The Monte Vista journal., 1900-11-10

ONE OF THE OTHERS !
. By Lawrence Boone. 4
A IL HONOR to the brave men who
(copyrightedl

miss their reward; the whole nation
sings their praises.
There is, therefore, the less need
that ! should help swell the chorus.
For, after all, there are others. And
this is the story OF one of the others.
1t may sound like n contradiction,
but ! shall always maintain that Eben
Frazer was a hero because he did not
enlist He wanted to enlist. He was
urged to enlist. He was ashamed not
TO enlist. lie was exposed TO the most
seductive and perilous temptation that
earth can offer to n slow, big-limbed,
big-hearted fellow, such as he was
and is. For he was-and is-in love.
And his love bade him 90. 1t was
merely duty that bade him stay.
1t is often much easier to march in
the middle of the procession, even to
the cannon's mouth, than to swallow
the bitterness of undeserved re-
proaches and trudgc on alone in the
rough. homely path of duty This is
no disparagcment to Claude Living
stone and the rest, who faced the
deadly volleys at FL Caney without
hiuching. But really ii is sometimes
harder to live humbly than to die
nohly.
Ebcn 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? 1t is too much to expect
Christian charity from lovers.
And Lola was, in truth, an attrac-
tive girl Even |, who did not love her
in the least, must concede that She
was tail and fair and graceful Her
eyes were pale blue Ike misty sky,
and her hair pale golden like a watery
sunset. 1t was not peroxide - though
but for the kindness Of nature it
might have been. She was fond of
dress which is commendablc; she was,
perhaps. little oycrdrcssed, which
was iueNcusahlc. Unborn triviality be
traycd Itself in supcrhuity Of guards
and trimmings; yet her beauty ir-
radiatcd all her frippery. That her
fair head was empty and her soft
heart shallow ! will not presume TO
add; for 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 Ebcn. must own
that | was surprised when the en-
gagemeut was announced.
So she coudesccnlingly wore the
ring that be had chopped cQrdwood
10 buy; and he was permitted to call
twice n week and sit by her side in
awcd and palpitating reverence, while
she ehnttcred away in fashion that
ought to have opened his eyes, but
didn't
Meanwhile Claude was lively" after
the manner Of his kind. His liyclincss
was decidedly loud, in speech. in dress.
and IN action. II seemed to consist
very largely In dissipating his money;
for he had inherited a large farm.
which Doe promptly morigugcd.
Il do wish, Eben. You had little
more spuuk and spirit" remarked Lola
one day, us Claude flashed past on a
iruttcr on which 10 was rumorcd that
he had lately los; $500.
"Do sou mean that yqA q like me TO
drive fast horses ?'' eNt med Ebcn.
surprised and little shocked. You
know l can't afford it II | wanted TO.
And I'm irving to save"
You might at lcas, drive something
faster than an old plug OF plow
horse" she interrupted. pctulautly.
whats the good Of shaving ana saw
ing when there's money coming? III
were man ike you I'd make stir In
q /.
licvc You do anything but chop wood
and hoc poiatoes.''
Yet It would be a mistake to conclude
that Claude was wholly bad lie was
not a sneak; indeed. his brazen frank
ness was startling. His "llyeliness" was
at least spontaneous; aud cNuberaui
vitality. even though vented in vice. Is
potentially a virtue.
What Claude most needed was less
money and proper outlet for his rest
less reckless temper. The frs, Of these
conditions was not far to seek. His
farm was forfeit; his debts were urg.
cui: hi creditors were already begin
ming their remorsolcss man.hun,.
Then came the war. What was more
natural than that he should enlist? lie
did more. lie raised company and
was chosen captain. Some shook their
heads, but he had strong following.
aud those who jlbcd Mt his follicS s;ill
rather admired his dash. /, wns ad.
mliicd tha, be had n; las, done some.
thing TO redeem himself-and hc had.
Ebcn. ns you are aware. did not en-
list; and ihcreat everybody seemed
surprised. This mus, have been be.
cause he was 10 big and strong; men
who look ns II they could pull down
mountains Get bnrah iud dl.rp...s ,,l,b