Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-11-13

4
of land still TO sell; and it @wss all for
Jack, her darlin' beautiful boy, that
she'd live to see a General yet, so she
wrote, or had written for her.
And Jack was as happy as king is
supposed TO be; no honest mau or
comrade grudged him his remarkable
good fortune-all rejoiced in the fav-
orite's success.
The war ended; new regiments we're
being formed for the enlarged regular
army. Our Generals influence. zeal
ously exerted, gained for Jack Delaney
the grand prize of Major of cavalry
and no emperor was ever more proud
of his crown than the dear old boy of
that commission.
Others were doubly delighted; the
General, for one, and his daughter,
Miss Dollie, for another, though she
said but little. Jack knew well his
feelings toward her, and, with the con-
fidence of youth, fed by many kind
glances and words from the lady fair,
he felt that it would be all plane sail
ing with the father and daughter were
it not for the trouble in explaining
where, or when, or how, or from what
or whom he originated.
Il shall tell Dollie all, )" he said to
me, "and if she can overlook it, then
I'll go to the General"
knew little of such matters then; I
was but few months older than Jack /;
told him that was the right move; I
think SO still.
The newly appointed officers came in
fast to report, and, before they de-
parted for assigned recruiting stations
the floors of the old barracks were to
be made to shake once more with a
dance.
Jack was to tell his story and try his
fate that night, in some secluded nook
so he, and /, had decided.
The good fellow had written, of
course, quires and quires of letters to
Molly, and she had sent him two drafts
for large sums, and big package of
greenbacks, by express. He was ito
spend 80 for every one that the best of
them could lay out, and more than that
| if he could" she wrote.
A handsomer young soldier than
Jack Delaney was not in army-blue
that night of the ball. For the first
time he mounted the double row of
buttons and the gold-leaf of his new
rank. No man was there but wished
him good luck, no woman there but
had a sweet smile and kind word for
the gallant boy.
The night was well advanced; sets
had formed for the dance before sup
per. Miss Dollie and Jack stood to-
gether at the end of the room, q "beau-
tiful team;" Jacks eyes saw that each
couple was in place and ready to ego" !"
He was about to turn and signal the
leader of the band to strike up when a
confused noise, sound Of protesting
words and struggling, the gruff tones
of the guard at the door, the shrill,
angry voice of woman arrested the
attention of all, and caused complete
halt and hush.
All eyes were directed toward the
entrance, and through it, breaking
from the OBTAINING grasp of corporal
and private, staggered into the bril-
liantly lighted hall a woman, with
dress all disordered, her eyes wild. hair
flying, bowling vile oaths, and clawing
with her fingers at those who tried to
detain her, and crying out for-Jack.
Jack! Jack, me darlint! Whoop
Don't lay finger on me, ye spawn of
tn divil. I'll see me Jack spite O. ould
Saten himsef, an ye bla'gards t. boot |!
Haven't I thravell'd from Moo Yark till
git t. him, an wull tn loikes O. ye
sthop me now! Jack, darlint, where
is ye?"
All this before one of the aston
ished lookers-on could move. She had
advanced half the length of the room ;
there the glare of light, the heat, or
the excitement and liquor seemed to
daze her; she paused a second and
sunk to the floor.
felt at once who this must be; my
eyes sought Jack.
Dear brave boy! For an instant he
stood as one stunned, his face death
ly white. But only for a heart beat of
time did he stand idle; it was no cow
ard halt. Dropping the hand of Miss
Dollie, which in his amaze he had still
retained in his grasp, he stepped
quickly forward to the PROSTATE figure
and leaned over it. He turned his face
and gave me a glance. I knew its
meaning and responded.
Together we raised the poor woman,
sobbing meaningless words, feeling
now that she had in some way done
wrong.
Then Jack stood with his arm about
her, and held her upright with his own
strength.
Ladies' and gentlemen" lie said, II
am very sorry for this interruption.
This good woman raised me, cared for
me when no one else did-loves me.
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