Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-07


Three of the infantry captains were
present with their wives. Pretty jean
nette McCrea. who was visiting the
Burnhams, was escorted in 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
vis-a-vis with Mrs. Brodie, a somewhat
portly matron, who seemed capable of
imbibing information through every pore
and storing it for future use, and yet at
the same time impartiEg new and start
ling opinions On all current topics with
intensified volatility. Her eyes took in
every detail of the tasteful appoint
ments of the table. Her nostrils inhaled
the fragrance of the roses and carnations
lavished on every hand. Her lips parted
to receive the succulent little clam-rare
and unaccustomed luxury west of the
Missouri, yet easily expressed from St.
Louls-and to give utterance at the same
instant to hveliest comments upon the
unusual feature of that evenings parade.
1t was not until after soup and the tiny
thimbleful of sherry that audible CON
versation seemed to extend beyond her,
and then Miss Marshall. who had been
endeavorlng to entertain Capt Brodie
and distract his mind from contempla-
ton of his better halls 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 wtst? Now. what do you think of
the army
Pardon me, Col Lawler. but isn't
that trifie like the query we are said to
PROFOUND to Englishmen who have Just
landed? How do you like America"
But | inferred that you had been
here long enough to form an opinion"
10 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 Won
on such wisdom and discretion. You
should have been lawyer
Eyes, colonel?-and that. understand
is your profession Now am indeed
complimented.'
Col. LAWYERS eyes had been wander
ing about the table as he spoke, but now
he turned suddenly and suspiciously
upon the girl at his side. He was man
of singular mental mold He had been
clerk in the Office of his uncle. a prom
inent lawyer in the distant east: had
had merely a common school education
and was laboriously reading law when
his patron found himself suddenly called
upon to assume responsible duties at the
national capital, and FASTENED thither,
taking his clerk with him. Lawler at
that time was nearly thirty-ive. and had
not yet been called to the bar 1t was
the third year of the great war. His
patron soon found that the requirements
OF his office were such that a man of far
higher attainments would be needed az
secretary, and, being thrifty and I'M
willing to pay the salary of clerk out
of his own pocket, he decided on the not
unusual expedient of shunting him off
on paternal government Lawler had
no idea whatever of entering the army
as one of the fighting force but the
proposition of his uncle was almost daz-
cling. He wasn't much of Il lawyer, to
be sure. but quite good enough for the
purpose, said the old gentleman to him
self.
And so it resulted that the green New
Highlander was transferred to a clerk
ship in the bureau OF military justice,
and speedily blossomed out as a major
and judge advocate of volunteers. with
station in the city of Washington The
first thing the excellent fellow did after
getting his uniform and sword. was to
post off TO the Granite State and marry