The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-09-17

s. az %H The day was
~O'O warm one
and the Majors wounds were apt to
worry him good deal in hot weather.
but he held his handsome old head
none the less high.
Markham. one Of tie founders of
the club itself, watched him go for n
moment, and then turned to Altman
who sat near him.
'One man in n hundred is the Ma.
Jor, said he, zone man in hundred. "
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. | believe that
he was the best all-around soldier that
ever knew. He has the greatest an.
tlpathy for anything bordering on
trlyollty IN military affairs, rs you
probably know, and he declares these
boys do nothing but play soldier as
II they were fifteen years younger
than they really are"
But doesn't he see the good side of
the question:" asked Altman.
81 suppose he does, but he thinks
the Guards should be composed of
more capable men workingmen who
can stand great deal, and not aristo-
Gratis"
"But-'
pray don't think am supporting
the Majors views, my dear Altman.
When L remarked that the Guard had
been ordered to the mines, he said {:
Il feel sorry for the young men them
selves, but more sorry for the State.
1t ought to send experienced men to
such places if they ever hope to en-
torco the laws rigldly and quickly. ;
Very firm in his beliefs is the Major,
and the strongest one he has, however
wrchg 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 arc all
excellent swordsmen."
YES" said Markham, $50 I've
heard, and all of which l pointed out
to him. But you can't shake the Ma
ior, as said"
WELL" returned Altman, picking
up his paper again, "it gives him
something to talk about, anyway"
But neither he nor the Majors old
comrade knew the real reason of his
last cptburst against the Guards in
question; for that reason, in the form
Of square sheet of note paper, lay in
the MAJORS inside pocket, aud it CON
sisted of hastily written but entirely
earnest offer tor his daughters hand
IN marriage. And the young man
who took such a liberty was none
other than the First Lieutenant of the
Governors Guards.
Lieutenant Holloway was not dis
agreeable young man; in fact, he was
quite the opposite. He came from
the South and OF n soldering family,
his father having lost his life at Cold
Harbor during the Civil War; he was
interested in we'll established bust.
ness situated in the heart of the city
his family pedigree was long one,
and his own character and record
spOtless.
'Ho doesn't want my answer for n
week, doesn't hep" muttered tho old
soldier, as he marched on homeward.
"Well, he shan't get it! I'll think il
over, rs he asks me to, and not make
hasty decision, but / can tell him
right now what it will be. No, en-
phatically
Had tho Majors good little wife
been living herself, she would hav,
pointed out long ago the possibility Of
of this contingency arising, and would
have prepared him for the blow, which
must fall some day, and leave hin
childless, while some eutorprisina
young man gained q wife; but Mrs
Major had died many years ago, and
left the Major with the pretty child
to bring mp alone.
From vivacious, headstrono
pretty little girl, Dorothy had grown
mp into beautiful young woman, will
her mothers sweet face and her faith
or's will and determination.
SO to-day, when he found the letter
waiting for him at the club. and to b,
forgiven for railing against anything.
especially tho Guards, when il was re
membered that one Of them was tn,
vandal, bent upon robbing the ole
soldier Of his daughter. Entering tn,
open door Of his hand some house, he
called rs cheerfully rs he could:
Dorothy, daughter ~
Yes, daddy" came the answer
from somewhere upstairs, and the mex
moment the face he loved peeped Owe
tho banistor and n small forefinger wa
shaken warninglY at him.
Ten minutes late, sir, she criC i
trying to be very severe "ghat doe
1t mean2"
Then she ran down The stairs. lie