Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-11-12
OUR UNCLE, THE GENERAL ::
He Was Very Terrible In War, but
Easily Disarrned by Woman.

Whenever the widow, Magdalen
Monostary, sent her son, who was
studying law in the residence, his
monthly stipend, she always accompa-
MED it by a closely written eight page
letter. What wonder then that when
the occasion really called for it and the
case was important she should have
sent her elder brother a communica-
ton which might easily be mistaken
for a volume. nearly every tenth line of
which appealed to him to save the fam
lily honor and that Immediately and
without moments delay.
MY strength is exhausted and my
son is obdurate," pleaded she, "and I
do not dare say a word, as he imme-
diately throws out hints and makes
threats which makes my blood run
cold and my heart to stand still | am
anticipating some terrible calamity. In
my opinion the best thing to do would
be to talk to the girl herself, only |
could not do it, as l am nothing but a
mere woman. With you it is different
You. being q man, could do it so much
better than l. The honor Of our family
is at stake, and my whole trust and
confidence are anchored on you"
Thus appealed to and the case being
so urgent, the general lost not a mo-
ment's time. Having consulted a time
table and sent telegram to his sister
saying. = am coming" he left on the
spot. 81 shall hit this idyl right
through the center" muttered he,
twisting the ends of his mustache into
such fierce ends as if he intended to
spear the idyl on their points. The
widow, Magdalen MOnostary, could not
do otherwise than meet him at the de-
pot and, falling on his neck, sob her
soul out on his manly bosom. On the
way home she did nothing but lament:
"Only a tailor's daughter! Only a tai
Ior's daughter" The general made a
deprecatory gesture. ''All right, my
dear, all right. Console yourself l
am going to see things"
AS the carriage rolled along the sim
gle street of the little province town
the news that the general had arrived
spread like wildfire. and at the market
square 4 small boy yelled: won't tai
lors get it. though! The general has
arrived" But the prodigal son, he who
jeopardized the family honor, was no.
where to be found. as he had left the
house early in the morning.
Never mind" said the general, 81
have come to see to things with regard
to the girl. do not need him."
"Shall | accompany you, Belshaz-
carp"
mo, indeed. Women invariably spoil
everything. l will manage without
you,' and straight as a ramrod he
started on his errand to the loud clank-
ing of his sword, which struck the side
walk at every step, until he reached
the hut in which the tailor patched
and steamed the pants Of the poorer
citizens of the town. He was followed
at a respectful distance by a small reg
iment of barefooted children, who star
ed in aWestruck admiration at his bel
ligerent mustache and gold embroider-
ed collar and who whispered among
themselves, He is going to the tailor's,
and he will murder Este with that sa-
ber!'
The general finally noticed the crowd
of little ragamuffins, and their sight
made him furious. He could not very
we'll dispense them, for a general could
not so far forget his dignity as to no.
tice the children of the rabble, but on
reaching his destination he gave the
door such a tremendous pull that the
tailor, who for the last five minutes
had been trying to look dignified, near
ly fell off the table.
The general remained standing on
the threshold. He looked the tailor up
and down and then down and up and
finally Numbered in his most military
accents, Are you the boss?' If the
tailor had dared to answer truthfully,
he would have answered, mot exact
ly." AS it was, however, he answered
with humility, II am, but I hope you
will kindly excuse it,
The general looked the frail little
man over once more and thought with
in himself: what an acquisition to
ones family! Something truly to be
proud OFF,
Here the Mrs, who, to do her justice,
had much more presence of mind than
her husband and was much the cooler
of the two, offered chair to the gen.
eral, saying. won't you accept a Sec
ton of our modest little home"
But the general frowned her down
and remained standing. THANK YOU"
said ho Stif1Iv ST have no intention of