The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-25

wherever he could. Nobody wanted him;
he was merely tolerated. But invariably
two or three Of the seniors caught lie
L. by the shoulders and dragged him away
with them.
al school we sat according to the alpha
bet, and Big and Little L. occupied almost
the center OF the classroom. Big l. was a
wonder in mathematics. and weak in every
other study. Little L. who had no talent
for the noble Rule OF Threes. copied his ex-
anfples from his brother In all other stu
dies he was way ahead Of him: In fact. one
OF the best scholars in the school. The dlf-
ference between the two lads was apparent
even In the schoolroom. Big l. kept what
he knew TO himself. Little L. was always
ready to help his comrades when they were
shy In their lessons. To the triher In the
! last bench, as well as to the youngster IN
the first. he whispered ready answers TO the
teachers questions. For all the censures ara
punishments he received. Little L. could
not bear to see a friend in distress.
The professors and staff officers liked him
well. He was a good-humored lad. although
| his father, a poor Major in an out-of-the-
way garrison, could afford to give his sons
| only a very small monthly allowance. In
spite of his limited purse, Little l. was the
| tidiest and neatest cadet in the school vast
| " different In character, the brothers were.
| nevertheless, devoted TO each other.
Big l. was a surly fellow. while Lit
| tie L. wore his heart on his sleeve and ad-
| mitted everybody TO his confidence. The lit
tie one knew that he was a general favor
tie, and IL hurt his tender heart TO find that
the comrades who made so much over him
had no affection for his big brother. His
eyes reverted constantly to the lonely
stroller on the promenade. ard at times the
small face grew strangely serious.
$50 tender was his solicitude for his big
brother that the cadets nicknamed him
.Brotherly Love-
big and Little L. occupied the same
room. and 1t was the latter who kept the
place tidied up and the big fellow half way
presentable for daily inspection He pol
ished the buttons on his uniform. brushed
his coat and trousers and pressed creases
into them with heavy books or bricks which
he picked Up in the courtyard.
well, the end Of the year drew near, anc
with ii came the annual examinations. one
installment of cadets after the other Wa:
sent on its way to active service at the va
rious garrisons. The Selects were com
missioned, and while this was going oil
things were always a little mixed at th'
school.
A senior with a large. fat purse had BEEF
the OF Big and Little L. during
the entire year. He was a natty youns
chap, and the ordinary belt which the insti
tuition furnished to the cadets was too com
mon for hfs taste. He had a patent-leathel
affair made, O. which he was very proud
This he showed to everybody, proud of hi
sartorial achievement. A day before he LEI
for a distant garrison he missed this bel
from its accustomed place. a nail under
curtain, where the cadets hung up thei
helmets. The sensation among them wa
great, the general verdict being that 1t mus
have been stolen.
Stolen by whom
The old Sergeant. who served the cadet
as a valet, was above suspicion. He ha
been identified with the institution too lon
to have cast reflection upon him. One o
the cadets? That seemed equally imposs'
Bile. The theft. IL theft 1T was. RENAME
unexplained, although all the cadets VIII
had shared the seniors room prompt
opened their ockers and besought him I
inspect the contents. The senior declined I
take advantage Of the offer.