The Atlanta constitution., 1894-03-13

T managed to write a few agitated lines to
'Grubb but got no answer. 1t nearly
ten days before he we'll enough to
leave the ship and go in search of his friend
1t was about dusk of the midsummer
eTening when Brydell, rather pale from
his recent illness. was going toward Grubb's
quarters. Half way there, he met the
geon, DR.. Wayne, a kindly elderly man.
~ Brydell knew had known the marine
Esr many years. Can you tell me, sir, any
& about Private Grubb of the ma
rt =, asked Brydell. without mentioning
rs fse at all
DON'T know whether he be called
Pri e Grubb of the marines any longer"
answered the Doctor, with solemn eyes.
HI ime was up the very day he heard of
his sons disgrace He was on his way to
the )fflce ready to re-enlist when he heard
it. ifa walked straight to the office-you
ri ocw what q fine. erect fellow he was
|sbed for his discharge without word of
explanation, except to know when he could
Set his papers, and turned away. He had
not got block before he fell. People ran
and picked him up-he had on his Uniform
anu they were going to carry him to the
hospital, but he wouldn't let them. He
s2ld he was out of the service, and he
had no right to go, and no wish to so, nor
could they make him go. l happened to
DC near by and went to him. l said, You
must go to the hospital Ycu see, he was
such a sort of institution that l couldn't
9 ne take in why he shouldn't obey or
* Den lie tried to touch his cap, and said
:. worn this uniform tWenty-four years
l have never disobeyed an officer, but
e Int go to the hospital He became so
hre iied over it that for fear it would kill
i'm, let them take him into a little tavern
tf>4nd, respectable sort of place patron
4 d by worllingmen. l saw he had had a
s'roke, and that it was mortal one He
asked to be left alone with me, and then
that poor fellow begged and pleaded with
me not to SEM him to the hospital where
everybody would know him and know of his
sons disgrace, because he told me all about
1t. l couldn't have forced him to go after
that, if it had cost me my commission He's
going to die, and as he is good and faith
III! man, he shall die in as much peace as
can giyc him"
Brydell grew a little faint at the words,
aud in an instant he was carried back TO
THAI day so long ago when old Caps the
bCatsWain, had been carried out of the navy
yard gate on caisson. He had not been
brcnSnt face to face with majestic
Death since.
ID 'ut mightn't he get well?' BrydeH be-
ga d ID halted.
~, ma, he can't get we'll" answered the
d Rurs quietly. Poor, honest Grub is
q. .,Jaua.1 .rief and shame over his sons dis
~ from her q yh" other surgeons h'rc tav2
give E az : him faithfully; ii he hcd been
u ~ GIi" ! IT, officer in the marine corps we
co;ast r.1lave done any more. but when a
lap IS sick of life it is an incurabe dis
ease"
"rd Ike to see him." said Brydeu. with
pale lips.
60 to see him. by all means. If you can
rouse him you will do him more good than
all the doctors in the world can"
Brydell walked rapidly through the fast
closing evening to the little tavern in
back street. The proprietor in his shirt
sleeves. answered his inquiries civilly
enough.
We're doin' all we can for poor Gruob."
he said put ! never see man SO hope
less"
Brydell stumbled up the narrow stairs to
the little back room, where, in response to
his knock GruOD's voice weakly answered,
Come in" Brydell entered.
On the narrow bed, G,ruDbs gaunt figure.
only little while ago 50 trim and soldierly,
was stretched our. HIS skin had lost its
ruddy glow ana was quite grayish, and his
seemed cavernous. Brydell advanced TO
the bed ana took his hand. He was not
prepared for the change III poor Grubb, and
ms boyish face wore startled look.
y knoWed you would come soon as
you could" the marine began. Il asked for
yuo right a1Jer-risht atter-it happened.
They told YOU was sick. L got that noLe
you wrote me. It's Il mighty comfort to me
to know there's one honest boy In the
world.
Brydell could not say word He sat
down III a cnair by the bed, and, i'll spite
OF every effort 10 control himself tears
started from his eyes and fell on Grubb's
thin hands.
Now, Mr.. Brydell, what are you a-cry-
ing for? You don't want me to live in this
here world wnere things is so hard And
you see I'm to blame some about that boy
L give him all i mad, and L didn't require
nothln of him IN return. When he first
began to be ashamed of me, instead Of
maxim him see now L was to be treated
Wlth respect, because l was his father and
d respectable man to boot, l Net it go and
sneaked out his way. But l think he must
peen born liar, cause your father, the
lettenant. indulged you just as much as l
did my boy, but you alters was a up and
down truthful poy."
Have you heard anything of--ot Es-
daie?''
NO. sir, and l don't count on hearin
neither He's got some money, and as long
as that holds out, it'S all he cares for. And
besides, | amt got no pay now. You see
just 1elt 1t like t1asn, the minute L heard
o that boys disgrace, if | didn't want to
wear this here uniform unless | could walk
down the main street lookin' folks square in
the eye. l had worn that uniform twenty
four years, and there wasn't no commits
stoned officer as KEEP himself straighter
cleaner nor prouder than Grubb, the ma
rine."
THAT'S true, Grubb."
" ell, MIR. Bryden, I coudn't look any
BODY IN the face after that, so l asked for
my discharge papers instead of re-enlistin,
anu then / dropped down III the street and
1t give me o relief To know that |
couldn't git over it, because them DOCTORS
they lie mighty Kind ana attentive, and they
sets where you're SettIn and tries to sAeer
me into gILtlu Weil-ilnd l know can git
well and L don't want to Slt well.
BrydeIl cou!u noL Say wUru. There was
something imposing in the fierce, simple
honor oil the man VINO preferred dying 10
living because he couldn't look anybody III
the race again Presently Grupb spoke
again teeb,y, Il hope you'll give my re-
spectful compliments to the lettenant ana
Admiral Beaumont, and tel 'tm as how L
hope I've old my duty to their sattsfac-
ton
Il will" said BryGel.
He sat there and talked a long time with