The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-07-27
BY RoDRlCUES oTToLENcl

per room he met an acquaintance in
the hallway. This was Colonel PAXTON,
one OF the directors of the society.
The colonel was Il large man, with q
tine mead and commanding mien. His
hair was whitening, and his long side
Whiskers. already white, made him
look older than he really was. During
the late civil war he had served his
country faithfully and had earsled his
epaulets by bravery on the field, hav-
ing risen from the ranks to the position
which he held when his command had
oeen mustered out. Returning to New
YORK after the war, he settled down
to the peaceful occupation of making
money, and by fortunate speculations
in Wall street and investments in real
! estate he had placed himself far above
the need Of further effort
Therefore he had retired from active
business and for several years had de-
voted his time to church and charity.
In this manner he had earned the rep
utation of being useful member of
society, philanthropist who gave
freely, yet who deprecated indiscrimi.
nate almsgiving, believing that the
best good was to be attained by help
ing others to help themselves. He had
therefore allied himself with several
associations having the betterment Of
the poor as their aim.
1 Personally he was an exceedingly
genial and pleasant companion until
you differed With him on one of his
principles OF life. when he would show
his New England ancestry, being very
"set" He was a bachelor. and some
said that he was woman hater. which
was denied by others. who declared
that he eschewed the society of the OPP
poslte sex because he had unsuccess.
fully Wooed one whom he had wished
to make his bride. However this NAV
have been, whenever the colonel did
choose to honor social gathering with
his presence he was sure of a warm
reception. His evenings were usually
spent at his club. where he was a
conspicuous figure at the whist table,
and, whether or not he was favorite
with the ladies, certain it was that he
was honored and even courted by his
own sex as bon vivant and a racon-
teur of rare ability
Delighted to meet you, Mr. Mitch
ely exclaimed the colonel, recognizing
that gentleman. Il thought you were
on the other side"
II have just returned by the Paris"
said Mr.. Mitchell II see YOU are on
your rounds. Inspecting one of your
favorite charities?'
well, hardly that" said the colonel.
with laugh. Il don't allow my char
tiles, as you call them. to take up all
of my time. But there is case in hand
at present to which l shall give my
personal attention. Perhaps you have
read of the horror in the morning pa
pers?"
do you mean that little naked baby
found in the graveyard?"
Mr.. Mitchell was pleased to find that
his companion was interested in this
case. as he counted upon his CARR
lousness to obtain more of the facts
than had escaped from the official
mouth, sealed with red tape, which he
had met below stairs.
Yes" replied the colonel "That is
monstrous affair Think of mother
throwing baby less than year old
into graveyard and leaving it there
to starve. intend to find that woman
and
How do you know it was the moth
er?' asked Mr.. Mitchell quietly. 1T
may have been the father who thus
wished to rid himself of burdensome
''Of course. of courser said the colo
mel, irritated by the interruption, as
Well as by the suggestion that he might
be in error But what difference does