Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-07-05
Ii HONOR to the brave men who

-tNOA 10 ClLCIC any OLeS6 e11CJ VIII
miss their rewardi; the whole nation
sings their praises,
There is, therefore, the less need
that 1 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 a contradiction,
'but l shall always maintain that Eben
graaer was hero because he did not
,eniat. He wanted to enlist. He was
urged to enlist. He was ashamed not
to enlist. He was exposed to the most
seductive ard perilous temptation that
earth can offer to a SLOW, big-limbed,
a1ig-hearted fellow, such as he was
and is. For he was-and is-in love.
And his love bade him go. 1t was
merely duty that babe him stay.
1t is often much easier to march in
tho middle of the procession, even to
the lannon's mouth, than to swallow
The bitterness of undeserved re-
proaches and trudge on alone in the
rough, homely path of duty. This is
40 disparagement to Claude Living
stone ard the rest, who faced the
deadly volleys at Eel Caney without
finching. But really it is sometimes
harder to live humbly than to die
nobly.
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? 1t is toe much to expect
Ghristian charity from lovers.
And Lola was, in truth, an attrac-
tive girl. Even l, who did not love her
in the least, must concede that. She
was tall and fair and graceful. Her
eyes were pale blue like a 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 commendable; she was,
perhaps, little oyerdressed, which
was inexcusable. Unborn triviality be-
trayed itself in superfuity of guards
and trimmings; yet her beauty ir-
radiated all her friPpery. That her
fair head was empty and her soft
heart shallow I will not presume to
add; for 1 may be prejudiced. You
shall judge for yourself
Yet thought it much to her credit
that of the two suppliants at her
shrine she chose Eben. I must own
that l was surprised when the en-
gagement was announced.
So she condescendingl wore the
ring that he had chopped cprdwood
to buy; and he was permitted to call
twice a week and sit by her side in
awed and palpitating reverence, while
she Chartered away in fashion that
ought to have opened his eyes, but
didn't.
Meanwhile Claude was ''lively" after
the manner of his kind His liveIiness
was decidedly loud, in speech, in dress,
and in action. 1t seemed to consist
very largely in dissipating his money;
for he had inherited a large farm,
which he promptly mortgaged.
81 do wish, Eben, you had a little
more spunk and spirit, " remarked Lola
one day, as Claude flashed past on
trotter on which it. was rumored that
he had lately lost $500.
"Do you mean that you'd like me to
driVe fast horses?" exclaimed Eben,
surprised and little shocked. ''You
know l can't afford it if I wanted to.
And I'm trying to save
"You might at least drive something
faster than an old plug of a pillow
horse" she interrupted, petulantIy
whats the good of shaving and saw
ing when there's money coming? III
were man like you I'd make a stir in
the world some way. But l don't be-
lieve you do anything but chop wood
and hoe potatoes"
Yet it would be a mistake to conclude
that Claude was wholly bad. He was
not sneak; indeed, his brazen frank
to,
at least spontaneous; and eXuberant
,itality, 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 first Of these
conditions was not far to seek. His
farm was forfeit; his debts were urg-
ent; his creditors were already begin
iuing their rem orseless man-hunt.
Then came the war. What was more
natural than that he should enlist? He
did more. He raised a company and
was chosen captain. Some shook their
heads, but he had a strong following,
and those who jibed at his follies still
rather admired his dash. 1t was ad-
mitted that he had at last done some
thing to redeem himself-and he had.
Eben, as you are aware, did not en-
fist; 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 a helpless invalid, entire
sly dependent upon his daily wages. And
his Cousin Jennie, who cared for her
might and day, was also dependent,
though far from helpless. This patient,