Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-08-22
THE MAJORS ANTIPATHY

hE mHJOh'S y AIN VI - ~
The Major came slowly down the
steps Of the Veteran Club house and
turned homeward. The day was a
warm one and the Majors wounds
were apt to worry him a good deal in
hot weather, but he held his handsome
old head none the less high.
Markham, one of the founders of
the club itself, watched him 90 fol a
moment, and then turned to Altman,
who sat near him.
Zone man in hundred is the Ma
ior, said he, zone man in a hundred. y
"Yes," agreed the other, "but what
has he been saying this afternoon
Nothing out of the ordinary" re-
Piled Markham, 81 was only thinking
of his past generally. l believe that
he was the best all-around soldier that
I ever knew. He has the greatest an
tipathy for anything bordering on
frivolty in military affairs, as you
probably know, and he declares these
boys do nothing but play soldier as
if they were fifteen years younger
than they really are.
But doesn't he see the good side Of
the question:" ?" asked Altman.
q suppose he does, but he thinks
the Guards should be composed OF
more capable Acknowledgment who
can stand a great deal, and not aristo-
Gratis.
But
Pray don't think am supporting
the Majors views, my dear Altman.
When remarked that the Guards had
been ordered to the mines, he said
1 feel sorry for the young men them
selves, but more sorry for the State.
It ought to send experienced men to
such places if they ever hope to en-
force the laws rigidly and quickly.
Very firm in his beliefs is the Major,
and the strongest one he has, however
wrong it may seem to US, is that the
Governors Guards in its present state
is useless organization.
For strangers opinion that might
pass" said Altman, "but the Major
ought to know better. And I'm told
too, that the officers are all excellent
swordsmen."
"Yes," said Markham, 80 I've
heard, and all of which l pointed out
to him. But you can't shake the Ma
jor, as I said.
well, returned Altman, picking
up his paper again, ait gives him
something to talk about, anyway.
But neither he nor the Majors old
comrade knew the real reason Of his
last outburst against the Guards in
question; for that reason, in the form
of square sheet of note paper, lay IN
the Majors inside pocket, and it con-
sisted of hastily written but entirely
earnest offer for his daughters hand
in marriage. And the young man
who took such a liberty was none other
than the First Lieutenant of the Gov
ernor's Guards.
Lieutenant Halloway was not a dis
agreeable young man; in fact, he was
quite the opposite. He came from
the South and Of a soldering family,
his father having lost his life at Cold
Harbor during the Civil War; he was
interested in a well established busi-
ness situated in the heart Of the city
his family pedigree was a long one,
and his own character and record
spotless.
He doesn't want my answer for a
week, doesn't he?" muttered the old
soldier, as he marched on homeward.
"Well, he shan't get it I'll think 1t
over, as he asks me to, and not make
a hasty decision, but l can tell him
right now what it will be. Ne, en-
phaticallyr
Had the Majors good little wife
been living herself, she would have
pointed out long ago the possibility OF
this contingency arising, and would
have prepared him for the blow, which
must fall some day, and leave him
childless, while some enterprising
young man gained a wife; but Mrs.
Major had died many years ago, and
left the Major with the pretty child to
bring up alone.
From vivacious, headstrOng, pref
ty little girl, Dorothy had grown up
into beautiful young woman, with
her mothers sweet face and her faith
er's will and determination.
So today, when he found the letter
waiting for him at the club, he was to
fo,c,;ven for railing aCainst ANYTHING,