River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-07-05

natural than that he should enlist? He
did more. lie raised a company and
was chosen captain. Some shook their
heads, but he had a strong following,
and those who iibed at his follies still
rather admired his dash. 1t was adj
mitted that he had at last done some
thing TO redeem himself-and he had.
Eben, as you are aware, did not en-
list; and thereat everybody seemed
surprised. This must have been be-
cause he was so big and strong; men
who look as if they could pull down
mountains get harsh judgments with
out common equity. Otherwise it could
hardly have been ignored that Eben s
mother was helpless invalid, entire
~ dependent upon his daily wages. And
his Cousin Jennie, who cared for her
night and day, was also dependent,
though far from helpless. This patient,
energetic little miss was quite compe-
tent to take care of herself, but not to
take care of herself and a querulous
paralytic too.
You can't go. Eben, dear" she said.
you mustn't think of it. Your moth
er would simply shut her eyes and die
in spite of me-"
But Lola, trife weary, perhaps of
mute Sunday evening worship, was dis
appointed and indignant. She first
tainted her lover with cowardice-
"and you big enough to take Havana
all by YOURSELF then taxed him
with yet meaner motive.
ITS just your jealousy because
YOU cant be captain" she cried, spite
fully "And you might have been, too,
if you'd had a grain of spunk. I've no
patience with such man. You know
very well that that red-headed Jen you
set such store by could have taken
good enough care of old Mrs. Frazer.
She isn't exactly queen, remember, to
be waited on every minute. and | guess
a little work wouldn't hurt Jen any.
And to think that papa drove off poor
Claude. that was worth ten of you!
Here"-and she struck a tragedy pose
with some success-"take back your
shabby little ring | won't wear it for
you. And you needn't come to see me
any more. I won't have you sneaking
round me while better men are fighting
for their country" she concluded, with
a fine patriotic flourish.
1t was mere petulance - all this
wouId-be lofty passion. She turned
away without a tear, and with no more
emotion than if she had been nagging
her mother.
And the man whose love had thus
been flung back in his face, because
for him the path of duty did not lead
to Cuba, also turned without tear;
but for many weeks, the great, baby
hearted fellow went about his work
with heart that sobbed unheard, and
spirit heavy with tears unshed. Jen-
ME tried to comfort him. but without
visible results.
Meanwhile great deeds were done a
Santiago. The spendthrift debauchee
who had volunteered to bury his shame
haGachieved honorif not glory. Doubt
less the rumor of it burned like
branding iron in the silent soul of his
rival: for Eben was human, and the
sting of Mauser bullets are as nothing
to this martyrdom of shame. He
dreaded to show himself. He felt that
all who saw him questioned his right to
breathe American air. But he still
chopped wood and hoed potatoes, and
fed his mother with the wages of his
humiliation.
Eben had almost ceased to visit the
village; he never entered its precincts
if he could avoid il. One day. however
it was the I'd of September, but
as hot as Sahara-hc was forced to go
to the store, as Jennie could not leave
his mother. The grocery was also the
post office. and as he came out he met
Lola. She tilted her red parasol to-
ward him, and passed without as much
as look. With her was the hero from
Santiago, returned on furlough with
honorable wounds. His ring was now
on her third finger.
Further up the street Eben encoun-
tered her dog-a huge wolf-hound that
She petted and pamrered because it
was he fashion. Almost unconscious
", Eben reached out his hand to caress
the creature II shrunb away as if he
had been a stranger There was a yelp
and a snap The smoking teeth barely
missed his fingers.
"Her very dog has turned against
me-" he thought, bitterly.
The animal gave a long-drawn, eerie
howl. Then it rolled in the dust, and
paved at its mouth.
81 believe the beast is going mad!
And if Lola should attempt to fondle
it"
He was weaponless, and he might be
mistaken. But he could at least eau
ton her. He ran down the road:
Lola" he cried, painting, as he over
took her, Leo. your dog"
Are you running away from my
dog?" she sneered. And the bystand-
ers Uttered
Eben glanced back The wolf-hound
was indeed following. Again sounded
that dismal howl Suddenly, coiling
like a snake, the frantic animal buried
its fangs in its own flesh. Chen. with
a savage snarl, it sprang toward them.
IT'S distended jaws dripping foam and
blood.
There was a crazy rush for the near
est shelter-every man for himself.
Even the hero of I'll Caney forgot his
laurels and his lady. DO not reproach
him. You and | would have done the
same 4 mad dog is too much for hui
man nerves and human nature. As for
Lola. she spun round. tripped and fell
screaming. The rabid beast was upon
her.
But burly form lowered in its path,
grim, red and dusty Even as it
leaped. stout hands. no longer slow,
gripped the envenomed creature by its
very jaws. and wrenched them asun-
der as Sampson rent the lion. \ with
ing carcass fell to the ground; heavy
heel crushed its ribs and stamped out
it's quiveriug life.
Then the vanished crowd swarmed
back. dropping from trees, emerging
from behind fences, hurrying down
from yerandas They cheercd, they
howlcd. they caught up a new-found
hero to bear him in triumph on their
shoulders. But they bore him no fur
Their than to the village drug store.
There the procession suddenly halted
for il was perceived that the rescuing
hands were frightfully mangled. and
their owner had become unconscious.
For several minutes Lola was left ly-