The St. Johns herald., 1901-03-16
< ONE OF THE OTHERS } : By Lawrence Boone. :
 CCopyFightedD
By Lawrence Boone.

"A fought theLr country OdLIl0s. Nor is there any danger that they will miss their reward; the whole nation sings their praises
 There is, therefore, the less need that I should help swell the chorus. For. after all, there are others. And this is the story of one of the others.
 It may sound like a 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. He was exposed to the most seductive and perilous temptation that earth can offer to a slow, big-limbed, big-bearted fellow, such as he was and is For be was-and is-in love. And his love bade him go. It was merely duty that bade him stay.
 It 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- breaches and trudge on alone in the rough. homely path of duty. This is no disparagement to Claude Living stone and the rest, who faced the deadly volleys at Fl 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? 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 ia 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 a watery sunset. Ii was not peroxide - though but for the kindness of nature it might have been She was fond of dress. which is commendabIe; she was, perhaps, little overdressed, which was inexcusable. Inborn triviality be- trayed itself in a superhuity Of guards and trimmings; yet her beauty ir- radia;ed all her frippery. That her fair head was empty and her soft heart shallow I will not presume to add; for I may be prejudiced. You shall judge for yourself.
 Yet thought il much to her credit that of the two supPliants at her shrine she cnose Eben. l must own that I 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 week and sit by her side in awed and palpitating reverence, while she chattered away in a fashion that ought 10 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. If seemed to consist very largely in dissipating his money; for he had inherited a large farm. which he promptly mortgaged.
 'I do wish, Eben, you had a little more spunk and spirit" remarked Lola one day, as Claude flashed past on a irotter on which if was rumored that he had lately lost $500.
 ''Do you mean that you'd like me to drive fast horses?r exclaimed Eben, surprised and little shocked. "You know I can't affordi it if I wanted to. Ard I'm trying to save--''
 "You might al least drive something faster than an o,d plug of a blow horse" she interrupted, petulantly. What's the good of slaving and saw ing when there's money coming? If were a man like you I'd make a stir in the world some way. But don't be- lieve you do anything but chep wood and hoe potatoes"
 Yet if would be mistake to conclude that Claude was wholly bad. lie was not a sneak; indeed. his brazen frank ness was startling. His 'liveliness" was at least spontaneous; and eNuberant 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 first of these conditions was not far to seek. His farm was forfeit; his debts were urg- ent; his creditors were already begin hing their remorseless man-hunts
 Then came the war. What was more natural than that he should eG,ist2 He did more. He raised a corpany and was chosen captain. Some shook their heads. but he had strong following. and those who jibed at his rollies still rather admired his dash. It was ad- mitted that he had at last done some thing 10 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 il could hardy have been ignored that Eben's mother was a helpless invalid. entire Y 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 10 take care of herself, but not to take care of herself and a ouerulous paralyt;c too.
 You can't go, Eben, dear" she said. You mustn't think of it. Your moth CT would simply shut her eyes and die in spite of me"
 But Lola. trifle weary, perhaps. of mute Sunday evening worship, was dis appSnted and indignant Sbe first taunted her lover with cew2rd;2e- ''and you big enough to take Havana n hr ,.n,,-.- lFs, 4ln-, 4n..cl