The Atlanta constitution., 1894-03-13
Author of Little Jarvis" "Midshipman
Pauidins," maid Marian" Children of
Destiny and Other Stories.
Copyright; All Rights Reserved.
CHAPTER VII.


ESdae was a third-class man. of course
and he was almost the first person that
Brydell ran across. Bearing in mind what
the admiral had said about Esdaile being
ashamed of his father. it not without
wish to make Esdaiie ashamed of him
self that Brydell, the first time they met
alone, said carelessly:
by the way, Esdaie, l believe you
the Of one OF the best friends l have
in the worlG-Private Grubb of the
marines. ] nearly killed him once, when l
was a kid. and after that we came to be
tremendously -ond OF one another"
Esdl4io's face turned crimson.
''Id-I'd rather You wouldn't mention
about my father" answered Esdaile. You
know my mothers people, the Iisdailes.
We're altogether different from my fathers.
1iy Grandfather Esdaiie was an ambitious
mantle EsGaiIes are good fan2ly-ard
lett ne some money condition changed
my name and Il would be awkward fer me
when I'm an officer to have it known that
my father is a private of Marines
Very awkward for Grubb," said Bryde0
cooly; 4 should think your father would
be awfulIy ashamed Of you Grubb you
know, is a fine man; every officer he ever
served under thinks highly Of him, and
you are evidently a cad OF the most pro
nounceG description. No. / won't mention
the relationship. for Grubbs sake Now,
this was highly insubordinate talk from
plebe to a third-class man.
Esdaile Strengthened himself up.
DO You know that you speaking to
your superior, sir?'
20, come off" answered Brydell careless
". This isn't any class question; it's
a mere private matter between us two. l
say. your father. il he is an uneducated
man is twice as much of a gentleman at
heart as you are, for all your educ tion
and your money and your fine name, be-
cause Grubh respects himself, and that's
the first thing about gentleman, so I've
been told"
Esdaile walked off in silent fury. He did
not care to undertake to discipline Brydell
on such a matter. as il would only be pro-
claiming what he earnestly desired TO con-
csal, so he swallowed his chagrin and deter
mined to get even with Brydeu some other
way.
Although hazing is strictly prohibited by
act Ct CONGRESS- the nilder form of it
known as running" is not wholly Un-
practiced and HIyde,l had his experience
Of singing the clothes list TO the tune Of
"HaI Coluu b.a." chewing soau. standing
his head for the amusement of the
third class and various other Of the bOYish
tricks that seem 20 afford such interse
satisfaction to the third-cIass men. Bry-
dell, being a very good tempc red fellow,
took il all in good part. Esdaiie had 80
share IN it, but avoided Brydcil ds mucn
as possible. Brydel soon found out that
-si>-lS i'i'1'~''tlo'i AOI S'4''.5ii '4o- " ei''-
ness was none Of the best. The code OF
truth telling is absolutely rigid at Anuapo-
lis. ami fellow caught in q lie would m
doubtejly be forced 10 leave whether the
wronsdoing came 10 the ear Of the authori-
ties or NOT. Now EsIa.le had not actually
been caught 81 81 f4-sehoui hT any OF lis
classmates, but there was a general SIMS
ter impression thar he would just as soon
lie a. leI the ytslh, provided he WAS not
caught. His recita-o15 had been admirable
and he had very few dement's, and stood
well with the faculty, but he did not stand
SO well with his o"u class. Apparently, no
one knew OF ms relationship to the marine,
at,i HIEdeu WAS quite above the meannezs
OF telling il.
Early i June the graduating exercises
were held md Lieutenant 3r<de!ls ship
having sol t3 san Francisco . lew weeks
before, bryQ-l was deiigllei one dly L.
get dispatch from h.s father saEiua he