Middletown transcript., 1875-01-30
pressing wish to become soldier, in

terest was made with the merchant
! friends, and Edgar was entered as
= scholar in the military academy at Ne
York For little time all went o
we'll; the young cadet was assiduous
his studies. became the fayorite Of th
mess, and was looked upon by the off
GERS and professors as one Of their mos
promising pupils. But alas !! and alls
the old habits Of dissipation we're to
strong to be given up at once. He neg
lected bis duties; be drank to excess
4 be disobeyed orders; he openly sneere'
at the regulations Of the academy-snd
in ten months from his matriculation
be was cashiered.
Disgraced and humiliated, wher,
could the wretched man find refuge bu
10 the home Of bis adopted father p
Thither. then, be went, and was re.
ceived with open arms. During Edgar's
stay at the academy the merchant had
married again to lady some years
younger than himself. Time passed
on; but just as the sun Of happiness
seemed about to shine once more upon
him. q quarrel took place between
Edgar and the lady which severed for
ever all ties Of friendship between the
merchant and his protege Another
circumstance, which is scarcely fit to
mention here was hinted at, and which,
if true, throws dark shade upon the
quarrel and an ugly shade upon the char
acter Of Edgar, Whatever the cause.
however, the merchant and his adopted
son parted in anger, never to meet
again, and when the former died, the
latter shared no portion Of his wealth.
Again thrown upon the world by hia
own misconduct. the young man tried
his hand in !. field common to young
-a
men, and wrote several articles in the |
American magazines. These were so
we'll received that he was almost tempt
ed to believe that be could obtain liv-
ing by literature. But his old habits
returning, he despaired Of success in his
new avocation, and enlisted as a private
soldier in the United States Army. He
was soon recognized BY . former COM
panion in the Military Academy, and
great interest began to BE- felt for him
among the officers. It Was proposed to
buy commission for the talented and /
handsome young man; but just as
friends began to rally around him, and
just as their plans seemed about to pros
per, be deserted Asa
For more than two years the world
knew nothing Of his Whereabouts, and,
{ may be, had almost 70. gotten him. +!
In 1888. however. the proprietors of
N American magazine offered two
prizes for the best poem and tale which
'hould be suitable to their pages. Nu- j.
nerous manuscripts we're sent for COM
'etition. and day was appointed on
which the arbitrators should meet to-
l =,
udge Of the merits of the various pro- g
luctions. Almost the first manuscript y
hat was opened claimed attention from 9
be remarkable beauty and distipctness j
( the handwriting. One Of the arbi- y
rators read page or two and was y
harmed. He called the attention Of v
is friends to the tale, and they we're 50 2
'uch pleased with it that it was read o
loud from beginning to end. and all y
Omitted that it was worthy the highest ?
rize. The confidential envelope !" =
as opened a Latin motto was discov- q
Fed. No other tales we're read, and o.
'e award was Immediately published. 81
ut where to find the author, that the g
'ize money might be paid? The pub. Sc
'hers and arbitrators had not to wait oe
ng. In the evening following the an 50
'uncement, young man came to the -
ice to claim the prize. he was pale 90 90
ID thin, even to ghastliness, and his =. =
hole appearance bespoke dissipation,
ant and illness. A well-worn coat. uN
'ttoned up to the chin concealed the
INT Of a shirt. and imperfect, wretched %
ots discovered the absence Of stock re'
gs. But be looked gentleman, new va
theless; for bis face and hands, though ou
ggard and attenuated, we're clean and .a' -
otless; bis hair was well-arraneed, ire
eye vas bright with intelligence, and a.
, voice and bearing were those of a sol
'olar- The publishers snd arbitra- nlu ~
2 were interested extremely. They 81
luired into bis history, and finally or'
cred him employment on the maga- the
le for which the tale had been writ. STA
a ems
A little money judiciously applied p'''
N altered the appearance of the 'he
aug man, and in short time be toek ma
post as second editor of monthly pcs
gasins. With the means and position elg
a gentleman. scel
Now here was an opportunity Of re- -. !
wing his lost character. Here were 8
'nds ready not only to overlook the
I. bpt assist in making his future 4
"a and free from oare.. Here was q of
'lic ready to listen to his teachings, con1