Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-02-06

and the Lord only knows how long it
will be before can swap this gold leaf
for the silver. Come along, man; I'm
going to Lanes moment to ask the Ia
dies to drive to town this evening, and
there's nothing fike tho women folk to
help one out Of the grurnps. There they
are on the piazza now-the women, not
the grumps. Aud by the powers! yon-
der comes young Lee in his riding boots
to ask Miss Marshall to try a canter."
But Heain shook his head: 81 can't go
now; I'm all upset by this thing, major
BY heaven isn't it enough to make
man swear, that low cad like that can
come into his daily life and poison the
ears of his friends and associates with
Islander and innuendo, and that L have
to listen in silence to such rebuke MS that
the colonel gave me"
"Well, that's what you get for being
in the army, my boy. Three days ago
you were taking issue with me at Lanes
because / said if had my life to live
over again the army was the very last
profession ia seek in tins country, and
you thought you loved it. Here's Lane,
now" he continued, as the gray eyed
captain strolled up and laid his hand
kindly on the young officers shoulder.
Tin trying to pull Hearn out of the
grumps, Lane. Haul him along with US,
or he'll be doing something desperate.
You remember how enthusiastic he was
three days ago-loVed his profession,
would rather he soldier than railway
magnate, wouldn't swap his commission
for d million in the four per cents. Fetch
him along"
And between them, half laughing,
half Sympathetic, the two officers con-
voyed their junior toward the shaded
veraDda where were seated Mrs. Lane,
Miss Marshall and other ladies busy with
their nocdlework and probable gossip.
Miss Wharton was of the party, and
there were two or three callers. They
had noted the coloncls soldierly figure
"a he trarnped across the parade, and
were quick to see the two officers coming
along the gravel walk. Mrs. Lane half
rose, and smiling brightly babe them
enter, Forage caps were raised in ac-
| acknowledgement and silutations exchang-
ed, bat the trio hung outside. The ma
jor by this time was talking vohcmently.
Lane was looking grave and anxious
The same perpleXed expression was on
his face that had been noted at the break
fast table when reading that letter just
before Miss Marshalls entrance the day
| before. HearIs face was clouded.
How can they encourage Maj. Ken
yon to be diistiug on his pet Eobby!'
petulantly exclaimed Mrs. Graves. He
is the most ppssimistic, cynical, prosy
old crank in the whole service, and Will
bore them to death. There, now he's
| hacllcd them up against the fence, and
tncre is no hope for them. DO come in
| here ont OF the hot sunshine, Maj. Ken
| yon; You can harargue ell you Ike hero
Just rs we'll" But Kenyon paid no at
/ tCGtion to his fair cOmradc Of the infant
| Ty. For years tie women Of the TIL
| foot had made coGlLlol cause against
/ him despite the fact that be WIS one of
their most devoted admirers When
! Mrs Lane again called TO them to come
! in and sit on the veranda, however, the
captain calmly took his two friends by
! the elbows and steercd them through
the gate. Another moment and the
ladies We're settling back in their seats,
and the major had the floor.
YES, Mrs. Lane, | am q crank Us my
good friend Mrs. Graves has doubtless
told you; | have reason to be, and the
crank's wound up today. Your husband
and Hearn here have been COMBATING
my views about the drsirability of the
army as vocation, and | crave your
pardon, Miss Marshall, for talking
shop"
I'm deeply Interested, Maj. Kenyon,
responded that young lady. GO on,
beg of YOU
"Well, my views are founded on long
experience. and not the very pleG5autcst,
say-and | say it after years of rehcc-
tiun-that the more a man may love his
profession, the better a soldier he is, tho
more Jealous Of tho honor and reputa-
ton Of his cloth, the less can he afford
TO take a position in the army Of the
United States. Why? Why, because
the great mass Of the people have nc
conception whatever of the duties that
deyolyc upon us, of the life we lead, Of
the TRIALS we encounter.
III tiiIlt VI p'dI' tllt'N ClIlilh tilcS nave
no use whatever for an army, and de
clare that we do nothing but loaf an(
drink and gamble. They are taught t.
think so by the press Of our great cities
and, never having chance to see the
truth for themselves, they accept thu
views of their journalists, who really
know no more about it than they do, bu
do not hesitate to announce as fact wha
exists only in their imagination. Eve
since the war these attacks IN the paper
have gradually increased from year t
year. Now, my home is in Chicago
and, naturally, | read the Chicago pa
pers. | was five years trarnpinG, scout
ing, skirmishiug all through Arizona ant
Wyoming, without ever seeing the insid
of a city or even Of a railway car. w
lived on bareback and bacon and wha
we could pick up when we couldn't &c
them. We lost many good soldier il
, Indian battle during that time and a
last got wound that laid me up AM
sent me home. | hadn't seen the plac
in seven years. My boyhood had beel