New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-11

go and lie down =, ..,o,, =.
"Ual ha Your weight in gold. gentlemen
"Your father was knocked down by a cab,
the colonel said quietly ana nnulle Una. u. Nas
not able TO take care of himself we Drought MIN
home. ~,
The vonnp man looked at us furtvcly. but did
not answer Instead he took his father by the
arm and forced him gently 10 a mattress Whch
lay IN ono corner mar n.anf" shirt evidently
home washed and hung ont to airy. lwlce 'he
old fool started ND muttering the same ru9plsh;
but the third time he Tem' ri Hi 70 my ewes
In the boys patience with him So that when me
lad at last turned 10 us and. WIN eyes wich
hercey resented our presence. p1ue us pesoie
if we had satisfied our curiosity. was not sur
priscd that the colonel held his ground Il am
afraid YOU are badly off, he sid gently.
soent answer. DO you want to be paid for
steady steady. my lad!' I put in. "You
funk | know you." the colonel continued
regarding him steadily There was charge
preferred against YOU, or some one OF Your name.
nj a police Office few weeks ago, of pcrsonating
a candidate at the examination for commissions
in the army. The charge failed. know.
The YOUNG mans color rose as the colonel
snake but his manner indicated rather Triumph
than shame. and his dark eyes sparkled with
malice as he rctorted: 1t failed? Yes, you
arc right there. You have been in the army
Yourself dare say
II have said the colonel. gravely.
An honorable profession. is it not? ?" the lad
continued in tone of biting mockery. How
many of your young friends. do you think, passed
i'm honestly? Ii Is a competitive examination,
too. mind sou. And how many do you think en-
ployed me-me-to pass for them"
"You should he ashamed TO boast of it, said
the colonel "cvcn if YOU not afraid
And what should they be Tell me that!
They are low. mean scoundrek. whoever they
are
so! so! You think sol" laughed the young
fellow triumphantly. And then all at once the
light seemed TO die out of his Keen clever face,
and saw before me only half-starvcd lad. with
his shabby clerks coat buttOned up TO his throat
10 hide the want of a shirt. The same change
was visible. ] think, 10 the colonels eye, for he
looked at me and muttercd something about the
cab: and understanding that he wanted word
with the Young fellow alone. | went TO the win
dow and for a moment or so pretended 10 gaze
through its murky panes. When | turned. the
two men were talking by the door; the drunken
father was snoring behind his improviscd screen:
and on painted deal table beside me | remarked
the and only article of luxury in the room
a small soilcd album. With grunt threw it
open. II disclosed the portraits of two lads,
simpcring whiskerlcss faces surmounting ire
proachable dog-collars and sporting pins.
turned page and came on two more bearing q
family resemblance in features dog-collars and
pins 10 the others. | turned again. with a pish
and pshaw. and found vacant place, and OPP
pOsitc it-a portrait Of Jim.
! stared AZ II for moment in unthinkng won
der, and then in twinking ii flashed across me
what these portraits were. and above all. what
this portrait of Jim placed in this scoundrclS
colonel had been as the lads eXamiTa170n drew
near; how bitterly he had denounced the COM
petltivc system, and vowed dozen times day
that, what with pundits and examiners and
young officers who should have been girls and
gone 10 Girton, the service was going 10 the dogs
-" To the dogs, do yon hear me. sir" And then
recalled his great relief when the boy came ont
quite high up; ay, and the vast change which
had at once taken place I'm his sentiments: We
must move with the times, Sir; il is no good run
ming your head against a brick wall" and 50
AuO-Wpll | lpf II l.,
at which tie colonel turned sharply
What is il, major" he said. But, seeing me
standing stiH by the window. he turned again
and added 10 the young man beside him We'll,
YOU think about IT, and LEI me know az that adj
dress. Now. he continued, advancing toward
me, what IS il. Joc?'
What is what p" | said grumplly. I had shut
the album 10y this time, and was standing between
him and the table on which il lay do not know
why-perhaps II came Of the kindness he had just
been doing-but | noticed in a way had never
noticed before what a fine fgurc Of a man. tail
and straight and noble. my old comradc still was.
And a bit Of dimncss such as have experienced
once or twice lately when ! have taken "A third
glass of sherry at lunch. came over my sight
COnfound it, | said
What is it?7 he asked
Something in my eyc7
Let me get II out, he said-always the kindeSt
No! I'll get it out myself snarlcd like
a bear with y sore head And on that. without
stopping 10 explain, | plunged out of the room
and down the stairs The colonel, wondering
no doubt what the matter with me, followed
more clsurely, pauslng 10 say last kindly word
10 that young rascal at the door, whom | had not
had the patience to speak 10 that had already
closed warm dispute with the cablnan, by
sending him of with flea in his ear and bis
fare 10 a siXpence when he overlook me
What is up, joe" he asked laying his hand
on my shoulder
THAT id dzzlness-but there, have always
said the 70 sherry at tie club Is not sound-came
over me again. ! do not feel quite up 10 tie
mark. ! continued with perfect truth Il think
win go home alone, colonel. il you do not mind
" do mind, said he stoutly. lou may want
an arm" But somehow ] made II clear 10 lin
that would rather bc alone, and that the walk
would do me good. and he got AT last into IL
hanson and drove off, his gray mustochc and fine
old nose peering at me round the side Of the cab
until corner hid him altogether.
had walked on few PAGES. waving my urn-
hrela cheeriully; but there | stopped. and re-
tracing my steps, mounted the staircase OF twenty
seven, and without parlcy opened the door. The
young fellow had left was pacing the floor
restlessly, turning over in his mind. suspected.
on seeing me, and then glanced round the room
" Have you forgotten anything" he said
Nothing, young man. | answered. d" ] want
10 ask you question.
You can ask he replied, cycling me askance
That album, ! said. pointing 10 it" II con
tains, suppose, the photographs OF the people you
have been employed 10 rrsona'e?'
Possibly"
But does it?"
81 did not know" he said slowly, in the most
proVoklng manner, that ! had 10 DO with
detective What is the CHARGE
There is no charge" answered. keeping my
temper really admirably But ] have Seen the
face of friend Of mine in that book. and III
in a word I'll be hanged, Young man if don't
learn all about it," ! continued "All-do you
hear? SO there. Now, out with H.. and do
not keep me waiting, you young rascal"
He only whisted and stared and finding was
perhaps getting little warm. took out my hand
kcrchcf, and wiping my forehead, sat down. the
thought Of the colonel,s grief taking all Tho
strength ont Of me. Look here" | said I'm
different tone, "I'll take back what | have jus,
said, and ] give you my word Of honor ! do not
want TO harm the young man. But | have secn
his portrait. and, if ] know more. must think
the worst Now will give you "A tcn-p0und note
II you will answer three questions "
lie shook his head; but saw that he hcsitatcd
81 did not show you the portrait" he said. If
You have seen il. that is your business But |
VIII name names
g want none answered hurricdly. ! threw
open the album al the tcll-talc photograph, and
laid my trembling finger on the face. Was this
IN that mi Olt .fn