Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-08-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
Where There's a win.
BIZ w4r. rnnnr brown.

BY wM. PERRY Drown.
Some twenty years before the breaking out
of the Civil War, when what Is now the north.
ern half of West Yirginia was represented in
Congress by Samuel l.. Hays, it became his
duty to recommend TO the President some ono
from his district for the position of cadet al
West Point. Among other applicants, the tive
most favorably known to Mr.. Hays were q
couple of young men known as Glib Butcher
and Tom jackson,
! He submitted each one of them to q separate
personal examination and announced that he
would communicate his decision in writing
upon the following morning. AS may. be sup.
posed, the interval of suspense was not yery
restful time for either of the lads.
Jackson thumbed over an old algebra he had
picked mp in the sittlng-room of the tavern
where they were stopping. Whatever anxiety
he felt was veiled under an appearance of in
difference. Butcher. however, was very ner
voua and idgeted about good deal. Tom.
quiet manner was, to him, almost incomprehen.
sible.
al don't believe you really care" he ex-
claimed fretfully, after they had lOitered about
for several hours. This was in the town of
Weston, where they were to await the decision
of Mr.. Hays.
Don't you ! Well, what is tho use of
worrying over an uncertainty"
Suppose you couldn't help worrying7"
II should help it. Time enough to fret when
the appointment or the disappointment
comes"
"Then you don't really expect to winf''
81 haven't bothered my head since saw
Mr.. Hays did my best then. 1t Is his af-
fair now"
Letter for Mr.. Butcher called theiand,
lord from the doorway. Il reckon you must
be in luck. Gib."
| Butcher seized and fore open the fatal mis-.
sive, while the tavern loungers crowded in to
hear, for the friendly rivalry of the two young
men was well known, Tom, before closing
his book, inserted GngSr between the leaves
as mark. Suddenly Glib began to dance
about and wave the letter in one hand,
"sorry for you, Tom" he cried, "but Judge
Hdys has surrendered in my favor. Hnrrah
boysl West Point forever q ss ,.
Tom, still retaining his book, was the fret Ia
shake Glib by the hand and wish him joy
Then he eat down and deliberately finished a
problem he had been solving when the inter
rupton came. After that he aaddled an old
one-eyed gray mare that. was his sole earthly
piece of property, and rode quietly home, a..
The next day he resumed his duties as con-
stable Of his district. To this position he had
been elected, notwithstanding his youth, be-
cause of general local confidence in his hon
esty, discretion and self-reliance.
Butcher went TO West Point, passed his ex
animation there and was admitted as cadet
Nearly two months elapsed, during which Ton
jackson rode the old mare here and there serv
ing papers, posting notices, collecting taxei
and so on.
At night he could usually be found poring
over q few dog-eared volumes in plodding,
persistent way. One day he was riding by the
house of young Butchers father. To his sur
prise he saw Glib sitting dejectedly upon the
front porch.
"Hello!" exclaimed Tom, refining up
"Thought you was at West Points We all
} heard you had passed spendidly."
well, yes, returned Glib. 'T passed the
exams well enough, but I couldn't stand the
wear and tear. It's an awful life, Tom. Moth
ing but orders, drills, dress and discipline
Then the hard study and the bullying by the
older fellows. / swear / won't get the roar Of
} the guns out of my ears in MONTH"
"Do you mean to say, Glib, that you have
thrown up your appointment And that too,
only on account of the work.
''Its dogs life, I tell you"
Toms amazement was so great as to some
what conceal his contempt for Gib's irresolu-
ton. He rode home in deep thought. Then
he got out copy of the War Once regula-
tons and saw that the power of recommend
in g q cadet rested with Congressman only
frr ffodI r,f fHoN
reverted TO the Secretary of War. He con-
suited An almanac and made brief calculation.
Then he got up and walked TO and fro, but
/, presently paused with an air of resolve.
1--WE got just seven days grace" he said TO
himself. ''Then the appointment will go out
j of Mr. Hays' hands. It's over three hundred
miles to Washington and he may decline TO re-
commend mo after all. But It's my only
chance. I've got to get there, and win ge,
there"
An hour later lie and the old mare were on
the road to Grafton. He stopped at the house
of justice Of the peace to turn over his OH
cial papers and resign his constabIeship- After
settling up his accounts he had just ono dollar
and fifty cents left.
sTom," said the Squire, who looked upon
this sudden resolve and journey as kind Oi
wild goose chase leading TO nothing g 'yO9'II
never get to washiongton on dollar and 4
half" ..-.- -.
an get there on the old marc though,
quoth Tom, not insensible 20 humori ''that is
If she don't give ont"
"Weii, in case she does, here's i've dollara Il
come back on. You've made good constable
and I'll keep the Office open awhile"
I'D better not take the money. " said Tom.
'.for you needn't look for me back under foul
years"
''Gib Butcher didn't stay that long. And ye
take it, my boy You'n need it anyhow"
Tom concluded to accept it as loan Thre'
bundred miles, upon broken-dOwn horse