The St. Johns herald., 1900-09-29
ONE OF THE OTHERS
By Lawrence Boone.
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 (Copyrightsdl


 miss their reward; the whole natiol
 sings their praises.
 There is, therefore, the less nee
 that should help swell the chorus
 For, after all, there are others. An,
 this is the story of one of the others.
 It may sound like a contradiction
 but I shall always maintain that Ebel
 Frazer was hero because he did no
 enlist. He wanted to enlist. He wa
 urged to enlist He was ashamed no
 10 enlist. He was exposed to the mos
 seductive and periTous temptation tha
 earth can offer to a slow, big-limbed
 big-hearted fellow, such as he was and is. For he was-and is-in love And his love bade him go. It wal
 merely duty that bade him stay.
 It is often much easier to march fl the middle of the procession, even tc the cannon's mouth, than to swallow the bitterness of undeserved re breaches and trudge on alone in tho rough, homely path of duty. This i. no disparagement to Claude Living stone and the rest, who faced the deadly volleys at Fl Caney without hinching. But really it is sometimes harder to live humbly than to die zobly.
 Eben and Claude had long been rivals, and Lola Tanning was the prize to win which Eben toiled and Claude schemed. They hated each other very cordially-and who shall blame them? It is too much to expect Christian charity from lovers.
 And Lola was, in truth, an attrac- tive girl Even I, who did not love her in the least, must concede that. She was tall and fair and graceful. Her eyes were pale blue like misty sky, and her hair pale golden like watery sunset. It was not peroxide - though but for the kindness of nature it might have been. She was fond of dress. which is commendable; she was, perhaps, little overdressed, which was inexcusable. Unborn triviality be- trayed itself in a superfuity of guards and trimmings; yet her beauty ir- radiated all her frippery. That her fair head was empty and her soft heart shallow will not presume to add; for I may be prejudiced. You shall judge for yourself.
 Yet thought it much to her credit that of the two suppliants at her shrine she cnose Eben. must own that l was surprised when the en- gagement was announced.
 So she condescendingly wore the ring that he had chopped cordwood to buy; and he was permitted to call twice a week and sit by her side in awed and palpitating reverence, while she chattered away in fashion that ought to have opened his eyes, but didn't.
 Meanwhile Claude was "lively" after the manner of his kind. His liveliness was decidedly loud, in speech, in dress, and in action. It seemed to consist very largely in dissipating his money; for he had inherited large farm, which he promptly mortgaged.
 'I do wish, Eben, you had little more spunk and spirit" remarkedLola one day, as Claude flashed past on a trotter on which it was rumored that he ndo lately lost SoOU.
 ''Do you mean that you'd like me to drive fast horses?" exclaimed Eben, surprised and a little shocked. "You Enow I can't afford it if wanted to. And Tm trying to save"
 You might at least drive something faster than an old plug of a blow horse" she interrupted, petulantly. Whats the good of slaving and say ing when there's money coming? ItI were a man like you I'd make stir in the world some way. But don't be- heve you do anything but chop wood and hoe potatoes."
 Yet would be mistake to conclude that Claude was wholly bad. He was not sneak; indeed, his brazen frank ness was startling. His 'liveliness" was at least spontaneous; and exuberant vitality, even though vented in vice, is a virtue.
 What Claude most needed, was less money and proper outlet for his rest less, reckless temper. The first of these conditions was not far to seek. His farm was forfeit; his debts were urg- ent; his creditors were already begin ming their remorseless man7hunt.
 Then came the war. What was more natural than that he should enlist? He did more. He raised @ company and was chosen captain. Some shook their heads. but he had strong following, and those who jibed at his follies still rather admired his dash. It was ad- nittea that he had at last done some thing to redeem himself-and he had. Eben, as you are aware, did not en- ast; and thereat everybody seemed This must have been be- cause he was so big and strong; men who look as if they could pull down get harsh judgments with put common equity. Otherwise it could Aardly have been ignored that Eben's mother was helpless invalid, entire y dependent upon his daily wages. And lis Cousin Jennie, who cared for her night and day, was also dependent, though far from helpless. This patient. energetic little miss was quite compe- ent to take care of herself, but not to 'ake care of herself and 6 querulous oaraiytic too.
 You can't go, Eben, dear" she said You mustn't think of it. Your moth 1T would simply shut her eyes and die D spite of me-"
 But Lola. a trifie weary, perhaps. of mute Sunday evening worship. was dis ppointed and indignant. She first aunted her lover with cowardice- and you big enough to take Havana Il by yourself"-and then taxed him { Vith yet meaner motive.