The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-14

| him
I'D not have believed it of Sir Da-
vid, said the man, notify, to send you
away like this, Master Hew- and in dis
grace, too. I've half mind to speak
out myself, and let him get punished as
deserves it."
80 no, you won't, Norris" said the
boy, quickly. 81 forbid you to say any
thing Morris. If you went up
stairs and saw our Davies face Just now,
you would see if | was not ever so much
better able to bear anything than he is. "
| That was the end of it all, as far as
most people were concerned. Davie got
little better as time went on; and when
Hew came back from school-happy,
cheerful, and the winner of two prizes
everyone was ready to receive him joy
fully. Uncle David held him at arms
length, and had tears in his eyes as he
said: My dear lad, this is like old
times-l have forgotten everything"
At that Hew turned his head for an
instant to a certain chair IN a certain
sunny window, from which pair of
great eyes watched his every movement;
but he was only met by a gentle laugh,
and flush that crept up over the white,
delicate face, as he went across and sat
down upon the arm of the chair, taking
the thin hand in his. He saw then that
the truth of that old story would never
be rightly known by anyone, for much
suffering and much sorrow had blotted
out all remembrance of that one day from
poor Davies life.
He was silent for minute, perhaps,
and then he said, startling them all by
his vehemence: "Then we start fair,
Uncle David! feel such great rough
fellow beside you two"
Ard Davie said, with the quick tears
in his eyes: Not rough, dear Hew-
just strong"
Fourteen years afterward came time
that | suppose will never be forgotten
a time of heroism and bloodshed, of wars
and rumors of wars in the Crimea-a
time of terror and suspense and heart
sickness at home. How many house
holds in England gave up one life to that
terrible game Of war gave it freely and
willingly, never counting the cost
You may count those dead heroes by
the miniatures and locks of hair hidden
away from sight to this day, among the
most precious treasures; by the medals
that came too late to honor those short
young lives, but are the browning glory
of many hOmes by the silver hairs that
shOne in bright brown tresses, and the
wrinkles that furrowed smooth white
brows. You may count them easiest of
all by the names that were added to
every church-yard in that year of grace
So, to the memory of the glorious dead
who died in the Crimea.
Out of the home with which we have to
do they chose their best and bravest, and
sent him forth, with the safeguard of
many prayers, into the far East. And
he said good-by to them in all his pride,
and kept up their hearts by his bright
and fearless spirits, and went away east
ward with the rest: and Uncle David
looked little older, perhaps, and Davie
fancied the house was not as pleasant as
it used to be, and grew tired of his sofa
in the sunny window, until such time as
the months had rolled on their slow
course, and the troops were coming
back.
Then they frightened up the old home
for the heirs return, and the bells rang
out, and they gave great feast in bonor
of their boy: for Hew was one of those
who did return-proud and bright and
glad, and with Victoria Cross upon his
breast.
There was nothing to remember, moth
ing to forget, at this homecoming; and
Hew thought that nobody but himself
recollected that little story of his boyish
life, as he stopped for Uncle David's
trembling kiss, and for the touch of
Davies clinging, welcome hands.
That was a grand evening; but, in the
midst of all the fun and merriment and
speeches, Hew's eyes were always turn
ing to certain corner by the titful fire.
from which pair of great dark eyes
watched his every movement; and at last,
when there was a pause, he rose with a
flush on his face, and said: "Uncle
David all of you, gentlemen, charge
your glasses-To the heroes of the Crimea
who have not come back" And they all
drank in silence, only Morris gave the
champagne tOthe footman to hand round,
and went out of the room quickly-for
he had lost "a boy at Balaklava.
Zone more toast" cried Uncle David
who was proud and excited. Gentle
men, propose our own private hero
our own boy Hew-and Davie !"
Hew bowed in his hearty, boyish way;
but before he answered he went over to
the sofa in the darker corner, and leaned
against it, so that his hand could have
touched the close ringed curls on the fair
head, and then he said: 81 can answer
you best here, and thank you better, for
Davie and myself, than l could among
you all. You, who have known US all
our lives-you, Uncle David, who have
loved us-know what we are to each
other. AS you have joined US in the past,
so let me speak for both in my answer,
when l say that, next to my brothers
love, l value nothing so much as your
good opinion"
I'VE have never had a word between
us all our lives" said Davie, raising a
flushed, glad face, $50 you make me very
proud by giving me just little place in
Hew's triumph. Even this"-and he
touched the Victoria Cross-"I do not
grudge him in the least Do you re-
member" he went on, suddenly, with his
finger still on the cross, "once, long ago,