Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-03-19
PRIVATE TUCKER.


name. Before William Tucker, Esq,
became known to the world of men he
had been plain boy, very good, very
tender hearted and very much in earnest
about nothing i'll particular. Smaller
boys checked him with impunity and
made him flag for them; bigger boys
simply ignored him. Grown to man
hood there was but little change in
him. His juniors snubbed him and vot-
ed him "a fool; his seniors for the most
part imposed upon him. He submitted
to it all with the best possible grace
glad only to he taken notice of in any
way and apparently considering that it
was the only thing he could expect.
Then, as though life itself, as it stood,
did not hold sufficient bitterness for
him, he fell in love
He must have known from the very
first that il was all hopeless and that it
could at the best only disturb his peace
of mind. But he went on nevertheless
in his own dull, stupid fashion, content
only to touch her hand occasionally, to
get asort of second rate smile from her.
1t is probable that there was no thought
of any future i'll his mind.
He would turn up quite unexpectedly
at any place to which he knew she would
be going. He would linger about nerv-
ously and unhappily in corners, 50 that
he might have the opportunity of look
ing at her. He seemed to ask for moth
ing more.
He would carry parcels and run mes
sages for the pretty child-she was but
little mOrc-und considered himself
we'll paid if he received only a smile in
return.
Once she WAS i'll, and he scarcely left
the house III which she lay until she
was well again. He haunted it by day.
He fingered about aimlessly ut night.
He ruined himself by his lavish pur.
chaseS of flowers and dollhouse fruit.
When at last one summer day he was
told that she WAS Couvalescent, and that
she would sou him, he felt that heaven
was within sight.
He was shown ont into a garden,
where she wus seated in great chair,
with all her delicate beauty thrown into
stronger relief by the white bearskin rug
against which she leaned.
She looked - pale and weak that, if
anything could have increased his love
for her, her appearance alone would
have done ii.
"You have been worry kind, Mr. Tuck
er," she said IL Il low voice, "and l am
very grateful. You have done SO much
for me, ard your flowers have been with
me every day.
There Were tears III her brown eyes as
she finished speaking and held out her
hand TO him. ihvn 1t was that William
Tucker made the one chief mistake Of
his life, and, in s;ammering utterances,
tried TO tell her of the emotion which
possessed him. But she staid him with
a light hand upon his lips.
Il am more grateful even than be-
fore, " she said slowly, but you offer
me gift which cannot accept. can
not tell you how sorry l am or how
much believe i'll all that You have told
me. But love another man, and love
him very dearly"
He was silent for a few moments,
standing there with his eyes cast upon
the ground like scOlded schoolboy.
But he looked up at last, with some
thing of a smile breaking across the
whiteness Of his face
Il might have known" he said slow
ly. Il might have known, above all
things, that it is not for such a man as
l am to snatch so great Il prize. l might
have known thar il was the best and
wisest thing tUl me to remain only your
friend-only your faithful dog, who
may try TO be of service to you some
times. Can you forgive me sufficiently
to let me still hold that place in your
thoughts
Il shall hope that you will be my
very good friend always, Mr.. Tucker"
lC I
tenant Lacey. ! ahould have told you
before. -
Believe mt, l am very glad" he re.
piled. II am only dull dog, but l
should be n poor sort Of fellow indeed if
did not appreciate your kindness and
your confidence -
Thereafter the dull, stupid, common
place man showed 50 delicate tact and
was also SO chc,!mliy generous to the
man who had taken the place he had
hoped 10 occupy that She grew TO have
regard fOr INN that was almost like
that Of Il younger sister for brother in
whom she implicitly believed and trust
ed. For his part he was proud of the
position and would not have lost il for
anything els" thn; the world might Of
the same dull, stupid fellow that he had
ever been.
She came to him one day weeping
and in great distress and told him that
her lover had been ordered to Africa
with his regiment War was looming on
the horizon, and the work there would
be desperate.
II know how brave he isl she Sob
bed, land l know that he will go there
with no arm save his own to stand be-
tween him and death. / think would
give the world TO know that there was
some one with him who would watch
over him and bring him back to me ut
last
The words were carelessly spoken
said only in the agony of the moment.
But her head was on the poor, foolish
fellow $ breast her hands were touching
his, and the words spoke to him trum-
pet tongued, even as "a command
He had no thought in his simple
heart but that he might be of service to
her and might help this man whom she
loved. The next day William Tucker,
Esq, left the world wherein men had
laughed at him, and Private William
Tucker entered the regiment which had
been ordered TO the front. and Of which