Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-02

capt. Thorp had already possessed
himself of the duplicate receipt. and
after a brief glance tossed it over to the
opposite member.
''Schonberg, without a doubt he
whispered
Meantime, old Grace had received and
was coming over the other, which he
suddenly lowered and looked in amaze
at the calm face of the witness. then
handed it to Maitland, who read, started,
and gazed too.
Il know this hand, sir. | know it as
tnat OF an old and valued friend" said
Maitland. with lips that quivered per
cepubly. Il codld almost swear to its
genuineness myself. 1t is probably one
OF the last letters the dear old fellow
ever wrote, and it is to his boy mt col
iege. Here. Thorp. you read it aloud"
And, though Lawler would have pro-
tested, protest was useless. Thorn
arose, clicking his heels together as
though on drill, and in voice that was
audible all over the big room. read:
ToET GRAHAM, y. II. June H. ISs-.
Ny DEAR MAIcoLH- 1t seems hardly possible. that
three weeks ago was with you Under the elmS
Of the old campus listening; TO college rlees and
seeing the glad faces Of your classmates man.
" set OF young fellows as il was ever my lot To
mect-and now here am again in harness under
a blazing sun, with arid. sandy wastes on every
side, and not a leaf that Is not shrivelel bv the
fierce rays. find the old post much rs | left n.
but 20 over To san Carlos In "A day or two ON
court martial duty. and 50 am writing my letters
tonight.
In the first place you will be elad to know THAI
the gold leaves are in sight. II ali goes well 1
shan become major 81 the Seventh .-i - ar
dercl eastward within tile next six noa,,.s Tu-r,
/ sha.i ~ ont my quarters in rozy style. ant a,
soon As Mamie has fiuiShc her next year II ma,
dame she shall come 7ut keep nous. Tor me and
turn the heads Of the youngsters Yet 1 do Mt
want her To marry ~ TIE army. any more than
want You % enter o. Think % a. Malcolm. for
twenty v. years now have followed the stauI.
ara ana u Anything were ~ take the away What
have Ia leave yOa aud May Little Or nothing
Even II yol were q turn over your modest share
10 her, as You gayly spoke OF doing. and On.
listing IN hopes Of winning a commission Sh..
would not have more than enough Co keen h.-
from want. though - long as your Aunt Eleanor
lives she will never be in need OF n home An
well, God spare me little longer, I :. uray 10
live TO see You both happily settled be.or,. l am
called hence
After our talk cannos hut hoJ,, that Won viii
see how little there l. 70 look forward 10 IN tb..
career OF soldier IN our seTyicc-in peace times
OF course. Bu. u the longing prove TO great I
viii not stand IN your wav The liz. ha. ~ a.
fractions. You will never have staurh.- or tr7,rr
friends than those who wear the blue ng.s II has
its trials anu perilS outside 81 thos. encountered
IN the field. told YOU OF the case 81 youn.. Mr.
Hearn, as fine soldier rs there Is in the regiment
today, yet he was well nish ruined through FAM
ing into the hands OF the Jews when Young and
inexperienced. Wasn't IL luck that l shoulI have
known Of the previous raSca.ity OF that clerk and
so was able 70 make him come to terms Here is
his duplicate receipt in full. filed carefully away
fh.af -
capital Office. TOO
Your letters bring constant 10y 10 M. my son.
II 1t had but pleased God 20 spare your dear
mother, knox well how proud and happy n
woman she would have been in her great boy AMI
bonny daughter; but his will be done. may not
write again before leaving for san Carlos. Tut nv
blessing goes with every line % this. There Is
such comfort in the frankneSs with which Won
told me OF those college debts. Trust me fully;
confide in me in any trouble. INV son: no man can
ever be more dcvOtcly Your friend than I-your
father. The draft sent will doubtless have r..
moved all care and anxiety AMI left you little
sum TO the fore Spend it as YOU please yet do
not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new
hatched, unledSed comradc.' What words of
wisdom spoke that fond old fool, but he loved his
boy as love mine.
Good night my lad
This above all, 20 thine own self be true
And it must ,oIlow rs the night the dny
Thou canst not then be false 20 any man
Your father.
r. F. RAwLrSs
For a moment after Thorp's deep
voice had ceased its task the silence in
the heated room was broken only by
some half stifled sigh. Corp. Brent had
covered his pale face with his hands
Mrs. Lane was weeping silently. Hcarn'S
eyes. swimming, Were turned toward
Georgia Marshall. VINO was bending
over her friend, quietly tanning her.
The effect of this letter was not unex-
pected: she had heard every word be
fore.
1t was Grace who spoke ut last. after
no little preparatory clearing Of his
throat:
And have You other letters from
Capt. Rawlins:''
Many. sir. but this was the last,
was the almost tremulCas answer: The
was killed within the week that fol-
lowed"
And YOU areF'-
Malcolm Brent Rawlins. his SON..
ITO he