The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-04-25

81 his first graft fled cnlatjpn y
shake him warmly by the hand, and
then with both hands laid famlliarly
on his shoulder force him down into q
chair. Luckily. for by that time Jim
Hooker had with CHARACTERISTIC gloomi-
ness found time to taste the .pangs OF
envy an envy the more keen since, in
spite of his success as q peaceful com
tractor, he had always.secretty longed
for military display and distinction.
He looked ut the man who had achieved
it. as he firmly believed, sby sheer luck
and accident and his eyes darkened.
Then, with characteristic weakness and
vanity. he began to resist his first inn
pressions of Clarence's superiority, and
to air his own Importance. He leaned
heavily back in his chair in which he
had been thus genially forced, drew off
his gauntlet and attempted to thrust
it through his belt, as he had seen
1:rant do, but failed on account Of his
pistols already occupying that position,
dropped it, got his sword between his
legs in attempting to pick it up, and
then leaned back again. with half
closed eyes, serenely Indifferent Of his
old companions smiling face. ::
II reckon" he began, slowly, with a
slightly patronizing air, that we'd
have met, sooner or later, at Washing
ton, or at Grants headquarters, for
Hooker. Meacham & Co. go everywhere,
and are about as we'll known as major
generals, to say nothin'," he went on,
with sidelong glance at Grants shout
der straps, ''of brigadiers-and it's
rather strange, only, of course, you're
kind of fresh in the service-that you
amt heard of me afore."
But I'm very, very glad to hear of
you now, JIM" said Brant. smiling,
land from your own lips--which l am
also delighted to find,'' he added, mis-
chievously, ''are still as frankly COM
municative on that topic, as of old.
But / congratulate you, old fellow, on
your good fortune. When did you leave
the stage?" s.
Mr.. Hooker frowned slightly. ."I
never really was on the stage, you
know" he said, waving his HAND with
assumed negligence-''only went OH to
please my wife. Mrs. Hooker wouldn't
act with vulgar professionals, don't you
see! / was really management of
the time, and lessee of the. theater.
Went east when the war broke out to
offer-my sword and knowledge of In
jim fghtin'--to Uncle Sam! Drifted
into big pork contract at St. Louis
with Fremont. Been at it ever since.
Offered a commission in the regular
service lots O. times. Refused"
'Why?" asked Brant, demurely.
"1oo much West Point starch around
to suit me- returned Hooker, darby.
''And too many spies!"
'Spies?" echoed Bralt, abstractedly,
with a momentary "Reminiscences Of Miss
Faulkner.
Eyes, spies," continued Hooker, with
logged mystery. "One-half Of Wash
ington is watching t'other half, and,
from the presidents wife down, most
of the women are seccsh!"
Brant suddenly fixed his keen eyes on
his guest. But the next moment he re-
Hected that this was only Jim Hookers
usual speech and possessed no Interior
significance. He smiled again and said
more gently:
.'And how is Mrs. Hooker?"1'
Mr.. Hooker fixed his eyes on the CELL
ing, rose, pretended to look out of the
window; then, taking his seat again by
the table, as if fronting an imaginary
audience, and pulling slowly at his
gauntlets, after the usual theatrical in
dication of perfect sang froid, said:
There amt any"
"Good heavens.'' said Brant, with
genuine emotion. II beg your pardon
really +"
Mrs. Hooker and me are divorced"
continued Hooker, slightly changing
his attitude and leaning heavily on his
saber, with his eyes still on his fanciful
audience. "There was, younnderstand.'
lightly tossing his gauntlet aside
-''incompatjbility of temper!-and-~
we-parted. Hal" he uttered low,
bitter, scornful laugh, which, however,
produced the distinct impression in.
Brant's mind that up. to that moment
he had never had the slightest feeling
in the matter whatever. ~,
"You seemed to be on such good terms
with each other" murmured Brant,
vaguely. S.
.See1ued!" said Hooker bitterly, glanc.
ing sardonically at an ideal SECOND row
in the pit before him-"yes, seemed!
There were-other differences social
and political. You understand that
YOU have suffered too He reached out
his hand and pressed Brant's in heavy:
etfusiyeness. But" he continued.
haughtily, lightly tossing his glove
again, 1--WE are all men of the world
we let that pass!" And it was possible
that he found the strain of his present
Multitude too great, for he changed to All
easier position.
But" said Brant. curiously, Il pl-
ways thought that Mrs. Hooker was in
tensely union and northern. ;" ..t- ~ !.
PUT on!" said Hooker, in his natural
voice. 81: .liss.... 4!
but you remember the incident Of
the fiag?" persisted Brant. =@ HI Z.
Mrs. Hooker was always an. actress"
said Hooker significantly. "But, " he add
ed cheerfully, Mrs. Hooker is now the.
wife of Senator Boompointer, one OF the
wealthiest and most powerful public
ans in ngton--carries the patron
age OF the whole west in his vest
pocket
..Yet if she is not republican--why
r;sri ehass--hacran Rranf 49, ~ Z