Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-03-20

naQ Deen Rtlneu 10 o0mIC OF extending
the table diagonally and seating four
teen people thereat, and now, with the
curtains drawn, but the soft evening
breeze playing through the open case
ment and the broad hallway, in the soft,
yet brilliant light of dozens of wax
candles set in sconces on the walls or in
henvy candelabra on the damask covered
board u merry party had gathered for
one of the "lovelv dinners" for which
Mrs. Lane was already famous.
Three of the infantry captains were
present with their wives. Pretty Jean
nette McCrea, who was visiting the
Burnhams, was escorted III by Dr.. Inger
SOIL popularity reputed to be an intract-
able bachelor, yet privately believed to
be melting beneath the tenderness Of
that young lady's sweet blue eyes; and
Georgia Marshall found herself sitting
via-a-vis with Mrs. Brodie, a somewhat
portlv lnatron, who seemed CAPABLE of
i1nbibinE information through every pore
and storing it for future use, and yet at
the same time inparting new and start
ling opinions on all current topics with
intensified volubility. Her eyes took in
every detail of the tasteful appoint
Inents Of the table Her n0strils inhaled
the fragrance of the roses aud carnations
lavished on every hand. Her lips parted
to receive the succulant little clam-rare
aud unaccustomcd luxury west Of the
Missouri, yet easily expressed from St.
Louisiana TO give utterance at the same
instant to hvcliest comments upon the
unusual feature Of that evenings parade.
II was not until after soup and the tiny
thimblcf,ll Of sherry that audible CON
versation seemed to extend beyond her,
and then Miss Marshall, who had been
endeavOrng 20 entertain Capt. BrOdie
and distract his mind from contempla-
ton of his better half's undaunted con-
versational powers, found herself ad-
dressed by the gentleman on her right:
And so you are from Cincinnati, Miss
Marshall, and paying your first visit to
the west? Now, what do you think of
the army"
Pardon me, Col Lawler, but isn't
that trife like the query we are said to
PROFOUND to Englishrnen who have Just
landed? How do You like American
But | inferred that you had been
here long enough to form an opinion
ITO form one vaguely, perhaps, but
probably not long enough to subject it
to the test of experience
And DO you never express opinions
until assured of their justice? Really,
Miss Marshall, | must compliment YOU
on such wisdom and discretion. You
should have been a lawyer,
Yes. colonel?-and that, understand,
is YOUR profession. Now am indeed
complinented.'
Col. LAWYERS eyes had been wander
ing about the table as lie spoke, but now
he turned suddenly ana suspiciously
upon the girl at his side. He was a man
Of singular mental mold. He had bee,
a clerk in The olncc of his uncle, prom
nent lawyer in the distant east; had
had merely a common school education
and was labortOusly reading law whel
his patron found himself suddenly called
upon to assume responsible duties at the
national capital, and FASTENED thither
taking his clerk with him. Lawler al
that time was nearly thirty -five, and hac
not yet been called to the bar 1t Wa.
the third year Of the Great war. lii
patron soon found that the requirement!
Of his Office were such that IA man Of fa,
higher attachments would be needed a
secretary, and, being thrifty and I'M
wiling to pay the salary Of clerk on
of his own pocket, he decided on the no
unusual expe1ient of shuuting him Of
on a paternal government. LAWYER haC
no idea whatever of entering the arm,
as one Of the fighting force, but tin
PROPOSITION of his uncle WAS almost Gaz
lhuS. lie wasn't much Of "a lawyer, /,
be sure, cut quite Sood enough tor tn
purpose, sand the Old gentleman to him
self.
And 80 it resulted that the green New
Engllndcr was transferred to a clcri;
ship in the bureau OF military just!c.
and speedily bloSsomed out a. q majo
and judge advocate of volunteers, viii
station in the city Of Washington. III
first thing the excellent fellow did, aft
getting his UNIFORM and sword, was t
post of 10 the Granite State and marr,
, the middle aged maiden VINO for tcl
wears he'd been patiently waiting tn
day when he could accumulate enough
money to buy little home, and will
his bride he returned to honest toll a
, the department. No man ever worl.e,
harder 10 master the details Of unaccU-
E TONED duties, and no man, probably
/ ever encountered greater difficulties
) But such was his perseverance that h
, became walking Glossary Of informa
, ton on army legal affairs. 1t was 10
that he ever mastered the nicctics O
martial Jurisprudence, but he l:new IN
, inside history OF every case that can
, up ior trial in the bulky records of III
bureau. lie could quote the charge
and specifications preferred against an
q and every officer, the findings Of III
court, the names Of tho principal wi,
nehscs, Of the judge advocate and tn
members, and ltr!e by lt,le tho seu
iors in the Office had grown so to lea
upon his memory and his opinion tina
} he became an almost inIispcnslbl
feature.
; And so when Peace once more sprea
5 her wings over the troubled walls of liz
. 40