West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-01-27

NhaN INC young non ~ not only lTulCC-
ing upon himself really unmcrited pun
ishIncns for n mistake OF his youth, but
is by his action depriving the business
world of n talent which would contrib
ute 70 its progress, hc would scoff at
the mans exaggerated ideas OF penauce
and lose no time in restoring him to his
proper station. May be frank with
you, my child, and tell you that In my
opinion Mr. Brown, or Mr.. Thornton,
Is very, very foolish young man. But,
my dear girl, you don't know how your
story has interested me. wonder IL ID
can be true? And 20 think he Is In
Capt. Colby's troop, too. May tell the
captain2"
do you think Il would be right, Mrs.
Colby? Mr. Thornton did not enjoin
sccrecy--in fact, he said he had moth
f, ing 10 conceal from the world, vet were
! his story known It might enforce upon
tasteful to him"
That is true, my dear, but really
| feel that his captain should know IL.
The commanding officer of a company
can do many things TO tighten the du-
ties of one of his men, you know. I
think / will tell him under pledge of
secrecy. Even Brown must not know
that his captain has heard of him"
! VERY wen. You can tell Capt Col-
by and will tell pupa ak know OF
Mr.. Brown"
"N hat u delicious secret we four will
have Ia discuss between ourselves,
and how doubly delicious II II prove
true that Private Brown Is really Mr..
Edward Thornton and n gentleman
I'm every way our equal in life. But u
word of motherly caution, child. You
must not permit your girlish enthusi-
asIn TO arouse In your young heart n
feeling of aught but simple friendship
and sympathy for Private Brown
A slight blush mantled tho checks Of
the young girl Mt thcse parting words.
Z After she had gone Mrs. Colby sank
into chair and carefully weighed
every feature of the strange story. Dn,i
was yet deeply enRrosscd in thought
when the captain entered.
George" shc sai1 20 him "do .yon
know anything OF Private Brown of
yonr troop
Brown? Yos. He has several
times attracted my attention. lie Is n
splendid young soldier. believe. al
why's unusually neat In personal OPP
! pearance, and at times when he hns
been on duty as orderly at my quar-
ters have noted his Intelligent lca.
guage and gcntlemanly bonring. lie
distinguished himself In u notice. bic
manner In several Of our brushes with
t,te Apaches last winter. and have
him listed for promotion when there L.
vncancy. Why do younsl my dcar?'
IL have very remarkable story tc
tell you, George. II you viii promise
rae that you will never divulge it with
out my permission, not even 10 Brown
himself"
We'll. IL must be startlingly i'm
portant secret. VIII such pledge II
any manner conflict with my duty ni
on ofilcer?"
"Not in the least, my dear, or woulc
! not exact It OF YOU
Then ! promise. am all attention.
She told the story as Alice had re
lated IL to her, and the captains eyel
opened wide with astonisllment.
by Jove, wife, am inclined TO be
lieve the man has told the truth.
have never had occasion TO give hin
extra notice further than mentioned
yet In the light Of this revelation I car
recall many OF his actions which go u
corroborate what you have told me.
must keep my eyes Oh him in future"
Alice went at once TO her father and
related TO him the story Brown hat
told her. The old man at first ovincet
considerable interest In the recital, bu'
at its conclusion said:
"All nonsense, Sunshine all bosh. Yor
must not place any credence In the wilC
cock and bull stories the soldiers tell
Look after the sick men In the hospital
child, and let the well ones take care O.
themselves"
"Did do wrong papa, in listening
TO him and showing my interest In hii
work."
"My little Sunshine could not d,
wrong. If this man has Interested yo1
with his skill with tho pencil arr
glad OF IT, Your life is cast amid yer,
sober surroundings, little one, and any
thing that affords you pleasure anC
helps you 10 while away the dull hour
has my full approval. If a big, honest
eyed Newfoundland dog should come
70 you for recognition It would DO u,
wrong for you 10 pat him on the shag
gy head and call him pet names II {
private soldier interests you and poo
sesses intelligence enough 90 treat yot
rs becomes your station IA the worle
above MIN. suiusc yOurlelf wis.i hin ~
you desire. Even listen 90 their fairj
stories IL you wish. Soldiers love {,
boast Of what they might have beer
bad they not bccn crowded iu.o th,
ormy by some remarkable circura
stances. Their romauccs are all boah
Sunshine. ell frotby bozh."