Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-01-22

, Quite contrary. He simply put society
; female soc!ety-aside.
II want to introduce you to a lad,
constituent of mine" said one of hi
Southern friends to him one day.
+ Il have no time for cultivating tn,
/ ladies'" replied he, Though of course,
D he added, lit would be an honor to NEE
any friend of yours"
8 Thanks, Hale; but this lady has
| claim before your committee and ha
come all the way from Kentucky to SCI
/ about it, and she has right to see yol
on business. You will not deny her al
interview"
'Does she know me? ?"he asked, quick
ly. "What is her namep
"She is widow, my dear sir-a mos
lovable creature-Mrs. Louden-bclongs
/. to one of the best old Kentucky families
The claim is war claim, for property
taken. don't know anything about it,
and told her you would probably know
all about it and that you were fair
nun and would give her hearing. By
the way, Hale, how does it come that as
good man as you never married"
"My dear fellow, because l never saw
a woman l would have cared to marry
save one, andn--
"And she wouldn't have you, eh!
The old story"
Congressman are good deal like
school-bo and indulge in many play
| full personalities that would not be
pleasantly received outside of the
cloak Mr.. Hale merely smiled
and made an appointment for the next
day at his committee room; then forgot
all about it.
The next day n lady in black was
shown into the room of the Committee
on War Claims by the Kentucky member
and was introduced to the Chairman.
"What2 You have met beforc2' said
the volatile Kentuckan with some sur
prise.
T'm not certain" she stammered,
"unless"--
"Unless your name was Miss Belle
Parkes?" suggested Mr.. Hale.
"And unless you were the Union non
commissioned officer who wouldn't steal
chickens" (Smilingly.)
'But stole everything else: Yes,
we've met before" said Hale.
Then there was a general laugh at
Hale's eXpense-a laugh in which other
Committeeman heartily joined. The
story was repeated and repeated-all
save the incident of the kiss, and when
the narrative had reached that point Mr..
Hale glanced meaningly at his hand and
the lady looked slyly down upon the
floor. She was still a fine looking
woman, he noted.
$50 you've brought that old claim
with you, eh2n said he, "knowing |
couldn't get away?" in tone of badi-
mage.
brought it with me? Dear me, it
has been here dozen years or more, "
and she looked around the room as if it
were the only war claim unsettled and
might have dropped on the floor some
where, rolled under the committee
table and been forgotten.
A messenger was summoned and the
claim brought in from the files. Mr..
Hale found his own receipt as Gov
ernment officer duly set forth. He also
found favorable reports on the case that
it had been twice passed by the House
and once by the Senate, but had some
how never got through.
After adjournment he sought Mrs
Louden. A long and interesting con.
versation ensued, during which eacl
learned all about the other. She tolt
him of the death of her mother, of he
brother, of her widowhood. He des
cribed the finding of her brother and hi
Christian burial
at was his dear aunt, who lived o.
/ the hill Just above the battle field Sh
, knew where his command was statione,
r during the fight and sent her old ne
gro to look over the dead. He fount
G the body and they shrouded it, but tn
two were unable to move it before you
: troops came that day. The negro wa
Y terribly scared, but was in hiding nea
I by and saw you bury it. We removed
to our family ground shortly afterwart
Poor boyp
"Poor girl" added Mr.. Hale seein
, that she knew everything.
'lt was so good of you, sir, to feel fo
v us. When aunty told me what you ha
said and done there was sorry had nj
! kissed you again!" Her soft Souther
! eyes were melting and she smiled throug
her tears.
, "You can do so now," said Hale, ter
derly taking her hand and pouring ou
the eloquent story of his heart.
And when the story was finished sh
did so.
"You alone have ever had claim up
on my heart" said he, returning tn
embrace.
"'A war claim,'" she lightly replied.
at is now settled, at last, he said.
'Having unanimously passed boil
houses at the same session." was tn
smiling tort New York World.