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


piazza, the mon remained to smoke a
cigar with their host, The absence of
the loyal luminary oddly enough had
dispelled the atmosphere of gloom that
hung for a few minutes about the lower
end Of the table, He and his strange
visitors were still closeted, so to speak,
in the parlor, but now they came forth.
In some mysterious way every woman
had by this time learned that Mr.. Schon-
berg was there, aud at the sound Of the
opening parlor door and of the melliflu-
Gus accents of that gentloman's voice
they iustinctively huddled to the other
end of the piazza. Lawler walked with
the two men as far as the gate, and when
they finally disappeared in the direction
Of the store came sauntering back to join
the ladies.
GAS l don't SMOKE" he said, 81 will
take my enjoyment here. Where shall
sit?'
"Tal1e this chair, Col. Lawler," said
Miss Marshall, noting the aversion with
which all the others Of the party had be-
come inspired, "May send for coffee
for your
miss Marshall, I have no small vices.
I never drink anything stronger than
milk; never smoke, never chew, never
swear"
"Nevcr even swear, colonel|'
"Nover. What is it you are smiling
at?"
Have you ever read the works Of
Josh Billings, Col. Lawler?'
~ lox-a no lima ~ ytyoc+o ~, 7,ODcnDco
Miss Marshall. And l never could see
anything funny or witty in such men us
Billings and Artemus Ward
"Well, it wasn't his fun was think
inr of quite so much Just now us his in
sight into character said tho young
lady musingly, as she still gravely looked
him over with her big eyes.
Two young officers came strolling
along the walk at the moment, and pass
ing beneath the lamp raised their caps
in salutation to the ladies' Miss Mar
shall nodded and smiled with marked
cordiality.
"All wasted, Miss Marahall; they
could not see it,
"No, colonel, and particularly want
ed one Of them at least to DO SO. Now,
that's part of tho army that decidedly
like"
"Who are they, may l ask
Mr.. Wallace and his especial friend
NJ. lIearn."
And is it possible that you find such
young men to your taste? | gave YOU
credit for having rather higher stand
ard"
But it is their standard that I SO
much admire, Col. LAWYER. | don't sup
pose anything would tempt either of
those Young men to say or do a mean or
cowarlIly thing.
No. said the colonel, with q superior
smile "and yet. do you know, I'm ready
to stake my professional reputation that
one OF them at least is quite unworthy
your trust or confidence
Now, are you not Il trfe prciuliced,
colonel! / thought the law presumed
man innocent until proven guilty.
Theoretically, yes; practically, men
who have studied human nature through
the courts, a5 | have lad to, get to see
through tho vcnccring Of high tone that
these youngsters are 50 apt to assume. y"
And So You are probably quite ready
10 agree with the correspondent of The
Palladium, colonel, that most officers
are frauds, especially the second lieuten-
ants
My experience has certainly not given
me high opinion of the young men,
Miss MARSHALL
"Aud now, do You know, colonel, my
intuition is very much in their favor"
but is your intuition as we'll founded,
do you think, as long legal experience;'
"Well, your experience has been con-
fined TO the limited few that have come
before courts martial, has it not? My
intuition covers the great array Of their
NUN berthe ninety and-nine. Now, |
haven't any especial knowledge Of the
matter you seem to be investigating,
Col. Lawler, but | fancy that evidence
such as Nh 5chonberg might give would
have little weight before court Of intel
hgent men"
"You will change your mind when
you come to see the books, young lady
''Have Won changed yours
NO; they simply confirmed my judg-
ment."
Then my intuition was right, colo
nell"
How 80, may ask"
at told me that you had prejudged
the case"
AT this moment the officers came saun-
tering ont into the open air, joining the
group of ladies, who had fed back to
the western end of the piazza as soon as
! they saw their obnoxious visitor safely
| anchored by Miss Marshall's side.
Where's Lawler" quered Morris in
no pleasant tone, Has he gone OF with
those felows?"
"No; I'm here, colonel, getting a les
son in law which this young lady is so
good as to give me-" Miss Marshall
flushed at the discourtesy in his tone,
but gave no other sign. II shall c1-
! pect TO see you appearing in the role Of
counselor yet, Mas Marshall"
Very well, colonel; if it ever comes
to that I shall fall back on my intui-
ton
Miss Marshall's cheeks wero still flush
ed and her eyes had dangerous CLEAN
! ,,,Jnr thoir lorly -,