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

utes the story was known to the entire COM
pany-'Big L. had stolen the belt.
"Long before retreat that night word had
been passed among the cadets to repair 10
the company-room for consultation. II was
an ancient ukase in the institution to settle
questions Of importance by a vote OF the
! company, of all of which. Of course. the Of
fcers were not aware.
I'm s~tocking-feet, the cadets gathered fcr
the meeting after the lights were out Lean
ing against the door of the company-room'
with bIanched and frightened face. STOOD
Little L. Two of the cadets warmly
clasped his hands.
Little l." may come in they said. A
| tall. ungainly fellow. whose name l nave
forgotten, raised an objection to the insi-
tation. but he was soon overruled, and TIE
| small brother admitted to the consultation.
The tall, ungainly fellow was the spokes-
man. That a cadet could be a ti.i=i. IL
seemed incredible. Surely, it was n terrible
| disgrace. The Colonel must be told; he
, should no longer wear the Kings coat
His words were impressive. and we iuliy
! agreed with him. During the silence which
followed Little l. came forward.
.rhe tall cadet Immediately declared that
the small brother should not be permitted
to say a word.
LET him talk: he shall talk was the
| unanimous reply to the tall fellows repuSe-
"Big tears rolled down the little vne's pale
| cheeks. With his hands pressed tightly TO
his sides, he sobbed convulsively. and his
| poor, trembling lips refused to speak
.'One of the cadets came forward
BE quiet, little one.' he said. Come
speak out. What have you got TO sayT
III you tell the Colonel gasped the
child, he'll be thrown out. and what's 10
become OF him thenT
Yes. we knew the consequences. Big L.
would be summarily dismissed and dis
graced forever. His father, the poor Ma
for, could do nothing for him.. and every
one of us thought of his cwa father Just III
that moment.
The tall cadet softened. You know tlia'
your brother nas committed a most foul Of
Tense and must be punished he said.
Little L. nodded his head. Yes. the
crime was objectionable.
II propose continued the tall fellow
not to disgrace L. L for life. bur to give
him his choice between n fiogging and
denunciation to the Colonel. II he chooses
the fogging. we'll keep the secret forever
Here was a way out OF the 1ifttcuity
and We all agreed to the procedure.
THE. cadet placed his hand on the littit
brothers shoulder.
Fetch him. he said CURLY.
Little L dried his tear-stained eyei
and ran out Of the room. reappearins al
most Immediately with Big L. who looked
Embarrassment persorined. The little ont
stood behind him. and never for q momen
removed his eyes from the shamed face o
the big brother.
The tall, slim cadet began the examina
ton.
Was L. + guilty of the theft?
"He was.
WAS he properly ashamed Of himself an
imbued with the Nervousness OF the OF
Tense?
HE felt the disgrace keenly.
What was his choices nogging or to b
denounced to the Colonel as the thief Of
fellow-cadet's belt?
H preferred the Jogging.
"A sigh of relief went up from ever
breast.
TT was decided to administer the noggir
then and there. A cane vas sent for. ar
some Of US tried to persuade Little L.
leave the room during the ordeal. bn! III
he sternly refused to do.
L Then Big l. was told to lie face dow
, ward on the table. Two Of the cadets he
his hands, two his feet. untfl his bodv "
e almost taut. The tall cadet was told to
. the fogging.
e big l. writhed under the force Of Z
. FIRST blow. and q scream shot through Z
z room. Quick as q Hash the little one "
q by his big brothers side. clasping his he
y and pressing It tightly to his small breast
Don't scream he whispered. 'd1'
r scream, or It win all come out
Is big l. suppressed his sobs. hur moan
n necessarily.
is Three blows had f~allen-three avn
y. blows. With his boyish face pressed clU'
g. ly to the big ones. Little L. stidsl I'VE
s. cry Of agony Of the elder brother.
Of 'The sight Of his agony was greater tn
n we could bear. and four OF us caught
n tall cadets arm Just as the fourth bl
u was about to descend.
big L. slid from the table. q brok
he contrite lad. Beside him. a. IL to SUPP
It. him in his awful pr~edicament, stood the
u tie brother.
The execution was evsr.