Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-04-27
HIS CHILD FRIEND.

It caused good deal Of wonder among
e officers Of Jack Amyatt's regiment
hen he suddenly doomed out in new
laracter, that of literary man.
The Red Horse was very popular regi-
lent in the service, and Jack Amyatt
as, as indeed he had been ever since he
lined, one of its most popular officers.
Trough the various grades of cornet,
eutenant and captain, he had made no
hemes, while he had gathered many
lends. He was essentially good all
bund man, popular with his men, who
Fould have followed him into the jaws
death and back again, and good at
port of any and every kind.
"What a fuss you make about Mai.
myatt," cried fair beauty one day to
ne of the youngsters, who had been
xtolling his accomplishments.
"Oh, the majors such an out and out
God sort, returned the lad, blushing a
ne scarlet all over his handsome face at
hus being caught at hero worship.
"Is he2" responded the lady, who had
ried every fascinating art in her power
N Amyatt, but without avail. "What
oes he do to win him so much adula-
ion?"
II don't know about adulaton," said
he lad rather CURLY. "But l know he
the best soldier I ever knew, and
he most popular Why, the regiment
would follow him to the dew to the
ind of the world, that is" correcting
himself hastily. Hes good, that is
mon tho bact of onr enort ,-o,, l;l,o -
mention; and he's the best army writer
here is, in spite of the shoals of women
who have tried their hand at putting us
pm paper, and only succeeded in making
their soldiers look like bagmen out for
holiday in a blazer and pair of tennis
Shoes. ~
The beauty drew herself up with a
little more dignity than she usually dis
played. Dear me, Mr.. Arlington, you
are severe-almost as severe as Mai.
Amyatt looks when he goes to ball, and
Stands regarding us frivolous and faulty
women as stiff and straight as if he had
swallowed his ramrod as well as bring
ing the other parts of his uniform with
him."
1t was on the tip of young Arlington's
tongue to remind the beauty that ram
rod is not part Of a cavalry officers
as he had done min
ute or SO before, he remembered his
manners in time and let the remark pass
without further notice.
well don't think the major cares
much about ladies'" he admitted
I'm sure they don't care much about
him, returned the beauty, sharply.
He wondered at the tartness of her
tone, if that was indeed the case; but, as
she was beauty, and somewhat of a
power in the neighborhood of the station
at which they were quartered, he did
not want to offend her more than was
necessary in taking up the cudgels in his
majors defense. II never heard him
say word against a woman in my life, "
he said, eagerly; never. Only he don t
seem to be very keen on dancing and
afternoon teas, and SO on. BY the way,
Miss vane, will you come and have cup
of tea or anything2"
The beauty thought she would have an
Ice, and took the lads arm with alac-
rlty; glad, perhaps, to get away from
the subject of a man who remained
blind and deaf to the attractions and
destinations literally set forth for his
benefit from time to time-of the beauty
of the county. The name of the major
was not mentioned again; but, all the
same, the conversation had set young
Arlington thinking about it.
Il say" he said that evening to Moore,
the senior subaltern, sis Amyatt what
you call woman haterp'
mot a bit of it," returned Moore,
promptly; Il don't believe he thinks
enough about 'em to hate them"
but that's sailing pretty near the
wind, eh?'' inquired Arlington, laughing.
mo, don't think SO. Amyatt doesn't
dance, nor go to tea much; but then he
has plenty else to do. To me he never
seems to think of getting married; but
then he's only six and thirty, and what
fellow in his senses would think of get
ting married before that2"
"A good many do" Arlington vent
ured to say. He felt guilty that this
thrust had gone home, for he at % had
thought fondly of the marriage state
more than once; for the matter of that,
indeed, he had thought of it many a time
and oft.
Eyes. a good many do" responded
Moore, who had never known what il
was to feel qualm at his heart such as
threatened to ruin all his peace of mind,
''and good many fellows wish to the
devil they'd let it alone"
well, I'm not altogether SO sure about
that" returned Arlington, who, in spite
of his modest air, was as well able to
stick to his own opinions as any man in
the regiment.
Now this conversation no more enlight-
ened him as to the state of the majors
affections or natural inclinations than the
one with the beauty had done, so Airing.
ton put his question to some one else,
choosing this time the senior captain. one
George Trevor; and when Trevor heard
it, he stared hard at him.
"Amyatt woman hater! Whatever
put such an idea as that into your head?'
well, can hardly say; but is he, dc
you think?"
"A woman hater-no of course he
ism t."
but. Trevor, he never has anything t.
do with women at all-never goes to tea.
or bazaars. or garden parties, or even ball.