The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-02-27
Author of Little Jarvis "Nidshipman Pauld
ing maid Marian" ''Children of Destiny,
etc-Copyright; all rights reserved.
CHAPTER III.


Just six years after the May day that
Young Brydell had nearly shot Grubb' s
head OF. day as bright he sat with a
number of other young fellows about his
own age around a long table answering
the questions of three professors, who were
examining them. Each had a great stake
in this examination. it for an APP
pointment to the naval academy at Annapo-
lis.
Young Brydei had ceased to be Young
Rrydell then, being quite fifteen years old.
He had had a good many changes IN those
six years. Much of the time his father.
now n lieutenant, had been al sea, but In
luckily. whether his father was or
on Shore Brydell was still allowed to Rave
his own way, and good deal more Of the
1ieutenant's pay than good for a boy.
The old tenderness and sympathy still en-
compassed hinl-he had no mother. There
fore, whenever Brydell found himself dis
satisfied at school a complaining letter to
his father would result in his going some
where else. When his teacher represented
mat Brydell, although an extremely bright
fellow and fond of reading, Yet neglected
his Rotations for athletics, Brydell would
write most convincing letter to his faith
er. explaining how impossible it was for
ties as captain of the football eleven were
taken into consideration, and his letters
were so bright and well written that his
father as foolishIy fond in his way as poor
Grubb. would persuade himself that the boy
would come out all right. He had even been
sent to Switzerland to school, but like the
other schools this one did not suit Brydell
and six months after he was home again.
fortunately Brydel possessed certain strong
traits of characte. that are difficult to
spoil. He was perfectly truthful, brave
and had naturally q good address. Moth
,ng could have been prettier than the de-
Votion between him and the lieutenant
AS Brydel said: 'Old man. fatherly re-
1pect is out OF the question. When You got
married at twenty, you took the chances of
having a boy in tha field before you were
rcady to quit it yourself, and I'll agree to
treat you as an elder brother but We've been
chums too long for you to come the stern
i>---S--T me. hnd ilti5 would he said
with such an affectionate hug that the
lieutenant could only make believe to growl.
And so Brydell grew up, without any of
The wholesome restraints and self-deniai
If more fortunate boys. He was not
conceited boy, but he realized that when
ever he had failed it was because he had
not really exerted himself, and he had
natural and optimistic way of looking at
life which so far had not been rudely con-
tradicted.
The determination to go into the navy had
grown with his growth and strengthened
with his strength. and no other plan oil NE
had ever occurred to him. He knew the cll-
dculties of getting an appointment ou'
like most happy young fellows o. MS age
and experiences. he thought all diincui'les
existed for other people; his own way would
De easy enough.
His father had carefully retained legal
residence in his native town. expressly ioi
p,,-der1,s sake. so he could be eligible FOR APP
continent from that district. but A'ryueli'
having concluded to try private tutors for
hyhile-which was changed as often as the
zchools were--had lived for nearly a year
md a half with his Aunt Emillne, IN a town
outside of his own congressional district.
ope morning picking up paper. he had
cad that a competitive examination would
no hold for an appointment to Annapolis,
c,o,, IN all boys who had lived twelve
months in the district. THAT suits me to a
lot - cried Brydell and from then until the
l.v Of the examination ne really worked
hard never doubling for mo neat his MI
,,,ate success Aunt Emiline, II IS tue,
crooked like a raven, hut Aunt t1''iine
,ir,.a,s croaked. Brydcll nad already IN
his own mind composed the letter announce
;ns, his success to mis- father and another
one 20 the admiral, who had continued 10
be his fast friend. and another one to Grub,
lis old friend, the marine. On the morn
jna. Of the examination he therefore present.
cd himself. and was duly accepted In the
competition.
Next to him at the table sat handsome
voune fellow about his ov T. age. Son e.
thina. in the boys fresh. regular ."atIpes
and 1.-THE young figure reminded. Brydell
Of Grub OF all his early friends i;rydell
loved the kindly marine, with his manliness
and truth and lad grammar, better than
anv Of them. Although Grub had done his
share OF sea duty. he AMI l:rydell had net
,nauy times in all those years. ana always
ErvC!ell felt as if lie Wee 4 litt;c lad asa'n.
once. Brvtlen remembered irihb being
about going To sea again, uad paid the eX-
penses of a long journey oct Of his small
pay to see the boy. and Brydcll suspected
that Grubb's ticket had taken about all his
spare cash. and that he had lived on hard
taci. ami a can Of smoked beef mosr of the
way. which was hard ON a big feilow like
the marine.
handsome fellow might he Grubb'S SON. he
was about the right age. Brydell ut this
pricked up his ears. but in "A few minutes
one Of the professors happening to address
the yo;Ins man, called him Mr. Esdaie.'
Then he was not Grubb's boy, and Jrydell
lost all interest in him, except that he wish
,n ne could write the answers off quickly
as Esdaile could For Esdaile never paused
a moment, but with the ease ana rapidity
IF one perfectly accustomed to his subject,
he answered every question put him.
Not so Brydell. He was we'll up in history
and geography, for he was a great reader
But IN mathematics he stumbled woefully,
and made something very much like fias-
CO. When at Last it was over and the young
fellows each took his way home, Brydell
r,lt sckening sense Of failure. He had
really worked hard in preparing for the eN-
ANNA ton, for he forgot that he had never
worked in his lite before. His three weeks
sp,1rt had seemed 10 him tremendous
effort. that must win success. but it had