, who saw them from afar off, telegraphed from the nearest station
that they had with them six or eight women i.nd children whose hus-
bands and fathers doubtless lay weltering in their blood along the route.
Full seven days now had they been dodging through the mountains
and swooping down upon the ranchmen, and so skilfully had they
eluded tlieir pursuers and defeated their combinations tiiat now they
had a commanding lead and actually nothing between them and
the Mexican frontier,— nothing in Arizona, that is to say. But look just
across the border. There, spurring steadily southwestward until halted
for the night in San Simon Pass, comes a little troop of cavalry, not
more than thirty-five in number. All day long since earliest dawn had
they ridden across the burning sands of a desert region ; lips, nostrils,
eyelids smarting with alkali-dust, throats parched with thirst, temples
throbbing with the intense heat; several men and horses used up and
left behind were now slowly plodding back towards H\e railway. Look
at the letter one of those leaders wears upon hie • nn old scouting-hat,
— D. Yes, it is the " Devil's own D's," and Lanft i& at their head.
At the moment of the outbreak, both companies from Graham,
K and D, or strong detachments from both, w>.ie scouting through the
country,— one through the northern Peloncillo Range, the other far up
among the head-waters of the Gila. Not a word did they hear of the
trouble until it was several days old j then D Troop was amazed by
the sudden appearance of their captain in their midst,— Lane, whom
Uiey ^supposed to be i,n sick-leave far in the distant East. It was then
for the first time they learneu how iheir wmrades of K Troop had lost
their popular old commander, and that the great outbreak had occurred
at San Carlos. Stopping only long enoi gh to cram their pouches with
ammunition an-' to draw more rations, the troop hastened away towards
TWO SOLDIERS.
S61
the railroad by way of Graham, and at the station, just at dawn, Lane
sent a brief despatch to the commanuing general saying that he was
pushing with all speed to head the Indians off via San Simon Pass.
He had then forty-five men and horses, in fair condition. K Troop
would reach Graham that evening, and he urge<l that they be sent at
once to reinforce him. This despatch " the Chief" received with an
emphatic slap of his thigh and an expression of delight : " Bless that
fellow Lane! he is always in the nick of time. I had not hoped for
an instant that either D or K would be available, and now look," he
said to his aide-de-camp, " he has started for San Simon Pass, and will
probably throw himself across their front. Only I wish he had more
men."
"Shall I wire to Graham to have K rush after him, sir?"
" Yes. Order them to start the instant they can refit, and not to
take more than an hour in doing that. They have been having easy
work on their scout,— probably tak .ig it leisurely all the time; they
ought to be in first-rate trim. D, on the contra»-v, has been making
long and rapid marches to get down from the Upper Gila. Where
was K at last accounts ?"
" Couriers had gone to the Upper Peloncillo for them several days
ago, and, as Lane says, they are expected at Graham this evening.
Lane, himself, rode after his own men two hours after he got to the
post from the East, and Noel, who is K's new captain, is due at Graham
Station to-night."
" Then send him orders to lead his troop instantly, follow and sup-
port Lane. Tell Sim not to lose a moment on the way. Everything
may depend upon hit, promptness and zeal."
And so it happened that when Captain Noel stepped from the train
that afternoon at the old station the telegraph messenger came forward
to meet him, touching his cap and saying, " This despatch has been
awaiting you, sir, since eleven o'clock this morning. I have just had
a despatch from the post, and K Troop got in two hours ago and is
already starting. Lieutenant Mason says an orderly is coming ahead
with a horse ard the captain's field-kit. Shall I wire for anvthinff
else?" -^ ^
Noel opened the despatch which had been handed him, and read it
with an expression that plainly indicated perturbation, if not dismay.
He had not been in saddle for an entire year,
" Why, I must go out to the post !" he said to the operator. ' ' tm
not at all ready to take the field. Let them know that I have arrived,
and will come out there without delay. Bet^^^er have the troop unsaddled
and wait for my coming."
"Will the captain pardon me?" said the operator; "the orders
from the Department commander that went through this morning were
that the troop should not take more than an hour in refitting at the
post and should start at once. I thought I could see them coming
over thfl divlHp inef qo tVta wKJc^la Kl/>.., »
The captain's face gave no sign of enthusiasm as he received this
news. He was still pondering over the contents of his despatch from
the commanding general,— its tone was so like that of his order from
^62
TWO SOLDIERS.
•m^
ilNI
ill
ffli
" Here come some of 'em n r sir "
«i™pp*l for th? field, witl, bllt^;S,l', , ."'rb'inriXf S
b,m to .neet j-o„ on your arrival, bu we wero all ba5y 1 L?the Zv^n
n«df. You've got your orfers, sir, haven , vou ? llf Si 1 Z
m wire to the :fort. «n,l !»„ .1,. „. ■ . ,_. ^ ^°" ' «•?»>">,
Of rea? fCn tit/r './'^! ?!' ^ ^^ "«X? ^'^^ a chance to do a bit
take me alon,-3;ou';e = t7g7the/e^;.:nrKJ IIZT^
It. And the gallant little fellow looked, all eaoerne^ into Nop >«nn
responsive face. What wouldn't the hero of the oS C^Z C^l »
Kt:s;^tht-*^"?,r;?rt
are things I must attend to. You see I left the in.f^nfr^u '^^""^
rnr^^H^etea^-ltiyXl^^^^^^
Xft::\ti—^' ""''''' s-'»"0«"'trot:'^;s"„; ^^^irz
"Captain Noel pardon me, sir," interpc. Mie operator "Th.
fa^l^te^".!': f-"" ^^^^^^ «^^^- ^^^' -"^^ ^- if ^i^
« YnnJl^ '" *TP !'"'* ^''' y^*- ' -^' Waiting for it."
louder voices the troop, s r." called ^nt Mr Ponc.i,« u i. i
nil! to the door. "Now let me hel^^. f^^h ^!^S'^^^^
that canvas bag in here, orderly." '^n your cits. Bring
n. Jif!."!!!?'?_^^""I^^ ^ ."^f ««g? from '-L Ohief :" "Lose not a
_ . „„ ,„^ „j,^.^ jieport here by wire ; ^ *irrival of vonr ivr^^
and the nioment you start. Behind time now." ^ *^P
i'oor Noel I There was no surgeon to certify that his pallid cheeks
TWO SOLDIERS.
363
were due to impaired heart-actioh, no senatorial cousin to beir for staff
duty, no Mrs. Riggs to interpose. He had just time to send a despateli
to Mabel announcing that he took the field at the head of his troop at
once, another (collect) to Amos Withers, Esq., of similar import, and
one to the general, saying that at 4.45 they were just on the point of
starting, when the troop, fifty strong and in splendid trim, came trot-
ting m, and Mr. Mason grimly saluted his new captain and fell back
to the command of the first platoon.
" Noel to the Front !" was the Chrmicys head-line on the follow-
ing morning far away in the Queen City.
XIV.
Not an instant too soon, although he has ridden hard since eariiest
dawn, has Lane reached the rocky pass. North and south the Pelon-
allos are shrouded in the gloom of coming night, and all over the arid
plain to the eastward darkness has settled down. In previous scouts
he has learned the country well, and he knows just where to turn for
tanks of cool water for horses, mules, and men,— the cavalry order
of precedence when creature comforts are to be doled out. He knows
lust where to conceal his little force in the recesses of the rocks and
let them build tiny fires and make their c»ffee and then get such rest
as IS possible before the coming day; but there is no rit for him.
laking two veteran soldiers with him, and leaving the troop to the
command of his lieutenant, an enthusiastic young soldier only a year
out ot the cadet gray, the captain rides westward through the gloam-
ing. He must determine at once whether the Indians are coming to-
wards the pass by which the San Simon makes its burst through the
range, or whether, having made wide ditour around the little ^st at
Bowie among the Chiricahua Mountains, they are now heading^uth-
ward again and taking the shortest line to the border before seeking to
regain once more their old trail along the San Bernardino. How often
m7esS!;:;uTSr ^^^ "^ '"' '" ^^°"^ *'^"^ ^--^^ ^^^^^^^ --
And now, secure in the belief that they have thrown all the
cavalry far to the rear m the "stern-chase" which no Apache dreads,
well knowing how easily he can distance his hampered pursuers, the
renegades, joined by a gang of the utteriy " unreconstructed" Chiri-
^nZ' r. i!"'"? *^^i"^ .T'^ ^"^ "^'^'"g ^'^^ 0° the helpless
tunately tor the records, these are few in number; had there been
dozens more they would only have served to swell the list of butchered
men, of plundered ranches, of burning stacks and corrals, of women
and children borne off to be the sport of their leisure hours wE
once secure m the fastnesses of the Sierra Madres far south of the
n"I' ~i T ^"^<ii'o<;,*<^o soon come to the relief of these poor creat-
hlll""". ^ne anu an nis men had been spurred to the utmost elibrt
Dy the story of the railway-hands that they had plainly seen several
dorj"" S^iWren bound to the spare J ,.,.1, S>e Z^es T?
along across the iron track.
.364
TWro SOLDIERS.
Among the passengcn-s in the pillaged st^ige-coach vvei-e the wife and
dauglaer of an Indian agent, who had only recently come o th^h
aj-id Territory and knew little of the ways of its indLnous In
Nothmg had 8,nce been seen or heard of then,. Captardini
and two soldiers going up as witnesses before a court-mirtial aiGran
were found hacked ahnost beyond recognition, and the driver too who
^emed to have crawled out among the rocks to die. VerHv the
Apaches had good reason to revel in their success They hmi
hoodwinked the Bureau, dodged the cavalry, plundered rid.t and left
until thev were rich with spoil, and now, well fo the south of the rail
way, with a choice of either east or west side of the range their main
bcxly and prisoners are halt^ to rest the animals, wh^^ le^ m es t^t^"
r h v;Lf; e'tsfao^f '"^ ^'''''' ^^-^'"^^ P"^^"-' ai:5 mile^ou
.o. u Trp "'\ "^o«^ active young warriors are cr\ ing havoc at the
ranch of Ires Hermanos. It is the red gla-e of the flan^r toward^
The nstant he and his comrades issue from the gorge and ueer In '
tiously o the right and left, not only do they seeThfbC aCsX
wide valley, but northward, not more than half a mile awa^, E rise
oTrc\S:r' ' """' '''' '''' cannot-stake,-th'e' >^E
"Thank God," cries Lane, "we are here ahead of them I"
wait anhours reconnoissance reveals to him their uosition F«r
rusl, upon them in the night, they have made their bivouac and are
having a revel and feast while awaiting the return of the raider or news
from the rear that they must be moving. The range is ruggXnd p^
apitous north of the gorge; cavalry ^cannot peneLte it?but La£
plan 18 quickly laid. He will let his men sleeiVuntil two o'cl^k kTn
mg only three sentries on the lookout, one of them mTun^^ and S
of the gorge to give warning should thi Indians move during the niX
Then, leaving the horses conceale<l among the rocks south o/the stream
with two men to guard them, he will lead his company up the he3
and as close as possible to the Apache camp. He in^ hiding un fl t
IS hgh enough to distinguish objects, then dash down into ttfeir mids
rescue the prisoners in the panic and confusion that he knows w 11 result
from the sudden attack, send them back as rapidly as possiire IS
hfs little Zlrr'^''^^'"'' ^i ^^'^^^ are^corUed, while he anl
his^Utle band interpose between them and any rally the Apaches may
Knowing well that they are armed with magazine rifles and supplied
by a paterna Bureau with abundant ammunition, knowing that thS
wi r Wv^'.^"™ *Vr.*" T' ^"°^'"S '^^' by sunrise the whole trib^
will have reassembled and must infallibly detect the pitiful weakn^
atohl"! T' 1 '' " ^^P^'^*^ ^^^"^ *^ '^^' > but it is theTly one
i^r^r ti^^k^en Ht'tS ""T"" "^1 '^'^^ *"''*"^^' «g««" women,{hose
terror-stricken little ones, from a fate mnrp awful thnn ™,..vi. i_x_-,-
reachS'V:?^"' '""t "^T'"f' he argu^rfTroormusTSnt
W. K ? ' f ^J"*"^^ ^^T ^^ be fresh and strong, he knows that they
have had only short and easy marches and therlfore can isily ime
TWO SOLDIERS.
3fi5
ahead all n.^'ht long and be rounding the Pyramid Spur by davbreak
Hc !<now8 Ma.son well, and can count on that voung officer^s dohrhl^
leve best ' to support him. Alas I he does not know that Mason s
compelled by th.8 time to fall back to second place and tL tlT W
and he fels as though he had not closed hi, eyes when Soral S
hends over hun to say it k two o'clock. Noiselessly the m™«!^
jowionea tall in of the first sergeant, seize their arms and tnW
thejr place m l.ne. There Lane briefly 'explains the s tuition tells
them of the pos.t.on of the Apache bivouac ; details Cor^ral RUev
and four men to search for, secure, and hie aVay wi h theTr soitr^^^
f ^ r tTd aTd ?r^{ r T/:: -, E iira=^it £5
S5:^;i|taf=:iSw--h;li''s=
start them back here. The rest of us will fall back slowly Em, b^
tween them and the Apaches all the time. Never let tCn ^t!? ' Z'
pnsoners. That is the main object of our attack oSk he.e'vi 'h
i3;s":SillTr^'"^ '" ^'^r'-^ ''^^ whicht carstenS
«n^ t? .,?V*'^ p ^^ooP comes. Rest assured Lieutenant Mason
and his n.en will be along by eight or nine; and it cannot l^that^p
cavalry now pursuing the Apaches from th'e nortl wTlU^ mor^ than «
few hours behmd. Now, do you understand ? for the^ Im be n^ eW
or ^tt e " Vhose 'nf^""' your canteens; leave anything that wi hind r
ZnJt h % f ^''" 7^^ ^^^^ ^" «P"^«> *ake them off. Those of
you who have fonto or Apache moccasins, take oflT your ton hn^^^.^ui
^"t you7 c"f^ *''^ "^ ^" 1^'" ^*^^^ '^^ g«'"^ "P thes^hi k'^L^^'^I^w
f^drt";mo^in^°eW;tinuT^^^^^^^^ ''''' "" ^''^'^^^' --> -^ ^
Then he pencils this brief note :
"Commanding Officer Troop K, Eleventh Cavalry :
instant it i«'bahf "^ k\' ^^^'^''' ^'^^ ^'^^ "^^^'^ ^^^^'^ camp the
instant it is light enough to see, rescue their captives then fall iJnt
here tc M , gorge of the San Sim'on. They far^Stn •amber us ^d^ou
earner ..ch us too soon. I count upon your being here hy^llt
^^rd"Srivi%^';/^"^' fir '^'' ^^^ r^ "-^'^^'^^^
"Fbederick Lane,
" Captain Elevenih Chvairy"
366
TWO SOLDIERS.
And now, just &e the dawn is breaking and a faint pallid Ueht k
stealing throi-r-' . . . *op.s along the rocky range, thek come creep-
ing slowly, vviHe.i^r i.iong the slope a score of shadowy for^is, crouch-
ing trom ..ouldn- ,o boulder, from tree to tree. Not a 'word is spoken,
save now and then a whispered caution. Foremost, carbine in hand i^
the capl uu, now halting a moment to give Home signal to those near'est
iiim, n<.w peering ahead over the rocks that bar the way. At last he
reaches a ix)mt where, lookinjr down the dark and rugged hill-side
before him, he sees somef „ ..,...u cau8.M him to unsling the case
in which hiH field-glasses are carried, to gaze thither long and fixedly
With all eyes upon their leader, the men wait and listen: some
cautiously try the hammers of their carbines and loosen a few car-
tridge in the loops of tlieir prairie-belts. A signal from Lane brines
Mr. Koyoe, the young second lieutenant, to his side. It is the boy's
iiist experience of the kind, and his heart is thumpin% but he means
to be one of the foremost in the charge when the time comes. Watcliiiiff
Jlosely, the nearest men can see that the captain is pointing out some
object nearer at hand than they supposed, and the first sergeant, crouch-
ing to a neighboring rock, looks cautiously over, and then eagerly
motions to others to join him ^
The Apache hiding-piace is not three hundred yp.'saway.
Down the mountain-side to the west and up the range to the north
their ae-itnes keep vigilant guard against surprise; but what man of
their numl)er dreams for an instant that on the south, bet wo, n them
and the Mexican line, there is now closing in to the attack a little troop
ot veteran campaigners, led by a man whon> they have learned to dread
before now ? Invisible from the valley below or the heights up the
range, their smouldering Tires can bt plainly seen from where Lane
and his men J»re nov.- oonceale But nothing else can be distinguished
l^ar over the .stern ae of the valley the faint red o-low tells
where lie the ) uins of the ranch their young warriore have destroyed
and any moment now their exultant yells may be heard as they come
scamper g bac! w camp after .' night of ;oviltrv, and then everybody
will be up and kioving off ant. veil on the way south vard before the
sun gets over the crest. Lane kn .vs he must mak^^ his dash before
they can return. Tiiere wouk >e little hope of rt ue for the poor
souJs lying there bound a hel' ^, with all those fierce youi.o- fighters
close at hand. ° ®
The word i^ passed long he men : «F<;llow ci. sely, but look
wll to your footing. Dislodge no stones." T! , slowly and stealth-
ily as before, on they go,— this time down the hill towards the faint
lights c t the Indian bivouac. A hundred yards more, and Lane holds
up his hand, a signal to halt ; and here he gives Mr. Royce a few
instructions in a low tone. The youngster nods his head and mutters
to several of the men as he passes, " Follow me." They disappear
among the rocks and trees to the right, and it is evident that they mean
to work around to the east of the bivouac, so as to nartiall--- qvi.-.'.t..}^
them. Little by little the wan light grows brighter, and, cS at hanT
objects far more distinct. An Indian is just passing m front of the
nearest blaze, and is lost in the gloon among the stunted trees. One
pallid light m
Bfb come creep-
' fornis, crouoli-
vord 18 Hpoken,
^ine in huiid, is
» those nearest
ly. At last he
igged hill-side
isling the case
ig and fixedly,
listen : soine
sen a few car-
m Lane brings
It is the boy's
, but he means
es, Watcliing
ting out some
igeaiit, crouch-
then eagerly
away.
;e to the north
what man of
betwi;< n them
k a little troop
^rned to dread
leights up the
a where Lane
distinguished,
red Q^low tells
ive ilestroyed,
as they come
len everybody
ird before the
8 dash before
for the poor
^'OUi g fighters
iely, but look
y and stealth -
irds the faint
d Lane holds
Royce a few
and mutters
hey disappear
lat they mean
or two forms
.11,
„„„5_„U
close at hand,
front of the
I trees. One
TWO SOLDIERS.
about, but thev
367
getting
I
re movmg
guisnea. i^ne argues, li(jwever,'
ajid no time is to be lost.
; moJl'^^J"' r^llry oL'^fUr "'LT" *" "■' "«i?' «"<' '"«. •»»
foe, anj soon many a form of «ir,Z» a'^ ' T "" ""'"speaing
.Te -fe t^t'rrf «rrs:^ r^-^irsf ^e° ti
yonr men. P^ the word to the right, .Lre A^l rZy " ' '""■
mfant is for a moment b„,?X tT.h """i '"!' ""= '^'''^ *"" »f «»
ra from the midst of the bivouac; then— ' '"^'""«
Llarge!"
fll.^eSdr:t^4r?''=f^f'^^^^^
daal. through Ztm,S,,.^hT:;''f'"« "' '"""""' "-esoldie™
Lan. finds T,imSf^n?m?,tI^^ -^ ?'"''? ""enpants helter-skelter,
eyes gleam like dl^uml .^kT i"^'"".' ''^ » .T'S" ™™' whose
teeth gnash in furvL hTt L^' fj^ "!■ T'* '' '5* '«''■■'»■«' «'"«
loader^ No time^fS W „ rlw ' HAfK-^' 'T '''^ ^"^^■
hammer comes crashinrdL^ ^ I i? "*? ^'f °»'''''"«' ■>" ' "">
Kiley drives a^bX thL^h "hU he;'" ^"'"^ ' ^'"'" J""' "» C"'"*"'
g^^^hes on ^^'S^^J^^-^ JK^rrorSn^ ii'^I
A^^BL ^°S 1 the carbi,..., are ringing throueh the ro^ks an'I .™ •
7eiis «s-*rs:Lr JtheTStxr "''' """'^'■^ "'*"'■•■''-
.368
TWO SOLDI k!RS.
" Never niiiid, lad," he answers. " Don't sound the mull till I
tell yon."
And again his ringing voice \a hoard among the tumult: "For-
ward I forward ! drive them ! keep them on the run, men !"
And HO for five minutes hinger, firing whenever a savage head
apjwars, inflictiug and receiving many u savag.; blow, but ntill victo-
riously forcing their way onward, the little Imnd follow their leader
down the rocks until apparently not an Apache is left iu the immediate
neigh Iwrhood of the old camp. Then at last the trumpet peals out its
signal-recall.
And slowly and steadily, watchfully guarding against the possi-
bility of leaving some wounded comrade among the rocks, the little
command finally gathers once more around the fires in the camp.
^ Riley and his men have disappeaml. A shout from up the rocks
in the well-known Irish voice gives the glad intelligence that he has
brought with him all the prisoners he could find in camp.
'•There me throe women, sir, and two little children, — two girls ;
they're so frightened that I can hardly find out much from them, but
they say there was no more left."
"Very well, then. Now, men, open out right and left, and fall
back very slowly. Sergeant, take six of the men and move up so as
to be close to Rdey in case they attack from the flank. Are we all here?
Are any wounded or hurt ?" He asks the question with a little stream
of blood trickling down from his left temple, but of which he seems
perfectly unaware : either an arrow or a bullet has torn the skin and
made quite a furrow thruugh the hair.
" Murphy, sir," says one of the men, " is shot through the arm, and
Lathrop has got a bullet in the leg; but they're only flesh-wounds-
they're lying here just back of us."
Lane turns about, and finds two of his men looking a little pale
but perfectly plucky and self-possessed. " We'll get you along all right'
men," he says ; " don't worry.— Now, lads, turn about every ten or
fifteen steps, and see that they don't get close upon you. Look well to
the left."
Then slowly they fall back towards the pass. Every now and then
a shot comes whizzing by, as the Apaches regain courage and creep up
to their abandoned camp. But not until they are well back over the
ridge, and Riley and his little party, fairly carrying their rescued cap-
tives, are neariy out of harm's way, do the scattered warriors b^in to
realize how few iu number their assailants must be. Rallying shouts
can be heard among the rocks, and then there come the thunder of
hoofs out on the plain below and the answering yells of the returning
raiders. *
"Run to Corporal Riley and tell hii to make all the haste he can "
Lane orders his trumpeter. " Tell him to get back to the horses, and
then, as soon as he has left his women in a safe place there, to throw
up stone shelters wherever it is possible. — Rovee vnn lonV oat %r
this front. I will go to the left. "^ If any of vour men are hi^,"'have
them picked up and moved rapidly to the rear ; of course we can't
leave any wounded to fall into their hands ; but, where possible, keep
TWO SOLDI K US.
369
your men u.uler cover- and keep under yourself, sir: don't let me
see yon exposing yourself unnoc.,H8arily, as I did a while ajro "
And once agawi the retreat is resumed. Luno lookVanxio..«Iv
among the rocks down the hill to his left, every instant e^^l to ^
the young braves hurrying to the assault. But now, as though b
ol^(r.ence to the s.gnaKsof some lea.ler, the Apaclu« cmseThe r n"frsu t
I.tne well knows tha the matter is not yet i)nclude<l, but tC 1
for the respite Stdl warily his little force continues the wt<J^wa
and, without further molestation, reaches the gorge of the 8a, Si^r.'
and soon comes in sight of the dip an.ong the' roS wLere tl e hor'^
are still hidden. Here too. Corporal Riley and his men are busirat
work heaping up little breastworks of rock, and Lane dil"s tha while
the wounded^-there are three now-aro carried down to wherr h.
r^eual women and children are lying, the other m ^L told het
In five minutes there are over a score of them at work and not 2e
instant t cm. soon. Corporal Donnelly, who has been p<^tc"l monn^
at the western entmnc^ to the defile, comes clattering n to ay thafaJ
least a hundred Indians are swarming down the ridge ^
And now the fight tliat opens is one in which the odds are greatlv
against the defenders. Lane has just time to climb to the heilhton
he east and take one long l,>ok with his glasses over the flate fevom^^
the pass, praying for a sight of a dust-cloud towards the PyvamiACr
when with H.multaneous crash of musketry and choruVof yells the
Apaches come sweeping down to the attack. ^
XV.
Meantime, where are the looked-for supports ? Lane, with wearied
hoi^es, had made the march from the railvay-station to \lTe pals {„ '
ittle over fourteen hours. It was 5.30 when he startod nn I « i ^ u
he unsaddled among the rocks. He had come thrtug the LfJ';?^^^^
^hmeof the long June day , sometimes at the trot^soSmes ftX
bpe,ofttimes dismounting and leading when crossing riS or ravines
He was still pale and weak from his long illness and suffenWrnnf *
.orrow that had robbed him of all the bulyancyL t ev^r Is^ed^
But the sense of duty was as strong as evpr nnri 11 i? ^ - •'
triumphed over th. ills^f the fleJh. ^ ' ^ ^^^ sold.er-spir.t
wiflfr'' -l""*'!!^ f '-^^ '^•''•' ^^'^'^ ^^••««« «"<J men fresh and eaeer
with a guide who knew every inch of the way, and the bi ght staS
nim. Things seemed to hnvp a ,i;flR...<.»* ^u- ui._''_. , J"**"^ ?"'P
the ping dowp of the surT behind the ciisia;;;!^^^^ Th:t^l
of the young infantry adjutant kept recurring to him, and he knJw of
old that when Lane started after Indians fc was "dSd suit to^et
em "as Mr. Mason was good enough to remind hira ^
'I'
370
TWO SOLDIERS.
■n
«.uZTi^?" f °?' *? 8"i<Je had ventured to suggest a aaicker
to the scene worn out and unfit for pursuit. Mr. Masfn wffo' |3
K5 wSl.'lS'L' '"fr*"'? ''"' P— i' was7oMe°o^"r^
n.e„tw„„,d side with his subaltern! so he wifoT^ ,^1 shwT
at sr ^ors^th'lt^a^e^!'^ 'i:^B^^i
such experience "For y^ur salee, Ma"on"l wish fhad b^n twelv!
Mason saw, but said a fifty-mile ride ought not to stagger any cavalrv
man, hard or sof and naade^no reply whatever to the SptainlT^unt
burst out with an earnest appeal : wdicn, ne naa
"Captain Noel, we'll never get there in time at this rate SnrpW
len o clock came, and st 11 it was no betfpr Th«r, Ur^u Vu i- *"^"^®-
mounted, the command did, for a while move oi «t. I f • ?
Mason would fain have increased Vi.p iZk w V°^' *'"'=^
Midnight, and more rests, Sfhem fSllyl'm^Jes Itj^fZfl
where the guide and the lieutenant had pla^nned S 4. Even tho^^
^|tte„rwir*r^^^^^^^
w^'ntSjrl-w^h-i^^rl^^&K^
daylight,_six o'cIock,-an,i'here a lit were the PvS?^il ^""1
thejr right front, and, coming towards llZZ t^^U sluS W
that gentleman"sl,„oVhr3'h"ea:i";; JiilS nJS"' Thf ^T" \ '"1*
TWO SOLDIERS.
371
" How far is it, sergeant ?"
" It must be lifteen miles from here sir T ^«, i i ,
my horse war worn out, and beSuse rZ;- f ™^ 'H^' ^^«^
would meet the troop very muXTeaiS^tt" ^"' ^^^^^'^ *^«' ^
fifteen miles, I re-^kon/' *''^ P^" ^^ s more than
;^' Had the attack begun before you left ?"
hear tS d^jin'c^t' ""'' '" ''' ^'^'^ " ' ^^"^^ -* «^ *^« Pa-,~
up toSr"*" "'^* *'^ °^"« ''^^ -P^- ?" -id Mr. Mason, riding
andSfir-uS^^^
with eY^UairauL"- .:iXen^^^^^^^^^^^^ f^^^. ^--' ^--bling
Noel hesitated : « Pre entT-nSlnfl ' m""^';'.^ '' ^'"« ''««^'^«^-
forward at a trot, ^^^^V^^''^^y^~^'^^^i^y, Mr. Mason. We'll move
and nigh , and the fact that Z A . t ^^^"'^^"^ «f t^^e previous day
pass afd i^ complete fore^ The r Tu^J'''^ J"'' "'^'^^ "^" ^^'^
passed among the men to increal ?h. T f ''^ ^u ^> ^' ^^'^ ^««l ^^^
crowded upon the S^i; Td Cl tl>f ^^^ '"'^ ^\"^*^"* ^^^^^ ^^ey
and^varneS the men tTCt^f^tt:^!^^^^^^^^ '^^ ^-^
Eijro'ri!,td^tr^^^^^^^
an3 still the mvge wa/not in vl,^ I? "f P""?" ^'"« "'"'""k.
the massive fate^wlysimi to on^n hpf .f' ""''i "<'''^'y t™ tha
front, their e^er earl S^t^h ?h f '1°™' ""<* *''^». f" <» 'he
quesUo„aboutit,S;lta;uie?su 3el'^h?'f'T'"^ "'■'r'^ ™
sir, let's get ahead ti his supp^A " ''" ' ^"^ '"'"""'' »»H
ah„rt^tta/;ri;t:rwhLiao^r'T'" ^"'^-"^"•^ ^■«»'- '"«
-I don't liL the idea of e.^ertl;?'^^ ^^"^ ^'^ '■<"''"•'"«' ""'« '••"■^'s-
only safe way to do It win 1^ f a- '*"' "" '*'""'"' ^r. Mason. The
mishe., ah™i If W stt^undTr' i""^ ."""" ? ""^ »' '"-ir-
open fire on us as we^^ through "' *'' "^"^^ undoubtedly will
Whrtt'PS^t1s^tuh;oltS"^" ^r^"- '» ""- «>™ back.
each set, tl.ro" .er^^o^^^.a! rh^?/"? ,^^^ T™'^' *•<"- "^
^0^ up the gentle s^e ^SS ^th^ tgK t"»":d
were^l; taloH"^ R,.ff ' ^""ir ' T' " *'™'' '»" 'hem that they
3]
VI
■if
372
TWO SOLDIERS.
Again Mason rode to his captain. " I beg you, sir," he said,
" to let me take my platoon, or the other one, and charge through
there. It isn't possible that they can knock more than one or two of
us out of the saddle ; and if you follow with the rest of the men they
can easily be taken care of." But Noel this time rebuked him.
" Mr. Mason, I have had too much of your interference," he said,
" and I will tolerate no more. I am in command of this troop, sir,
and I am responsible for its proper conduct."
And Mason, rebuifed, fell back without further word.
The pass was reached, and still not a shot had been fired. Over
the low ridge the dismounted troopers went, and not an Apache was in
sight. Then at last it became evident that to cross the stream they
would have to ford ; and then the " recall" was sounded, the horses
were run rapidly forward to the skirmish-line, the men swung into
saddle, the rear platoon closed on the one in front, and cautiously, with
Mason leading and Noel hanging back a little as though to direct the
march of his column, the troop passed through the river and came out
on the other side. The moment they reached the bank. Mason struck a
trot without any orders, and the men followed him.
Noel hastened forward, shouting out, " Walk, walk." But, finding
that they either did not or would not hear him, he galloped in front of
the troop, and sternly ordered the leaders to decrease their gait and not
again to take the trot unless he gave the command.
Just at this minute, from the heights to the right and left, half a
dozen shots were fired in quick succession j a trooper riding beside the
first sergeant threw up his arms, with the sudden cry, " My God ! I've
got it !" and fell back from the saddle. Noel at the same instant felt a
twinge along his left arm, and, wheeling hiw hoirse about, shouted, " To
the rear ! to the rear ! We're ambushed !" And, despite the rallying
cry of Mason and the entreaties of the guide, the men, taking the cue
from their leader, reined to the right and left about and went clattering
out of the pass.
lyiore shots came from the Apaches, some aimed at the fleeing troop
and others at the little group of men that remained behind ; tor the
poor fellow who had been sfjot through the breast lay insensible by
the side of the stream, and would have been abandoned to his fate but
for the courage and devotion of Mason and two of the leading men.
Promptly jumping from their horses, they raised him between them,
and, laying him across the pommel of one of the saddles, supporttid by
the troopers, the wounded man was carried back to the ford, and from
there out of harm's way.
By this time Noel, at full gallop, had gone four or five hundred
yards to the rear, and there the first sergeant — not he — rallied the ti'oop,
reformed it, counted fours, and faced it to the frcnt.
When Mason returned to them, leading the two troopers and the
dying man, his face was as black as a thunder-cloud. He rode up to
his <SDtuiU; who was Ktaiichinff with a handkercliiftf a littlp. .".t.rpjir.i (\f
blood that seemed to be coming down his left arm, and addressed to
him these words :
'■^Captain Noel, there were not more than six or eight Apuches
TWO SOLDIERS.
373
guarding those heights. There was no excuse in Gocl's wnrW =' ^
hi, ^sition, ordi« Lfeuiena^t m'" ^.'l":^„l?r';™ "■«. dignity of
And, dismounting, and oal inffto o,«T ,1/1"' *""""" '" ''''^*-
.^^e . 30..', . \^^:vizr^^ir2.s^
.here, listening to the Be frnile away ^nd Z'T """^ "■"""'"«''
that thrilled every man with exd LT„7' t "«''',' ^''^eame a sound
the front = there "^.me ^.^shro n":k;7;rt^t>tT:^d':';Th^ '" •'"!' V"
strong reinforcements for one party or mm?hp • ? '* '"■"™' °^
deyeloped by the glorious, rn^ "„,««"'' "tlJ^vwr""' "'i'T"
be tte of their oSmrades'of Greln^'Xttatn ' ''""'''""^ '"
ay heavens !" said Mason, witli a sroan " -ifinr „ll i,
retfc' ''' ^^--' - ^^^ ^ T^pTihaf^ot tK ti:^t
standing Irsuli^tlitir-^Tirh^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^'^^ ^^.^ -"'
soldier would have envied '^*^'' '^'''' "^^ '*^^ ^^^^ «"y
theiJ'lTAiuoLfJt'if f"li' *^^r '^^' ^ ^^^^^" ^-«p«- -<j f-'
meant, X^ r^t of tl^e„,eni;nl^ ''^^' '^^' "^'^^ ''"""^^
there on theTro.nd artLnTf • ^''' ''?"'" "' '•'^'^' ^"^^^^ ^^'^^ «at
ing, however,'h:;rb;en o" ?ifli ^ o^X tTfl^^'i ^'^^ '!^^^-
on the part of those who had S loo W on tI'T ^"PP^^^'^'?"
pass increa^sed. The firing rapX dTedairv ^^^^ ^^J^^^-'^g "P the
the first sergeant was sitrnalUno. InJ .T^* ®'^"" '^ '^'^^ ^^^n that
rhe sergeant and Th! .f i^' ^ P''f «"% a man came riding back.
"™1riri/-^^- ^-^^'' '»a '"be^/th:T2::i =ti
r
i
374
TWO SOLDIERS.
been their need ; safe, thoroughly safe, they would have been had Noel
got there in time ; but it was Greene's battalion that finally reached
them only at the last moment. And yet this was the thrilling anpounce-
ment that appeared in the Queen City Chronicle in its morning edition,
two days afterwards :
" Gallant Noel I Rescue of the Indian Captives ! Stirring Pursuit
and Fierce Battle with the Apaches 1
" A despatch received last night by the Hon. Amos Withers an-
nounces the return from the front of Captain Noel, who so recently left
our midst, with a p(»tion of his troop, bringing with him the women
and children who had been run off by the Apaches on their raid among
the ranches south of their reservation. The captain reports a severe
fight, in which many of the regiment were killed and wounded, he
himself, though making light ef the matter, receiving a bullet tl ough
the left arm.
" While the rest of the command had gone on in pursuit of the
Apaches, the captain was sent by the battalion commander to escort
the captives back to the railway.
" This despatch, though of a private character, is fully substantiated
by the official report of the general commanding the department to the
Adjutant-General of the array. It reads as follows :
" * Captain Noel, of the Eleventh Cavalry, has just reached the
railway, bringing with him all but one of the women and children
whom the Apachas had carried off into captivity. The other was shot
by a bullet in the desperate fight which occurred in San Simon Pass
between the commands of Captains Lane and Noel and the Apaches,
whose retreat they were endeavoring to head off. Greene's battalion
of the Eleventh arrived in time to take part ; but on their appear-
ance the Apaches fled through the mountains in the wildest confusion,
leaving much of their plunder behind them.
" ' It is impossible as yet to give accurate accounts of the killed
and wounded, but our losses are reported to have been heavy.'
" How thoroughly have the predictions of the Ohronicle with regard
to this gallant officer been fulfilled ! To his relatives and his many
friends in our midst the Chronicle extends its most hearty congratula-
tions. We predict that the welcome which Captain Noel will receive
will be all that his fondest dreams could possibly have cherished."
XVI.
For a week the story of Gordon Noel's heroism was the talk of
Queen City society. He had led the charge upon the Indians after a
pursuit of over a hundred miles through the desert. He had fought
his way to the cave in which those poor <raptive women were guarded,
and had himself cut the thongs that bound them. He was painfully
wounded, but never quit the fight till the last savage was driven fr^om
i-\ip, flp,lrj_ For dsrinir and brilliant conduct he was be Dromoted
over the heads of all the captains in his regiment. His name viras
already before the President for a vacanoy iu the Adjutant-General's
Department, and the appointment would be aiinounoed at once. He
TWO SOLDIERS.
375
to Noel, and draTh s hllth „tZ "^ '!'''"' ""'' congratulation
heads," 'who ventureS to pi^"ut tS ,^^ ^t'T" "^ "'"^ "'"'' «"^
in, were pooh-poohed anfput doL °®°"'' "^P*"''^ '^"^ "'" X^'
spatch, Ikiug no allJS t^S^;r^„7■^^;?,^r'^.l'' -^t
for that vacancy. Not an \mtani rnn«f k^ j VV> at ', ^^^ P"^^
naytothernan'whohad^aSM^^^^^^^^
fund in his own State, and thereforrbof h 74%. . campaign
representatives in the Hou.se weTtw^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ '^'^
the immediate nomination of SpJn Noo^^^^ ^'^.'^'°' ^ "''^
jntant-General's Department made^acanrt?)/^^^^^ '" '^^ ^^-
upon the retirement of one of S olS memtrrT '^T^^^r*
Department had furnished the LecuUve wkh th^ rt '^^^ f"^ ^f
of the four men whom itconsider^ most dele vin^an^^^^^^^^
name was not one of the four RnfT^L !u ?'• Gordon Nfjel's
the eminent pecunrar;tfpolitlirsrrt^Lrof M WithTtr ^it
nephew had jt.st behaved so superbly iiTction ? "'"' ^^''' '^^
Meantime, the Apaches had scattered through the mnnnf^.-n. „ a
their ^^:iz^'.i:!^7^2^^:'^^tz'^£ 7t.
ttT/ "/ "" ', '^'^*'''''- '^^'^ ^* ""= »Tespondente to ferreUnsr and
«^en the despatches tegan to take a different <Slor. The verv dav that
Mabel receivwl her first ettei- from her husband »ni„». j?^
tracts from it to envious friends wl td cfme in t s™ I'lheX™;
affaL tnan .:. ^p.-lTy s^' "" "^"''=" " *«^-"' ''="» "^
But by his vine interest was waninfy Tf ii fVi« r.^* •
that is alwa.. .he strongest, the fl JTrf 'that' i^ b/getf^SS"
and no man who has believed one versioi will accept the tr^^wiS
o^TJXrSghtiirof ^wtLVr^' S ?^^^^^^
maL' tllT^A'Tl >■- °?»"- '«oZ*ho m^'reTnt™,'' H^ Zi
Z^f.i ht ""*"• """"P'"^ •» P'^'^ in "rrest one oAhe prom -
nent officers of the regiment for misconduct in the f,™. ,." .™Z1™'
an unrelenting toe. She need not be surprised therefore if ihicTLT
«ema„ should strive to do hira grievous hS MabS' Lhshi^S-"
ccnnngly ae she read these lines toSome of her friefdr^id thatligt
%
m
I' I
376
TWO SOLDIERS.
at the club it was hinted that Lane had been placed in close arrest for
failing to support Noel in his desperate assault. Just at this time, too,
Mr. Withers came back from Washington, looking mysterious.
The next published despatches were from the general himself. He
was incensed over the escape of the Apaches. Measures for the capture
wore complete, and it was broadly hinted that a certain officer would be
brought to trial for his failure to carry out positive orders.
" It is believed," said the Chronicle, " that the officer referred to is
well known in our community, as he had, oddly enough, been a prede-
cessor in the recruiting-service of the actual hero of the campaign."
Two weeks went by. There was no announcement of Noel's name
as promoted. Other matters occupied the attention of theclulraud the
coteries, and no one knew just what it all meant when it was announced
that Mrs. Noel had suddenly left for the frontier to join her husband.
Perhaps his wounds were more severe than at first reported. Then it
was noticed that Mr. Withers was in a very nervous and irritable frame
of mind, that constant despatches were passing i)etween him and Cap-
tain Noel in the West, and that suddenly he departed again on some
mysterious errand for Washington. And then it was announced that
Captain Noel would not be able to visit the East as had been expected.
All the same it came as a shock which completely devastated the
social circles of the Queen City when it was announced in the New
York and Chicago papers that a general court-martial had been ordered
to assemble at Fort Gregg, New Mexico, for the trial of Captain Gor-
don Noel, Eleventh Cavalry, on charges of misbehavior in the face of
the enemy, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
The Chronide made no allusion to the matter until after it was
heralded over the city by the other journals. Then it announced that
it was in possession of information showing conclusively that Captain
Noel was the victim of the envy of certain officers in his regiment, and
that the charges had been trumped up from th« false and prejudiced
statement of the man whom he had been compelled to place in arrest
for misconduct in action. "Captain Noel had demanded a court-
martial," said the Chronicle, " that he might be triumphantly vindi-
cated, as he undoubtedly would be."
At the club several men surrounded Lieutenant Bowen with eager
inquiry as to the facts in the case. Bowen, who was now in charge of
the rendezvous as Noel's successor, was veiy reticent when interrogated.
He said that while an officer might demand a court of inquiry, he could
not demand a court-martial ; they were entirely diiFerent things ; and it
was certainly the latter that had been ordered.
" Was there cot some likelihood of malice and envy being at the
bottom of the charges ?" he wis asked. " And was it not unfair to let
him be tried by officers prejudiced igainst him?"
Bowen said be did not belong to the Eleventh, but he knew it well
enough to say no to the first part of the question. As to the other,
'U _ -„ 's» '_i* '*' *• ^ •■!= i -t*^ i. '■* ' . 3
T)itt3t€ vt6tt2 Oniy irtVr vtlirlX'ro iTuiu bum. i CkiLUt:;*tii OU XJHQ COUrC, citJi^ Cut:
wae Noel's old friend and colonel, — Riggs.
It was in the midst of this talk that Mr. Amos Withers had sud-
denly appeared and li^ged a few words in private wltli Mr. Bowen.
TWO SOLDIERa.
377
That night an officer from the War Department arrived in thp
Queen City, and was closeted for a while with Lieutenant Bowonafl.r
Meantime, the campaign h^d come to an end. Captain Noel had
reprted, m arrest to the commanding officer at Fort Gregg m d M?8
Riggs had tearfully greeted him : "She would so love to' Cve him
• under her roof, that she miglit show her sympathy anffriendlrp • bu
so many officers of high rank were coming on the court hat the cd'one
was compelle<l to g ve every bit of roSm he had to them " N^
hanked her nervously, and said he could be comfortab^a m;here b^
Ins wife was coming: she had telegraphed that she could o be seua
rated froni h.m when he was suffering wrong and ou rUe Canfafn
and Mrs. Lowndes, moved to instant sympathy, beggaS ^^e would
make their quarters his home, and pla'ced theii bl? room at lildis-
Two evenings afterwards he was permitted to go himself to the rail
TohC? T't PT ^''^'^'. 'l^' thr^w lierself into^iis Trms and almo t
sobbed her heart out at sight of his now haggard and care-worn faS
Mrs Lowndes then came forward and stiwe to comfort he whife
?.°t r?M fv"^ ''".^ '""^^ ^^^^S^^"^^"- ^^'^«" they drove out 'trthe
po^t and MabeFs spirits partially revived when she found tiia t was
not a prison she had come to share with her husband. Everybody was
8o gentle and kind to her, she began to believe there was notWvery
serious in the matter, after all. "ou.ing veiy
It lacked yet five days to the meeting of the court, and in the inter-
vening time there arrived at the post a prominent ind dist nguish^
lawyer from the East, sent to conduct the defence by Mr. Wkherst
offiZ' T "'"^ \^°"^ '''^^J''^ ^'' ^"^d ^iti^ his^lient and the
officers who were gathering at Gregg.
1 I*'^^^''^f ""^ ^'^o"f^««t in fkce of the enemy had been preferred
tLp T r^"'!"U'^'''™%"^"'' '^'^^ «'t^^ ^ ^^ witnesses Captain
Lane, Lieutenant Mason Lieutenant Royce, the guide, and two or
illL^T «"i^g««tleman " there were specifications setting forth
that he had caused to be circulated and published reports to thi effect
mrll T! '!'7^'""^^^'? ^h^t had been severely engaged, and his com-
T^l ] .?f "''* H "'P^'^"' ^"^ '^^^^^ the Indians, which
statements ne well knew to be false. Two or three onrrP_.,^nde.n^. .J
iauway employees and the telegraph operator were witnesses. "fhis
would U a h.ird one to prove affirmatively, as the JMdge-advocate found
when he e-.amined his witnesses as they arrived, and the great lawyer
tmvzca the accased officer that he could secure him an acquittal on that
878
TWO SOLDIERS.
■
^
^^^^^^H >' i
\
^^^B ^
«^
^^^H
%
charge. The real danger lay in the testimony of Captain Lane and
Lieutenant Mason, who had not yet come.
And now, hour after hour, for two days, Mabel was reading in her
husband's face the utter hopelessness that possessed him ; nay, more,
the truth was l)elng revealed to her in all its damning details. It
might be impossible for the prosecution to prove that he had actually
caused the false and boastful stories to be given to the press and the
public ; but how about the telegrams and letters Mr. Withers had so
proudly come to show her? How about the telegrams and letters she
herself had received ? What impression could she derive from them
but that he was the hero of the whole affair, and that he was lying
painfully wounded when he wrote? The gash through the beautiful
white arm turned out to be a mere scratch upon the skin, that a pin
might have made. It was Greene's command from Fort Graham that
had rescued Lane, and Lane with his men who had rescued the cap-
tives, and then fought so hard, so desperately, against such fearful odds,
and sustained their greatest losses, while her hero, — her Gordon, — with
nearly fifty men, was held only a mile away by half a dozen ragamuf-
fins in the rocks. She had almost adored him, ■)elieving him godlike
in courage and magnanimity ; but now on every side the real facts were
coming to light, and she even wrung them from his reluctant lips. And
yet — and yet — he was her husband, and she loved him.
Again and again did she question Mr. Falconer, the eminent counsel,
as to the possibilities. This gentleman had fought all through the war
of the rebellion, and had won high commendation for bravery. He
had taken the case because he believed, on Withers's statement, that
Noel was a wronged and injured man, and because, possibly, a fee of
phenomenal proportion could be looked for. He met among the old
captains of the Eleventh men whom he had known in Virginia in the
war-days, and learned from them what Noel's real reputation was, and,
beyond peradventure, how he had shirked and played the coward in
the last campaign : so that he, who had known Mabel Vincent from
her babyhood and loved her old father, now shrank from the sorrow of
having to tell her the truth. Yet she demanded it, and he had to say
t^at her husband's fate hinged on the evidence that might be given by
Captain Lane and Mr. Mason.
That very night these two officers arrived, together with three mem-
bers of the court. The following day at ten o'clock the court was to
begin its session, and four of its members were still to come. That
night Mr. Falconer and her husband were closeted with several men in
succession, seeking evidence for the defence. That night there came a
despatch from Withers saying he had done his best in Washington, but
that it seemed improbable that the President woukl interfere and accept
Noel's resignation from the service.
Noel showed this to Mabel and sank upon the sofa with a groan
of despair.
v»ii, my Uuriiiig i siiu Y»iiispcrcu, Kneeiing oy nis eiuc tuiiil turwWftiir
her arms about his neck, " don't give way ! There must be hope yet !
They cannot prove such cruel charges ! There must be a way of
averting this trouble."
TWO SOLDIERS.
379
oni;r"to^^';;:^^^ ^^^ ^^^^-^^ "p- -^^e- - «-«, if ,o« win
her"Z^t«rnl1-^ "°' "^^ *^ f ^' ^°."' Gordon?" die asked, though
niTghtX. ^ ^"^ "''' ""'^^ '^^"^ ^■'^^^ «^ ""^^^ t»»e demaud
he wilf n^^'^n ^f '''^'' '^ '%* ^ see-him at once. There is nothing that
sl H m V ?' ^''"' u ^ ^"^^ ^^^^^ I ^»<>^ '^hat he has done.
See him You know what to say. I cannot prompt you But ^
him to tell a8 htt le as he possibly'can in regard to this Js^' ^'
wrong^r^MLt' "'^'' "^^" '''' ">« *« ^^ ^»^^«' ^^r the g.at
m^?^'^ '' 7 ""^^f "T^^'" '^^ *^« «""en answer. And he turned
moodily from her side, leaving iier stunned, speechless.
'^\
XVII.
Somewhere about ten o'clock that night the judge-advocate of the
court dropped in at the " bachelor quarte^' where both^ne and
Mason had been made welcome, and a^ked to 'see those gentlemen He
was con veiling with them over the affair at the San SiiSn, when Cap!
tain Lowndes was ushered into the room. ^
to Uoe" mote"^^'" "'^ *'' •""»'• "' "■'"'^ ™''«' ^ 'P-k
« By no means, Lowndes. Come right in. We'll be throuo-h in
Tk Troou^s'^it"/ 'dJ r'T'^"' 'h Lane, T^u'couli'rttt;
"Yes,-Klistinctly. I was praying for their coming, as our ammuni-
tion w^ running low. The Lidians seemed so encoumged by tlh^ea^
with which they drove them back that the whole band swarmed Z
from cover and crowded on us at onca It was in the next fifCn
minutes that my men were killed,-and that poor woman "
And there were only six Indians who opened uie on Noel ?"
Only SIX, sir."
The judge-advocate was silent a moment. « There is, of course, a
Jf?^:Jt ''"'■ ^-nf *^i' T^ set here tomorrow morning in time.
If they do, you will be the first witness called ; if they do not, we ad-
journ to await their arrival. It promises to be a long case. A tele-
gram has just reached me saying that additional and grave charges are
being sent by mail from division head-quarters " K«"*»«
^ Captain Lowndes listened to this brief conversation with an expres-
sion of deep perplexity on his kindly face, and as soon as the judge-
advocate had gone and Mason had left the room he turne<l to Lane •
«11 ♦».• *" ■ ^^^ ^'^ ^''^ '"^^^ "'• That poor girl has come
all this weary journey to be v.: h him, and there was absolutely no
place where she could lay her h...d unless we onflnpd -.,. a^^^.^a
took nim in too." ^ " ''"'' ""'^
thae to^ SfXV'" ' '"^ ''"'^' """"""• '' ™ ""' ^°" ""'
"Lane," spoke the older man, impetuously, after a moment of em-
' lit
i-J^' 1
380
rrO SOLDIEJiS.
barraased silence, " I want you to do something for wy wife, and for
me. Coiut' home with me for a fow minuter. You wont see him;
b'lt— .it Ih tiiat heart-broken girl. She begs that you will see her,
to-uight. Here is a little note."
Lane's sad face had grown deathly pale. Tie lookol w ideringly
in his companion's ey«.>.s a moment, then slowly took the note and left
the room, leaving Lowndes to pace the floor in muoh disquiet
In five minutes the former reappeared in the door-way. " Come,"
h(! said, and himself led the way out into the starlit night. Not a
word was spoken by either man as tlie) slowly walked down the row.
Arriving at his quarters, Captain Luwndes ushered his friend into the
little army parlor, and Mrs. Lownd( ,i came forward, extending bt th her
hands. " It is good of you to come," she said. " I will let her know,
at once."
Two shaded lamps cast a soft, subdued light over th( simply-fur-
nished little room. What a contrast to th* sumptuous Mirroundings
of the home in which he had last n.et her ! Lane stood by tb- little
work-table a moment, striving to subdue the violent beating of his
heart und the tremors tliat shook his frame. Not oncp had he en her
since that wretched night in the library,— in that man Noel's arms.
Not once had he "initted the thought of seeing her to find a lodge-
ment. But all wa5 different now : she was well-nigh crushed, heart-
broken ; she h;i'* It-ini deceived and tricked; she was here practically
friendless. " I wt:!! know that at your hands I deserve no such mercy,"
she had written, •' but a hopeless woman begs that you will come to
her for a few moments, — for a very few words."
And now he heard her foot-fall on the stairs. She entered, slowly,
and then stopped short almost at the threshold. Heavens! how he
had aged and changed ! How deep were the lines about the kind gray
eyes I how sad and worn was the stern, soldierly face ! H r eyes filled
with tears on the very instant, and she hovered there, irresolute, not
knowing what to do, how to address him. It was Lane that came to
the rescue. For a moment he stood there appalled as his eyes fell upon
the woman whom he had so utterly — so fairhfuUy loved. Where was
all the playful light that so thrilled and bewitched him as it flickered
about the corners of her pretty mouth ? Whither had fled the bright
coloring, the radiance, the gladness, that lived in that exquisite face?
Was this heavy-eyed, pallid, nerveless being, standing with hanging
head before him, the peerless queen he had so loyally and devotedly
serve<l, — whose faintest wish was to him a royal mandate, — to kiss
whose soft white hand was a joy unutterable? All this flashed through
his mind in the instant of her irresolute pause. Then the great pity
of a strong and manful heart, the tenderness that lives ever in the
bravest, sent him forward to her side. All thought of self and suffer-
ing, of treachery and concealment and deception, vanished at once at
the sight of her bitter woe. His own brave eyes filled up with tears
he would gladly have hidden, but that she saw, and was comfoi-ted.
He took her limp, nerveless hand and led her to a chair, saying only
her name, — " Mrs. Noel."
For several minutes she could not speak, but wept unrestrainedly,
»
he,
TWO SOLDJERfi,
rw^rft^'wS'"!,!?! «-''»»'•"-'. '""Ki.
881
yd poworlesL
almost eve^thi„g' de^^"! u'^.f;: ^ ::X»"' F '^'"•'"•'"^'^ «'">'
«..., that X beliov-xl fo'r a whiirthaf ^Sfed .^T' ■""' '* ^
'"in. I know now that von refiiMpTl .. iu * eharfreo against
1 am not to blame anv ^Z I„ l.i i' ^H ■"'"'^'■' »'"' 'hat-that
ray hnsband.anJ hl^n^^itaUhar ,'','!""''""'"'' "■-" ''"'>' » "i"'
»hc said, rising as shTZre'^donL ."."''' ""^ >""'• «»?'""' !«'«,"
am |,reparcd for a, vthL ' J^ ? '7 '" r''"™ "X <■«""»« now. I
replied, niVfL^oS/ """^^^ '""-' ""^ ™=' -rfs," ho
delavtU':f^„!:j!,'i^V'A~'?, You know nothing more a.K,„t the
in suffering .ong-hd insfa , h rsai'iji;'^;; t^Tr'':^ ""■""■
and sympathy in his. ' ^ ' °®"*''^ f*'e sorrow
aiarmS." ""■""""' "'"° ""^^ "° "->'-; "■«! "' 1^^' she Wked „p,
ing m::^ti 'l Sw't'he'nranorrh ir'VS ^ T ^^^'^ -«"-
that there were^only sl.AS.X^tt ? '^"' ''°,' 't^ '»^- ^ ^^
eaw was (he retreat " ^ ^ " """° ' ■""' '^e next thing I
An;.?e^t|Sgtxt rp'jri^i- '-ttr " ""■'^'
— no way ?" ^ "iiseiy. is there no way,
of UDcontn&ble wlr and fin'. .' ^'?',^r^ P^^ ^^^^^ *« « «*
Onc-e he strove to rDlTf)nf«iraM «*°«^ .^^^Ipiessly, miserably by.
glass of waterSy a Zd W h"*/'t"\ ?« ^r^^^t Wa
something he had to suLelf ^fv !, ^'^ "^.T^/'" t^^^re was still
Jooked up ea..erlv throS tn f ""^^''^ ^"^^^^ ^''"™ ^'^ hand and
for her Jno"^ i^he maf .vt haTVobt^h" "^ft^ ^"'^ '' ^'-~
of wife and home and hour and nn f ^ ^ °^ happu.ess, of love,
dared to rob him of honor^and ^T^A^ ^''"' ^^^ "^'"^^^ *»'«* h«
wretche^lly listening overhead tc \Ct'''^'^'^''''''^'^^ "^'^ °°^
forgot entLlyex4trU^^^^^^^^^^^^ vo.ees below,-he
thev not^lTirrJTllTi"> ^-."d«— e most influential. Can
.u.:. . . . -::^--r-- -Y"^-^ "'yesignatioa will be tendered? Can
i stop
that way ?'
It IS hopeless. It hns been tried, and re
guilty there is nothing left,~nothing lef^" she
refused. If he is four
moaned, " but to ta
I
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23 WIST MAIN STRUT
WIBSTIR.N.Y. 14510
(716) 872^503
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382
TWO SOLDIERS.
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him back to the East with me, and, with the little we have now, to buy
some quiet home in the country, where our wretched ^mi need not be
known,— where we can be forgotten,— where my poor husbaiid need not
have to hang his head in shame. Oh, God ! oh, God ! what a ruined
life 1"
" Is there nothing I can do for you, Mrs. Noel ? Listen : that court
cannot begin the — the case to-morrow. Four members are still to
come. It may be two days yet,— perhaps three. Perhaps Mr. Withers
and his friends do not appreciate the danger and have not brought
pressure to bear on the President, brt— forgive me for the pain this
muse give you — there are other, new chaives coming from division
head-quarters, that I fear will harm him still more. I grieve to have
to tell you this. Try and make Mr. Withei-s understand. Try and get
the resignation through. If you will see Mr. Falconer and-^nd the
captain now, I can get the telt^raph operator."
" What charges — what new accusations do you mean ?" she asked,
her eves dilating with dread. " Are we not crushed enough already ?
Oh, forgive me, Captain Lane I I ought not to speak bitterly, you—
you have been so good, so gentle. You, the last man on earth from
whom I should seek mercy," she broke forth im|)etuously, — "yott are
yet the one to whom I fiiot api)eal. Oh, if after this night I never see
you again, believe that I suffer, that I realize the w.ong I have done.
I was never worthy the faintest atom of your regard ; but there's one
thing— one thing you must hear. I wrote you fully, frankly, im-
ploringly, before— before you came— and saw. Indeed, indeed, I had
waited days for your reply, refusing to see him until after papa died ;
and then I was weak and ill. You never read the letter. You sent
them all back unopened. I cannot look in your face. It may have
been hard, for a while, but the time will swn come when you will
thank God— thank God— I proved faithless."
And then, leaving him to make his own way from the house, she
rushed sobbing to her room. When next he saw her, Reginald, her
brother, with Lowndes and his tearful wife, was lifting her into the
ambulance that was to take them to the railway, and the doctor rode
awa^ beside them. But this was ten days after.
Inie to Lane's prediction, the court met and adjouiLed on the
following day. Colonel Stannard and Major Turner telegraphed that
they were delayed en rovle to the railway, and nothing was heart! from
the other missing members. Two days more found the court in readi-
ness, but the trial did not begin. There arrived on the exprer,?? from
the East, the night before all seemed ready for the o|)ening session.
Lieutenant Bowen, of the cavalry recruiting-service, with two guards
who escorted the ex-clerk Taintor.
Tel^rams for Captain Noel had been coming in quick succession,
but he himself was not seen. It was I-<owndes who took the replies
to the office. The firs*^ 7j,esting of the court was io have occurred on
MondaV. Ttiefidav AVPninv fho iuflnra-aHvnratfa aan¥ tn. *U« >^^..»J
officer a copy of the additional specifications to the charge of conduct
unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and notified him that tlie wit-
nesses had just arrived by train.
Tiro SOLDIERS.
388
« iutJ .''u'*^^ Wednesday morning Mre. Lo^vndea w&8 aroused bv
a tapping at her door, and recognized the voioD of M«. Noel^inJ
.nHr^-fi^^^/'^^'^'V^^^^^ ""^^ ^«"t to her, finding her^i^mS
and terrified. Gordon, she said, had been m such misefy that Kdf
aiier midnight. Then he had gone down to make some memoranda
he said, at the d^k in which he and Mr. Falconer had therr^«'
and, as she could not sleep, she soon followed ; but he wasTotTre
Occasionally he had gone out late at night and talked aC the Jarade
after every one but the guard had gone to bed, and she thoX he
must have done so tnis time, and so waited, and waited and leered
ZrZ no lo^:^: '^"^ ""^' ^^ "^^'^'"^ ^' ^»- At lait'^lCuH
Lowndes hod heard the sobbing voice and one or two words He
day "'J' Do .Tt 'I T ''"trf '^''y ^-"^ tiroffic^r ;f ^l
suTcide?" ^ ''''"''^ ^^""^ ""^^ away with himself ?-
"Suicide I nol" answered Lieutenant Tracy. "He's too bio- •
coward even for that I" ^ xie s too big a
No sentry had se^.. or heard anything of him. The whole noat
was searched at daybreak, and without suc4s. A neigh b^rbgLdt
raent, mlestetl by miners, stock-men, gamblers, and fugiti v^ 4^11 ^
mystery One or tvyo hard citizens-saloon-proprietore-nokXtheir
tongues m the., cheeks and intimated that "?f propeX aW^hed"
thev could give valuable information ; but no one bel^vS tfem That
nigl, deserted and well-nigh distrac'ted, Mabel Noel ky mc^iing i„'
her Jittle room, suffering heaven only knows what tortuJes: far from
the yearning mother arms, far from home and kindred, fa^iven from
he recreant husband for whose poor sake she had abandoned al to foK
low mm, for better for worse, for richer for rooi^r. in sick nZ or in
health,-only U> be left to the pity and ear3 o/strTnVli °
Bnt she was in an army home and among loving, loyal simnle
heai;ts. The women, one and aU, thronge.1 to the littfe Si im
plonng that they might "holp in some way." The men whef tW
to be pursued. Mabel would accept only one explanation of his dis-
appearanoe : craz«i by misfortunes,*^he had taken L own ife • he hid
said he would But the regiment could not believe iram^^in foZ-
«ghthourahad traced him, on the saloon-keq^Vs ho,4e, ovei to the
Southern Pacific, and thence down to El Paso! Mora than one n an
gave a sigh of relief that the whole thing could be so easilyTtt?^ wTtJ
Tnl^^nf i""'' *'J1' '^"'r^ ^'"^ publishedTSlS "The"
court met and adjourned pending the receipt of ordere from the con-
vening authority. The telegraph speedily directed the reTurn to thS;
statio^ of the^several members. LieuteiLt Bowen we^tZk t. lu
ZT^ '^"'^S /-fiaioi ill iiie guard-house, and in a week Reginald VinI
cent came to take his sister home and to whisper that Gordon was slfe
in the city of Mexico,-Mr. Withera was sending hirmoneyrhere
and so from her bed of illness, suffering, and humiliation Z^rgTrl
384
TWO SOLDI rj AS.
i ' <
WM almost carried to her train, and all Fort Gregg could have wept at
sight of her wan and iio|)eIes.s iHce.
She shrank from seeing or meeting any of her old associates, yet
was eager to reach her mother's roof, fondly believing that there she
would find letters from her husband. It hurt her inexpressibly that
he should have fled without one word to her of \m intentions; but she
could forgive it because of the suffering and misery th«t bore him down
and unsettled his mind. It stung her that Mr. Witliere, not she,
should be the first to learn of his place of refuga; but perhaps he
thought she hud gone E:A«t at once, ard so had written tnere. She
attributed his desertion to the strain to which he had been subjected ;
but she had been spared the sight of iliose last " s|)ecification8. Her
first inquiry, after one long, blessed clasping in her mother's arras, after
the burst of tears that could not be restrained, was for letters from
him; and she was amn/e<l, incre<lulous, when told there were none.
Mr. Withers was sent for at once : that eminent citizen would gladly
have dodged the ordeal, but could not. He could only say that two
telegrams and two drafts had l^•ached him from Noel, and that he had
honored the latter at sight and would see that lie lacked for nothing.
She would have insisted on going to join him in his exile, but he
had sent no word or line ; he had ignoretl her entirely. He might be
ill, was the first thought; but Mr. Withers assured her he was phys-
ically perfectly well. " Everything is being done now to quietly end
the trouble," said Mr. Withers. " We will see to it at Washington that
his resignation is now atcc'pte<l ; for they will never get him before a
court, and might as well make up their minds to it. '" y cannot drop
or dismiss him for a year, with all their red-tape ods and thei.'
prate about the * honor of the service.' I've seen enough, of the army
m the last three months to convince me it's no place for a gentleman.
No, ray dear, you stay here,— or go up to the mountains. We'll have
him there to join you in a month."
But the authorities provetl obdurate. Even the millionaire failed
to move the War Secretary. Unless Capt'iin Noel came back and stood
trial, he would be " dropped for desertion" (" and, if he came back
and stoocl trial, would probably be kicked out as a coward and liar,"
thought to himself the official who sat a silent listener). This Noel
would not do. Wifhers sent him to Vera Crpz on a pseudo business-
visit, and Mabel, silent, sad-faced, but weeping no more, went to a
little resort in the Wck*^ Virginia mountains.
Meantime, another court had been convened, another deserter tried,
convicted, and sentenced, and before being taken to prison he made full
statement to Captain Lane and two officei-s called in as witnesses. This
was Taintor. He had known Captain Noel ever sinc>e his entry into
service. Taintor was an expert }>enman, a gambler, and at times a hard
drinker. He had enlisted in the troop of which Noel was second lieu-
tenant while they w^re in Tennessee, and had deserted, after forging
the post-quartermaster's name to two checks and getting the money.
The raiment w*^nt to the Plains: he was never apprehended, and long
years afterwards drifted from a {)osition in the quartermaster's d^pdt at
Jeffersonville to a re-enlistment and a billet as clerk in the recruiting
TWO SOLDIERS.
385
»^ure by forged d.e.,k8 for small amounts wl.ich he truste<l would not
excte suspicion. But ho had fallen in love with a young woman, and
hrZ^hni'^'T "" '"T "' ^'^•"^" •^'"''^ ^" ^'- neip:ht,rhood 'after
ulv>1f l\ T ?'"' TV ''''' "^^''•' ^*«« «h«<J'>we.! ar.<l arrests! I,y
the pol oe, and had g.ven hin.^elf up for lost when Captain NcKil wa«
brough to h.s cell to identify him. ke could hanlly be i eve Id senses
when the captain said it was all a mistake. Then he was relea^ecl ind
him he knew hm. perfectly and would keep hh secret provided he
won d "make himself useful." It soon turned out thit wha wa^
wanted was the imitation of Captain Lane's signature on one o tw^
\Z^ :lTl' "l"w *' ^f ^'^ "°' ^"'' ''•"^ *'•« tyne-writing of some
letters, one of which, without signature of any ki..<(, and referring to
You are l)eing betrayed," was sent to Captain Lane at Fort Graham
Very soon after this Captain Lane came back. Taintor again fled unti
he knew his old commander hml .: ,ne away, and then, venturing home
was rearrested, as has also been told. ^ *
Lane knew the anonymous letter well enough, but now for the first
deceit and aithlfssness and so bring alM)ut a rupture of the engagement
whujh a that time, Noe\ .saw no other means of removing Tt^he one
obstacle that stood in the way of his hoi)es. ^
But what were the other papers?
r1wH.^"r'i <«me and with it the rumors of the appearance of the
Irl fr'" at Vera Cruz; but in the remote and ,,eaceful nook
where mother and daughter-two silent and sorrowing women-were
3 ;" r^J;'^''"*''?^' ''\ ti^Jings came. Vainly Mal^l watched the
mails for letters-.f only one-from him. She ha<l written under
cover to Mr. Withers, but even that evoked no replv.
One sunshiny afternoon t hoy wore startle<l by the sudden arrival
side EM^Iir"^ *" "^^'"^ '^"''^'"" ""^^ *" ^^"^^ '•'« '°«^her to one
side, but Mabel was upon him.
J You have news 1" she said, her white face set, her hands firmK
seizing his arm. " What is it ?. Have they dismiss^ him ?"
Ihey can never dismiss— never harm him more, Mabel " was the
solemn answer. *
*******♦♦
Some months afterwards Mrs. Vincent received a packet of papers
that belonged to the late Captain Noel. Mabel hml been sliTto
S - /""!* •* "7"*'"'', '""Ir" 'i^"^''"g ^'' early widowhood with
k^nd and loving friends. The consul at Vera Cruz had written to
Mr Withers f u 1 particulars of his cousin's death,-one of the firet
^Sl"?! r ^t ^'^;"!^^ ""^"-^ I'-r^ «^"^ t'»«^ P«F'-^ with the formal oer-
nf 1^"%?- "'^,f^^"^j^'" oniciais. Mr. Woodrow, one of the executors
Z^l' ^'."^"M««*«^ showed singular desire to examine these papers,
but the widow thought they should l>e o,,ened only bv her da.igKter
It was not until then that, with much hesitancy, the ^ntleraan explained
386
TWO SOLDIERS.
?*
*
rl
f-' , f.
^1-
that Mr. Vincent had given him to nndcrBtand that ho had intrasted
aorae papers to Captein Noel which that officer had promised to send at
once to his old friend Captain Lane. Mrs. Vincent could learn no
more from him, but she lost no time in searchinj^ the packet.
Within twenty- four hours Mabel was summoned home by tele-
graph, and there for the first time learned that to her father's partner,
for the use of the firm in their sore straits of nearly two years before,
Captain Lane had given the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and that
among Captain Noel's papers was what purported to be a receipt in full
for the return of the sum from Mr. Vincent, which receipt was signed
apparently by Fre<lerick Lane and dated July 2, 188-. But this,
said Mr. Woodrow, must be a mistake: Mr. Vincent had aasured him
late in July that he had not repaid it, but that Clark had his instruc-
tions to repay it at once, and all Clark's books, papers, and receipts had
been examined, and showetl that no such payment had been made.
" It simply means that the very roof under which we are sheltered
is not ours, but that noble fellow's," said Mrs. Vincent ; and that night
she wrote, and poure<I forth her heart to him, while Mabol lockeil her-
self in her room.
No answer came. Then Mr. Woodrow made inquiries of the
officer at the rendezvous, and learned that Captain I^ne had gone to
Europe with leave of absence for a year ; and there her letter followed
him. She demanded, as a right, to know the truth. She had given the
executors to understand that the debt must be i>aid, if they had to sell
the Old homestead to do it. She would be glad to go and live in
retirement anywhere.
Not only did she, but so did Mr. Woodrow, receive at last a letter
from distant Athens. The widow sobbed and laughed and pressed
her letter to her heart, rhile Woodrow read his with moistened eyes,
a suspicious resort to his cambric handkerchief, and an impatient con-
signment of all such confounded quixotic, unbusinesslike cavalrymen
to — to the deuce, by Jupiter ; and then he went off to show it to his
fellow-executors.
The long summer wore away. Autumn again found mother and
daughter and Regy at the dear old home, but light and laughter had
not been known within the massive walls since the father's death. The
tragedy in Mabel's life, coming so quickly after that event, seemed to
have left room for naught but mourning. "She has so aged, so
changed," wrote Mrs. Vincent on one of the few occasions when she
wrote of her at all to him, and she wrote every month. " I could even
say that it has improved her. The old gayety and joyousness are gone,
and with them the wilfulness. She thinks more — lives more — for
others now."
Winter came again, — the second winter of Mabel's widowhood, —
and she was urged to visit the Noels at their distant home ; but she
seemed reluctant until her mother bade her go. She was stilt wearing
her widow's wmvIs. and hnr IovpIv fni^ vena novAP a^Mrtu^iaf in Ka«> »c»K
hood days than now in that frame of crape. Of the brief months of
her married life they never spoke, but the Noels loved her because of
her devotion to him when not a friend was left. In early March the
f
1
€
y
a
n
a
I
ai
h
at
tr
sa
h(
bi
TWO SOLDIERS.
387
new8 from home began to give her uneasiiiesH: "mamma did not seem
l£ Tw « «^P «"'^*'^".' ?^ •* ^*« ^^'"'^J that thTy wouW gTo™
M far as Washmgton with her, and spend a day or two there when
Reginald itould meet and escort her home '
Mal^rN,^! w^h {^"8¥, ">?"','"« '»,'»»«t most uncertain of months,
Mal>ei Noel with her sister-in-law and that lady's husband stood at the
P^^'i '»"^'»g'^« ting to be tolcen down to the hall- waToftS hotel
loiiowea by the others. Two gentlemen seated on one side removJ
saw one of them rise, bow, and extend his hand to Mak' savin/
tTe pffL''V'.^7^.''*''"^™^"'«'«^ ™"«'^ access of color, ^me\hT^^^^
the effect that this was a great suri,rise,~a statement which her fa^
aesirea so to do. Neither of the two seemec to think of anv others
who were present Indeed, there was hardly time to a^k o^anlwe^
Sr'a^nd'^^d ttj Y *' y ^"^ "^"^ r^ P'«- ^ XlXr;
to ascend , and then the gentleman nearly tumbled over a chair in
is r'lTt'^ ?f ?'^ «^'«"- M«. Noel^s face wS ave^ t thev
left he hall, but all the more was Mrs. Unier desirous of q^tion n^
Who was your friend, Mabel ?" 4"«>""'"ng .
« sifeltS,1^^"I» " *« -"8™=-- H- &<» - glowing
" Captain Lane."
An hour later Mrs. Lanier said to her husband.—
nr..A "^^^Ji"^ '"'*" to whom she was said to be eneaoed before
Gordon ; and did you see her face?" «"gagea oeiore
on^?!?"* T'" they met,_thi8 time at the entrance to the dining-room •
Mr Lanie^ when he was presented. The lady seemed diSan and
chilling. The man held out his hand and .aid "I Wlad to Ln«
you, captaio. I wish you could dine with i But Ce had din«7
and was going out. ^ nined,
T^^*'i''?^*^.°*'?®' *°^ °<> Reginald. EApecting him everv mo-
w^iS'- 1r''"^ '^ P ^'^^ *'«^ f"«"^« «!^ slfoppingru? ^nd
7 JJ^tJ" ''xt 'f^™' thinking, when there came a Z at the dcTr
. a card for Mrs. Noel, and the gentleman begged to see heHii the naHoV
as sne descended the stairs. He was stand ng close bv the door Hut
he took her hand and led her to the window at their right '
"xV^'^w T'^T?^'""^™™«'"«hecried. " Tell me-instantlv !"
andT/'h^'^T/'''"'^^ '■' ^* th«t y«» «hould comtMre^N^^ .
and she has sent for me. Reginald went directly Wes S S'
tlin nToZ:^'i'>'' ™^ "^^ ^ '^'^^ «^" ^- ^ -^^ ^- ^e -t
l„,n&.L^^.^T';i?«.•°«*«^*»^; was there no train sooner? She
siv^'that'Mi^ V.w 'i n ™°^n«^'^'""««« was fatal. He could only
say tnat Mrs. Vincent had been qu te suddenlv seixpd • anA ^^* ♦k "^
hoped she would rally. Mak' ^t >>r.Z^Zy^brMtJt^'{
buterly for her d.Utor, journey ; but she ots ridyfa^d 3 ^^ed
38t
TWO Sai.DIKRS.
Ih^'
t ^
composure when it wa« time to start. Mrs. I^anier'a farewell waa
somewhat strained, but the captain seemod to notice nothing.
Unobtrusively, yet carefully, lie watched over her on the home-
ward way. Tenderly he lifted her to the pavement of the familiar
old d^pAt, where Ii«^y met them. Mamma was better, but very feeble.
She wanted to see them both.
Three days the eentle spirit lingered. Thrice did the loving woman
send for I^ne, and, holding his hand in hers, whi8i)er blessing aiul
prayerful charge as to the future. Rcgy wondered what it couhl all
mean. Mabel, on her knees in her own little rocim, pleading for her
devoted mother's life, knew well how to the very last that mother
clung to him, but only vaguely did she reason why.
At last the solemn moment came, and the hush of twilight, the
placid, nainless close of a pure and gracious life, were broken only by
the sobbing of her kneeling children and of the little knot of friends
who, dearly loving, were with her at the gate into the new and radiant
world beyond.
One soft spring evening a few weeks later Mabel stood by the
window in the old library, an open letter in her hand. Twice had she
looked at the clock upon the mantel,, and it was late when Frederick
Lane appeared. Mr. Woodrow had unexpectedly detained him, he ex-
plained, but now nothing remained but to say good-by to her. His
leave was up. The old troop was waiting for him.
" Will you try to do as I asked you, and write to me once in a
while ?" he said.
" I will. It was mother's wish." But her head sank lower as she
spoke.
" I know," he replied. " For almost a year past she had written
regularly to me, and 1 shall miss it — more than I can say. And now
— it is eood-by. God bless you, Mabel !"
And still she stood, inert, passive, her eyes downcast, her bosom
rapidly rising and falling under its mourning garb. He took her
hand and held it lingeringly one minute, then turned slowly away.
At the portiere he stopped for one last look. She was still standing
there, drooping. The fair head seemed bowing lower and lower, the
white hands were clasping nervously.
" Do you know you have not said good-by, Mabel ?"
She is bending like the lily now, turning away to hide the rush of
tears. Only faintly does he catch the whispered words, —
"Oh I J cannot/"
THE END.
THE TEARS OF TVLUA.
389
*i
THE TEARS OF TULLIA.
ROME shook with tyrannies. A bloated face,
Vile for all vices that debafle,
lilowered and menaced from the imperial plaw.
Men said "Caligula" below their breath.
Shivering, as one that faintly saith
In some new deadlier way the old word "death."
That robe which once round Cmsar drooiKKl sublime.
Dragglecl and fray«l, though not with' time, '
*launt>ed from every fold wet stains of crime.
The empire of the world had fallen so low.
Inertly it saw its own blotMl flow,
As treason's black brood dealt it many a blow.
Deeper at each fresh ignominy it sank
In mires of cowardice more rank,
Scourged by a monster and a mountebank.
Where vast the arena of the circus lay
Loos«I lion or tiger, dav by day, '
Would flesh Its fangs in shuddering human prey.
Throned o'er the slaughter, sat, with imrple . r ;e.
With laurelled brows, with wine-bfear^ eye.
lie whom to gaze upon was to despise.
^** .""fSnant thus, .with crime for kith and kin
Did this crowned cut-throat seek to win '
A hideous immortalitv out of sin.
His infamies caught splendor, like the fires
"iiru 'eapt in fury from those pvres
Where wives would watch their fords burn, sons their sires.
He seemed as one whose insolence erects
A^ane to his own dire defects.
With rapine, butchery, lust, for architects,—
A pile through haze of history to uprear
At every deed pure lives revere,
Its towering gibe, its monumental sneer ! . . .
And vet ^>^7t>n ha noK^..,!^ u >• i
Moods to his fiend-swayed soul appeal
Vol Sfv - '^*'^'*'' ""^ clemency Vould steal.
I
«i
390
TJIK TEARS OF TVLLIA.
I
Xk,
,tv
By
On
H
uome caprice no oourticr could explain,
young
fuvor, not diwduin,
noble of hi8 train.
When weary of insult, lechery, murtler, all
Wherewith his niadnesH held in thrall
Rome's cringing crowcls, on Livius he would call.
From the massed purple cushions whore he lay,
" Ucud me some poet," he would say,
" My Liviua, in your wise melodious way,"
Then the youth, bowing with complaisance meek,
In lute-like tones would speak
Line after liue from Homer's golden Greek.
And onoo, when, kneeling at the tyrant's knee,
Itapt by unwonted passion, he
Had read the dark wrongs of Andromache,
Caligula half raised his drowsy head,
And with the smile men quaked at, said,
" My Livius, tliou hast eloquently read !
"None but a lover could so treat this theme;
And thou, if rightly I deem,
Hast felt the full deep sorcery of love's dream.
" Would the kind gods had let mc\feel it, too I—
The gods that guard me as they do ! . . .
Nay, my sweet Livius, does report say true
"That thou hast loved, from boyhood sheer till now,
Tullia, the maid with vestal brow,
Patrician Publius' grandchild, and dost vow
" Unflinching virtue, continence complete,
Scorn of thy young blood's hardiest beat,
Till thou and she in marriage-bonds may meet ?
" Nay, Livius, dost thou love this maid so well ?
I charge thee, in all fair frankness tell
How strong is thy subservience to her spell 1"
Then, smitten as by the pang that barbs a spear,
Livius felt throes of mortal fear,
Not for himself, but one divinely dear.
He thought of how this royal vulture fed
On multitudes of guiltless dead.
With beak that ever bode unsurfeited ; —
THE TEARS OF TVLUA.
• Wi!; "Tl^^.'T'*"** Kl»t« or oloy«, ^
With rack, bowl, cJagger, and gibbet foi their toys ;-
^finZTi**r'"" ^^r'^^ *"" ''""' ^''^nies died
Hilanus had sought Huicide, '
And Or«rtilla had been stolen a bride
Even at the altar from her bridegroom's arras.
^Remembering these and cunifess harms^ * ' *
i^tard as these, Livius with strange alarms
Thrilled as he murmured, " Emperor, if the sky
Made every star that hangs on high ^
A word of fire for me to answer by,^
"Still vainNr, in snita of such all-grasnimr snAPoh
My love fGr Tullia could I teaclf-^ ^ ^'''
Ita force, its faith, its rapture, and its reach I"
So spake the youth, tumultuously. A frown
, ne sneered, my Livius, courts renown I
" What say'st tiiou if I seek a vvay to prove
This vaunted value of thy love.
And how the ambition of it^ flame above
" Yvhif ' "'f.''^" ^'^^^^ ^'"*^ ^«rt and shine?
What say'st >u, favorite fool o' mine"
(Here a full su .ri broke), " should m^mood incline
n«n«^ f ""^ li *^°"' ^^« "'^ ^^o^-n «o leal,
^nst from the imagmary pluck the real
" ^"^ P'-ove to me to all men, past a doubt
_T^at adoration thus devout '
Blindfold may trace its precious object out?"
Pale turned young Livius, nnderetanding not
Dreading some despicable plot, ^ '
While from the Emperor's lips bleak laughter shot.
While to the «unt LThTn-Jl^rL^S'- 1^ - ' -
""^' ?ee* were naiiea I
"V"a '""^ ^''^'^ • • • A moment more .
IJ^""^ ^r^' "^ '^'^^^ «'«^«^ by the score! '
Had pushed poor Livius past the tyrarSTdoor.
811
♦ 1
It*.
»*
392 THE TEARS OF TVLLIA.
Alone they Icfl him in a spacioiui hall,
Brooding on what ^im doom might fidl^
Wliat freak dialmlio waited to appall,
Till, at the oloee of one slow hour, he heard
The bolta that held him captive stirred,
Ol)edicnt to Caligula's luud word.
Then with a smile where sly derision slept.
The KmiKTor past the portal stept.
And Htraightway two stout minions lightly leapt
Toward Livius ; o'er his eyes with speed they rolled
A Irandagc of Huch envious fold
Thut by quick night all vision was controlled.
Quite Htill he stood, resisting not; he knew
Res'stance ii: o trice would hew
From mercy its last piteous residue.
" Fate, work your worst on me," his fleet thoughts ran ;
" Ere now full many a nobler man
Hath bowed below this arch-aHsassin's ban !
"So Tullia dies not with me, I shall bleas
Calamity for its kindliness.
And garner consolation from distress I"
But even as thus he mused, the air with sound
Of numerous foot-fafls did abound.
Like plash of delicate rain on grassy ground.
And through the wide-flung doors, with timorous tread,
' With each a lovely and low-bent head
Half shadowing her bewilderments of dread.
Came twenty as bloomful maidens as the dome
Of lucid heaven o'erarching Rome
Had evei beamed on ; hence at speed from home
All had perforce been summoned by the sway
Of him unscrupulous to pay
Their liveb in penalty for their delay.
Now rose the tyrant^s voice, thai, seemed to kill
The silence brutishly, such ill
Its every note was packed with, pealing shrill.
" Livius," its words came, " with a poet's tongue
Hast thou belauded Tullia, young,
Radiant, thy love ; but here in beauty among
THB TEARS OF TDLL/A.
" A sisterhood of other be«utcous niateu,
Thy reoogtiition she awaita,
Thy swift intuitive welcome supplicate*.
" I^t now this boaatocl adoration dare
Its inagic energy declare ;
I bid thoe touch on brow, ciiock, eyelidi, hair,
"Each maiden of these aascrnbh 1, till thou find
The cnHlaving iniHtr(?HH of thy mind,
Being blind tliyself m Love, thy god, is blind.
" Yet if by touch of hand upon her face
Thou fuilest, braggart boy, to trace
Rightly her lineaments, not mere disgrace
*' May wreak revenge on thy msh head, but she,
Tullia, and thou, her choice, mu.st be
Bound each to other and cast within the sea I
" So shalt thou learn what ecstasies belong
To love, witli all ita bonds made strong
As death's own lean clasp in the engirding thong.
" Yea, thou shalt learn of love that though it fly
So lofty and in so large a sky.
Low may it sink at last and darkly die 1" . . .
The looks of all save Livius now were turned
On Tullia, whose amnze<I eyes burned
With agony— then with adjuration yearned.
Scorn answered only from the Emperor's gaxe ;
Fierce to the grouped girls rang his phrase :
" One after one seek Livius, till he lays
" A hand upon your faces dusk or fair,
Searching for his lost Tullia there.
In each I . . . Obey me, or falter if ye dare I"
None dared to falter ; slowly all gathered near
Livius, who stood with mien austere
That told what pain must make his veiled eyes drear.
Yet the hand shook not that erelong he laid
On the first face of those arrayed
Before him, and with loitering touch essayed
To prove alone by tactual sense what siffht
w«.,M :„-*„-*{_ u i._ J _:_. . o
If given one vague ray of divulging light.
393
394 THE TEARS OF TVLLIA.
Still, eager and yet with impotence, he sought I
Face after face, being swept thus, brought
But worse confusion to his laboring thought.
"I cannot find thee, Tullia !" rose his ciy.
Freighted witli torture. " We will die
Together, and curse tlie gods in our last sigh 1"
And yet even here, while thick sweat damped his brow,
A courage tyranny could not bow
Nerved him once more and made him sweep forth, now,
For the last time to the last face, his hand ; . . .
Then suddenly, as by joy unmanned.
He shouted, " Pitying gods, I understand I
" These tears have told me I Look, my hand is wet
With their sweet testimony ! I set
My life and hers on the dear amulet
" Their tidings proffer ! Nme has wept but she !
I have found thee, Tullia ! Love's decree
Can teach even blindness a new way to see !"
Before his final word impetuous rung.
Poor Tullia, with 1 md sobs, had sprung
To clasp his neck— hud wildly about it clung.
So cruelty had been slain by love ; and they
Who sjiw Caligula that day
Clothed in atrocity, were still wont to say
(Long after vengeful massacre had wrought
End of his villany, as it ought)
That just when Livius found the face he sought,
Learning glad Tullia by her tears to tell,
Tears also from the Emperor fell
Strange as if dawn's white dews were seen in hell !
Edaar Fawcett.
THE AUTHOR OF ^^ THE COLLEGIANS. '
395
THE A union OF « THE COLLEGIANS."
TT is now nearly a quarter of a century since Mr. Dion Boucicault
J. made the anuouncement of a new play to be produced at Niblo's
nn^ i'^''" f' u'^™^ "^'""l^ ^'^' acfvertised as founded upon fact.
ColleTn BawT" P'-^^ented under the captivating title ot "The
nlo^nylrllT^ a novelty at that period, but Irish incidents and
plot and Irish character in the drama were as popular then as now
while the cast for the original production of « The Colleen Bawu" yvm
such as to insure its success. Laura Keene was to plav the part of
^•r^r?r ' """'i/'T' ^^"l^rtson the title rdle of the sVeet Colleen
Eily O'Connor Mr. Boucicault himself taking the part he ha^ s iS
made famous of the hunchbac Danny Mann.^ Old^heatre-g^rs Z
recall the exciteraen and enthusiasm of the presentation-n.iht,-the
rrmTr^-T"""^' u ^Pl^'^^f ^'"^'^ g'"^*^^ ^««J^ s'tuation, each bit of
bnhant dialogue between Anne Chute and Hardress C^egan, Kyrle
nP^plr fiir?''"^''"^ by the actress whose place in the part can
never be refalled, gave a poetic charm to every scene in which Eilv
makes her appearance. Certain discrepancies, however, were apparent
H this fii^t rendering of " The Colleen Bawn" which ciuld no faH ?o
attract the attention of some of the spectators. The play wa.s an almost
hteral transcrip ion or adaptation of an Irish novel entitled "The
Collegians ; and a gentleman in the audience called the next mornine
(jerald Griffin The result of the interview was a prompt revision of
the play Mr. Boucicault acting with every courtesy towards his visitor
who desired that the novelist's name should be a.ssociated with harof «ie
dramatist From that date this play, by far the most su^ces d n M
?f « T^ P ir'^''^ v^^^^^'T' has been known as a dramatized version
of The Collegians," a novel which has begun to enjoy a revival of the
popularity which macle it famous in the earfy decadei If Zc^nturJ^"
trerald Griffin, best known as the author of " The ColWians" and
of a tragedy entitled "Gisippus," in which Macready madf his most
«>l.d reputaUon, was the son of an Irish gentleman who emigrated to
chnZn n '^" r.' • ^^^' '1'"°^ ""''^ ''^' «^ ^'^' children aifd g^nd'
Or ffin h„"iTJ -^^^ '' T"" '^r^?. ^ Binghamton, New York.^ Mr.
Griffin had been induced to take this step through the glowing accounte
given by his eldest son, an officer in the English army, who hadTs S
America and retiirned to Ireland captivated by the^rnery neirtte
Susquehanna. Difficult as it was to resign himself to the p^rtint
Mth^.r ' ^f '•^•^^'"* sixteen, elected^o remain in IrelanTwitI'
his brother, a physician practising in Limerick, and two ^i^t.r. wk"
were too youpg fo r the voyage and the trials of pioneer life.*' """
mi
• vi
396
THE AUTHOR OF ''THE COLLEOJANS.'
in
m
Young Griffin's decision was the result of an unconouerable impulse
towards literature, especially the making of verses and arumatic writing,
which he feared would he turned aside if he followed his family to the
New World. He had already sketched "Gisippus;" his desk was
full of poems many of which are wrongly attributed to his later years,
and he had arranged various small dmmas for private representeticn,
throwing himself ardently into the character or stage-manager when
they were produced by an enthusiastic set of amateura in his native
town. His realistic views would have suited the company of the
Th6fitre Franjaise to-day. An amusing incident connected with these
boyish efforts was told me by an old English gentleman who recalled
one of the rehearsals — if not the actual performance — of a play written
by Gerald Griffin in his seventeenth year. The heroine was to take
poison and die in a dramatic agony. The young lady cast for the part,
however, failed to carry out the author's idea of the death-scene, and
insisted upon dying gracefully, with a becoming expression of placidity.
Young Griffin watched the rehearsals of this scene with impatience for
two or three days, and then a brilliant idea occurred to him. The
evening of the performance he presented Miss with a glass con-
taining a bitter draught of quassia, asking her to drink it in the poison-
scene. The result may be imagined. All the contortions of expression
and action which the young dramatist desired followed, and he ap-
plauded loudly, assuring his indignant " leading lady" that it could not
injure her, and that it had improved her " business" in the play tre-
mendously.
About the same time, before his seventeenth birthday, he one day
summoned his brother the doctor to his room and handed him the
manuscript of a tragedy in blank verse which he had just completed.
Dr. Griffin spent the night reading and criticising it. Fortunately, he
did not share the opinion of many of the lad's friends that literature
was a sorry profession for him to enter upon, and the reading of this
play, " Aguire," decided him to advanc-e his younger brother's literary
mterests as speedily as possible. John Banim, then beginning to be
famous, pronounced " Aguire" to be the work of a genius ; but, unfor-
tunately, it as never produced at any theatre, and was accidentally
destroyed and not rewritten. The tragedy of " Gisippus," which was
not completed until the next year, had, '^owever, been sketched when
he was fourteen. The nephew of the author told me that his uncle had
been fond of reciting passages of it to him in their very boyish days,
walking between Limerick and Adare. They were the same with
which Macready years after the author's death held London audiences
spell-bound during the famous run of the play at Drury Lane.
After " Aguire" was written, Gerald appealed to his brother for
permission to try his fate among the theatres and publishers of London.
Naturally enough, the older man hesitated to consent to such a venture
on the part of an inexperienced lad, just turned eighteen, who had no
private fortune, and who was endowed with the most sensitive of poetic
temperaments, a disposition generous and unsuspicious to a fault, and
a faith in the art he was pursuing which would lead him to endure
any toil or privation for the chance of success. Various minor con-
I
'iJii AUTHOR OF ''THE COLLEGIANS.'
397
siderations had also to be thought of by the older brother as likely to
war against the young author's life in London. He was an ardent
Catholic ; and those were intolerant days for the followers of the
Church of Rome. He had a sense of honor in literary work which
was almost extreme ; no consideration then or ever induced him to so
much as violate a private opinion or judgment of his own in print,
and his idea of the fulfilment of a contract — so one of the most vener-
able editors in England told me — bordered on the quixotic, so afraid
was he of not giving the full value demanded by publisher or public.
A miniature still in the possession of his family represents him at this
period of his life as a strikingly handsome youth, with a face almost
Spanish in coloring, the eyes darkest hazel, the complexion a clear
olive, the brow broad and lofty, with mass - of dark hair tossed back,
the features strong in outline, but regular, and the mouth singularly
sweet in expression. There is a blending of mirth and melancholy in
the face : the boyish glance seems to give a challenge to the future
from which he expected so much ; the proud and sensitive lips seem
eager to speak of things that lie deep within the young and ardent
heart.
•To London in 1823 th6 young man journeyed with the best of
spirits and the lightest heart, believing he could assist the great actors
of the day in restoring the drama or purifying the stage of what he,
with many others, considered mere dramatic charlatanism. He was
eighteen years of age, vigorous in constitution except for a weakness
of the heart which subsequently tried him severely ; life had hitherto
been prosperous, and the world had shown him its smiling side. He
had "Aguire" and the notes for "Gisippus" in his satchel, and a
box of other manuscript, iwems and essays, which represented to the
lad fame and fortune. His personal attractions, the magnetism of
manner and power of influencing those about him, seem to have been
entirely unconscious, and not to have been counted in his stock of
worldly advantages either by himself or by his family. Had it been
otherwise, he might have reached success easily through the medium
of the society of the day, for Londor in 1823 was as brilliant in its
way as London in 1890 ; but a striking ijharacteristic of the boy and
the man was his disdain of using any personal influence in his literary
ijareer.
He sought out very quiet lodgings, whence he wrote to the family
at Adare notes of the London he began to know. He had intro-
ductions through his devoted friend Banim to the Kembles and other
professionals, who seem only to have shown him in those days the
civility of an occasional box-seat for the theatre. He speedily wrote
home deploring the decline of the « legitimate" in the drama, not,
however, without some sense of humor in his criticism of the sort of
play that was then in vn^ue, while his analysis of the methods to be
employed to insure vo].>\hrlty might be repeat^, to-day^ and it seems
hardly possible that nearly seventy years have elapsed 'since they were
written.
" I will tell you," he writes to his brother, " something which will
give you an idea of the drama and the dramatic management of the
M
398
THE AUTHOR OF ^^ THE COLLEGIANS."
m
t
day, which, however, for tlie credit of the mitier, I would not breathe
to ears profane. Of all the walks in literature it is the most heart-
rending, the most toilsome, and the most harassing to a niun who is
possessed of a mind that may be at all wrought on by circumstances.
The managers only seek to fill their houses, and don't care a rap for
all the dramatists that ever lived. . . . With respect to the taste of a
London audience, you may julge what it is when I tell you that
' Venice Preserved' will scarcely draw a decent liouse, while such a
piece of unmeaning absurdity as the * Cataract of the Ganges' has
tilled Drury Lane every night for three weeks past. A lady on horse-
back riding up a cataract is ratiier a bold stroke ; but these things are
quite the rage now. They are hissed by the gods ; but that is a trifle,
80 long as they fill the house and the managers' pockets. . . . There
is a rage foi fire and water and horses, and as long as it continues fire
and water and horses are the lookout of the sovereigns of the drama.
Literary men see the trouble which ttends it, the bending and cringing
to performers, the chicanery of mar-agers, and the anxiety of suspense
which no previous success can relieve them from ; and therefore
it is that they seek to make a talent for some other walk and con-
tent themselves with tiie fame of a ' closet writer,' whi(?h is acccfln-
panied with little or none of the uneasiness of mind which the former
brings with it. ... I cannot immediately fix my eye upon any one
who I should say without hesitation was qualified to furnish us with
a good tragedy, excepting only my friend Banim and countryman
Knowles. They decidedly stand best on the stage at present. Kean
is going off to America ; and Macready, I understand, speaks of enter-
ing the Church, but I should be sorry for it. This I have only just
beard said, and know not whether it be quiz or earnest; but it is
widely reported. Have you seen any more of Shell's work ? I think
his last piece, * The Huguenot,' a very indifferent one; and the public
thought so too, for they damned it three nights. For us poor devils
who love the drama well and are not so confident in other branches
of that most toilsome and thankless of ull professions, authorship, we
must only be content to wade through thick and thin and make our
goal as soon as we may. This sawdust and water work will pass
away, like everything else, and then perchance the poor half-drowned
muse of the buskin may be permitted to lift her head above the flood
once more. I have got a sneaking kind of reputation," the lad goes
on, " as a poet among my acx^uaintances." In fact, the circle among
which his handsome young face and slim boyish figure began to be
known had already gained a hint of the boy's genius, and any one less
sensitive than he would have availed himself of the advances of
friendship which were certainly mtiile him at the time, but which he
completely overlooked, doubtless because he was, as his companions
later averred, utterly devoid of vanity, and while he was making clever
criticisms on everything he saw and heard about him he seems to have
had no idea of the effect which he produced himself.
Not being able to compete with the " sawdust and water work"
style of drama, GrifBn began about this time to turn his entire atten-
tion to writing for reviews or magazines ; but some idea may be given
THE AUTHOR OF - THE nOLLEGIANS." ^^
dJh ZT'fU ""'•''^^ '^™" °^ *'•« J""'-"^!^ Of the day were con-
ducted by the following extract from a letter to his mnt\Lr u t I
about writing," he saysf" for various week^puWic^ ion Xof whict
except the LUera^-y QazeUe, cheated me a Jufnabir F uSing^
a^lv insT2l .rr \'^' ^r' '"«^^'"^- My articles we?e g ner-
ally inserted, but on calling for payment there was so much shufflJn..
and shabby work that it dise-ustpil m^" H„ .] i^ i l- 77 "^
anotiier lett'er against the chaTof^wrTt^iig f^r the rt:^:e Zof /"
correspondent ,eems to think immoral. '^ thought^^he savs «^^
have set your mind at rest upon the question Jthe dmma f,' this
etter, but I have scarcely room for my arguments Gi^e mo Invl
ho^yever, to say that when a humble individuToServ^ a Zal7"i
h s nTk"'^''^; "; ' '''' "^!"""^' ^'''^ ^ «»»"«t s^ TnytringTongTn
his making whatever exertions he can to use an efficient means fn «
number of people fr„„ doi-lg TZ"^ Z:'^\jZrS7:ll
op,n „„ not bad y spent. ... At the time »hen the C Jre annehS
buttt'^eSb^i''^ ^'^ ""-^ -tainly deserving of ~
among other things transiting an entire boolc for two I,L k^i
do,ng very little dmmatio worl. " Ye^leHay," he .^Js "Tha™
say peltry, I have a c«ns4nce as well a" anSr man.'?'""'' ' ''"° '
JJut this sort of work no longer had its charms for him and "O!
^istance Griffin would accept was an introduction to a ouhlishpr S
whom, however, he wrote under an assumed name" bavins Km^ J
m<Bt morbid about presenting himself peisonally ti eithw an^iTor „,
DonnK^T- tr''"^ »'■ '^^ "■"'^ '«*«■•. when at he hcLb^ rf h°s
Rtr/r?lr/!l'L™?^ <■« -y^'I - l.a«"y deiXto'vo'u
ency,- foV I wasVorkTng ha'-^i'lTl ."JZZ:^ ^f P'-'^PO""-
receiving money for thilabor'of thiTr^^Furb:',;' 'iS ZZ
see a face that I knew; and, after sitting writing all dayTwhel I
400
THE AUTHOR OF *' THE COLLEOIANS."
ii I
walked in the streets in the evening it actually seomed to me as if I
was of a different species altogether from the people about me. 1 he-
fact was, from pure anxiety alone 1 was more than half dea<l.
He deemed himself fortunate in securing a position on a well-
known magazine at a guinea a week, he giving six hours a day to re-
views of all sorts, essays on topics of the day, m fact, as he says him-
self five hundred different subjects, written under as many signatures ;
and outside of this he worked for other journals, ind begafi his first
series of tales,—" Holland Tide, or Tales of the Munster Festivals.'
Later he is in receipt of two pounds a week from an editor who is
extremely anxious to discover the real name of the author of certain
sparkling papers on questions of the duy, which, in spite of the young
man's anxieties, were brimming over with good-humored sarcasm, fun,
and piquant criticism. " The editor," he writes, " sends my money to
my address every week bv a livery servant, who never says a word, but
slips the note in, touches his lips, and— mum ! presto !— off he is. All
very romantic, isn't it ?" Later the editor himself arrived, determined
to penetrate the mvstery of his contributor's name,— " a tall, stout fel-
low with moustachio'd lip and braided coat." This gentleman speedily
carries the young author off to his isuperb country place, where, after
many social attentions, he makes a bargain with him for we dare not
think how much work at a hundre<l pounds a year,— this, however, t»
be only paid him according to the amount of work he was able to fanish
weekly. When we reflect that young Griffin's work on this one maga-
zine alone was to include poetry, fiction, criticism, essay-writing, para-
eraphs, and " anything which the editor required and which did not
violate principle and sense of right," there seems almost a pathos in
the fact that the lad could regard it as so brilliant a stroke of fortune
and rejoice in that "his luck" was turning. His work was copied
widely. Had it been written to-day it would have placed hi ra among
the foremost of magazine contributors. As it was, the periodical for
which he wrote received all the credit of the work done by the editor^s
voung assistant, and he seems to have had not the leMt idea that he
might have grown suddenly into fame. Certainly Gerald Griffins
work at that date was superior to much that was being done about him,
and " having," he finds, " some hours to spare in the twenty-four not
appropriated to his regular position, he, to use his own expression,
"sold them to a publisher for five dollars a week, writing steadily from
nine o'clock until three in the afternoon," the publisher encouraging
him with a prospect of half as much again at the end of a certain
period of time ! The ludicrous side of it all began to appeal to him
very forcibly. He speaks a little wistfully of his high-hearted hopes
on arriving in London, and now, he says, in writing to his sister,
" you may perceive that I am putting myself in train for Warren s
Jet Blacking,'" which in 1825 required a special sort of advertisement.
Keats's death about this time affected him powerfully, tliere having
been a common bond of sympathy betweeu the two youn^ nicu, arm
Gerald recognized a certain similarity in their tastes and feelings, and
perhaps it was with a view to spare himself from the lash of merciless
criticism that 3 so long preserved his incognito. Keats's young sister
1I ',
as if I
!. The-
a well-
y to re-
y9 hini-
latures ;
Ills first
jtivals."
who is
certain
e young
sm, fun,
loney to
ord, but
is. All
erniined
tout fel-
speedily
ire, after
lare not
(rever, to
to finish
le raaga-
ig, para-
did not
tathos in
fortune
s copied
n among
dical for
e editor's
I that he
GrifBn*«
)out him,
four" not
cpression,
dily from
jouraging
a certain
al to him
ted hopes
lis sister,
Warren's
rtisement.
re having
iiicu, auu
lings, and
' merciless
►ung sister
THE AUTHOR OF "THE COLLEGIANS."
401
he knew well, and she told him that she had frequently found her
brother on suddenly entering his room seated with the notorious review
of his work in his hand, " reading as if he would devour it, —com-
pletely absorbed, absent, and drinking it in like mortal poison. Tlie
instant he observed her, however, he would throw it by and begin to
talk of some indifferent matter." From his conversations with his in-
timate friend Valentine Llanos, who was one of Keats's nearest and
closest friends, and who conversed with him three days before his death,
Griffin had not the least doubt that Gifford's malignant review killed
the poet. This same Llanos, who was on delightfully friendly and
social terms with many of the young men of the day, seems to have
exerted a beneficial effect over their minds, and Gerald was apt to grow
despondent when long away from him. However, the turn of luck
certainly had come. Applications were now made to him for comedies
and librettoes for the English Opera. He produced a play the name of
which is foi^otten, doubtless through his indifference on the subject,
although it was highly successful and the part of the heroine taken by
the famous Miss Kelly. About the same time he wrote an article in
the News proposing a new plan for the English Opera, making sugges-
tions for complete stage business, the management of the recitative, etc.
This attractecl a great deal of attention, and Griffin followed it up with
a complete essay on the Italian and English Opera, suggesting that the
latter might be made completely operatic, and giving specimens of the
sort of recitative which would be suitable. He made use of the signa-
ture of " G. Joseph," by which name only he was known to the man-
ager of the English Opera-House, Mr. Arnold ; but, in evidence of his
horror of having any one piece of work accepted or successful simply
on the merits of a former production, I may mention the fact that after
Arnold had accepted and produced with great success two or three
operettas written by him he sent a fourth manuscript under another
name, determined to discover just how much intrinsic merit lay in the
composition. His style, however, betrayed him at once to A mold, who
showed the manuscript to John Banim, asking him if he was not cer-
tain that Joseph was the author. Banim, who was then established as
reader for certain theatres, of course detected Griffin's ruse at once, but,
unfortunately, mistook its motive, fancying that his young friend had
taken a new nom de plune in order to avoid placing himself under the
least obligation to Arnold's reader; and this trifling circumstance pro-
duced a breach in their friendship which the younger man as well as the
older lived to deplore. All that we know of these operettas or come-
dies which he apparently wrote with such facility is that they were
highly successful at the time and performed by the best stock-com-
panies. In v/riting of his turn of fortune so far as theatrical matters
are concerned, he says, " It would have been very delightful a year
ago ; and even now I own I am not indifferent to it, though a great
deal if not all of the delicious illusicoi with which I used to envelop it
is lost ; but a better feeling has come in its place." He was suffering
Eainfully during this time from the weakness of the heaii to which I
ave alluded, and which obliged him to spend many wakeful nights,
while his publishers little dreamed of the tremendous tension put upon
/I
hM
''li
402
THE AUTHOR OF "THE COLLEGIANS."
L-t
hira by His literary work, which never flagged, except when, after, as he
88^8 himself, «' trying to brazen it out," he would break down suddenly
with attacks of complete prostration, increased doubtless by his intense
anxiety to be up and at work again. It was soon after one of these
that his brother, coming to London, found him working for ten men,
but delighted by the fact that he was making headway in all de'^ired
directions. His book was completed, and he rejoiced in receiving sev-
enty pounds for the entire manuscript and copyright.
The young author, flushed with what he felt at least would soon
mean success and relief from mere drudgery, returned to Ireland for
the first time in five years, and met a circle of friends in Dublin, with
whom he spent one gayly happy day, at the end of which he was met
by news that his favorite sister had died suddenly, the physicians sup-
posing her death to be the result of the long tension she had suffered
on his account and the too swift revulsion of feeling on hearing of his
success and his intended visit. The blow completely prostrated him
for a time; but on reaching Pallas Kenry, where his brother's family
resided, he determined to rouse the family circle from the depression
into which they had fallen : therefore the remembrance of that visit
lingered long in the minds of all who knew and loved hira.
Of this visit to Pallas Kenry his youngest sister writes to the
family in America, —
"Would you wish to view at a distance our domestic circle here?
William and I are generally first at the breakfast-table, when after a
httle time walks in Miss H , next Mr. Gerald, and last of all
Monsieur D — -.. After breakfast our two doctors go to their patients ;
Gerald takes his desk by the fireplace, and writes away, except when
he chooses to throw a pinch or a pull at the ringlets, cap, or frill of
the first lady next him, or gives us a stave of some old ballad. Our
doctors then come in at irregular hours, when the first question, if it is
early, is, ' Lucy, when shall we have dinner ? I am dying,' and if
late, 'Why did you wait so long?' After dinner, books, tea, and
sometimes a game at cards,— formerly chess ; but it is too studious for
Gerald as a recreation."
Many and laughable are the freaks recorded of him during this
visit, when the plot of " The Collegians" was working in his mind ;
but they are hard to reproduce, since, it is said, there was so much
more in his manner and inimitably ridiculous way of doing or saying
an amusing thing than in the mere fact or substance of the fun itself
So complete were his gayety and abandon at the time that non-literary
friends looking on were frequently disedified at the apparent light-
heartedness and possibly sohool-boy wit of the young man who had
written " Gisippus," and who was known to be engaged on a work of
a serious character.
It was during a siege of blinding fog in the November of 1828
• •-•v ^i,v3 ^.njix^-^iaits w»3 uuujpiuicti, young unmns spirits being
unusually fine, in spite of the depressing weather, for the work was so
much the result of inspiration that, as he said later, " it wrote itself."
But in every scene he regretted the fact that he was not preparing it
for the stage, his dramatic inclinations having been subdued only because
THE AUTHOR OF '* THE COLLEGIANS.'
403
of the necessity of earning his daily bread. " What I would Rive/' he
exclaimed to his brother one evening, " to see Edmund Kcaii in that
scene of Hardress Cregan at the i>arty just before his arrest, where he
IS endeavoring to do p()litene88 to the ladies while the horrid warnine
voice 18 in Ins ear ! Every movement of Kean's countenance in such a
scene as that would make one's nerves crwp. Every motion and atti-
tude ot his, his ghastly efforts at complaisance, and *his sulxlued sense
of impending rum, would be all-sufficient to keep an audience in a thrill
ot horror.
The main portion of the book was written before breakfast, as
during that meal there was nearly always a rap at the door and the
printer s boy appeare<l, demanding copy. Frequently the manuscript
would l)e handei forth without revision, the author simply letting his
pen fly onward, but declaring that he had no difficulty in keeping up
this strain of work. What annoyed him in the book, however, was
the impossibility of making Kyrle Daly more interesting than Hardress
Cregan Just listen to me 1" he exclaimed one day : " isn't it extraor-
dinarv how impossible it seems to write a perfect novel,— one that
aliiill be read with interest and yet be perfect as a moral work ? There
IS Kyrle Daly, full of high principle, prudent, amiable, and affection-
nnAr '""T'lVx"' '^Ti V^', ^'^ f'**"' P"'-'^'*'"' ^"' "^^^P'^g his passions
under control, thoughtful, kind-hearted, and charitable,— a character
m every way deserving our esteem. Hardress Cregan, his mother^s
Bpt)iled pet, nursed in the very lap of passion, and ruined by indul-
gence; not without good feelings, but forever abusing them : having
a lull sense of justice and honor, but shrinking like a craven from
their dictates; ol owing pleasure headlong, and eventually led into
crimes of the blackest dye by the total absence of self-control. Take
Kyrle Daly a character in what way you will, it is infinitely preferable •
yet I will venture to say nine out of ten of those who read the book
would prefer Hardress Ci-egan, just because he is a fellow of high
mettle,^ with a dash of talent about him."
" '{'l? Collegians" was published, and instantaneously accepted by
the public as the work of a genius. The leading men aid women of
the day read it with delight; the scene in which the death of the old
huntsman was depicted found its way into innumerable journals of the
time; while writers like Miss Edgeworth and society women like Lady
Al^rgan were anxious to lionize the new author; but in evidence of his
intense dislike to anything of the kind I may mention the fact that he
formal a close friendship at the time with an Italian gentleman of
rank, from whom he kept so as.siduo.isly the secret of his authorship
that It was only through Sir Philip Crampton's meeting them together
after several months of intimacy that the secret was Revealed. The
Ita lan upbraidet Griffin mercilessly for allowing him to hear so much
said of The Collegians" in society he 're^uented without having
the pleasure of knowiner that ...s fn'pnd wn« th^ anfh^- ^f fU^ i.„„i- ^
i.ite seemed about to smile upon the young author from every point
ot view, and his letters at this time brim over with contentment, fun.
and interest m the things about him. He writes to his sister Lucy as-
Buriug her that she may be content with her way of spending Lent, but
.»^i
404
'UiE AUTHOR OF "THE COLLEOIANS."
•jh
addH that he has been dancing quadrilles on a Monday evening and
meeting a mo8t charming girl indeed. " I will tell you how I might
give yon 8ome idea of her. If Eily O'Connor had l)ecn a gentlewoman
she would have l>een juHt such a one, I think, as Miss , the same
good nature, simplicity, and plnyfulness of oharaotcr, the same delicious
nationality of manner. Isn t this very modest talking of my heroine?
I have a great mind to put her into my next book ; and if I do I will
kill her, as sure an a gun, for it would be such a delightful pity. I
exult in the destruction of amiable jxjople, particularly in the slaughter
of handsome young ludies, for it makes one's third volume so interesting.
I have even hud a hankering wish to make a random blow at yourself;
and I think I will do it some day or other : so look to yourself, and
insure your life, I advise, for I think if well maiiai^ed you'd make a
very pretty catastrophe; but until I find occasion for killing you, my
dear Lucy, continue to love me." Soon after this an invitation reached
the young man from Mr. and Mrs. L , people of the highest culti-
vation, living with every possible comfort and ease in their own home
near Limerick. In accepting the cordially- worded request that he
should visit them, young QrifRn laid the foundation of one of the most
perfect friendships ever recorded in a literary life. Mrs. L was a
woman who had inherited from distinguished parents mental endow-
ments which were precisely what Griffin most needed in a companion
and friend. Henceforward she was the judge to whom he submitted
everything, the one whose keen perception no flight of his poetic fancy
could escape, and at the same time the critic who pronounced most care-
fully upon his defects, taking as vivid an interest in his improvement
as in his successes.
The success of " The Collegians" led to the writing of a number
of novels, essays, poems, etc., to the pleasantest of social associations,
and to all those pleasures which Griffin as a lad of eighteen facing the
world had longed to enjoy. Just how and when the idea of suddenly
renouncing them all and entering a religious order came to him his
biographer has not stated, but I may venture to quote the opinion given
me by Mr. Aubrey De Vere. He assured me that the leading idea in
Gerald Griffin's mind was that writing fiction was injurious to his own
standard of thought and feeling, and tnat his higher inspiration was for
a life devoted to charitable works. He began to criticise his own novels
unsparingly, declaring that he found in some of them tendencies which
he disapproved. He was nervous over this, anxious for the work even
of a missionary, but by no means either morbid or fantastiq in his views,
as some of his critics have averred. When he decided to join the
Christian Brotherhood to devote himself to a life of simple usefulness,
of teaching the poorer classes, and also of writing religious works, he was
in the calmest and serenest frame of mind. The call had reached him,
and it was not to be resisted or denied. One who lived in the same
order years later told me that those among the Christian Brothers who
among them. He had studied law, theology, and metaphysics ; he had
mingfed with the leading spirits of the day ; he bad talked philosophy
with the followers of Voltaire and Hume ; he had listened to every
THE AVTHOR OF "TJiE COLLEOIASS.'
405
my
iort of opinion that fl.mted through the Lon<l<m he called his home, and
l>e had ot late yeare Ixh^ii mot more than half- way by fame and ikk-u-
niar^ succejw. Thfre was no depression in his deeiMon, no sud<len phase
ot teelmg that there was a tremendous heroism or wcrifiw in the steu
he contemplattHl. It w,is as clearly a necessitv to him and the scheme
ot Jife and salvation he propostnl to himself" as if it had been a Saul
who listening to the voit« in the hojivens, answeie<l, *' My Lord and
ipy Go<l. Kyen his devoted tiiend Mrs. I. , >vho had lio sympathy
with his relimous beliefs, acknowledjfOil the sublime fitness of the life
he delil)erately chose for himself. Her regret at losing the comrade-
ship so dear to her was natural enough. He writes to her Uwing her
forgiveness for seeming cold, but not daring to express himself too
much at length. He speaks of their meeting often again ; but in i)oint
ot iact alter entering the Brotherhood he desirtnl that this should m>t
l>e the case. He threw himself ardently into the new work, and felt
that distractions from without were not wise. When his decision had
been reached, he visited Pallas Kenry for the last time. He had built
a Jittle house for himself in the garden there, which consiste<l of one
room, and to this he retired from time to time for religious meditation
and study, although at other times he was the same joyous, mischief-
oving member of the small home circle. He defende<l his purpose to
the friends who considered it fanatical by desiring them to reflect that
selt-sacrifice, self-denial, and mortifiaition are at all times admired in
the pursuit of ambition, worldly glory, or military renown, and yet let
them be undertaken for the sake of religion and, behold, they seem in-
tolerable and fantastic to one's friends. This being his 8i)irit, it is not
to be wondered at that he 8i)ent his last days at home joyously, in
spite of tlie regret he must have felt on severing personalassociations
torev^r. The day before his departure from home his brother went to
Gerald s room for a quiet talk before the family dinner. The door was
opened, and after a few moments' delay Dr. Griffin was admitted, to
hnd his brother standing in the middle of the room, his face pale ami
his eyes full of something which might have been the passion of remem-
brance or the last flame of merely worldly feeling. The fireplace was
filled with charred bits of paper, and in an instant the elder brother
knew what had been done. Every particle of unpublished manuscript
which lie had with him, but one, had been destroye<l; and this would
lave^hared he fate of the rest had not Dr. Griffin arrived in time to
Jay claim to Gerald smiled as his brother stretched out his hand
u- u 1*'"^^?^^"^'*'°.'^*'''''* ^'^^^^ boyish hopes had been built.—
which had been, as he considered, the saddest failure of his life, and
vet which he, with all his freedom from vanity, his diffidence about
himself, believed in to the day of his death. "Gisippus'* was saved
trom the flames, and twelve years after the author's death was produced
at l.rury Lane by Macready before the most brilliant of London audi-
ences, the queen attending the second reoresentation of th« nl«v ^r^A
commanding its continuance. Of his life'in religion there need" "here be
said only that it gave evidence of the same sensitive scrupulosity that
had distinguished his life in the world. Being naturally unpunotual.
he endeavored to make conformity to every rule of the house a matter
Vol. XLV. — 27
' rP
40«
OVR KSOLlsH COUSINS.
of pTftve duty. Hnving oominenocd a n lijrionH tnle, he one morning
was ill thfi midst of a 'ijtcnce, the word ' l)ey()nd" being under hiH |>on,
irH<»n the bell rang Rummoning him to the refectory. He at onoe re-
i.|Kjiid»i! to th« Hunimons, leavn\g ^he woni unfiniHlied. Never again
jj, was he t< pick up the jien that he Imd droppc<l. The name day he wjw
*^*i attacked with fever, and on Friday, the 12tn of June, 1839, he expired.
Thi're seems to l)e a (lurious irony and yet fitne«H in the oouree of fate
in certain livefl, and in the (««e of the author of "The Collegians" thia
is strikingly ap|>arent to those who recall his enthusiasm for the drama,
and his desire to l)e known as the producer of a play which, as he said,
should elevate the stage and provide gocwl where ill had b<M;n. At the
present day Gerald Griffin is best known as the author of the intensely
dramatic novel to which Mr. Boucicault has given a stage setting, and
'■V an having left a tragedy which when it was performed proved that
purity of o ntiment and diction, strong character-drawing, and intense
passion are not incompatible with the loftiest moral point of view.
Lucy C LiUie.
N
M.' ^
OUR ENGLISH COUSINS.
IT is great fun, to a man with a weakness for studying human nature,
to listen to the talk of returning tourists about our cousins across
the water. The two or three hundre<l live Americans who always may
be found on a big ocean " liner" approaching our shores may represent
all States of the Union and all circles of American society, they may
differ shockingly about religion, the tariff, dress, and the liquor ques-
ti': v., but they may be relied upon to agree almost unanimously that
the English are a queer, unsociable, rather unhappy people, who see no
goo<l in any other race or nation and very little in one nolher.
I used to know a rural philosojther — he was a Pt.i.isy'va'iia Ger-
man — who would explain all ditiierences of opinio . ' .. eraark,
" Veil, it is yoost as a man is raised. If he doii t ocen raised to
know anyding about some dings, how can he get 'em right ?" I often
feel J'ko using the same expression, changed only a little, to explain
the Tc' aken ideas that some Americans, who are not fools, have about
the E£;,^Hh T»eople. They have had no opportunities of knowing
English ',. .1 . f v'CT.ien ; they did not learn anything about them be-
fore gf'5'i-j .' re; ', and when they reached the mother-country they had
no mean*^^ o; <;e;ting acq ; sittxl: so they had to depend upon impres-
sions of those with whom they chanced to come in contact. English-
men as scantily equipped who have often come to America, roamed
about aimlessly for a week or a month, and then gone back home and
printed books or letters about us, have occasioned indignant howls
from Americans who happened to read their lucubrations ; but how do
the offending Britishers differ from the oi'dinary Araericiin tourist who
airs his opinions of our cousins across the water ?
Having already admitted that our people who go abroad are not
OVR a.SOUSH COVSINS,
407
fool« and knowing that ., one hates more than the American to
blunder about auythm>r, I a.4i)unu- to net my Hmall srif up as ft tea.her
for a few momentH, and toll sometl. ^g truthful about tl.«! English
In the first place, you cnn't study a great jK^ople correctly horn the
top ol an omnd>UH or the window of a cab. Neither can you V't a goo«l
idea of them by 8|)cnding all yoiir time in theatres, hotels, ,.| eating-
h. uses, and wh-mih the sights. That is the way ti.urlsta usually try to
do ,t ; but they would learn nearly as much by sitting by their fire-
tides at home and re:.dii.f< the advertising pages of an English news-
paper. I shouldn't think much of an Englishraai. who would study
us in any such stupid fashion. ^
To see people at their best you must have some acquaintance with
them ; Init of the thousands of tourists whom I haveseert on their way
home, not one m twenty had a single friend or acqumntanc*^ in the
mother-country. Most of them were not to blame for (hih i\^v English-
men are scarce in America, so letters of introduction to Britons of any
class are not easy to get, except in large cities. The rural Britisher is
a big-hearted fellow, as easy to get acquainted with as hi. cousin the
American farmer ; but our tourists seldom go into the rui. ' <listricts:
they imagine that London and a few "show" places com iin all of
England worth seeing It isn't easy, though, to " scrape aai,. lintanco"
with a Londoner, and I can't see how he differs in this respeci from an
inhabitant of New York, Philadelphia, or Chicago. I profesn to be a
gowl-natured fellow myself, and willing to unload all I know on any
one who shows any longing for it, but I do expect that the r 'cipient
will first haye himself properly intnxlucetl. On the other han> I, it has
never occurred to me that some of my distinguished fellow-citi *>ns of
the metropolis are stupid or inhospitable simply because I have 't the
honor of their acquaintance and am obliged to judge them o ly by
their outward appearance. For instance, a prominent banker inder
whose hospitable mahogany I sometimes swing my legs is the most
dehghtful fellow in the world to his intimates, but in the street, o the
cars, or in his office, he is sober, sharp, and reserved. Why shot, in't
he be? Do any of us wear our hearts on our sleeves before stranr re?
Not unless we are fair game for confidence-men. Now, to the tmvel-
ling American all Englishmen are strangers, and act accordingly. If
they hnd themselves stared at curiously, and look suspicious, or sullen,
or indignant in n ply, what wonder ? What would you do, genial a id
great-hearted American reader, if an Englishman visiting this count t
were to stare curiously at you in the street, at your office, in the rts-
taurant, or at the theatre ? Unless you are better-natured and weaker-
muulcd than I you would be enough provoked to look cross and let
him understand that you tl. night him an im|>ertinent nuisance.
1 don t profess to be anybody in particular, nor to have anything
about me that should make people kinder to me than to anybody else.
pleasant a lot that I don't hesitate to pay them the highest compliment
in the world, which is that they are remarkably like Americans. Some
ot their customs differ from oure, but that is entirely their own affair.
In almost everything that makes men and women interesting in them-
408
OUR ENGLISH COUSINS.
selves and pleasing to their fellow-beings they are worth knowing and
remembering. I am not speaking of the aristocratic classes only, but
of all classes with whom Amerit.'an tourists would cure to associate.
Each stage of a people's development has its sj)ecial ear-marks, and it
seems to me that the better class of English, having got beyond the
time when they had to fight for their lives and their rights, clear their
forests and drain their bogs, and worry about having a roof over their
heads and keeping the wolf from the door, have reached a period in
which courtesy seems their special study and delight. In my earlier
days abroad I imagined that I was being treated with sjiecial consider-
ation, probably because of the letters of introduction I was careful to
obtain before starting ; but I learned in time that I fared no better
than those about me. Good manners and thoughtful kindness was the
rale ; rudeness — even rough, good-natured " off-handed ness" — was the
exception.
I learned also that the English have acquired the virtue of deHl)er-
ation, and never are in a hurry or fret. It is not necessary for me to
inform the reader that England is the greatest business nation in the
world ; yet all the business is conducted in a quiet, leisurely way that
seems to an American like child's play, but is dead earnest all the same.
Your English banker will be found in some little building not at all
like an American bank, and with very few clerks in sight. Nobody
rushes breathlessly in or out ; yet the amount of business transacted
daily in that dingy little building is enormous.
Instead of being glum and unhappy, as most of our tourists
imagine them, the English give more time and attention to their enjoy-
ments than any other respectable people in the world. They do not
crave excitement, like some Americans ; but genuine enjoyment — rest
for the body, and gratification for the eye, ear, and palate — they do love,
and they spare no efforts to obtain it. Because they do not go wild
over good work at the opera or theatre, and make a noise with their
hands and feet. Englishmen are supposed by Americans to be unap-
preciative or listless 5 but they are nothing of the kind, as you will
find out for yourself if you sit beside one whom you know and talk
with him between the acts. When judging an Englishman by his ap-
pearance and manner in a crowd, don't forget the old saying, " Still
waters run deep."
The English are the most hospitable people alive ; at any rate, they
are as hospitable as the best Americans. An Englishman does not take
all his acquaintances to his house, to smoke in the parlor and break for
an evening the privacy of his family circle. He distinguishes sharply
between acquaintances and friends, — a habit which Americans can afford
to copy, — but he will take both to his club rather than disturb his
family by taking home some man whom he likes, but who he knows will
not seem interesting to the wife and the grown-up children. When he
etiiei'iaius, however, he does it in large-hearted style ; he does not think
his whole duty done when he gives a great party, invites everybody he
knows, and fills his house so full that nobody can get through the
crowd to see anybody else. He keeps " open house" if his means allow :
to build a big liouse, furnish it elegantly, and then live in solitary
OUR ENGLISH CO US J AS.
409
grandeur, as some Americans tlo, would never suit the well-bred Eng-
lishman who has any money. He is ceaseless in his endeavors to
have something " going on," and any excuse is sufficient ; it may be
only a musiccUe or a recitation, but he jumps at the chance, not so much
for what the artists may do as to bring his friends together and enter-
tain tliem. I have driven in spring and summer through some of the
most delightful suburbs of great American cities and seen one tine place
after another as quiet as if nobody live<i there ; in similar suburbs of
London there would be a succession of parties playing tennis, croquet,
or some other out-door game, and people constantly coming and going.
The English hate the word " communist" as badly as my friend Colo-
nel Robert Ingersoll hates the name of the Satanic majegty who he says
doesn't exist, but nevertheless they seem to be full of the better com-
munistic principle which causes a man to make the most of his money
for the good of his fellow-man.
Another ridiculous American notion about the English is that they
dislike Americans. This is worse than a mistaken notion : it is an un-
pardonable slander. The many American girls who have married Eng-
lishmen are highly popular in London society, and no decent American
living in London is ever heard to complain of his treatment by the
natives. Americans who visit England with letters of introduction to
members of clubs or any circle of society are never allowed to feel not
at home : " I know how 'tis myself." Intelligent Englishmen are as
sympathetic and open-hearted as any people alive ; if they were not,
they could not have descended from the forefathers of their country and
ours. They treat an American as if he were one of themselves, and
not like a foreigner at all. They do not allude to the days of '76, or
the tariff, or any other subject that might be annoying, but act just as
if they thought he had come over for a rest and a change and they were
going to help him along as much as they could. Some of them do ask
a good many questions about America, but they don't do it offensively,
and nearly all whom I've met have shown a real cousinly admiration
for a good many things peculiar to this country. Of one thing I am
very sure : the English admire us far more than they do any other
people, although they have plenty of blood-relations, on the royal side,
sprinkled about in Europe.
Frenchmen and Germans who come to this country say that anything
is an excuse for a dinner here. Any one who goes about among the Eng-
lish'people a little while is sure to learn how we came by this peculiarity.
I have not been much in France and Germany, but, according to books
written by men and women who have spent a great deal of time in
those countries, hospitality stops, as a rule, at the dining-room door.
There is no meanness about it : it is merely the national custom. But in
England it is the rule to eat and drink ; it is almost impossible to find
an hour of the day at which you can go to an Englishman's house
without being asked to refresh the inner man. It isn't a formal invi-
M
XTLT rx.x.'L.xttxx:
4-r\t\ ■fi-wvrl on/l nnrtA ^\in
tea are brought in and set on a little table rolled up in front of yea
before you have time to say you've just breakfasted, or are on your
way to lunch or dine somewhere else. A lot of good fellows I know in
-n
A
. 1 1
410
OUR ENGLISH COUSINS.
London seem to give up most of their time to finding some one to
breakfast or lunch or dine with them. Suppose you want a general
look at the lower middle class and upper lower class and take a railroad-
trip in a third-class car, which is one place in England where you can
safely speak to a man to whom you haven't been introduced. You sit
down by a man who looks like a farmer, and begin to cliat with him :
within five minutes he will take from paper or box or basket a great
pasty, or some boiled fowl, or meat and bread, and insist on your join-
ing him. He always has t -ice as much as any one man can eat, and
he meant to have twice as much when he started, so he could invite
somebody to lunch with him.
Before I had been abroad at all I heard a great deal about " English
airs :" so when I reached the old country I began to look for them. I
didn't find them; and, although I have been over several times I
haven't found them yet. I stopped looking for them long ago, and
I've relieved my mind to the fellows who told me about them. There
are upstarts and pretenders and toadies in England, and they ape their
betters ; I think I have seen something of the kind on this side of th«5
water, too. But there's no such nonsense among Englishmen who are
sure of their position, be it high or low. It has been my fortune to see
a great many Englishmen of title and position, though I've been only a
sort of " mouse in the corner," and I don't know a more mild-mannered
unassuming set anywhere, not even in the United States. It is English
custom not to introduce people who have not expressed a desire to know
one another, but, on the other hand, there is the pleasant custom of
speaking to any one whom you chance to meet in the house of a friend.
As I am a restless sort of fellow, and quite fond of a chat, I used to
avail myself of this privilege, and never was snubbed, but always met
half-way. Occasionally I was paralyzed, afterwards, to learn that I
had been acting in hail-fellow-well-met style with some i>erson of con-
sequence. Once it was the Duke of Teck, who is as near the throne as
any one can be ; but he was as affable as an old acquaintance, and it did
not occur to him that he was being condescending, or anything of that
sort, in chatting half an hour with a little stranger from America. Of
course there are in England, as there are over here, a set of new-rich
people who are trying to push their way upward, and if they have not
the necessary amount of manners and intelligence they find themselves
awfully snubbed. When the Englishman needs to be cool and distant,
he can do it magnificently ; but who that has had bores, parasites, and
vulgar people try to attach themselves to him doesn't honor the English-
man for it ?
In short, our English cousins are the nicest lot of people to be found
anywhere outside of the United States, and it is a great pity that they
are so far away that all of us cannot know them better. They differ
from us no more than New England from the Pacific coast or the North
from the South. Under the customs and manners which their own life
has developed are the same big heart, good nature^ kind sinirit. hnsnitslit"
and energy that have made Americans all they are. Don't abuse them!
dear reader or tourist, until you know them, and don't try to go among
them until you can be introduced to two or three of them, either by
IDOL AFFECTIONS.
411
friends already there or by letters from friends here. If your company
is worth as much as your room, you will have all the attention and con-
sideration you want, and unless you fall into the too common faults of
criticising them in their presence, flaunting the Stars and Strii>es in their
faces, and making the American Eagle scream himself hoarse in their
ears, you will have nothing to regret and nothing to find fault with.
Try it, and see if I am not right.
Marshall F. Wilder.
m
and
IDOL AFFECTIONS.
INSCRIBED TO BOBEBX BBOWNINa.
Our idols are our exeoutionera. — Amikl. ""
Qod's oare be God's. — Browhinq.
THERE is no day of all my years whereon
I could not darken every sunniest hour
With memories of my life that was, before
God drew our distant paths near and morg near.
I know the Hand which broke before my face
The idols I had wrought from clay and clothed
In golden raiment, then within my heart
Installed, as on an altar-shrine, to fall
And crush me where I knelt, — more merciless
Than mediaeval priests who racked the saints.
Yet spared their tortured frames when strength waxed low.
Ah, then I thought my heart a sepulchre,
Where only weeds and noisome things would dwell,
In which no ray could ever shine again !
Unto this place of graves thou didst not scorn
To come, dear friend, bringing a jewelled lamp
To hang above the empty shrine, and flash
Its beams where now for weeds lie flowers which gained
Their birth and growth in gardens of the soul.
Like incense doth their perfume rise, by day
And night, to heaven, as rise my prayers to God
In thanks for such a matchless gift as thine, —
Renewed like amaranth blooms as seasons roll.
What can I do but trust the Hand which worked
Such marvels for me when I prayed for death ?
" God's care be God's :" I wait upon His will
To lift all shadows from my life that shines.
\jruu 3 ixtru u'j \jruu s : X li leavB to iiim Ilia task,
And, trusting in His love, forget to ask.
o « . . ,„„„ <^*'« Bloomfield- Moore.
8A1I0T MoBiTz, August, 1887.
412
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ''ELIXIR OF LIFE.'
■•'{ ;
'r i
^h,
!
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S "ELIXIR OF LIFE."
HOW HAWTHORNE WROTE.
III.
["D EADERS of the preceding two articles have made some acquaint-
Xi» ance with the youth Septimius, the gloomy-browed and ques-
tioning student of divinity and searcher after strange knowledge ; with
the mixture in his blood of the Puritan and the Indian, ever struggling
with each other, and giving him no peace. They have had glimpses
of the legends concerning his ancestry, — of the shadow of witchcraft
that hung over it, of its former wealth and distinction in England ;
and they have tasted, as it were, of the mysterious herb-drink, rumored
to possess life-giving qualities, though the source of it was more than
suspected to be infernal. They have noted Septimius's singular per-
made to die, but that the means
suasion
that
man was not original!'
exist around us (did we but know how tc use them) to prolong physical
life indefinitely ; and they have seen how he seemed to be supported in
this contention, not only by the alleged virtues of his aunt Nashoba's
beverage, but by the vague hints as to a life-elixir let fall by the dying
oflScer whom he slew, and who was found to be the last of the English
branch of that race of which Septimius was the latest American repre-
sentative. They have assisted at the discovery by Aunt Nashoba, in
the dead youth's bosom, of a packet of documents which, it is insinu-
ated, may contain that very recipe for a Drink of Immortality which
Septimius had believed or hope<l could be produced. Incidentally,
they have gained some knowledge of Septimius's environment, — of his
lonely house and hill-top, of his pretty step-sister Rose, of his friend
the minister, of the sturdy yeoman Robert, and of Aunt Nashoba her-
self, who stands out in vivid colors from the rest. We are now to
learn what use Septimius made of the packet, and in what manner the
progress of his researches towards the end that he had at heart was
helped and hindered by persons and events.
But in this tale of "The Elixir of Life," as in "Septimius," the
active element is subordinate, and the speculative and meditative prevail.
Even the characters are of less import than is the central idea round
which they are grouped and in which they all become involved. It is
a story whicli we must look into, not at; a criticism of life, not a
portrayal of life itself. Whea we give to a group of persons a single
controlling and absorbing interest, we come inevitably to regard them
as practically but varying exponents of that interest : we study them
less for their own sake as individuals than for the light which their
diverse characters may throw upon the overruling theme. They be-
come, in short, but a means to an end,— the end in this instance being an
elucidation of the causes and objects of man's existence. Tom, Dick,
and Harry, Jack and Jill, are of consequence to this problem only in
80 far as they may specifically contribute towards its general solution.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S '^ELIXIR OF LIFE.
413
IFE."
acquaint-
nd ques-
ge; with
truggling
glimpses
i^itchcraft
England ;
rumore<l
lore than
ular per-
le means
physical
ported in
^ashoba's
;he dying
! English
an repre-
shoba, in
is insinu-
ty which
[dentally,
, — of his
lis friend
loba her-
e now to
inner the
leart was
lius," the
e prevail.
Ba round
d. It is
fe, not a
; a single
ard them
idy them
ich their
rhey be-
being an
m, Dick,
I only in
olutioD.
We are not to expect, therefore, in this story a rapid and exciting
succession of episodes, but, rather, a slow and rich growth, gradually
shaping itself to a symmetrical result. The beauties are to be found
not 80 much in the accessories and excrescences of the creation as in
the substance itself of it : as the glory of the mahogany-tree is to be
sought not in its boughs and foliage, but in the deep hues and veinings
of its interior structure. The interest of such a stpry is effective and
lasting ; whereas that of the tale of incident is transitory, however
engaging for the moment. The latter penetrates no further than to the
external memory; the former sends its influence into the soul, a:i<l
there generates new thought.
Hawthorne, however, never suffered anything to leave his work-
shop with less than his last perfecting touch upon it; and the masterly
modelling of the figures in " The DoUiver Romance" shows that he
was far from intending to magnify his central idea at the expense of
his characters : he would finish the latter with his utmost skill, while
not the less keeping them so disposed as not to shut out the effect
which he paramountly desired to produce on the reader. We see this
in"Dolliver," which received his final revision; but in the prelimi-
nary studies (of which "The Elixir of Life" is one) it is not true to
the same extent. For in these studies he was aiming to secure his
grasp of the central idea first of all : until he was sure of that, he
could not cast the characters in their perfected form. They are all, in
a greater or less degree, tentative, experimental, and exaggerated : some
(like Rose and the minister) are too faint; others, like Aunt Nashoba,
are emphasized beyond the prevailing tone of the picture ; some, per-
haps, he would altogether have eliminate<l ; and he might have found
it expedient to introduce new ones not foreshadowed here. Nothing is
settled, in fact, except the general tenor of the argument; and it is
because there were so many possible arrangements of detail that he
fouuJ the latter so hard to fix in their ultimate places.
Meanwhile, as we have already observed, it is just because the pre-
liminary studies are not perfect that they are available for our present
purpose. Were they as finished as is " The Scarlet Letter" or (so far as
It goes) the " Dolliver" fragment, they would tell us nothing of how
Hawthorne worked ; but, being experiments merely, we can^'measure
the bent and the calibre of his mind by the difference in direction
and attainment between them and the finished product. Knowing
what his music is, we can divine from these first rude and unordered
sounds how he would beat his music out. And it must heighten, not
diminish, our estimate of his genius to know that it was the kind of
genius that fights to the bitter end the good fight, and not the kind of
genius (if there be such a kind) that moves in the air and effects its
results by a sort of immaculate conception.
Before resuming the direct quotations from the manuscript, I will
summarize that part of the narrative that immpdinfplv fnllnwo thp
death of Francis Norton.]
While Septimius was sitting in his study, meditating gloomily over the
tragedy, hts step-sister Rose entered, and, seeing the sword and fusil and "the
other spoils of war, she recognized them as having belonged to the young officer
f'
414
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S *' ELIXIR OF LIFE.'*
i 1
and asked Septimiua whether he had slain him. Septimius admitted it, and
justified his action. " Is not the country mine to fight for?" he asked. " You
sent Robert to the fight, with prayers for his success; and why not me as well?"
Rose acquiesced, though sadly, and then went on to express her anxiety as to
Robert's fate. Partly moved by her solicitude, and partly by the feverish-
ness that this strange day had left in him, Septimius proposed to go in quest
of him; "and indeed there was a quiet, solemn influence in Rose, a sort of
domest'.c influence, that he had often felt, and that made him wish to escape her
when he had anything wild in his mind. So he set forth, and travelled in the
dust over the road where the battle had rolled, espying now and then a dead
man lying in the dust, now the smoking ruin of a house, till in the twilight he
beheld Robert approaching, weary, with blood on his face, and an English
tower-musket on his shoulder. Both of these young men had taken a human
life."
* Robert related his adventures in the battle, but did not seem at all disturbed
by the deed he had done; for " there are some natures that blood rolls off of,
without staining it,— healthy, wholesome natures; others into which it sinks,
as it were, and makes an indelible stain. Warriors should be of the former
variety, and then their trade does them no moral injury. The mixture of
race (as in Septimius) seems to be a crime against nature, and therefore per-
nicious."
At this point the author— partly, no doubt, in order to settle the matter in
his own mind— proceeds to tell at some length the history of Septimius'a ancestry.
In so doing, he admits a large intermixture of legendary matter, observing that
such gossip clusters round old truths, like gray lichens or moss, having its roots
in what is true, and if ruthlessly separated, there remains only something very
unpicturesqne,— sapless ; and that it is these fanciful things, th&se lichens and
natural growth over dull truth, which, after all, constitute its value, as spring-
ing from whatever is rich and racy in it, and being a distillation from its heart,
oozing out and clustering in a sort of beauty on the outside.
It seems, then, that the first ancestor of the Nortons in America was a per-
sonage enveloped in a sort of mysterious, heroic atmosphere. He was the very
first white man to arrive in New England, just before the advent of the Pilgrims.
And when the latter came, tbey heard reports of a certain powerful sachem,
ruling over a wide extent of territory with a strangely intelligent sway. He
showed, however, no desire to civilize his people, but only to improve, on its
own plane, their savage life,— to keep them children of nature, but to expand
and beautify their life within its own laws. This wise sagamore had also the
reputation of being a wizard, able to raise tempests and to hold conclaves of
demons, and was the source of the witchcraft that afterwards overspread the
country ; and the first settlers never heard the roar of the blast, at midnight,
among the pine-trees, without shuddering at the thought that now Wachu-
sett and his weird followers were sweeping through the air to their place of
meeting.
The sagamore, at all events, was an inveterate enemy of the English, hating
them with more than an Indian hatred, defending his forest kingdom against
them, and annihilating their settlements. Meanwhile, he succeeded in recon-
ciling the internecine feuds of his own people, and bound together the hitherto
mutually hostile tribes into one great people. Among other attributes, he was
said to possess a divine gift of healing, a knowledge of the roots and herbs of
the forest, by means of which he could extract from them at his pleasure the
deadliest poison or a medicine that could add years to the life of frail humanity.
It was even asserted that he had by its means endowed himself with miraculous
length of days, and lived for unknown years, never changing, never wrinkling,
never a hair growing white. The tradition ran that he had si'idenly api)eared
among the Indians, none knew whence, but with such m<'j:ijty and wisdom that
they accepted him as a direct messenger from the Great Spirit.
It is uol surprising, however, that the Puritans failed to appreciate his good
qualities; and, being unable to capture and convert him, they resolved to slay
him. Accordingly, they watched their chance, fell by surprise upon the wigwam
of the .Prophet, and killed him, his wife, children, and household. But when
they examined the dead body they found it to be that of a man of European
; 1'^
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S *' ELIXIR OF LIFE.
416
birth; and among the spoils were articles evidently brought from beyond the
sea, showing that their owner must have originally been familiar with civilized
state and luxury: though why he had given them up and betaken himself to
the savage lite, was a matter concerning which there were no grounds for con-
jocturc*
One infant only escaped from the massacre, and was adopted by the victors
though It was said that the dusky mother had been the daughter of a family
that traced its origin, not remotely, from the Principle of Evil. Nevertheless
the child was baptized and brought up in the Christian faith ; and because
among the plunder of the wigwam was found a small coffer curiously ornamented
and strengthened with steel and bearing the arms of the English Nortons this
name was given to the half-breed baby. A beautiful crystal goblet was' also
found, and was said to have been preserved even to the epoch of our story
Buraor went that it had been u«ed as the sacramental cup at a witch-communion
and was supernaturally fortifie<^ against fracture.
c .J"^? bovgrew up idle and incapable, caring only for hunting, and neRlijrent
of the fertile tract, beneath the hill on which his father's wigwam had stood
whica had been allotted him as his portion. Instead of building a house he
dug out a cave in the hillside. He betrayed a fatal fondness for strong drink •
in short, he was a credit to neither side of his ancestry. Finally, he was lost in
a great snow-storm, and his body was found only in the ensuing spring
^u Worthless though he was, he had been comely in his youth, and had won
the hand of a pretty maiden, the daughter of one of the settlers. From this
union sprang a son and a daughter, both persons of marked force, though widely
different from each other. The boy was given a good education, and became a
scholar of the first rank : he entered the ministry and reached the highest pin-
nacle of fame as a preacher. Great as was his influence, however, there were
malign whispers about him, to the effect that he was not yet purged of the
Satanic strain of his forefathers. A tree, from beneath which he had launched
a curse, was blasted, and never brought forth a leaf again ; the power of his
preaching was but a diabolical art taught him by Satan ; he had slaughtered
and scalped an Indian in King Philip's War; and in the latter part of his life
he had tried to found a new sect, and had been excommunicated. There were
stones, too, of his having inherited his father's craving for strong drink; that
his wife, once beautiful, drooped and became a miserable woman, and on her
death-bed shrunk from her husband's parting kiss ; besides other tales, most of
them doubtless colored by the jealousy and malevolence of his brethren.
As for the sister of this man, she was condemned and executed for witch-
craft, and her brother, in preaching her funeral sermon, approved the sentence of
execution, and related incidents to confirm its justice. Yet there was probably
nothing worse in her than a survival of the Indian aspect and character. The
secret ot the mysterious herb-drink was said to have been retained in the family
and It was added that the clergyman's wife had died of drinking it in an im-
mature stage of decoction.
Thus we may understand how it was that Septimius, the latest offspring of
this strange family, should, in spite of his good sense and education, be liable to
devote himself to the pursuit of an object which we choose to pronounce un-
attainable. But natural science, at that age, was able to aflirm no such denial •
and Septimius might be excused, therefore, for at least believing that human life
had been shortened by man's neglect, whether the difference were one of ten
years or of ten centuries.
The father of Septimius, it may be remarked, had married a second time a
widow with a daughter. Rose, who had thus become Septimius's step-sister. She
was like a flower transplanted from a softer and sweeter soil ; but she never quite
amalgamated with Septimius and Aunt Nashoba. She lacked the strain of wild-
ness and incompatibleness that ran in their blood, and instinctively brought a
standard of ordinary judgment to bear upon Septimius's ideas. But sHp. k«nt
pace with him to some extent in his studi^, and was able, by teaching school to
earn the bread she ate. Septimius loved her, but was shy of her, feeling tha't a
full communion with her would be like opening the dark and musty chambers
of his heart, letting the air and sunshine into them, and so putting to flight the
ghosts and weird fancies that haunted them. Septimius's mind iastinctively
\ I' I
416
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ''ELIXIR OF LIFE.'*
^'■i
shrank from letting her clear, pure influence enter into it ; as mystic plants bi(l«
themselves from the light of day.
Septimius, the day after the battle, in compliance with the winh of Francis
Norton, wrote a letter to the lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, mentioning his
death and burial, and giving an inventory of the property found in his posses-
sion. But he omitted to allude to the parchment envelope, telling himself that
this had formed no part of Norton's intended legacy to the world. He had not
as yet broken the seal ; but he felt a dark, gnawing curiosity to know its contents.
What fateful secret was hidden there? Even if he were to bury it in Norton's
grave, would it not be disinterred years hence, and issue forth like a pestilence?
or, were be to burn it, might not the same portent happen as in the case of an
ancestor of his, who used to communicate with Satan oy tossing little scraps of
writing into his household fire, and a great dusky hand would clutch the missive,
and be withdrawn, vanishing into the intensest neat? The truth was, Septimiua
had resolved to open the packet, and did but amuse his conscience with the^e
suggestions.
The young man felt no horror of the grave upon the hill-top which he had
dug and filled : indeed, he fancied a providential dispensation in the strange
chance that bad brought himself and his English kinsman together and de-
livered the packet into his hands. He soon resumed his walks along the ridge,
therefore; and one day, looking down thence, he saw Rose and Robert talking
together, in a manner that indicated a more than ordinary tenderness between
them. A kind of jealousy of Robert entered into his heart, — a cold, shivering
sense that this union would estrange them from himself, leaving him to wander
away farther and farther into the remote wilderness of speculations, desolate and
horrible if they came to naught, perhaps only the more so if they were realized.
He became conscious of something to be guarded against in hiniHelf, and felt as
if this sister, whom he was now about to lose, had been assigned to him as a
safeguard. And he sent forth a lamentable and awful cry, —
" Rose 1 Rose I I want you. Rose I"
She and Robert looked up, startled ; but Septimius had already repented of
his appealing cry, and he only smiled and beckoned to them. They climbed the
hill to join him ; and then Robert told him that Rose and himself had promised
themselves to each other, and that he had enlisted as a soldier in the war. Sep-
timius acquiesced in the betrothal. In the talk that followed, Robert noticed
the mouna above Norton's body, and asked what it was; but Septimius replied,
with an ambiguous smile, " No matter what it is : I have planted there some-
thing that may bear rich fruit, in due season." So the lovers departed together; '
and Septimius continued to pace the hill-top, and the people passing below
marvelled to see a man keeping sentinel's watch there, when the enemy had re-
treated forever. On one side of him, as he walked, were the pines and the wild
shrubbery amidst which his wizard sagamore ancestor had dwelt ; on the other side
the placid landscape of meadow, like tne face of a calm, sympathizing friend. But
seldom, either then or in the days that followed, did Septimius turn to the wide,
simple countenance of Nature ; a dense shrubbery of meditations, of which he
scattered the seeds more and more as he walked, grew up along that often-trodden
pathway, shutting out the view of external things, and making a cloistered wall
as sombre as those where monks used to tread, keeping out the sun, and ad-
mitting only a damp, unwholesome atmosphere. There Septimius walked, and
brooded over strange matters.
Spring passed, and summer came, and still Septimius had not broken the
seal of the packet. Partly, perhaps, his hesitation was caused by the importance
(as he fancied) of the secret it contained: partly — for there was a quality of
keen sense in him, which continually criticised his extravagances — because he
feared that it might all prove a ridiculous dream. He may have been influenced,
moreover, by the consideration that he was violating the sanctity of the grave,
But when at length he took the irrevocable step in the matter, it was in such a
quict, riijittcf of fact v.ay that it Was doiic bcfofc he had time for any emotion.
He had promised to go into the woods with Aunt Nashoba and Rose, to
gather the shrubs and herbs which the old lady made her famous drink of, and
which were to be culled at a particular time of the moon. There being a few
minutes while Aunt Nashoba was putting her kitchen in order, Septimius, all of
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ''ELIXIR OF LIFE.
417
a sudden, went to the drawer, unlocked it, took in hand the blood-stained pack-
ace, anil broke the seal, before he consciouslv thougljt of what he was doinir
He took out some dozen sheets of yellow, aRe-worn paper, written over with a
8tran(?e, obscure handwriting. Something dropped out of the envelope and fell
rattling upon the floor; he picked it up, and found it to be a small antique kov
curiously wrought, and with intricate wards, and seeming to be of silver In the
handle was an open-work tracery, making the initials H. N. Septimiua exam-
ined this key with great minuteness before proceeding further, wondering where
"i^u cu ^^\ J^tvhole that suited it, and to what treasure it was the passport.
[The fellow to this silver key, and to the lock corresponding with it, will be found
in Doctor Grimshawe's Secret."] Then, laying it carefully away in the drawer
he proceeded to inspect the manuscript. '
.,, '^^'^ *PP.^"^<* to be a collection of deeds and documents of legal weight
with formal signatures and seals, of considerable antiquity and difficult chirog-'
raphy. Septimius could not make out much of their purport, nor did he feel
much interest m them. But finally he came to a fold or two of manuscript
written with exceeding cloaenesH and in a character that seemed at a first glance
to be wholly illegible. Yet, whether it were by faith or revelation, Septimius,
turnmg over these old yellow pages,— which, old as they were, were crisp, and had
a kind of newness, as if nobody had ever fingered them before this day,— read
or fancied that he read, a single sentence, the purport of which stamped itself
into his mind more from the mere inappositeness and absurdity of it than from
any other cause. Indeed, he was by no means certain whether he had read this
sentence or had only imagined it; and, at all events, it grew more distinct to his
mind after he had laid the manuscript away than while he was actuallv trvin"-
to read it. j j a
He had but glanced at it, when Aunt Nashoba's shrill screech sounded at
his door. So he locked it up, just as he was beginning to be interested,— just
as a light seemed to be gathering on the dark, mysterious page, that promised
to enlighten it all, and make the faded letters, that once were black, shine like
burnished gold.
As tjie three went into the woods together, it was singular to see the
delight of Aunt Nashoba in snuffing the fragrance of the wild growing things •
how the rugged, rough old pitch-pines seemed to have a charm for her and be
old acquaintances ; what a natural motion she had in making her way through
the underbrush ; in fact, she was like a half-domesticated animal, a wild-cat
that had been taught life-long to sit by the kitchen fire, coming to the wild
haunts ot its race, where it feels the powerful, blind, imperfect stirrings of its
nature, and snuffs a delight which yet it cannot wholly know. Without any
sense of the beauty of the woods, Aunt Nashoba stood and snuffed and snuffed
with an animal delight. A strange look of wildiiess and— in spite of her
rheumatism and manifold decrepitude— of possible agility came over her; so
that It would have seemed almost natural had the stooping, slow-moving old
thing suddenly taken the shape of a strange, ugly fowl, and gone scrambling
and flapping away,— a sort of change customary with witches.
' Ah, Seppy," she said, " when I get out of my kitchen into the woods,
methinksl am another woman, or rather no woman at all, but somethfng that
belongs here and never should think of kitchen chimneys nor meeting-houses
Kose, now, has no such feelings."
" Oh, yes," said Rose, " I love to come here and gather these delicate
flowers, with their faint, sweet smell. They seem to have no kindred with the
deep, dark forest where they grow. They are sad, never gay ; being rightfully
children of the sun, they live and die without having a glimpse of him."
Delicate, do you call them ?" said the old woman. " I tell you, girl, there
are herbs here that, in hands that -knew how to use them, would do wonderful
_'",^\ And if Septimius inherited the gifts that belonged to his race, he
wouid ue auic to come here and lay his hand on leaf and root that would be
worth all the medicines doctors ever brewed. Even I— withered old thing that
have stewed my life out over the kitchen fire— even I have an instinct of things,
and could fill my basket vnih herbs that would make me a young woman again
Ah, Seppy, I know more than I ever told you, and some day I'll give you the
recipe for my drink. As for you, wench, it's not your inheritance.'^
418
NATHAiHlEL HAWTHORNE'S "ELIXIR OF LIFE."
5.;- ,1
> >
They went on through the forest, SeptimiuH gathering the herbs thnt Aunt
Naahoba designate*!, and she, with an air and looit of mystery, occasionally
putting other things into her basket, winking and nodding at Septimius, and
thereby needlessly adding to the ugliness ot her visage, — so that you would
have thought the two had laid a plot to poison the sweet and innocent Rose,
and that this was the old woman's hideous exultation as she got together, one
after another, the ingredients. She reftised to let Rose add anything to her
collection.
"No, no, girl," she said; "your touch would take the virtue out of the
stuff. You're not born to it. Let me gather my own herbs, I tell you." Saying
which, she poked into little recesses of shade, and under heaps of moss,' and
sometimes into hollow nooks of trees, and brought out vegetables as if she had
put them away there long years ago and knew just where they were to be found.
At length Rose, still looking Tor buds of beautjr, wandered apart from the
others, and then Aunt Nashoba beckoned to Septimius with a look so int<'l'igent
and full of meaning that the young man was half afraid of her. She tok< him
that she was growing old, and that it was time she imparted to him h socrot
which she would not have die with her.
" It is not a secret on my conscience," she added. " I have no murd'ir to
confess, though they say my medicines hurried somo people off sooner than they
would otherwise have gone. No, it is the secret of my drink that I want to tell
you. Here are all the herbs and mysteries within reach of us now, and I can
show you where they grow and how to gather them. They can make you live
forever: a thousand years certain, and forever for aught I know."
" Forever, Aunt Nashoba ! and yet you talk of dying already ?"
" Ah, Seppy, there is something lost out of the recipe ."nd so it has not its
ancient virtue. But with your hook-learning and your Indian descent you'll
find it out, though I never could. And so it takes you a year, or a lifetime,
what matter? the end pays for all."
But Septimius, doubting, probably, the eflScacy of the old lady's beverage,
put off the revelation. "My mind is very busy on a certain matter," he said.
" Let me finish that, and I'll take up this. But* not now."
" Well, Seppy, you'll live to repent it," quoth Aunt Nashoba, shaking her
head, and looking so darkly intelligent that Septimius was half afraid of her
again. " This is not my secret, but your great-grandfather's, and his father's;
and as to whom he had it from, there are different stories. But take your own
way ; and if the thing dies with me, it is not my fault."
They returned home, but various interruptions kept Septimius from further
examination of the manuscriot during the day. For a man no sooner sets his
heart on any object, great or small, be it the lengthening out his life intermi-
nably, or merely writing a romance about it, than his fellow-beings, and fate
and circumstances to back them, seem to conspire to hinder, to prevent, to
throw in obstacles, great or small, as the case may be. In tne original compo-
sition and organic purpose of the world there is certainly some principle to
obviate great success, some provision that nothing particularly worth doing
shall ever getdone, so evidently does a mistiness settle between us and any such
object, and harden into granite when we attempt to pass through it ; so strangely
do mocking voices call us back, or encouraging ones cease to be heard when
our sinking hearts need them most ; so unaccountably, at last, when we feel as
if we might grasp our life-long object by merely stretching out our hand, does
it all at once put on an aspect of not being worth our possession ; by such
apparently feeble impediments are our hands subtly bound ; so hard is it to stir
to-day, while it looks so easy to stir to purpose to- morrow ; so strongly do petty
necessities insist upon being compared with immortal desirablenesses, and almost
always succeed practicalljr in making ua feelthat they are of the most account.
This being the case, Septimius had not such individual cause of grumbling as he
[The above abstract, though for the most part greatly condensed,
generally retains the language of the original. We will now resume
our uncondensed quotations.]
NATHANIEL HAWTHORN F/S ^^ ELIXIR OF LIFE." 419
One of tho incidents was a visit from q lank and bony old patri-
arch, who came to jfot a rome<ly from Aunt Nashoba f..r his rhenma-
tiam, ^yhlch lasted longer into the summer than had l)een its wont •
and his errand bemg done, he hobble<l familiarly into Sej.tiraius's
J'tudy to talk of the war (a theme of which the young man was now
hear ily weary), and to tell stories of other wars, in which the old man
had been personal yengaged,-Indian and French,-and where ho had
«)ntracted tn.s self-same rheumatism by sleeping, as he said, in the
beils of running streams. Then, going farther and farther back, along
the Iineof time^ gone by, the old man talke<l of Septimius's forelUthers
tellmg ot their peculiarities and oddnesses, with hard Yankee shrewd-
ness; and how they were a people that never mixed up kindly with
others either because the Indian or the devil was in them; and how
the old man had heard that there was something strange in them, some
singular property, so that if the witch-woman had not been hancred
It was said she would have lived forever; and that there did eo a
story that the great preacher (whom the old man had heard pr«ich.
when he was ajittle child) only escaped the same doom by killing him-
self; for somehow he had toughened himself so that time and disease
never would have sufficed to kill him. And, staring Septimius in the
face with his bleared eves, he said that he had a look of him, he being
a dark, cloudy-browed man. wrapt up in himself; and he told traite
of him which he had heard babbled round the fire in his age-long die-
tant infancy, m which Septimius fancied that he could see his own
characteristics And he was depressed and appalled by the idea that
he had really been extant nobody knows how long, repeated identif-ally
from generation to generation, and that this was the sort of in terra i-
nable life he should find, and the other only a dream. And still the
ol( man was going on, wandering and stumbling among traditions, and
wild, dreary, sordid stories, and would probably have found no end —
when luckily there came along the road a neighbor with a wagon,
beholding whom, the old gentleman feebly hailed him from the window
ri . .i"" '^M? ^'' rheumatism from further pedestrianism) obtained
a lilt to the village. '
[This patriarch is a portrait of a real old codger who used to pester
Hawthorne a the Ways.de in the early yeai^ of the civil war, coming
up day after day with a fresh batch of rumors and commentaries. In
the references to Septimius's ancestry there are often reminiscences of
traditions handed down in Hawthorne's own family.— Compare the
above passage with that in " Septimius," page 284.]
When again left alone, Septimius took forth the envelope, and held
it a moment in his hand, looking at the hole through which the deadly
bullet had gone, a.u at the l.fe-blood which besmeared the package, L
w«. , V ij"j X' ".'" '^"' °V" """ '^''-'" "estroyea 111 tiie opening it.
He unfo ded the package, and, though the twilight was now darkening
into the low-browed room, pored into it,— into its strange old mvstery,
so l,ewildering even to look at; and indeed the darkening twilight wa^
precisely the fit medium in which to study that bewitehS, mysterious,
420
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ^* ELIXIR OF LlfE."
Hi: ;»
hjllet-penetrottHl, l)loo(1-8tuinc<l inunuwrrint, tho Hecreta of which might
be ex|»ecte(l to fade under the liglit of noon or any glimpse of tho
natural sun, and only to Rhino out in lurid light, phosphorescent, glim-
mering, when other nieuuH of seeing and interpretation were with-
drawn. Soon, however, it grew so dark that the light of the summer
moon, which was nearly at the full, succeeded to the twilight, and
Septimiug held the old pages in it, straining his young eyes to distin-
guinh one of the scraggy, untraceable, crabbe<l letters from another ;
but in vain, the whole hue of the page being of so dark a yellow, and
of the letters so reddish a brown, and sometimes faded quite out, that
the moonshine that often had served well enough to read a pritited page,
at hours when Aunt Nashoba deemed him snug in bed, now saw little
more than an indistinguishable confusion. He, having neither lamp
nor candle, of which the 'rict economy of the house was very sparing,
lighted with flint and steel one of a heap of pitch-pine knots which he
had hea{)ed up in the chimney-corner with a view to one of those
thoughtful illuminations which students often feci, impelling them to
rise at midnight and take a sip out of their books, — as ywople of an
unhealthy thirst cannot wait till day to sip wine or brandy. With a
succession of these flaming, flickering, smoking, brilliant, yet obscure
torches, he pored over the manuscript, holding the torch in one hand,
and sometimes dropping its hot, melted pitch over the page, burning
his own fingers, trying to make his way through the mysterious old
Gothic record, like one who should wander through old intricate vaults
of a weird building with tfie same kind of smoky and bewildering
light. It seemed to have more efficacy, indeed, than a steadier light;
for just as the last of his torches expired he caught a glimpse of the
same sentence, which he now saw did not follow in regular succession
of words, but was sprinkled about, as it were, over one of the pages, so
as only to be legible, like a constellation in the sky, when you chanced
to bring those words into the proper relation with one another. It was
to this effect: " Plant the seed in a grave, and then wait patiently for
what shall spring up," — and then again, — " wondrous rich and full of
juice." Then the pine torch flickered and went out, and Septimius,
not well satisfied with what he had achieved, but willing to rest upon it
and see if the mysterious fragment would develop any meaning, put
the manuscript in his desk and went to beil.
[Htje follows the introduction of a new and important character,
Sibyl Dacy. She appears also iij " Septimius," but the portrayal there
is quieter and less pronounced.]
Septimius was on the hill-top, one afternoon towards sunset, tread-
ing to and fro over the now well-worn path, and letting the wind
breathe in among his thoughts and blow the more unsubstantial of
them away, when, as he reached the eastern extremity of his sentinel-
waik, and turned to retrace his steps westward, he saw a feminine
figure approaching him. At first he thought it might be Rose, and
was, to say the truth, a little offended at her intruding ; for there was
a quality in poor Septimius that kept him in the middle of a circle
these
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ''ELIXIR OF LIFE.
421
which delicate natures ooiild not step into, and which duller ones, if
they attemptec! it, found vacant of him who seemeti to be there. But
this figure turne<l out to be that of a girl slighter and slenderer than
Rose, and, as Septimius thought on a nearer view, by no means so
pretty or so pleasing. Such as she was, however, she continued to ad-
vance, and so did Septimius, until, as chance ordered it, they met close
by that little spot of ground where Francis Norton lay under the sods,
with Septiraius's poor attempt to set a Mower-pateh over him, — N.B.
Septimius and the girl first pass each othei' without speakinr/, then, step
by stej), mutually turn back ; and she pauses by the grave, — she glancing
askance. The girl should throw out uncertain hints, as if she knew what
had happened. — The strange girl stooped down, apparently attracted by
these flowers. After examining them a little, she began to pull them
up, one after another, and fling them away.
" You seem not to like my flowers," said Septimius; "yet I have
taken some pains to set them out and make them grow on this thirstv
hill-top." ^
In truth, he was incline<l to be offended ; for his sombre fancy had
indulged itself much here in thinking that Fnineis Norton would
reappear in these flowers, giving a partly human life to them, putting
his own characteristics into them, deepening their colors, and betoken-
ing, by some rich and delicate odor, forgiveness of the dee<l that had
laid him there; holding forth a flower, perhaps, for him to give to the
woman he should love. Septimius had no ill will against the young
man he slew, and had indeed come to think (such was his egotism) that
it was not amiss, having done his errand so well, that Francis Norton
had here lain down to rest.
" Nay, do not pull up any more I" he exclaimed, as the girl still
weeded up the flowers.
" Pooh ! what do you know of the flowers that ought to grow
here ?" answered she, in a pettish kind of way. " They are not the
right ones !"
'* They are the prettiest to be found in our woods and fields," said
Septimius ; " and besides, fair lady, if I choose to set violets, wood-
anemones, asters, golden-rod, or even buttercups, on the spot, I fancy,
by your leave, it concerns no one but myself."
The girl looked up and laughed, in rather a flighty way, insomuch
that Septimius began to suspect that the oddities of her behavior were
to be accounted for by a touch of insanity : a pitiful thing, if it were
so ; for he now saw that her face, though pale and lacking fulness, was
pretty, and had a singular capacity of vivid expression, her intelligence
seeming to glow not merely through her eyes but her whole face.
And yet, full of meaning as her face looked, he could not in the least
tell what it meant.
" Concern only you !" she exclaimed, still laughing. " Why, I have
come on purpose to find the place ! And I tell you the right flower is
not here."
And again she bent down, and plucked a leaf or two, and looked
closely at their shape, and rubbed them between her fingers, to express
any odorous juice that might be in them, but again said, in a disoon-
VoL. XL v.— 28
i
422
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ''ELIXIR OF LIFE.''
,■.?
I I
,.l!
solate sort of way, like a pouting child, " It is not here. I wonder
whether it will spring up ! and when I"
" What flower are you looking for ?" asked Septimius.
" It has no name," answered the girl ; " or, if it has one, it is a
very long, learned name, and I have forgotten it."
" Is the flower beautiful ?" asked Septimius.
" That is as you happen to fancy it," said the girl. " Well, it
is not here; but I will look for it again. Perhaps it is not time
yet."
She sat a little while without speaking, but drooping over the flowers,
looking faint, as if she were going to sink down ; and Septimius,
stooping down to see what was the matter, found that tears were flowing
out of her eyes. Then there came sobs ; and suddenly she burst into
a passionate fit of sorrow and weeping, a sort of flurry and hurricane,
which astonished Septimius, who could make nothing of it nor knew
how to allay it. It was, fortunately, of very short duration, and before
it was well over the strange girl began to laugh, or rather giggle,
turning her mobile facq upon hira with such an expression that he
knew less than ever what to noake of her ; though I suppose that those
accustomed to the freaks of nervous and hysterical women would have
seen nothing very odd in it.
" I was thinking how to comfort you," said Septimius ; " but there
seems little need."
" Oh, not a bit," said tiie girl. « I am in excellent spirits, as you
see, and was only crying a little by way of watering the spot where
the flower is to grow. Different things require different modes of
cultivation."
" And I suppose these smiles and this bright expression are to serve
by way of sunshine," said Septimius, trying to enter into her mood,
though he knew not what to make of it. " It will be a rare flower,
when it grows. What will it be like?"
Without answering, the girl arose, and seemed preparing to go
away. But Septimius, not willing to lose sight of her without gaining
some hold upon her, and thinking, too, that she might be one of those
strange anomalous vagrants who often turn up at a country house, and
appear to be wandering wide and wild, without any hold upon the
community, — beggars, insane people, idiots, adventurers of all kinds,
castaways, people from the most outlandish and remote places. East
Indians, religion-crazed preachers, missionaries, jugglers, outlaws of
themselves, wildly running away from the recollection of murder,
mind-murderers, sharpers,— all such people, who have somehow broken
the chain which circumstances twine to confine almost all individuals in
one place and circle of associates,-— broken it and roamed wildly at
large, yet serving in their wild way to tie together by slender ligaments
distant parts of the world and places that have no other connection, —
thinking this, Septimius, partly from humanity and compassion and
partly from curiosity (which seldom stirred in him, but was now
awake),— partly, too, because there was a certain magnetism in the
girrs action upon him,— put out his hand to detain her.
" Are you going far ?" he said.
to go
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S "ELIXIR OF LIFE." 423
She avoided his touch with a shudder. "Far? No" said she
Home, to be sure ! What strange questions you ask !" '
4- I .? ,^^^ ^P' y uncertain seemed her mood, she might go no
farther than the quiet brook which flowed hotween Septimius's fertile
held and that of a neighbor; and there she might be found drowned
in the shallow poo that it formed,-a death that forlorn maidens seem
to attect,— especially when the water has its summer warmth in it
Your home is nigh, then ?" said Septiraius.
^^ "lou may stand on the brow of the hill, if you like » she said,
and see ray home; but do not try to touch me again. Perhaps vou
may find me not a thing of flesh and blood." ^
_ " If so,'; remarke<l Septiraius, "you raay as well vanish into the
air; otherwise, I give you fair warning, I shall follow you, be it far
or near, till I see you in charge of your friends."
" You are perfectly welcome," said the girl, 'pettishly ; « only I fear
you will have a long ramble, like a farmer who chases Puck or a will-
rubsttnT^" "*' ^"""^ *^'"^^ ^^'^' "^"^ ^ ^"^ ""^ *^^ ^™®
" Will you ever come back ?" asked Septiraius.
u il? Jj^'^^lf' ^l^ *''^g'^^' ^oo^"^g ^ack and laughing. "I
shall haunt that hill-top." 6 6-^
[Septiraius sees her enter Eobert's house, and afterwards he asks
Rose about hen She tells him that the girl is one Sibyl Dacy, a rela-
tive of sorae English gentleman, not a combatant, now in Boston.
Mer health being very delicate, means have been used to induce her to
come into the country, and Robert, having to bring a message hither
u"lr tS^T' ^'^^. 'i '°. ''^^•'S^ ^ accompany her, and his mother,
old Mrs. Heyburn, had taken her to board. " I think," adds Rose
she has had an experience of some kind, and has a kind of sibvllic
wisdom and a sort of sacredness of sorrow. If she will let me be her
friend, I gladly will be."]
By dint of continued poring over the musty manuscript, Septiraius
began, after a while, to see sorae reasonable prospect of attaining to
the niterpretation of it, frora beginning to end. So uncouth and shape-
less did the characters appear, they reserabled undefined germs of
thought as they exist in the mind before clothing themselves in defi-
nite terms ; yet Septiraius sometimes was sensible of a splendor in
these undeciphered sentences, like that of the dim star-dust in the
remote sky which a telescope of sufficient power resolves into vast
globes of light. The document proved to be written in a singular
mixture of Latin (not of the purest style) and ancient English, with
an occasional scrap of Greek. Invariably, too, when the author
seemed on the verge of some utterance that would illuminate his
wnoie suDjeei ami make all the seeming obscurities that Septiraius had
hitherto puzzled over blaze out to vivid meaning, and wreathe them-
selves together from beginning to end by a chain of light, its golden
links all in a flame, tnere came in an interval of cryptic writing, a
touch of dense, impenetrable darkness, on the other side of wWch
424
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S ''ELIXIR OF LIFE.'
i. {
p-'S;i
appeared a disconnected radiance which could not be brought into
relation with what had gone before.
Leaving, for the present, the cryptic passages apart, the young
student wrote out fair, in the stiff and broad chirography of his own
day, as much as he found it possible to decipher. The result was not
in the least like what he had expected ; nor, had he been in a natural
frame of mind, could he have thought that these things, however true
many of them were, were either so novel or so momentous that the
passage of them from one possessor to another need have required so
much machinery or been accompanied by the precious sacrifice of a
human life. But Septimius's mind was not in a healthy state ; and
the great war, in which the whole country was so desperately engaged,
had an influence on him, modified by the morbidness and extravagance
of his own character. For he, like all others, drank of the prevalent
passion and excitement, drained the cup that was offered to everybody's
lips, and was intoxicated in his own peculiar way. He walked so
much the more wildly in his own course because the people were rush-
ing so enthusiastically in another. In times of revolution, or what-
ever public disturbance, even the calmest person is to some degree in
an exaggerated and unnatural state, probably without suspecting it :
there is enthusiasm, there is madness, in the atmosphere. The deco-
rous rule of common life is suspended ; absurdities come in and stalk
unnoticed. Madmen walk abroad unrecognized ; heroic virtue marches
among us, with majestic step; vices, too, and great crimes, creep darkly,
or stalk abroad ; woman, likewise, catches the wild influence, and
sometimes, flinging aside the fireside virtues as of little worth, is capable
of crimes that men shudder at, of virtues and valor that he can never
imitate, of deeds and thoughts that she would, a little time ago, have
died to anticipate. The disenfranchised soul exults in losing its stand-
point ; old laws are annulled ; anything may come to pass ; miracles
are on the same ground as the commonest occurrences. So, in respect
to Septimius, his common sense, of which he had no small portion, had
no such fair play with his wilder characteristics as it might Imve had
in quiet and ordinary times, — when, besides, there were the throes
attending the birth of a new epoch in the world ; and among seething
opinions and systems, and overturned and deposed principles, Septimius
had li )thing fixed and recognized with which to compare his own pur-
suit and recognize its absurdity. Thus much we say, that this wild
young thinker may not look too ridiculous in the errors to which a
solitary pursuit led him.
[Compare the above passage with " Septimius," pp. 298, 299. j
So he continued to brood over his musty manuscript, to hide it
under lock and key as if it were a murder-secret, and to pick out from
its heap of moss-grown ideas such nuggets of what he fancied to be
gold as he could contrive to shape into an aspect of definite meaning.
We have in our possession a few portions of it, as transcribed by Sep-
timius, and mean to present them to the reader, whom doubtless, after
all that we have said about the manuscript, they will surprise as much
FROM BEYOND THE SEA.
425
as they did Septimius; though we can hardly hoj>e that they will be
received, as by him, as golden nuggets from a mine of thought, further
digging into which would reveal inestimable treasure. They took the
aspect of certain rules of life, precipitated from the rich solution of the
essay, and crystallized into diamonds ; and whereas many of these rules
had a mean aspect in themselves, and seemed to concern low matters of
dietetic, Septimius took it for granted that this more obvious meaning
was of comparatively no importance, and that they had a symbolic
value, which he should by and by discover. These were but golden
beads, strung on something more valuable than themselves ; and what
that precious string might be, the discovery of the cipher would reveal.
.Julian Hawthorne.
(To be continued.)
FROM BEYOND THE SEA.
THINK not, because the changing floods divide
My face from thine, that memory grows cold.
Dost fear the Past ends as a tale is told,
Or, while we journey, keeps not by our side ?
Each thing we suffer, be it joy or pain,
Leaves us its image in a lasting mould :
It may have passed unmarked, — it shall remain
Long as our very selves together hold.
So, though we seem, to the light outward gaze,
Only to be enduring life's command,
Only to squander harnessed heart and hand
In a dull dynasty of useful days, —
E'en then our soul turn§ in the lull of strife
To look upon some secret inward seal
Stamped long ago, an earnest to reveal
The thin far landscape of an idler life.
I cannot count these images in me,
For Time hath not yet bid me know them all ;
Yet from their ranks how fair a one of thee
Comes like a blessing, when on thee I call I
And when perchance long days shall cast a pall
Over my crraver self, 1 11 cross the sea
Upon the golden wings of gayer thought,
Setting the prose of day by day at naught.
And in thy vision once again be free.
Owen Witter.
m
426
WESTERN MORTOAQES.
L }
U'
WESTERN MORTGAGES.
mHERE is no form of security in vogue to-day concerning which
«nn.?"/Il! ""f ^''?^ ""^^^ ¥ ^^""^ *'^«se, and among their number
some of the shrewdest and best-informed financiers of the day who
regard these mortgages as the safest and most stable securities VS^
hP litH/''."''''''- 1!,1 ""'t''- ""^ ""'"''^y «h«««« ^'n which to invest
^e little fund provided by the insurance on her husband's life or ?n
which a guardian may put the little all of his helpless charge ' whi^
on the her hand there is a large portion of this communi y t at
STeve^tjhl.^^"^^ ^' '"'"^ '''^^''y -- -"— -y -Ht
f...^l"' «^"f ^«'; }\he''e'n these so^Ued Western mortgages differ
from those with which we are all so familiar, and in the p?Sess we
niay be enabkd not only to discover the grounds for this greTt ^ian^e
A opinion but also to form an intelligent judgment If their real
merits, to discern wherein they are strong, undefwhat circum tanct
hey are weak, and finally to compreliend Sle great and impor^nt uS
they are well calculated to subserve. p^xutut uses
It should be distinctly understood that what are technically termed -
Western mortgages are not merely mortgages on WesteTn proSrtv
^distinguished from mortgages made oiflLds in the Ea.SranS
Middle States, but are a part of an entirely new and distinct system
of lUNjtment, a system which, while borrowing all the demente o^ .
strength and safety involved in the very nature of all goS mort-
g^es, lias added thereto many improvements born of much^exper^^^
all looking to the greater safety and convenience of the investor '
In order to arrive at a full comprehension of this system 'let us
start on common ground, and consider first the nature S TiLe of a
a'cclSd to. ° '" "'""" ''" "^^ ^^^"^'^^^^ fromVhose we ar^
It will help us to consider the subject more logically to understand
just wnat elements enter into the constitution of a good mortJalf A
mortpge is defined to be " a grant or conveyance of an "ta e^o? proo
Z/.'^^'ff't ^'' '^^ 'Tr'y «^ ^'^'' ^°d to become voi^ on^pay
ment of it." From this definition it may be plainly seen ti,n7 thZa
are three absolute essentials to a good mortgage.^ ^ '
First, as it is a grant or conveyance of an estate or property this
grant or conv^-auce must be made in an apt and sufficreTtay aiid
with the use of proper technical forms. ^'
Second, in order that a good and sufficient title should m^^ in th.
mortgagee, sucii a title must be clearly deduced and shown to be in ihe
grantor or mort^gor at the time of making the mortgage ; and!
Ihird, as this grant or conveyance is made as aemrity for a debt
It IB a question of vital importance to determine accurately whether
WESTERN MORTGAGES.
427
which
thii
IS
the property pledged possesses sufficient intrinsic value to adequately
secure it.
But there is still one other quality or condition necessary to a per-
fectly good mortgage, not coraproheuded in the above definition, and
that is, it must be what is termed a Jirst mortgage, and to insure this
requires —
Fourth, evidence that it is the first lien or charge on the specific
piece of property given as security, and that consequently there are no
prior mortgages, conveyances, judgments, or liens of any kind whatso-
ever, in any way affecting the premises in question.
In order that the first and second of these requirements may receive
proper attention, the services of a careful, precise, and skilful lawyer
must be obtained, one familiar with this abstract branch of the law,
and accustomed to the patient research necessary to deduce, from the
records and papers produced, the evidences of a good and sufficient title.
To properly determine the third essential a very different order of
talent is required : the property offered as security must be examined
by one familiar with the value of lands whether in city or country,
and, in the case of buildings, one who can accurately determine the
value- of these in any particular locality, making proper allowance for
the cost of labor and material.
Finally,, in order to make sure of the fourth essential, the joint ser-
vices of a lawyer and certain public officials, the keepers of the public
records, including the Recorder or Register of Deeds, and the clerks
of the several courts, are required.
In short, therefore, in order to secure an ordinarily good firat mort-
gage, all of these four essentials or requirements must exist together;
that is to say, the papers must be properly prepared, the title cor-
rectly examined, the value of the intended seciu-ity determined with
precision, and the final search for liens carefully and intelligently
ordered by the lawyer and made by the officials. ' A failure in any one
of these respects would result in the obtaining or placing of a bad
mortgage.
While, perhaps, there is no place in the world where "convey-
ancing" has been done more skilfully and carefully than in the city of
Philadelphia, while its land-lawyers have been famous the world over,
yet it is within the exjierience'of all, that most serious losses have
occurred to investors from a failure in one or more of the above
requirements. Thus, mortgages have been declared to be void, or have
been postponed to later encumbrances, because of defect or insufficiency
in form, or by reason of defective acknowledgment -^ the most emi-
nent lawyers have made mistakes of judgment as to questions of title
or lien ;' Trust Companies have been surcharged for negligence in al-
lowing themselves to be imposed upon as to the value of the security
offered ;' and officials have failed to certify judgments and mortgages,
» See the following cases : Corpman v. Baccastow, 84 Pa. State Reports, p. 863 :
Myers v. Boyd, 96 Pa. State Beports, p. 427 ; Sankoy v. Hawley, 118 Pa. State
Reports, p. 80. r i ./ j,
» See case of Watson v. Muirlieid, reported in 57 Pa. State Reports, p. 161.
» See report of Barton's Estate in 11 Weekly Notes of Cases, p. 561.
428
WESTERN MORTGAGES.
r I
lii
and have not been held liable on their bonds because the error was not
discovered and suit brought until some time after the false certificate
was issued -^ and in all of these cases the holder of the moHgage suffered
the loss. Again, there have been cases where parties have suffered loss
who have erred in no one of these particulars, but, through error, one
morfgage has been marked satisfied of record instead of another." And
finally, m addition to all these, there have been still other losses re-
sulting to unfortunate investors by the imposition on them of forced
mortgages. *
While these errors and wrongs and consequent losses have been com-
paratively few in number, still in the great multitude of transactions
they would creep in from time to time, and people who could ill afford
It have been the sufferers, until finally, as a means of meeting a great
public necessity, the Title Insurance Companies have been form5, to
insure people against possible loss by reason of mistake or failure in
any or all of the requirements first, second, and fourth above enumer-
ated ; and these companies have added a very great element of security
m these respects. But, important as this improvement has been, no
such company has ever undertaken to insure against loss that might
result from failure to observe the third essential above mentioned,—
that 18, against loss resulting from insufficiency in value of the intended
security. Thus, a ten-thousand-dollar mortgage might be given on a
thousand-dollar property, and one of these companies give its usual
policy of insurance, and the unfortunate mortgagee lose nine-tenths of
his money, because the papers were all right, the title correct, and no
hens were lefl uncertified, and the Title Company was not responsible
as to the question of value. Important as all the other requirements
are, one who is thoroughly familiar with this whole business would be
coTipelled to admit that the greatest, the most real, constant, and press-
nig danger in the case of all ordinary mortgages has not been guarded
against yet, and that all people who have to do with this class of
securities, Trust Companies, guardians, executors, and private trustees,
are buying mortgages on outlying properties in thecity of Philadelphia
(and this is true of all the large Eastern cities) that are utterly lacking
m this most essential requirement,— viz., adequate value or security,— a
condition of things which has continued for a long time without hope
of betterment, because of the enormous amount of capital constantly
seeking investment, and the comparative dearth of securities compelling
investors to accept the best they can get. Another panic like that of
1873, which for a time seemed to destroy all value in real estate, would
bring about a condition of things more deplorable than that which then
existed from a similar cause, because the evil is now more wide-spread.
To recur again to common experience with the ordinary mort^
gages, there are a number of other little matters that it is important to
consider. Thus, if a mortgage has been well and securely placed in
the first instance, still there are manv innidpnfja ahnni th'^a A>ir/^..:fa «,^j«
^' —« — «*. .,2.... %t«T\/Jll,^J XlIVfU.C
p. 47
» See case of Owen v. "Western Saving Fund, reported in 97 Pa. State Eeports,
• See case of Binney v. Brown, reported in 116 Pa. State Reports, p. 169.
WESTERN MORTGAGES.
429
of investment that require attention and sometimes occasion consider-
able trouble, anxiety, and loss. There is uncertainty as to just when
the mterest will be paid, and much vexatious delay, often riultine in
a threateneii suit in foreclosure, merely to bring the interest. This
involves tiie employment of attorneys, and the necessary outlays for
their services. Questions of insurance, taxes, and other municipal liens
are constantly arising and demanding attention, and often occasioning
loss. Thus, while a mortgage which was a first lien could not be dis-
charged by a sale or proceedings under any subsequent claim for taxes
or municipal hens, yet if a sheriff's sale became necessary to enforce
collection of the mortgage debt, the amount due for all subsequent
taxes and other municipal claims must first be deducted from the pro-
ceeds ol sale, and, where the margin of security was narrow, this often
entailed serious loss. But perhaps one of the most annoying circum-
sances about this method of investment that formerly obtained, and
still exists, was and is the great difficulty of investifig at once the pre-
cise sum constituting the fund for investment, and if this fund was
ot unusual size a portion of the same was almost invariably left unin-
Sm' /iinnn^ interest. Suppose the sum was $1750, $4500,
Kma^' ^^ f 11,000, the probabilities would be that only $1600, $4000
$6000 or $10,000 would be invested, and this after some delay, while
the odd amounts would be left either at very small interest or without
any.
It is a little digression at this point, but it may be well to say in
passing, that one of the immediate uses to which the Western mort-
gage system could be well applied is the investment of these many
small balances held by our Trust Companies and other fiduciaries, ^
securities can always be obtained in either large or small amounts
Having seen some of the drawbacks to what were unquestionably
the most favored investments, let us now consider how this new system
ot Western mortgages came into vogue, and how it was gradually im-
proved so as to obviate these difficulties which have been pointed out.
And first the old law of supply and demand came into play. The
demand for capital to be secured by firs^class moitgrres being far less
in all Che Eastern centres than the supply, the first result was a rapid
decline in the rates of interest demanded and paid in those centres for
the use of capital. But when, in spite of this decline in rates, an
adequate supply of securities could not be obtained, prudent investora
began to look about for opportunities to invest their capital where it
was more in demand, and where they could not only obtain better
rates, but, what was of more consequence, where they could insist upon
the pledge o more r.cequate security. During all this time the \V^t
was gradually growing up, the cry to the young men to "Go West I"
had gone forth, and the brightest and most enterprising of the youth
of all sections of the older East had gone to this land of promise.
i«ey caiiea upon tiieir parents and friends for help to improve their
farms or to increase their business, and gave mortgages to secure
the advances. Money was so valuable in the West, and would com-
man*^ such large returns, that they were enabled to pay liberally and
punctually for the use of this capital. The kno 'edge of this mode
.-0
430
WESTEItN MORTaAORS.
1
of investment gradually spread, and finally a regular businees of send-
ing capital from the East to the West grew up. Many honorable firms
engaged exclusively in this new calling, such firms being generally
composed of a good Western man, who was well acquainted in his
section with those who wanted money, and a corresjwnding Eastern
man, equally well acquainted with those who hi.d capital to spare.
This business was done honestly and carefully. The investors were
almost invariably acquainted with and thoroughly tru8te<l those who
loaned out their money, and the result was that this business grew with
great rapidity and was phenomenally successful. The great insurance
companies and other corporations that needal the income of invested
funds for the prosecution of their business soon turned their eyes in
this direction, and built up the great cities of the West by their large
advances of capital that went into the ereotion of fine buildings, and
finally, when the great and universal failure to supply the demand for
securities in the Eastern centres that h&n liecn Hpoken of above occurred,
then the investing public generally tyned their eyes westward for
relief, and in a comparatively short time the business that was already
in existence in a limited way took upon itself new conditions to
adapt it to the demands made upon it, and the modern system of
Western mortgages was born. Most of the men engaged in the busi-
ness had acquired a plentiful stock of experience : they understood all its
phases, were familiar with Western values, and for their own protec-
tion always insisted upon the most ample margin of security. Titles
were very simple, running back in a few removes to the United States
government ; the system of dividing the public domain into regular
rectangular sections of one mile square, and the subdivision of these
into quarters, which quarters were again quartered, all in perfect rec-
tangles of forty acres each, all helped to simplify matters, by making
mistakes of description almost impossible. The result was that this
vast business, extending into the millions, was done so carefully and
successfully that, while these earlier loans were all unguaranteed, yet
practically no losses of either principal or interest occurred. But
when, about seven to ten years ago, this great accession of business
came, many Eastern people who were entirely unacquainted with the
Western loaning agents began to invest their money, and it was soon
seen that the confidence of these investors would have to be obtained
in other ways than by the personal acquaintance which formerly pre-
vailed. Lai^ amounts of capital were then aggregated into corpo-
rations formed for the express purpose of carrying on the investing
business, and, instead of the former guarantees based on personal
knowledge and established character, corporate guarantees, backed up
by a large capital, were given to the investor. Instead of giving one
single bond with a promise to pay the principal at the expiration of a
given time, with interest at the rate agreed upon in regular semi-annual
instalments, a principal note with ten or more smaller interest notes or
coupons, maturing respectively every six months, was given, and when
the payment of these at maturity was guaranteed by the investing cor-
poration, this old original form of a security, with all the virtue and
strength that attached to the old form of bond and mortgage, b^»me
WESTERN MORTGAGES.
&r'""^ "" ^"'P"^ ^"-^' -'^^^ "" t»>« -cHente pertainiug to such
they grew and deveTor>^tad,il v n n'" '"^^'^ '" *'"'^ ^^^''k, and
pro^rtions and a^Sf ^^^ J^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ enormous
alK>ut themselves tlie most eomn^S fr''^\ -^'•e>' ^>ave gathered
to imss on questionrof t?'les aT f.l ^^"^ *^ ^''^I'^''^ P«P«« ^"d
perienced eLmi„e.!s as to fe v^C^^^ trustworthy and ex-
security, and caS and nnin Jni' ^^l ^?''f^ ^"^ '«»^« off'e'^ a.s
taxes, insurant ete and the eSf^I? '"'?/.' ^^''^ "^'' "" '?"^''«"« «f
when due. Win. tttrtSri ]'''' "?T^ ""^^ *'^« P"°«'P«'
mortgage on a specific uitn^P of n.^ «* security, a bond secured by first
the Sern TiS ^Ees dFd ^''•^' '^ "°' "^ '.'^ """'^ ^«^^«*
the raortgajre wa^ S^ I f '""'^'''V g"f ""tc-e the title, and that
tlo,and dTdfwha f nel'L^one b^f '"'.J^'VH"^ ^''^^-»'^»
the investor that the vahie of iT. m2 7*' ^'"'^ absolutely assured
secure the debt, and they Ulvnror.f,^'^ property was adequate to
of subsequent tex^ Sidnal lf.1 ' """ against all loss by\eason
what had neveTS^n aS;// S '"'"T""' ^*^' ^» ^^'''^' ^^^V <^''d
to do now, wiXa lar^ p^op^orl^^^^^ "^ ^«™P«"^ would dare
current in the East- rherS^Z^f.! if ''"^'^ mortgages that pa.ss
maturity, and tKe'pavLft Tt !f ^ t»,e payment of the interest at
reasona&etime geneS^ - -'thin a
necessary, the interest in .noh^SI. f iL ^^-^J '^ foreclosure became
inv^to/WtherXt'c^l b^le^^^^^^^^ ^ the
didLtStltqSlXX^^^^^^ 7^« -vestor
correct, the valuelleq^^J^tleX'^^^^^^^^^ *"*>«
longer any wa t ne for infprpsf • fi,n «^ ^^ fi ^ * ■'^"^'^® ^as no
in any hink the lay Jhejwt J dt rnXoT. '^^^^^P^^^d be deposited
by reason of its^fomXrHXtl ^"^ W, memioned above, but,
bond, with all its attendaTt advn^.»„ ' ^ P™f «>"y bolds a coupon
tions in v,l„. ™5 ?."r°'.'?.r?"'='8^' •>?' w«>i»ut the usual fluotV».
f«eIy-.ak;n-a^„;iKrfor;r^^;:',:;r °' "'^ P^P^-l^^eter,
on;,-V' ;';rdete:Si"lrfo "i^ith'^^f Tt "'"""' " ™'^ "^^'^"^ '
.ith,b,vkueof theoLrtofa:^.t,ftX%XSsf^^^^^^^
432
WESTERN MORTGAGES.
''A
It, i-
methods of business, the amount of its capital, and the availability of
its assets, is able to give liim a gocxl and sufficient guarantee. That
there are such cou?panies, is sliown by the fact that hundreds of millions
of dollars have been thus invested, without the loss of a dollar of prin-
cipal or interest; and each year the cxuru<nations of these companies made
by the Bank Commissioners of the Eastern States, whose savings-banks
buy so largely of these loans, and which therefore insist upon these
examinations, make this sole duty of the investor a comparatively
simple and easy one. It is also one of the incidents of this system,
growing out of the fact that all good companies keep constantly on
hand a large assortment of loans of all sizes, that an investor can at
once, and without any loss of time or interest, invest any sum, either
large or small.
In regard to this system of investment, it has been truly said that
human ingenuity has been exhausted ir devising ways and means to
conduct the business wisely and safely, and in tiirowing every possible
safeguard about the investor, with the result of producing a class of
securities which, whether considered on the score of their availability,
their intrinsic worth, their great safety, or their sure and ample return
of income, are the very perfection ob- investments.
Those who have had the good fortune to obuun the better class of
securities thus described, who have had their dealitgs only with honor-
able and reliable companies, who have thus been saved all trouble and
anxiety and have at the same time received a gooJ income at regular
intervals, are they who speak so highly of Western mortgages and hold
them in such great esteem.
But there is another side to this question. It is a matter of common
experience that whenever any production has attained a high state of
perfection, and has given general satisfaction, then numberless cheap
imitations instantly spring up. How many manufacturers could tell of
years of patient and intelligent labor in the development, we will say,
of a particular fabric, only to find as soon as they had overcome all the
difficulties, and produced an article which gave universal satisfaction, that
the market was flooded with cheap and flimsy imitations ! It has been
so with Western mortgages. When, after years of slow and steady
growth, the community awakened to the realization that here was a
relief to those needing good and safe investments, — when, by wise, care-
ful, and successful dealings long continued, the pioneer companies had
gained the public confidence, — numberless individuals and companies,
most of them without experience and ill equipi^ed for the work, some
of them intending fraud from the beginning, started spurious imitations.
As the borrower and lender are so far separated, and as in the case of
farm loans, especially, it is impossible for the Eastern investor to make
a personal examination of the property loaned upon, infinite opportuni-
ties for fraud and accident are presented, and it will only be nusessary io
recall what has been before indicated as the requirements of a good mort-
suit ifrom a failure properly to prepare the papers or to examine the title
and search for prior liens, and above all, for here is the greatest danger,
from the omission to examine each particular property loaned upon, and
WESTERN MORTOAOES.
433
by means of competent and disinterested examiners to fix the value of
the security. The fact is, that by reason of the incompetency, and, in
many instances, the downright dishonesty, of some of the individuals
and companies engaged in thi.s business, investors have been wofully
taken advantage of. This danger increanod as the confideiK^o of the
community in this class of investments grew, and when weak and ill-
conducted companies have failed to meet their guarantees and pay the
interest due their patrons, the entire system has been condemned by
those who were either unfriendly to it or ignorant of its benefits. Those
who have investigatetl the matter for themselves, however, well know
that the companies referred to have failed, not because of any inherent
weakness in the system itself, but because of the reckless practices of
the companies concerned, which were brought to light in the investitra-
tions which followed their default.
In spite of the name by which this system is designated, it should
be understood that it is by no means necessarily confined to the West.
In point of fact, in that favored section of our country the greatest
opportunity was first found for the investment of large sums of money
ajid, commencing with Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, those engaged in\
this business have successively loaned to the inhabitantsof these States
and by the liberal outlay of money have literal! v caused them to " blos-
som like the rose." The Mississippi and the Missouri, and finally the
Kocky Mountains, have since been crossed, first by the hardy pitnieer
and next by the judicious lender of raonev, until now ti.is business
has reached all the way to the Pacific coast, and especially in the new
State of Washington, and about the waters of Puget Sound, among
the bright and enterprising people who have forced their way to that
distant and beautiful land, a most favored field of investment is now
found.
The most careless observer could not fail to see the wonderful bene-
fits that have been wrought by this system. Cities have grown up as
if by magic, immense tracts of land have been improved, and to-day
some of the most universally prosperous people to be found on any
portion of the earth's surface are located in those States where this
system has attained its greatest perfection. And in the future this
system will continue to grow, and will extend its beneficent action to
every part of our common country where it is not restrained by unwise
laws or discouraged by an indolent and careless community. There
are some States in the West where investing companies will not
lend a dollar, because of the existence of laws which, or-'ginallv in-
tended for the benefit of the farmer, have been found to operate most
seriously against him. If a community attempts to hedge itself by
laws forbidding the payment of honest debts, those who have suc-
ceeded m obtaining money under circumstances which practically
amount to false pretences may derive some temporary advantat^e,
which. nnwPVPr will Ko mnra <K..»i «>fl(^«4. U„ aU- 1 -O -,.. Ti 1 Pt
--.._._., _, i.„„ii '^-tic^;!, u'jf luc iUSS Ul LTUaiC WniOn
such loose practices necessarily produce. It is perhaps worthy of
notice that in some of the States, but particularly in Nebraska, the
wiser heads have realized the truth of what has just been said, and
when an attempt was made to pass stay laws and other unwise pro-
ifl
434
WESTERN MORTOAOES.
Visions looking to the prevention of the colletrtion of debts, these were
frowiiecl down It was pointed out that the State could nit affbnl to
des roy its cre<lit forever for the pur|K«e of l>enefitlng a few incoraiw-
tent, Jazy, or dishonest jK'opIo, who were unwilling to meet their obli-
gations, and the laws that were intr<Hl..ced in the Legislature the last
session attempting to change the existing statutes on this subject, in
relation to the collection of interest, etc., were defeated.
Some attempt has been made to extend the benefit of this system
to the South. Virginia especially, with its new industrial life, has
^rnestly endeavored to divert some of this aipital to its development,
but as yet with little succt-ss, IxK^ause of the old taint of rem, Jiation
mid possibly because of the recent attempts that have been made in
South Carolina and Georgia to repudiate obligations of this kind, and
to prevent their collection. '
In conclusion, let us consider for a few moments some of the bene-
fatj which have accrued from this system, in addition to those that have
been indicated m what has gone before. The very greatest benefit has
been the wide and uniform circulation of capital. Money has often
,been compared to the blood. Both of them are great circulating
mediums carrying life jv.th them wherever they go. If the circula-
tion of the blood should be impeded, and certain ,>ortions of the body
should become gorged with it, disease and death would result. What-
ever tends to restore this circulation is therefore a great boon ; and
this IS equa y true of money in the body politic. A grave danger,
which has threatened the country at many times in the past, is the
great glut of this commodity in certain sections and the grJat lack of
lna"fn tjZ: J^'" ^u H""^^ i" ^^'^ '^^7 P«^'*'« evils correspond,
ing to those tha would result in the naturaf body fror,, u similar con-
dition of the blood; and whatever tends to restore the circulation
of mon«y, and to remove the engorged condition ot" one section and
nourish the impoverished condition o? others, is likewise agreat lM)on.
This is just the work that has been performed by tt.is system of West-
ern mortgages. Whereas in the West, within a very few years one
per cent, a month, and from that to three per cent., has been the'cus-
rSn'^^? P interest, now in some of the principal cities, such as
ruT!.\® •• ■^""'' ^"'''''^' ''"^^ ^^^"««« ^''^y> l«a"8 liave been made on
the best business real estate as low as five per cent., while the rate of
interest m such cities as New York and Philadelphia, which had got
down to three i>er ce.it., has gone back quite firmly io the same rate
There IS another benefit which should not be overlooked, and that is,
that tins steady flow of money has prevented usury. When there was
infinitely more demand than there was supply, those needing money
were compelled to pay any rate necessary to obtain what they wanted
Since, however, by means of these great companies, sufficient confi^
dence has been en. ted to enable the Eastern capitalist to lend to the
W^tern borrower, the tipply has equalled tlie demand, and the
u^'ul' ~j "•.' , ' ^""«3^V'"4^=**^* "p"" II iie IS honest, if
he has a good security, h. ^n get ins money at reasonable rates.
s« fu T4®"1 "^^ " ''^^ ""'*'' ^^"*"y g««<^ ^-esults in the North,
South, and East, as li as in the West, and the inference is irresist'
A HIST TO NOVELISTS.
436
ible that, before nmiiy years huve eluiwiwl \h «*,..^..„ • * -n .
William Mc George, Jr.
A HINT TO NOVELISTS.
knowledge of ll,e world or „Tv' ,^ r ',"'"8""".°."' ""fervalion,
reaJer, might, be confounded mi a ve vT/kml f de 1 .'''t' °," ,""
already been utilized aln !:„,t|y I !Sui,,,l "™''' "^' ' "'"'^'' '•"«
.Jdt&i'ie.rftttt:iif^^
histonan wish^ to dl a tale iust a» .'l ' ? ™»?':"f ^™ /-^Ity- The
able or willing ,„ inv nJoneVbr hhnse f Lt^U^ ,^7> ''"V"' •If'"^
from pa.t r«„V dresses these inSm 'up aS^nlin^^Tl,"! ""f""''
.•» .ofor» a n,:? e^nS^.'I^; o^^heTa .Stt^t Itll^ "l^fl'
of this is Mr. Froude's'story of Henry^'^''- ^ '"""'""• "««»"«
.»yg.o:;ilfoftutt'^^^::;^^^i;^i"--«>./™po-bieby
b ood-thir»^v monster R,.t l? „ • ?"' ^. '"''''' "'=" » «"sua^,
wise, virtalLranTn wL-nSeS prinS'^nl^g bv I":?,'" 5f "•"">"
this precnception all through Ts story Mr Fmndft ^ "''''f '"5 '"
work which is as novel as an^y that ^oTj III ^T^IITJ^^:^ "
436
A HINT TO NOVELISTS.
Again, as an instance of how the conception we form of a man's
character will affect our way of recounting the incidents of his life, let
me take Mr. Carlyle's description of the flight of Louis XVI. and
Marie Antoinette from Paris. Having conceived Louis to have been a
man of an indolent, careless, lethargic disposition, and his wife as being
of somewhat the same nature, Carlyle tells how they travelled at a
snail's pace when they ought to have been hurrying along with all
speed. The interest of the narrative is intense. The reader feels
inclined to shout to the king, who is calmly walking by the side of
horses that ought to have been galloping as fast as their legs could carry
them. There is in reading the story the sense of a nightmare in which
we are hardly able to move while some dreadful thing is pursuing us.
We identify ourselves with the royal fugitives and shudder at their
dilatoriness and delays. No doubt as a statement of what actually did
occur Mr. Carlyle's tale has been proved to be utterly incorrect. What
I wish, however, to draw attention to is that it perfectly answers that
which is the final cause of every book, — viz., to interest the reader.
Of course people who are trying to escape death would not be likely
to dawdle along at the rate of two or three miles an hour if they had
the means of travelling more quickly. Of course not. Mr. Carlyle,
however, represents this as being what his heroes did, and the great
merit of his story is that it is told in such a way as to make the reader
believe they did it. Thus a story which is commonplace when related
by other people becomes one of thrilling interest when told by Mr.
Carlyle, and serves as an excellent example of how a new story may be
extracted from old incidents.
We see, then, how historians manage to interest their readera.
Taking their materials from records of the past, they cast, so to speak,
these materials in new theories, and thus bring them out in novel and,
sometimes, perfectly unrecognizable forms, — one of the results being a
good deal of innocent, perplexed amusement to those who take history
au sirieux.
^ Now, why, I ask, cannot fictionists of the higher order do the same
thing by drawing on the records of their predecessors? What most
novelists are so much in want of is a supply of incidents. Why, I
would say to them, not take the incidents, together with the localities,
names, and relative positions of the characters, from some good novel
the copyright of which has expired, and then rewrite the story, follow-
ing the elder novelist through all his incidents, or as many of them as
you conveniently can, but relating these incidents as they' would have
happened if your people, and not your predecessor's, had been moving
about among them ? In this way, while all the trouble of invention
would be taken off your hands, you would be perfectly certain to pro-
duce a new story, and, as the quality of the incidents is guaranteed by
experience, the story itself would probably be a good one. Such is my
suggestion to novelists : that, instead of trying to invent a number of
incidents so connijcted as to form a story (which, not to speak of the
trouble it involves, is generally a task they are unequal to), they should
leave the invention to their predecessors and simply retell the old stories
as they would have to be retold if it were suddenly discovered that the
A HINT TO NOVELISTS. .«-
manufac ure ends, as a rule, in producing a worthless a W
To clothe my theory in circumstances, accordino- fn T nvA iri i >
maxim, let me suppose that I were rewriting" Vn •. i? • ^F'"^?" ^
done, unless I werf coSl^ to^ Z t'^^^ ^^y'^^^Sthey had not
to call them. »/ » peopie— or puppets," as he was wont
of J™r;fS:fp'rir;:^rc?a:;tr '■'"«•*' "''f""--? -«-'«
er.l-mtad^'^"^rr'~" ''^'''^'■"""•"ed, phiUothropic, generous, .od lib- •
tho„?hTfS;„Tp3„fdr„a™ '^''"'''"'^^ ""i «»"^-«» yo-e man. of .
Old SedlOT,— a stock fcchange Wtlcher.
Bawdon Crawley.-an utterly unprincipled blacklet
A.neSi'feutrhSeS"'^'/'"""^^^^^ --"^ i" >o™ with
the death of George olborne ' ""'' '"' ' «l»-J«Wn» flirtation up to
SfataT«'rt;;'-trffivs^^^^^
character ; altomther a wonj J ,v^"*?'^ "§'''".«' "I'M-heade.
Amelia sXy.!!:a°n7;a '^^^±^^ ^^'^.'^f^f'^
Amelia sSley -an artful Z?„i "Kngish magistrate,
acter i, e,.ent Jly^pi."eLjflu"?t1'^^^^^^^^^ '""^- «« Oar-
of f»;nro"'tn^a"far;Sh'if,'j';ir^^ and fond
a way as of nL» ty to fo™ a ^^„ "^ """I''' P^"''^™' '^^''™ i- s"<=h
veryjmero.ti„rraie' ^/have7or„rifJ ^tlllV •-••■^''""'■?.^' "
neariy all, the chano-pq whir.h *u • .-—,"' "^'""-"^ ^''' '""'«ite ail, or
werei b^ re^lf 3,he tvfpre^fr' tT-T'"* '""''" '' "
ri.
438
A HINT TO NOVELISTS.
Balient features in which my history of Vanity Fair would differ from
Mr. Thackeray's.
Thus, the cliaracters of George Osborne, Josh Sedley, and Rebecca
Sharp being as I have assumed above, it will, I think, clearly follow
that both George and Josh fell in love with Rebecca, and that she
rejected both of them, actuated by a high-minde<l sense of loyalty to
Amelia in the case of George, and by a sense of what was due to her
host and hostess, owing to her own humble position, in the case of
Josh. A natural corollary is that George and Josh quarrelled about
her, and this gives the clue to a new rendering of the scene at Vaux-
hall.
Again, the characters of George Osborne and his father being as I
have supposed, Mr. Thackeray's commonplace account of their quarrel
become^ impossible, and a new and romantic reason of their estrange-
ment is both suggested and rendered almost as probable as it is unex-
pected. Assuming them to be such men as I have indicated, it seems
to follow logically that they quarrelled because Mr. Osborne thought
his son wanUd tojiU Amelia.
The misunderstanding between the high-minded parent and his
equally high-minded offspring would appear to have come about in
this way.
George had been engaged to Amelia when he was but a boy. In
his more mature years he discerned the weakness of her character, and
surrendered his affections to Rebecca. Amelia would have been glad
to part with him, as she wanted to marry Dobbin. But Mr. Osborne,
senior, was a client of her father's, and partly for that reason, partly
on account of the wealth George would inherit, her father insisted on
her keeping George to his engagement. Old Osborne was shocked at
what he regarded as a breach of faith on the part of his son, and
insisted on his marrying Amelia. George, being a dutiful young man,
obeyed, but, unfortunately, not until his father, in a fit of passion at
what he regarded as his perfidy, had disinherited him. As well-bred
gentlemen, the father and son did not wish the real cause of their quarrel
to be known. It would not do, of course, to let the world know that
George was being forced to marry Amelia. Consequently, if it
were only out of regard to her feelings, they assigned as the cause
of their difference the commonplace explanation which has deceived
Mr. Thackeray. It was owing to a chivalrous and delicate desire
to give color to this false version of the matter, and thus to screen
even from Amelia herself the true state of her husband's feelings
when he married her, that Mr. Osborne abstained for some little time
after George's death from recognizing his widow and her child. The
dispute between Osborne and Sedley was due,, of course, to some of
Sedley's rascally Stock Exchange transactions, which had become so bad
of late as to make it impossible for a respectable man like Osborne to
contiuue the acquaintance. Dobbin's conduct in urging Greorge to
marry Amelia was worthy of lago, and has completely deceived Mr.
Thackeray. Dobbin did so because he thought that George would
refuse, were it only through a spirit of mere opposition.
When Amelia heard of her husband's death she was secretly
A HINT TO NOVELISTS.
pleased, as she thought she could
439
Bobbi
r"—---} — -- ".YUKui- aiic uouiu marry Dobbin forthwith • but he
rLr.T' "°'vn''.?^^u"^"^ '>"d «^^«"^^ tl^« settTemeit which
he knew to be inevitable if she continued unmarried
nf M^ n ^^'^^'^"•f «« «f Rebecca we have only to paint the character
of M ss Crawley a shade or two darker than Mr. Thackeray has done
and the marriage of Captain Crawley and Miss Sharp wlH come ouJ
:n a new light, and one that sheds a dramatic interest upon the who^e
subsequent history of that most gifted and engaging young ]ad3'
Raying got tired of Rawdon, Miss CrawV wLted a^n excuse for
disowning h.m so as to leave her money to Pitt. AccordbSy she
encouraged Rebecca to marry Rawdon, and then, wh^rthey were
married, pretended to disapprove of what had been brought alurbv
her own instigation. In the hope of reforming her Sand nno^
Rebecca induced Lord Steyne, a mL kind-hearted and rtuous ioC
man to get him an appointment in the Colonies. Of course whThe
found himself safely provided for, Rawdpn, like the cu^ he was
turned ^u ms faithful wife and true friend. '
;• e end Amelia would justly lead a wretched life constantly
bu :.. ^y her brutal husband; whilst there would be sfmeZ^ n
tense y pathetic in the virtuous, care-worn Rebecca, with a trTe womaK
charity, nursing her old lover through his last illness
• A- .T 7f^t *^ ""iT^^*^ " ^""""'^y ^»^r" on some such lines as I have
indicated all the o d incidents would, I think, undergo a process of
natura transformat on, and rearrange themselves a perMyCw and
Son? Sh^^- ^ l'ff'«:*'^^t'"ent," such as historiarL uTed to
Osbltp;^^^^
seems to be so happy as when he is making mischief among h^ S
acte^, represents this as though it were I slight on Sia No'"
what on earth, I ask, did Mr. Thackeray expect George olornetodo^
Did he expect him to ask his own wife to dance 7a ball ^To^
mind,_the whole matter is as innocent and as clear as a pike ^t^ff
Like the we l-bred gentleman he was, George Osborne askecfRebP^a
to dance, whilst Amelia danced with Rawdon CrTX or ^^m^^
nay very likely-sat sulking because the odious DobKas^t^
TterTatn^nt ^^"'^' ^^^" '^ '''^' ^' P^-^-^ ^^-If ^ tS
«1I nf .r'""''^'!"?!"""' f ^^^ ^^^^^ '"«^ents of the story, or nearlv
all of them could be made to tally with any new concepS we chose
to form of the characters, and any wholly impracticabfrincidente if
torn .f'r'f'-''' '""S ^ ^'^^^^ ^^^'^ «^ denied;-~accord?ng to the cus-
J-airohild Family, for example, representing that esUmable houae-
ill
440
A DEBUTANTE.
hold as composed of agnostic radicals, and with substituted disquisitions
on social science, Darwinism, and the theory of evolution, ought to
give as much pleasure to the present rising generation as Mrs. Sher-
wood's excellent I \i now almost forgotten story did to its less enlight-
ened predecessors.
In conclusion, I would wish to say strongly that fictionists proper
ought not to finvl any more difficulty in whitewashing such characters
as Becky Sharp and Lord Steyne than pseudo-fietionists have experi-
enced in applying the same process to Henry VIII., Bloody Mary, and
liberius, who has lately been made to conduct himself very properly,
at least fbr a king in history. Novels or children's tales which are
written on these principles ought always, of course, to bear their
original titles. Thus, as each succeeding attempt to tell the story of
the English people is called History of England, whether the author
be l.ume or Maca lay or Froude or Freeman, so each attempt to tell
the story of, for example, the Osbornes, Se<lleys, and Crawleys ought to
be cal ed "Vanity Fair," whether the author be Thackeray (who first
took the job in hand) or Brown or Jones or Eobinson.
W. H. ^acpooU.
A DEBUTANTE,
FROM very weariness
She slept, yet breathed, in dreams, the fragrance of Success,
Sweeter to her desires than cooling showers,
Than perfumes hived in flowers.
Or than those songs which, ere the night is done,
Break forth in rapturous worship of the sun.
» The longed-for prize
H6r own, again she heard delighted plaudits rise.
Again her conquest read'in beaming eyes.
And scanned each upturned face, and missed— but one !
" O love," she dreaming sighed.
In joy grown sudden sad, and lonely in her pride, —
" O love, dost thou, of all the world, not care
These triumphs dear to share ?
Dost thou, who sued in griefs to bear a part.
Who lightened discontent, and soothed with heavenly art,
And still forbore to blame.
Remove, when all besides with praises speak my name?"
Distinct, yet as from far, the answer came :
" Love still demands an undivided heart !"
Florence Earle Ooatea.
A DEAi: MAN'S DIARX.
441
A DEAD MAN'S DIARY.
WRITTEN AFTER HIS DECEASE.
CHAPTER 17.
THE WRITER TAKES THE READER INTO HIS CONFIDENCE.
When the first rough draft of this diary was Iving on my study
table there called to see me, at a time when I chanced to be out^
a certam novelist who is an old and intimate friend of mine. He
was shown into the study to await my coming, and, on my return I
found him amusing himself with theseVpevs.^' Of ihe r'Jity o ^y
death-expenences which he persistently refused to regard L other
than dreams) I had never been able to convince him, and I was not
ZT.t'^r\' r>'?' ff *^^ -'^^^versation turned upon the
sceptical tone."' '"^ '"'^' ^' '"^""'"^ *' ""'^ booklet in his usual
"My deav fellow," he said, laying one hand upon 'the offendincr
manuscript "I haven't the slightest intention of disputing the tiuth
Id •T''^'!' "J ■! ^'""n^ *^^* y«"^ ^'i^^T has a certain un-
rit^eth^i"^^^^^ ^""' ''^* •^^"^"^^^' ^ ^-'^ *^-k fiction is
th^ u."g^^^^^ 'r '""'" ' '''P'"' ' " ^"' "'^* '^^^ y^^' '' '^y ^^-"-^
dJi"'"'' ^"^ ^"!^-e^*^^' "ioi;e evidently in earnest ; " that you haven't
scored as you might have done, but have let slip what opportunities
you had for tiirmng out something original. 'Letters fVom Hell'
tlTmlat /L ^^/^ "^f * '"'P""* *^ ^^ ^^^^'•^^d ^>fch imitating,
though that needn't trouble you much), was confessedly a work ?f
pure imagination, and I shouldn't be surprised if the fact help-^d
somewhat to lessen the interest of the volume. Now your book has
ilTn7!.Vtw'''•n^Pn^•^^^^^^ possibility to sustain the delu-
sion and a that will tell m its favour. The public likes-just as
Dick Swivellers Marchioness did-to 'make believe' in the reilitv of
that which IS meant to interest it; and books or plays can't be too
hfe-hke or reabsuc nowadays. You have ' made believe' until you
1 cu V t^.uk t^ver i-iappcnea, out that isn't my business. What I
complain of is this : -that although you have a story to tell with
sufficient shadow of probability or possibility, .s I have said, to make
LenfnhlJ".^'^'^ *' ^''^ "P '^^ delusion, you have fai^led most
lamentably to turn your opportunities to account. Take your death
Vol. XLV.— 29*
442
A DEAD MAN'S DIARY.
scene, for instance. Any practical writer of ordinary ability could
imagine the sensations of dying, and could draw a far more powerful
picture of them than you have done, who profess to have actually
experienced those sensations personall}'. Then what you have to say
about Heaven and Hell, and all the rest of it, is curious, and some
may think it not uninteresting, but you haven't given us any idea of
what the places are like after all. Why didn't you draw on your
imagination, man ? Why didn't you go in for the grim, and grey,
and ghastly ? Why didn't you revel in the weird (never mind Mr.
Lang's abuse of the word), or conjure up blissful dreams of the blest
and of Paradise ? I know a dozeu men who could have made twice as
much capital, and far more saleable copy, out of that idea of yours
about a man dying, or nearly so, and then coming back to relate
what he has seen, as it appears from the standpoint of frail mortality;
and I tell you frankly that I don't think you have scored as you
ought to have done."
" But what has all this," says the reader, " to do with your diary ?
We are ^yilling to hear what you have to tell about your experiences,
but we didn't bargain for an article setting forth the opinion of your
friends on the subject, and we can't luelp thinking that the introduc-
tion of this chapter is somewhat uncalled lor."
Well, perhaps it is so, but it is because the ooaversation g'ven
above touches upon some points concerning which I am anxious that
the reader should come to a right understanding before he enters
upon my aftor-death experience, that I have inserted it here, and
if a very few minutes' indulgence be granted me, I will say what
1 have to say as briefly as possible. I could, I am sure, by drawing
a little on my imagination, have written a far more striking descrip-
tion of the sensations of death, than that which I have given in the
preceding chapter, for of such description, in the sense of " working-
up a situation," there is absolutely none. All that I have tried to do
IS to relate my story with a resolute avoidance of anything akin to the
sensational. If aught of the sensational there be in the narrative, it
IS because the thing is sensational in itself, and not because I have
attempted to make it so. As George Eliot says, it is far easier to
draw a griffin, with wings and claws filled in according to our own
fancy, than to correctly limn the outlines of a lion ; and to keep to
the truth has been the hardest part of my task.
When the mental picture or impression left on my mind is but an
imp.erfect one, I have not attempted as I might easily, and perhaps
pardonably have done, to fill in the missing outline from my imagina-
tion, but have given the picture or impression for what it is worth,
and have left it so. My memory is, generally speaking, an excellent
one, and durmg the first few hours of consciousness after the return
of vitality, the recollection of that which I had seen was as fresh as
are the events of yesterday. Within a week, however, I found that
the CrPfl.f.ftr T>ni4. nf if liorJ ^yz-ww^ f^-nrr- ry\a ""A J-1-i-i-i - V '*• ■ j.
u'~u'~' — ' " o^""^ iiom me, aua tnai, ah my enoris to
recall the mental pictures were unavailing. I have sometimes
wondered if it can be possible t1)at when my presence was missed
Irom the realms into which I had so untimely wandered, some angelic
A DKAD MAX'S DIARY.
443
^-^^^^:^^ -^ the
been one such as it is not often g en to man to wdte '?;,^ t''
however seemed then and for 1 \^L.\- c ®* "^"^ subject
turned to account for' Xf'' and ea^ch'T.f^^^
have elapsed since I died Sik^n vvftl •. ^^ ^^^^'^^ ^^''^^^ ^^i^h
tions that remained to mo and now tw} l' «°"^e part of the recollec-
my task, I have but Wurred and bmkpn ' ""^ • "" *^'^'^^ '^^ ^^^^^
place of a life-like picture '" remmiscences to offer in
These reminiscences vacrue disconnPf.fori o«.i c
are, I have given for what they a^wor^f If anv ,t!'?'^*^•^,"^*^^^^
have overrated the value of m v Ivrvl • any reader thmk that I
verify the promise >W ^wl icTi sS '°^ 'Y' ^ ^^^1^^"^^ '^
the failure is due, not t? t int^ffll '/°i^ ^^'"'^ ^'"^ t^^t
striking in my exp;r^en4s but fn ,^ ' K^-f^ '^^^* '^ ^^^^^^^ ^^d
seen, and to^my^ncrmpetencv o 7a fin ^^'*^ *"/''""" ^^^* ^ ^^^^
subject. ^ ^rapetency to do fittmg justice to my singular
CHAPTER V.
''^'^'^^ ''I^.JIT ^''^'''' AWAKENING IN HELL AND OF THE
SHAMEFUL SIN WHICH BKOUGHT ME THITHER.
The expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is hist in action ; and till action, hist
Is perjured, nuirderous, hloody, full of blame,
bavage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust :
Jinjoyed no sooner but despised 8trai"ht •
Past reason hunted, and no sooner^hacl,
I'ast reason hated, as a swallow'd bait,
On purpose laid to make the taker mad ;
Mad m pursuit, and in possession so ;
Had, having, and in quest to have, 'extreme ;
A bliss m proof, and, proved, a very woe ;
Before, a joy proposed ; liehind a dream :
All this the world well knows ; yet none knows well
lo shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
Shakespeare's 129th Sonnet.
me aa if weeks, moX vea?X I .1 5"^ !™ ''^y'' " ^'^^^^ *»
the ho„. when i nJ^Q.^'Z^^l^^'^nLtTtT "^ ''""'' '"'f
444
A DEAD MAX'S DIARY.
c.i^-i T w ^''" *''*^ ^ ^ >y ^■^3'ino, I felt my life slowly but
nfHi7v.'Tv!",^ away until at last there came a time-the moment
of death, I believe it to have been-when the outward and deathward-
setting tide seeined to reach its climax, and when upon the inward-
setting flood of that fuller existence into which I had died, I felt myself
swept shoreward and lifeward again. I know that there are some
who will say that the turning point which I have called the moment
of death, was nothing more or less than the moment which marked
llL«'w A ^ ^'^""^^t' vT^ ^^^ '^^"''^ ^' ^i*a^i*y. but tliis theory,
plausible and even probable, as it seems, leaves the strangest part
ot my experience unexplained, and I cannot entertain it; neither I
think, will the reader, when he has heara me out
Whether my death was succeeded by a season of slunber. in which
certain appointed and divinely-ordered dreams were caused to be
dreamed by me or whether God caused the hands on the dial of
1 im. be put back for a space in order that I might see the past
?h J mo fi^y A • "^^f ^rH"7 «<^r know, but I distinctly remember
t at tue first thing of whicn I was conscious after my dissolution was
that the events of my past life were rising before me. Yes, it ^Z
my past life, which I saw m that awful moment, my past life s tanding
^1 of ^nr ""tf ^''^ ^"tolerable horror, an abomination in thf
sight ot God, and of my own conscience
The hands on the dial of Time went back half a score, a score, and
finally a score and a half of years, and once more I was a young man of
twenty-one. The chambers in which I was then livin- were situated
in one of the well-known Inns off Holborn, and trhoTiseke^er of
the wing where I was quartered was a widow, who, with her daughter
Dorothy, a girl of seventeen, resided on the premises *
As it was Dorothy's part to wait upon the occupants of the
chambers, she had occasion t come to my room several times in
the day and I could not help noticing her loveliness, which bdeed
reminded me strangely .f my favourite Greuze picture When I first
knew her she seemed maidenly and modest, but was vain beyond a
question and her manner to those of the opposite sex who
happened to be young and good-looking, was shy and self-consciC
with occasional dashes of an artless W even childish coquetr^
SvT'-T^^T^'"^^"^- ^^ '^''' girl I ^^« irresistiMy anJ
fatally fascmated. I was young, susceptible, and singularity Tm-
pres.ionable to female beauty, whilst the loneliness and th? monotony
of the life I was leading were in themselves elements of considerable
danger. To make matters worse, it was only too eviS that
Dorothy was not indifferent to my admiration, L she took eve^
opportunity to place herself inmy way. Knowingas I did that hlZ
but the fascination of form and feature which attracted me and that
nothing but mischief was likely to come of such a passioi.T st ove
my hardest to steel myself against her, but Fate seemed adverse
_ •;;:-^'""^r -re^iu^ whiiu X was sitting m my study, waiting for a
friend, there burst over London the most fearful thunderstorm whTch
i ZirT'.''''''^-T ^^l ligl^t^i-g^as so vivid and theXS
60 terrific, that even I, who am by no means nervous about such
A DEAD MAX'S DlAltY.
4^5
in the
I went to the dior, howevTi I found tJ nf w' "^^ ^"\"^ f ^"^^'^^ When
that .she was white JtHeir 2 LpmVr ""T""^ h«, but Dorothy, and
sir," she sobbed. " mothe W 1,7? "^ ^'""^ ^'''^ ^^ ^^^^- " Oh,
andl'msofrightenenmtlcan'f i r' "^°""" ^^^^ '^ but you
tne be here tiR she re urns I'H L v^.t^ '"-^f '^^ , ^^' ^^^'l^ onl/le
writintf." ieiurns, ill oe very quiet and not disturb your
"'ff glance to res^t on her but i ci^d^"^ T '""-'^h '' ^ ''''^^'^-
now. and I remember thnfL u , "°* ^^«"* looking at her
"her boscn'.Tnt tig b So ''.l^ ^rfhf 111" ■™" ''--«"^'
of her presence as she stonri W^l /^ ^^^^ consciousness
-ildly, that it was yrcould do toXrf '"' .T ^T' ^'^'^"^S so
too late; but on t^s fccLbriTpi W.'^'"'' *''',^
out a timely warning and thLtwll^n. ^^\ '-'^^ "^^^^^tor speak
effort I nerved myself to „v a J. . ""^-^^^-tain tongue. By a great
Dorothy would tS me Sdis"; n"! Tl'^h^']"^ though I Lew
had better go downsL^sand wl^t th.1 ?" ' lu""^"^ her coldly that she
had scarcelj time to S mvTrn. a Tf '^^'' 'r^^''' '^^^ ^^rds
heard them), before tC/ vX S t i^ a Wfi"^f '^^^^^ '^' ^^"^^ ^^'^'
almost instantaneously \ipoTabHndfn!T.^^ thunder-peal, following
that blazed forth hot and red likp h.S^ f ""^ lightning-a flash
blighting and blasting our hVes wth Ttf fltT.*'^' *V°f '' ^'^^'
better for both of us aS 1 have off I .• !t ^ ?'^ ^* ^^^d been
struck us dead as w^ Ttood thorP ? ^^^"?f/hought, if that flash had
fear, and callingme by my Ime-mv^S^^^ "^ '^ P"^^'^° ^-^
none could misfnterpretrDorotTv flS t '^ ^^^^^-"1 a tone that
next moment I found myself nri.rA/'"'^ f ^""^ ^^^' ''^^ t^e
and almost savage ^xuUat on Ld f pi? '\ *" '"^ ^"''^^•^ '''^^' ^ fierce
kisses that I lovfd ^er ' '^^'"« ^^'' '""^^^^ ^ «^«»'e of burning
whtScSht^i:!:^^^^^^^^ ^^r ^ °p^-"^^ ^f d--
time to tell me hi rS2 Ih\t .tf /"^'^
so. And th^n she si pped fro ' r^ ""'^ ''''' f "^. ^^'^ ^^^^ys done
tumbled hair and flaS cLeks to'^^irhp ' ''^"^ ^PP^^ away with
reached the door to look back wi'il ""'^^''^ *"'"'"^ ^« ^^e
innocently and unsusnecL'lv .n^^lr^/^f u^^^^^^ ^^f ^9 say-
room directly over mine was hpv nwn'^' f'^i .''"^■"' ^■^*^— tnat the
at night list^ening t^ my re,^^^^^^ '^''? ^^^ ^^^^«
what could keep me up Vlate ^ ^ ''"'^ ^'^' ^^^ wondering
tho'iUlhaS.tl'^^^^^^^^^ ^,^ -/ heart as I listened-the
s di sne ^v oiiia not refuse me admittance to her room should 1
44C
A DEAD MAy\S JJJAJIV.
Reek her there that night-she could have had no suspicion, for it was a
thonglit of which, at any other time, I should have deemed myself
incapable. I remember that I did not fling the hateful suggestion
trom me asl should have done an hour earlier, although/passion-
niaddened as I was, I recoiled from it, and vowed that I would never
entertain it. But I brooded over tho horrible idea, and sketched out
l.oweasily it might be acted upon, were I the foul thing to do h, which I
still declared to mvself I was not. Had I arisen in trembli.ig honor,
and thrust the vile conception froiM me, as I would have thrust a
poisouom reptile, she and I might even then have been saved, but I
let it enter and take up its abo<]o in my lieart, and from thence-
torward I strove to drive it forth in vain.
Oh ! in God's name, in the name of Love and Truth and Purity
Avhen any such evil or impme thought as much as casts the shadow
ot Its approac ung presence on your soul, then in all the strenc^th of
your manhood and your honour, arise and thrust it out, ere it be too
late! Argue not, delay not, listen not, but hurl the loathsome
whisper from you as though it were some poisonous serpent, and bid
It De gone for ever !
From the moment that I gave jiudienco to that messenger of
Satan, hell and its furies laid hold on me. Sometimes I seemed to
be gaming ground, sometimes I seemed to be recoverinc^ my balance
of mind. ^'IwUl do the right!" I cried, "I will ^of ll^^guUty of'
this accursed thing ! but even as I strove to fix my feeble purpose
to the sticking point, some moral screw seemed to give way within
woind purpose ebbing away like life-blood from a fatal
At last the struggle seemed to cease, and there was borne in upon
me a sense of peace, deep, and sweet, and restful. I know now that
It was but exhaustion consequent upon the strain I had endured
that it was nothing more than the inevitable re-action from the
high soul-tension to which I had been subjected. To me however
It seemed as the very peace of God and as a sign from heaven, and
lulled into a false security, I let my thoughts wander back to dwell
ogam upon the temptation. Need I tell the remainder of my
story ? ^ Need I say that my passion had but simulated defeat,
as passion often does, m order that it might turn in an unguarded
moment, and rend me with redoubled fury? The next moment I
saw nny last gasping eftort to will what was right and true sink
amid the tempestuous sea of sinful wishes, as a drowning man sinks
after he has risen for the third time; and deliberately thrustino-
away, in the very doggedness of despair, the invisible hand which yet
strove to stay me, I arose and sought the room that I had prayed I
n-.ght never enter. F'ciytu i
* * . * .* ^ ^
You may wonder perhaps how it is that I am ahl^ f.n r^^cali ^.^ vi'"^"v
tiie circumstances of an event which happened many years 'a^o
Jwf "I? T^'^ ,*.^ •''^^^'' ^^^ y«" «^^°' ^« I ^^ve*" seen, the
ghost of your dead self rise up to cry for vengeance against you, and
to condemn you before the judgment seat of God, and of your own
A DEAT) MAX'S DIAHY.
447
l7TLvl::X%r. "^ ,""^ «'''T« ^^ "«" ; tin. was my
it, an.l as it appeared wh^ X', r .1 '""i ^^u^^^'"* ^'^^ ^« ^lod saw
which I ha,l sTlon. 'ont ive 1 hfl " ^""^^'^""^^ ^^^«"'«^« ^^'i^''
'SSlnlo.)ks„njchro?otcSp f. fl T'^/'r '""'•"1 nakedness,
who do it," ^Z T -uX J^ ''"I'Jr'''' ^"'!^ ^^ ^^' than to those
"A convict, o7a nL w o dHnk. '^ "^^" '^^•■'^"" *'^'-'»-"
horrible whin w see him bu o 1 imTeiri .^'"''^'"^ •"' '^^ ««" ^"'^
and like us. We wonder vXt k nTn/ ''!'"' T'*' "^"'' *« "«-
just we ourselves- It^L•V.^^'^*:"■'^ *^^^ '•^' ^"^ he is
wondered. I had read oaen of • ^^'u *'"' ^ ^'^ **»«"^ht and
the newspaper, andTlrt",; t ^1^1 I th u^ron""" "'
of cannibals, n no wmv ima(T,r?in,.- t\ZT ^ not ght of lepers or
render sucli words a mhS o"m^ tT ^,'"**'^"^ "'^^^^^ ^^»'''
calling? my crime '^.XX '' in n. J''"'^ accustomed myself to
regarded ^one who ^.itLCxZ'T ^'^^"S^^t^"'^"^ I shotdd have
in breeding- ; and ow \iZ^\ ^"? ' "? ^' T^^'^^ "^ ^i^'»i'=''^<y and
"Seducer ''to all Eteraityl ^''^' ^''^"''^'^ as "Murderer '' and
mltfS •'the'?:^.r^ho\:s Jh"''""'' /"• ^-^^"^^^^ - -^ral
only to tand sil^by siS^ithlm XTS tTeT^a lifrT '' ']
boiily life at^the hands of tb! murderer "" "'"^"' ^^'^ '^^ ^^^" *'-
ofJLVroSwttLt:;^:;;^!^^ --tterable horror
which I had striven to palliatrmy sin L t?self f vf "'""'T ^V^''
of the sexes," I had often said when str vinS f,V ^i ^ ^^^^^^oix
conscience, "Bah i it is but n vnbi IV "^- * ^1^*^'^''° ^" ""easy
woman I I'ove to Vive witi me and sheZd V'^T^^- I '^^' '^'^
Yonder is a man who follo^v^ ihe same nvP../ /' '5"/'°"'^ ^^ ^^P'^^^'
motive, and because a pLst has mumu rod « f """"^ ^7''}^'' •^^'"^'
over the contract, he and his mrt or « f^f J^'' TI^' ^^ ^^"^•ti^"
oce into the other" ■""tteiiiig ot a raaa can transfoim the
otheraonthfeea ha.^ Lw,Sr?o°il.n^ T- '" "''1* ™™y
»ke," I would say to Cm "belare r' Sn 1^'^ ,, " ^'" <^«'»
.■ou>e. stai. on thotoS™^ htth!^ h^f/ 4X7^^ ^-:, t«
448
A DKAD MAX'S LIARY.
it is I believe at this moment the one and only thing which still
keeps Hell Hell, and Satan Satan.
Must I write further of the torture-throes of that awfnl moment,
when I first saw my sin in its true light? God only knows how-
even low I shudder anil shrink at the more thought of it. but I
have told you of my crime, and it is right that I should speak also
of my pimishmont. I rerncuber that when the realization of what
I was, and what I had done, was first boriio in upon mo, I fell to
the ground and writhed in convulsive agony. The tortures of a
material hell,— of a thousand material hells,— I would have endured
with joyfulness could such torture have drowned for one moment
the thought-agony that tore me. Nay, more physical suffering-
physical suffering meted out to mo as punishment, and in which
though it were powerless to expiate, I could at least , irticipato by
enduring— I would have welcomed with <leliriou8 gladness, but of
such relief or diversion of thought there was none. From the mere
meiitio« of annihilation— the personal annihilation of soul and body,
of thought and sensation— I had ever slirunk with abject loathing
and dread ; but to annihilation, had such been then within my reach
I would have fought my way through a thousand devils. But in
hell there is no escape through annihilation ; suicide, the last refuf^o
of tyrannous and cowardly despair, is of none avail, *'
" And death once dead there's no more dying then."
What had to be endured I found must be endured, and that unto
the uttermost, for m all horrid hell there was no nook or cranny
into which I could creep to hide myself from the hideous spectres of
the past. I remember that I rose up in my despair, and stretching
vain hands to the impotent heavens, shrieked out as only one can
shriek who is torn by hell-torture, and despair. I fell to the ground
and writhed and foamed in convulsive and bloody agony But
not thus could I rid myself of the sights of hell, nor could mere
physical pain wipe out from my brain the picture of the ruin I had
wrought.
And then— but no, I am sick, I am ill, I am fainting, I cannot
1 cannot write more. *
(To he cmtiaucd.)
PROOFS.
"Is there a Heaven ?" I wondered. Then we met ;—
There was no need to say the words again.
XX ri--xi : j:iii ; iuvt?, 1 iuuiuou, Dor fflaj forget.
Beside thy grave its fierce eternal pain.
H. D. Loiory.
HJ/0 AHA CHRISTIAN MIXISTERfi?
440
WHO ARK CHMISTIAN MhMSTEMS i
T"thlptrem!rf r^'^'r ?!'"r*^y^«/'^e ^ey to the solution of
WHmr rth?Htfll. ■'"*'*''' ^ "'^^' ""^' '' "^^ ^^^hout a decisive
(m3 on the still n.oro momentous (|.ie8tion of the effieiencv of
G^d''te ^^T\"" "; -^tablishing and ixtending the "Kin^dZ of
it wrid no Ion.f^r; • - ™''''^^ "" technicality of ecclesiastics
wo ou-ht tS mis it I ; ?• V ' ""^ "^ '^^'S'""« organizations
it hftT IL n/ . ^.. ' ^"^ ^"^ ''"'^ '"°»'o urgent themes. But
^ has the closest rclati- '. ..u the everyday lifS of men o tho
lTes""d to tho""' r'."" V'r T"'^'"' '-^- tLt\wa;'th "
1 n^r .-^ applications of the Christianity of Christ Jesus to
he amelioration o the social condition of the world. And the cfore
n ent of iho"^/ '" ^^7 A '"''^-^ ^''' ^" '^^^' "^^^ -"^ S^eatS r^d u t.'
Sff vhic^Tn'tl ^.^'r^^«\S«?«ties to the new circumstance of
Zu^rZ^t:^^^^^^^ "^^-^^ ^^™ -- dooming on
Ihe Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, Dr. Ellicott savs in a m^^nf
address to the clergy and laity of his diicese in S 1 4Te to an effort
until tin f- T'^ -^^^ ''"^ practical discussion of the subiect
until the time when it may be, God mav so far draw the skies of
the chasm together that the bridge may at last bTmado '' Tn n
or tno cleigy of the Scandinavian Church. A recentlv U^unA
ftLndTAndX <? "^f r^l^ ^^^^^"^*-- - necestr^Tm n "S
Churches ''Fv r^'*^ administration of the " Sacraments of the
j^piscopai ordination, be the pastor as inspired and j?iftod »^ Pnnl
of the call if r W„T?!K""f "'""'?? 0'«'»'"»ente, and the conviction
the call oi the Holy Ghost, are all secondary to valid ordination.f
of sfZtu. '*"*"• ^" ''"''"'"'■ =y ^"-f " «"-»"1. 1-L-B., B.A., ncv
450
WHO ARE CHRISTIAN MINISTERS?
But cheering and prophetic changes are in sight. Dr. Perowne
the Dean ot Peterborough, in a paper* enriched not less with'
sweet reasonableness and Christian justice than with learnino- and
ability says of the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Congregational and Baptist
Churches : I dare not for one moment accept the position that these
churches are not churches at all, that their ministers are not lawful
ministers, and their sacraments are not valid sacraments." And
more recently Dr. Donald, speaking for himself and Dr. Phillipps
tJrooks at the installation of the successors of Henry Ward Beecher
said he greeted Dr. Abbot and Mr. Bliss " as Ministers of the Lord Jesus
a7 m every respect spiritually competent to preach the Word of God
and to administer the two sacraments which belong to the Church " '
But valuable as are such individual acts and judgments, the most
signihcant circumstance is the new light being cast on the origins
and early forms of the Christian Ministry by the rigorous applica-
tion ot historical science to the facts of early Church History
in a historical temper.f There has been an enormous massing of
historical material during the last twenty years; and a precise and
thorough investigation has been given to that material by such com-
petent scholars as Lightfoot and Hatdh. Zahn and Harnack ; tendin-
partly, to fill up "the chasm" that separates the Churches with the
debris ot ecclesiastical theories; and still more, to bring the sides of
the chasm so close together that our successors will have no need for
r L!u^?^ bridge, but will be able to grasp hands in the clearer
light that reveals the truth of a great historical situation in its ruling-
motive, total movement, and true perspective. Harnack says, " Th?
knowledge of to-day is richer in historical points of view," and on few
subjects IS this more manifest than concerning the character and
conditions of the ministry for teaching and for administration of the
nrst Christian communities.
^Aw.,?^"'^.^ ^^^ "^"'''* "^* anticipate immediate extensive changes.
^othmg is so mournful," says George Meredith, "as the way in
which a theory wi 1 hold the wis ;" but false theories are at last
eaten through and destroyed by the acid of historical scientiiic
enquiry Lux Mimdi" is a .witness in point. The Essay by the
Editor, the Rev. C. Gore, M.A., Principal of Pusey House, offbrs such
surprising evidence of capitulation to modern criticism in reference
to the integrity and authority of Catholic tradition, to the Old Testa-
ment and Inspiration, that we may justly expect important changes
in the next edition of his " Church and the Ministry."
It IS admitted tbnt the earliest datum in church organization is the
<listinction between the preaching of the gospel and the care of the
neeay., Ihat cleavage cortainly remains for a considerable period.
It appears m the " Apostle^,, prophets and teachers " of the Corinthians
and the JJidaut/, who are not restricted to any locality but minister
freely amongst tne churches, whilst presbyters, bishops, and deacons
* Lippiiicott's Ma^.., Jan. 1890, p. 153.
t Hatch. Bampton Lectures, p. 2.
t Harnack, Expositor, May, J877, p. 324.
WHO ARE CintlSTIAN MINISTERS? 451
are responsible for the care of the poor, tlie direction of discinlino
the organization of hospitality, keeping 'the churcrrolls and the
tZttTi T'«°"^\f T^t^P' ^^'^'^^^' -t ^ 1^^'ter da e, those of
fndtacw'* "' ''^'' '^"'"-^^ *^^^ ^^"^^- of apostles, prophett
«l,f* ^«„ Jia.2ardous to say what will be the final finding of the scholar-
ship of this age but there is certainly a strong set iS the current if
evidence towards the conclusion, that for the first half century of the
history of the Churches, "there was (1) liberty of proplLyina" as
in the Church at Corinth (I. Corinthians, c. y.1) ■ (rthat Sje?
eTh'orrtd^Lustoffic"^^*"' the churches to ^prU'taTh td
exnoit and that (3) officers were selected, as superintendents for the
SattnnrS"'"* V^' ''''''^r ^"^ ^°^- the management of con!
giegational affairs. Sermons, if vve may apply th? word to the
st?e o7short*t """^^^\" '' f?'^* date,' , e^e"^ fn the ruLent^y
tion lapt feeling and rich Christian ideas; whilst what we should
Smittee'o ""d'^"^^'.*'"i^'"^-?^^^^^ ^^^ thrdirectln o " a
^ZTi^tJ' ^^'^^°"« V^^d a chief or chiefs who were called
or^«Son!'' n ^r'^Tl-'' >^™»;f»tly Jewish, and "overseers"
or bishops m those distinctively Gentile. Episcopacy as we see
tL cLrr''"" r "^^^^^'^l^^^l' ^'^ ^o place in^heist cen ury S
the KWdom'f f'n "^rii I' "'* ''^^'''''^ ^"^°°g«t t^^« ^^rly ideals of
the Kingdom of God, but appears at length as Sne of the expedients
an a^Sit^T;J"*r^r^^ by Church leaders just as a commandei of
an aimy adjusts his forces to the changing conditions of the field
thpi/''-rT'! \' '^'''' ^''' century Societies, if conformit^^
their ministry be taken as the test, are not the Roman Catholic
organisations around us, nor yet the Anglican, nor evrthe Prcsbv-
terian or Congregational, but the Friends, whise ministers are stfu
regarded as "prophets," and are not fixed to onelSty butviS
no\e7r?h Z>Yr^^"'"^f^^ T' '^'^'^ -d eS, whoTe
Tr^A I f"V^ °^ ^°^' ^^^^«t the administration of discipline
T.;::^!u::Lt:SiZt'' '' ''^' society „„derthediL^l"
That spiritual conception of the Christian Ministry reigns amonjrsfc
dealT?nX N ' 't^ ^''^^^^'T^ Christian coLunions (fu
deal IS in the New TestameLt and in the writings referring to the
Christian organizations of the first century. No dSubt in the^no.
to he age " the conditions of things were fluid." But it is undeniSe"
that "the dispensation of the Spirit " was characteristically one 0?
*Cf. Dr Sanday. E,pos{tor, Feb., 1887, p. 109. Eomans, xvi 7 is
sufficient evidence that the word apostle is not restricted to the we Iv;' ihe
Me uses both apostle and ^^rophet in a wider sense, and speaks ob hops and
deacons as still occupying a secondarv place a« con pn../..S t nf e^ ^^^
ttrS" " trr'' *'T'^"' ^^^ y"^"^-^-^' ^^^^opsTn-d dt onrtrtVof
tLv tnrf ' T f "'' "''f '"^ ^°' ^°^''*«»«' ^^"^ t^'"«^f"l and approv^P^fri
S h^m^t^ forT *'" """I '' *'" P^°P^^*^ andteachers.''Tro;efo:
452
WHO ARE CHRISTIAN MIXISTIJRS?
Liberty was the divine mark of the new era. The marvellous
influx of spiritual power would not brook restra nt It XmaS
heTCke w fhZTd " ''"^™ r^'"' ^^ *^^ Holy Ghtrfnl
tney spake with boldness and much assurance. Spiritual oualifiea-
iearm^htS"' if all-inclusive. Whoever^ould C or
assodatrd wffh / ^^\' ^'?"f 'P^"*"^l ^"^^ intellectual abilities.
One "tdev ' 1- ;S' ^u '^'''f^'^i ^^^^^^e. Caste was not known,
hi if nrwf '^^Sf^^' *'ie order of regenerate souls; and all were
abihf'v " a""''!, ^'^""^ *° ^'^'^'' ^■"^^^^' ^^d preach as thev Imd
fdeas^o'f Ohf S?f. •! ^T. ?.'^- ^'^^ '^^'^^^ *^«*^fy *° *he facts and
of a Hvini I • *^ •'''^*'- ^^'^' e-^Penence of the power and grace
nrprJof^ Saviour ; and m essence and elements these were the
pieiogatives of every Christian. " Prophets " were men gifted with a
genius for spiritual ideas and susceptible of quick and f? 1 re ;le
Si and t\?'" T '^V^^?P"■i* «*■ p°^^' t^e Spirit that wroug^ht in
all. and the "Teachers" were those who were endowed with
:SeTL'"heTSXr" " '^'^''*' '^"^ -^^ ^^^^' ^^^^"^^ ^^^
thP^nnl'y4'"''''''''*'r5' ""^^ recognition are and wore the three, and
the only three qualifications for the discharge of the highest ministry
of the Churches of Jesus Christ. Whoever has the power of
7^^'T^ *^' I y *^^^^^ "^ ^°d " *« «^e°' ^"d "«es that power in
single-hearted obedience to the call of God to serve his generation by
nPpl^^^^T ^""^ '° '''"'■^' *^^ confidence of his Christian brethren,
needs nothing more to make his ministry " valid," and can receive
nothing more excepting the all-fructifying blessing of God.
i^ut what IS this poiuer for ministry ? May it not involve the C(mi.
J^T- *^\^^^^e °^ ? ^^jid ordination " by the " potentate-bisliop,"
ApostlesT' ''''^''' ^'^*' "' "^^r'^'^e^ succession from the
fn "^r ^"'K.^^^^^'ers to +^at question may be given. First the claim
to aposlohcity is discredited and gone beyond all recoverv. The
monarchical constitution of the Church cannot be traced back to the
Apostles. Up to 140 A.D. there was no monarchical episcopate.
IgTiatius knows nothmg of any bishop save the one who has charge of
theA oST^*'"'"'*^'''^ "^'''''' ''''"'^''^r' ^'^^^""^^ ^^ successors of
Add to this a brief statement of what is required in a Christian
minister. Before all things he must be a man, "a man of God."
iNot an elegant plausibility or make-b-lieve, not a reciter or per-
tormer; but a living mass of genuine i.u.nhood, averse to cant and
* (^n Harnack, Expog., Jan., 1886, p. IG.
t "No one ought to acknowledge the genuineness of the third Epistle of John,
with Its unmeasured railing at the man who loves the primacy, and hold that thd
monarchical episcopate was of apostolic authority." Dr. Sanday, Expos., April,
WHO ARE CHRISTIAN MINISTERS?
453
insincerity baldness and externalisra, the destructive parasites tha^
insincer ty, ra spiritual genuineness is the first sign ot a
infest aU ;^^li|^^^^^^^^^^ depth is the second, spiritual heat the t urd, and
divine call spmtu^.1 de^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ i^ the
Wmmmm
l^rfttheSTo hS^^^^^ tf:Su?sJ who is the power of
l^- vf .1. nnwpr of theiis fusing their indifference and giving a
his life the power ot theirs, ms .^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^
• ;o7m «niHtual ideas and for interpreting the spiritual lite in
a genius foi f i^,f ^f.l^^^^^^ and the Churches will recognize
ht SftTlnd S wUl s^rvTrgL^ration through the ministration
^ thf LdcI acco7d ng to the will of God. So the Christian mmistry
ofan ecclesiastical caste but a senicea^e deepest, most
Divine V»V^'=' :J™ *1-X h and Conscience, with^iration
"?^^^tiShe?o"es'tha feed the spiritual life, with themes that
and duty, with the torcestnai re r ^^ ^^^ ^^ ,j
TrL^d :! th^ ^l^Aii^y of the future, but surpasses all
^« the tme interpreter of the seen and unseen universe, as the
Se''enge"of Jorg-eness, the helper in righteousness, and the herald
''^TCs'as^^Rlnan reminds us, the question of the ministry is really
thrrearqSon What is the essential element in the Church ?
T^ if the clemy? Or is it the regenerated and inspired soul?
Is It the c^igyj ^ «clerffv" everything, and therefore treats
^:ScrsuTess on as vi^aTInd fundamental to the ministry ; and
r+tp^es of a ''sacred order" gravitate towards the same cone u-
f on Tor i that aF The questfon is deeper still. . It is a quesUou
^f the real nature of religion. Is it spiritual and inward ; a ife ot
love and eTv ce of Godlnd men, or is it external, mechanical and
salramentln The conception of religion shapes and moulds the
• w Tf thP ministrv We go back therefore to the broad and simple
fe hing'oV^r7^^^^^^^^
t.-^ +«ii „c. that Hfp is onlv lived according to Gods ideal ot it, wneu
":a%*fteetra£ and does makf, the fullest and finest use
of every " Uent " he has for the service of his fellows.
Johi Clifford.
4i>4 ♦
»^#
LO VK.
'#
As of old the wildered dove,
Wandering over waters dark,
Finding neither fount nor grove,
fought shelter in her home, the' ark,
So, my little one, my love.
Turns my restless heart to thee,
Weary whereso'er she rove
O'er the inhospitable sea.
Time hath linked us heart to heart
With links of mutual memory,
Of gentle power, if aught would part,
Jlo bind us close until we die.
If the world arise to sever,
Steals a tiny spirit hand.
Glides to reunite us ever
From the holy silent land.
Find the birthplac3 of sweet Love ;
All our fairest gifts may go.
Yet will He immortal prove.
Fairest of all gods we know !
Find his nest within the grove
Of mystic manifold delight ;
Though all the summer leaves remove.
He will abide through winter's night/
Unsearchable the ways of Love !
Though all the singing choir be gone.
Love Himself will linger on.
Discover hidden paths of Love ;
Explain the common miracle !
Dear abundant treasure-trove.
Celestial springs in earthly well.
In human vase Heaven's oenomel !
i
Boden Noel.
ri
#
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