The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-10-22

amous cues! for his dinner party.
The old soldier rose up proudly, and
yave the lackey q military salute.
Tell his lordship," he said, :" l shall
report myself at headquarters. and pre-
sent my thanks for the honor he has
lone me-"
The lackey galloped of. and the vet
eran pushed his chair over with his
wooden leg. and clattered across the
cottage floor.
"Ho, Peggy!'' he cried, "did not
say that luck comes and trouble flies 1t
you only face the enemy long enough?
This is the beginning of good things. 1
tell you! A hero of Waterloo. and fit to
dine with lords and generals, will GER
tainly have other good fortune coming
to him, till he can keep his wife and
daughters like princesses. just wait
bit and you shall see!'' and he turned
hastily away. for his heart came up in
his throat SO that he could not speak.
All the rest of that day he sat in the
door, brushing and darning and polish
ing his stained uniform. 1t had lain
abandoned on the shelf for many a
year, but before night every button was
shining like gold, the scarlet cloth was
almost fresh once more, and the old
soldier, wrapped in his faithful cloak.
was making his way joyfully across the
heathery moors to the castle quite at
the other side.
But when he had fairly reached it,
and the servant had shown him into the
drawing-room, his heart almost failed
him for moment. Such splendor he
had never seen before-a thOusandth
part would have bought health and
happiness for the dear ones he had left
with only his brave good-by and fresh
rosebud to comfort them!
However, what with the beautiful Ia
dies of the castle gathering round him
to ask questions about the battle, and
with a seat near his lordship's right
hand at dinner. he soon plucked up
again. and began to realize how delight
full everything was. But that was the
very thing that almostspoiled the whole
again, for when he saw his plate COW
cred with luxuries and delicacies more
than he could possibly eat, the thought
of the black bread he had left at the
cottage brought the tears rushing to
his eyes.
But, "Tutr' he said to himself in
great dismay, "what an ungrateful pol
troon his lordship will think he has
brought herer' and he managed to
brush them of while no one was look
ing.
It was delicious, though, in spite OF
everything. and after while the wine
began to fiow-that warmed his very
heart-and then he heard his lordship
calling to q servant to bring him some
thing from his private desk. saying:
"Gentlemun, am aboutto show you
the proudest treasure 1 possess. This
diamond snuff box was presented TO me
by the stout old Butcher himself, in re-
membrance of service was able to per-
form at Waterloo. Not that I was 8
whit worthier of it than the brave fel.
lows under my command-understano
thatr'
How the diamonds glistened and
cleaned as the box was passed from
hand to hand! As if the thickest clus
ter of stars you ever saw, could shine
out in the midst of yellow sunset sky
and the colors of the rainbow coulC
twinkle through them at the same time
1t was superb, but then that was moth
ing compared to the glory of receiving
it from Blucher!
Then there was more wine and story
telling, and at last some one asked t.
look at the snuff-box again.
"Eas any one the snuff-box at pres
ent?' asked his lordship. rather anxious
", for as he turned to reach it no smut
box was to be seen.
No one said "yes," for everyone wa
sure he had passed it to his neighbor
and they searched up and down tn
table with CONSERVATION in their faces
for the snuff-box could not have disap
peared without hands, but to say so wa
to touch the honor of gentlemen an
soldiers. :,
At last one of the most famous off
GERS rose from his seat:
s.My lord, he said, ga very unluck
accident must have occurred herr
Some one of us must have slipped tn
box into his pocket unconsciously, mis-
taking it for his own. Twill take tn
lead in searching mine. II the rest
the company will follow"'
> "Agreedr' said the rest, and eac
; guest in turn went to the bottom OF on
pocket after another, but still no smut
2 box, and the distress of the compan
: increased: The old soldiers turn cam
|, last, and with it came the surpris
With burning cheeks and arms folde
Z acoss his breast he stood up and col
fronted the company like stag at ba.
Q "Nom he exclaimed. ''no one sha
search my pockets! Would you dou
the honor of soldier?''
: "But we have all done So" said Il
n rest, "and every one knows it is Il
: merest accident at the most. ;" b
I the old soldier only held his arms Il
tighter, while the color grew deep