The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-01-22

pleasure for the time being to supper
aud project.
Let us not be afraid to condeml
our honorable grandfathers in tia
wherein we think they we're wrong
Only let US humbly remember thai
strive as We may, We ourselves shal
still say aud do many things which
as we believe 10 God aDd progress
our still more fortunate descendant
will characterize as ill,judged az,
( wicked.
We can do cur very best accord
lag to the light which is vouchsafe,
TO the world in our day.
After dinner. when ceremony wa
fairly thawed, the good old Genera
in the kindness and pride Of bis hear
displayed little box, which had beef
given TO him by some Grandee 0
Spain.
| think il must have been too small
for snutf-box. ana was probably on'
of those tiny ,riflss in which fashion
able. folks used to carry eomf.s aut
lozenges,
At any rate, this box vas set with
diamonds and colored gems of rare
value, and it passed from hand tc
hand, flashing brightly ia the lamp
Light, while The old warrior told dread
stories Of bis campaigns, and of tht
daring aud honor Of his men.
But suddenly, at the end of a story
go thrilling that all heads had been
craned toward bin, while the mill
tary servants bad thronged the deol
in rspt attention, the simple question
was asked
Where is the Generals jeweled
box?'
Nobody knew every body said that
be had silently passed it on to hi;
fellow.
The General rumagated his pock,
cts, lest il had found its way back to
him aud be bad half consciously pnt
it away. No, il was not there, and
The brave old fighting face looked Q
little blank, and he mnrLnred an ex
cuse about how its loss would veg
Lady Elizabeth
But it cannot be lost, General,
cried the officer in command of the
fort
In this room il was q few miantes
ago, and 10 this room it must be still
Nc gentleman, to his knogledge, ba;
it 10 his possession. Let the servants
at tbe dcor come in, though, to the
hes! Of my belief, not one of them has
approached the table since the box
was brought out. Let the door b,
made fast, and let our search be thor
ough.
rhe candles were brandiahed Il
aud fro, under the tables, under tht
chairs, round the table drapery. Bn
from no point flashed oct the brillian
beauty OF the little box,<
.Stifi it must be here, insisted tbs
Commandant, aud surely no gentle
man will think his honor infringed j
each IN turn is asked to empty tht
contents of his pockets upon the table
myself will be the first to do SO
And the servants will be the last
Nobody could be expected to de
mur at 50 simple and sensible pro
p1sal, backed as it was by the homes
old officer instantly rafting out some
crown pieces and a tobacco pouch
haif-pence. and old pipe Qae after
the other, the gentlemen on eithel
side Of The table followed his exam
pie, while sharp but not unfriendly
eyes took eager note of strange pieces
Of personal property. and of dainty
three cornered notes, which nigh
serve in the future as material fol
bsdnsge and quizziDg.
But one drew back when the ccm
mandant made his proposal. Thai
young man who had walked 10 froa
the eastern end OF the town dropped
suddenly into his seat, whence ht
bad risen 10 the Grst eagerpess of the
search.
He passed bis hand once or twic,
neryously through bis hair, leaving
it wild and struggling. And then he
watched blankly, as the ffuitles:
search drew nearer and nearer tc
himself Within five minutes later
one or two of the officers were whis
pering to each other that any simple
ton might have seen be did not ex
pect it to be found.
His turn was the very last. En-
sign Ransom said the CommaBdan'
steadily. Eosign Ransom was Ger
tainiy the frst who had required tc
be called upon by name.
The youth arose. And though The
rest of his face was Of deadly W bite
ness, there was g spot of burning RED
or each check.
4 don't think any gentleman should
be asked to do this he said. Il vii
give nv word OF honor that the bo,
is not upon my person. ! did no
even keep it in my hands for a mo
ment. / merely took it aud passed il
on
Too high minded even to look a
such gew-gsws,' sueered spitefu
old Msjor, under bis breath.
What men high in the service ast
old enough TO be bis father have al
ready dore, Ensign Ransom may safe.
ly do also,' said the Commsndant,
With severity which was not un
kindly, for young Ransom looked sact
bey among the crowd of men, most
ly stout aHd middle sged and ih,
very suspicion suddenly lowering
over him made the old officer thinE
Of bis own lads, growing up, and no
quite sure 10 do well for themselves
after all
i would never have asked it iol
the sake of NY box observed toe
General, leaning back in bis chair
and inwardly wondering what Lady
Elizabeth would say of his careless
ness.
But ws ark il for tie sake of eul
honor. General, said the Comman
dant testify. =
And we do not seem TO have ask
ed it needIessly.' whispered the spite
ful old Major.
j will pot do this ihiDg.' cried -sh.
young Easign passionately, and b
looked wildly round the group as i
be sought for one face that would
comprehend and compassionate BIZ