The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-01-26

yes" said the girl, thoughtfully, Il
think we have, though perhaps we Go
not realize it, and we don't often talk
about it. I'm afraid, somehow. people
wouldn't like it, But our town was
founded by Swedish miner who came
over with nothing but Il pick and his
two hands to help him. lie made lots
Of money III silver, and he was real
fine man. doing a great deal for the
town. We have a statue Of him with
his pick-axe In his hand. and the fam
| lily are thought a great deal Of
Il don't think we mean quite the
same thing" answered her would be
mother in-law, with not little stiff
ness. NO doubt he was worthy
man, but 1t was not like the feeling
that comes with gentle blood. | do not
care to dwell on 1t. but certainly it
must be satisfaction to know that
ones ancestor who first came over was
man of rank and not an ignorant
| peasant"
"And suppose he was ever so much
/
crs, and could do a great deal for the
| country, and advise them, and set
good example to keep them from going
wrong? Yes, that Is fine
The other coughed slightly. There
were certain state records not uncOn-
nected with bribery, and rather queer
dealings with the Indians upon which
she had never cared to dwell at any
| length.
We'll, not exactly" she admitted.
"But he came from a noble house"
"And perhaps it was made 50 for
courage and bravery? l can under
stand that, too"
The older lady coughed again. II was
well-known fact that the title and
lands came into the Van Stuyven fam
lily through an ancestor who married
lady Of the court Of the second
Charles, and whose standards were
hardly those of the Mayfower Pill
grims.
In the midst of the discussion the
heir Of the Van Stuyvens departed for
the armory. His mother and sisters
wept, and the visitor wrung his hand
warmly. while for the first time he
was conscious of distinct appreciation
shining in her brown eyes. He, poor
lad had been only too ready to fall
head over heels in love with this
breezy Western beauty. the belle par
excellence of town where all the
girls were bellies; and where ten men
to each girl was the usual ratio be
tween the sexes But the visitor had
so far shown a pleased interest in
everything and everybody save in him
for whose sake she had been expressly
imported, and he had felt that his case
was hopeless.
Perhaps it was not altogether
patriotism that had driven him 50 early
to the ranks Of Uncle Sam. where. in
deed, he was accorded but Il scant
welcome. Instead Of the ready and
grateful recognition of his heroism
which his mothers mind was plctlr-
ing, it actually seemed as if there was
a doubt as to whether his country
wanted him on any terms, even as the
most private of privates. The Doctor,
a plain sort of fellow whom Van Stuy-
ven wouldn't have voted into his cltlb,
put him through a searching physical
examination, in the course OF which he
offered number of personal remarks
that made the subject or them long to
punch his head. Van StuyveI heard
that his eyes were defective, his knees
weak, his chest not broad enough Tor
his height, and after two hours was
peremptorily ordered to stand aside to
await judgment.
In detected silence he retired from
the eXamination-room and heard the
Doctors voice with quite new ring
in its tone, There's 4 chest ana an
arm: | wish could enlist regiment
like him. Served in the Soudan, did
YOU? Six years? Promoted to cor
poral? Here, Captain, here's your
man. Meant for a sergeant. Hen
help drill your raw recruits and SO
on.
Late that afternoon the Van Stuy-
yens. with their guest. arrived at the
armory, prepared to see their pride and
hope in all the glory Of command. The
main body Of the building was filled
with marching men; at one end the
Hospital Corps was going through
drill. at the other men were signaling
with little flags Of many shapes ana
colors. The visitors gallery was
thronged with people, some Of whom
were crying and some c.applng. but all
we're following with their eyes each
movement of the men in the hall be-
low.
But where is julius asked his
mother, after her gaze had Travelled
over each officer in turn. Just then
she caught sight of the awkward
squad. Her gaze fell first on the cor
poral. 1t was, it actually was. SIM
mons, But it was Il new, trans
formed Simmons s-Simmons IN UNI
form. with a chevron on his arm. ana
ring of command in his voice as he
issued sharp, peremptory orders to
i,