Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-06-07

only too delighted" and Helen, whose
especial gift seemed to be the powe.
of making every one comfortable, made
Ethel rest on a couch, while she found
the coolest chair for f1er husband.
Now let US talk over the ban she
said; Il always thing that that is the
pleasantest thing about an entertain
ment-talking of it afterward. What
did you think of the costumes. Leon
ard?'
L admired them ALL" ne replied;
and then he inquired: Helen, did you
see Sir Oscar Charlotte? With all due
Difference to all fair ladies, considered
him the most interesting character
present"
Why" asked Helen, briefly.
Because of his great personal BRAY
cry; he is literally as brave as a lion.
Did you never hear of him, Helen, nor
you, Ethel?"
No, they had not heard of him; so
Lord st. Norman continued:
i nave longed to see him for years.
Now that my desire has been gratifed,
| find him to be what he has been rep
resented-as brave as a lion, yet as
gentle as child; fearless, yet most
modest; free from the least taintof van
lty, frank, kind. All, well, I need not
dwell upon his character. I am diff
cult to please, but Oscar Charlotte is
my true ideal Of real hero. I can tell
you one story Of aim"
Ethel raised her eyes to her fathers
face, and he saw that she looked in
terested.
There were two brothers-Sir Ralph
Charlotte and his younger brother,
Oscal. They were both in the army.
Sir Ralph was major, and Oscar an en-
sign. They were in the same regi-
ment, and that regiment was serving
IN India. Sir Ralph was many years
older than his brother. He was mar
ried and had his wife and three chill
dren with him. I knew Lady CharI-
cote. She was a tender-hearted. low
Ing, gentle woman, with fair. high
pred face and a graceful manner. Sir
Ralph held some important military
post IN the hills, and, when a rebellion
broke out among one of the tribes
whom ne had to hold in check, he,
with his wife and three children. occu-
pea large stone residence that had
been erected for one of the native
rulers. His brother Oscar rode over
one day to consult with him on the as
pect OF affairs, and that very day tha
CharIcotes' place was surrounded, and
It's inhabitants all taken by surprise
Ihey resisted for a time, but resistance
was quite useless-their enemies were
a hundrd to one against them. Still
they fought for some hours. At last
the natives forced an entrance into the
house. The English servants were
tortured and killed. Sir Ralph. his
Wlte-poor, gentle Lady CharIcote.--
their little children, and Oscar were
brought into the courtyard there 10
suffer a thousand deaths in one. The
two hapless officers were bound fast to
and the unhappy father was
compelled to look on while his children
were barbarously slaughtered. [ will
not tell you the details Of Lady Charl-
cote's fate. When Sir Ralph could
bear it no longer, he turned to his
brother with loud, despairing cry:
oscar, Oscar, what Shall I do?'
Set your teeth and die hard the
young ensign replied-WOrds. that be
came a proverb in his regiment Even
as they were spoken a detachment of
men came to their rescue. 1t was too
late to save the unhappy lady, the lit
tie children, or even Sir Ralph: but
oscar was rescued. His health failed
him, and, sorely against his will. he
was compelled to leave tne army. He
became Sir Oscar Charlotte, of West
ern Royal l never see suffering in any
shape but l think of his words-.Set
your teeth, and die hard
AS She listened a strange light came
over Ethel's beautiful face She took
the words home to her heart, and pom
dered over them. If man could do
that for the endurance of physical
pain, surely she, who had suffered al
most the extremity of mental anguish
could do the same.
To be continued