The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-10
A Born Soldier.
BY HAROLD HUME.

BY HAROLD HUME.
 Copyright, 1902, by Daily Story Pub. Co) He came home in disgrace, and 1t was easy to see that his family and friends were sore hurt. It was In fulfillment of his own long-cherished ambition that he had been sent to West Point. Since firsi he could read he had delighted in martial tales. His heroes were Bonaparte. and Caesar. and Alexander. and Hannibal, and Won Moltke, and Grant. As boy he was forever organizing his companions lnto military companies and drilling them with wooden guns. He could discuss the tao tics of Caesar intelligently at IF and could tell the reason why Napoleon lost Wa terloo.
 So 1t seemed right and proper that he should be a soldier. and his father ex- ercised sufficient influence to get him appointed to West Point. The entering ~tlad not the mathematical mind and he wigglcd through his examination in that branch literally by the skin Of his teeth. Perhaps he would have passed not at all but for the fact that his marks ii history and physics were so high and he was so enthusiastic and altogether SO promising lad--and then there was the influence. Anyway. he was admitted to the academy, where he distinguished him. self in department. drill, history and tao tics. but fell down so woefully in math- ematics that they felt compelled to throw him out at the end of the first year; Before hc went he walked into the office of the superintendent saluted. and, looking him straight in the eye, said:
 Sir. know am disgraced and barred from the Academy. ] know l am bet ter soldier than the boys who can do these problems in geometry. I am going to be a soldier and serve my country. If l can't do 1t in this way. l will find a way in the ranks. l thank you for all your courtesy and kindness With all re- Spect for West Point and its rules. don't fhtnk ha hy the rule of three.'
 whereupon he turned on his heel and departed.
 Of course. his father was chagrined. his sister humiliated and his cousin Mabel. who had been selected for his future wife: disappointed. But they all suppressed their disappointment and began to cast about for another career for the boy His father suggested business. his sister the law and his fiance speculation, at all of which Tom smiled good naturedly. The crash came when he walked in one day upon the entire family at dinner and announced that he had enlisted in a vol unteer regiment destined for service in the Philippines. Each person in the circle had his or her own objection. and they were all pretty strong. After all had ex- pressed themselves at length Tom re- marked quietly: "All of which being true. what of it? I have enlisted and there is no recourse. It is not a matter for argument, but a matter or 1act. 1 am to report tOhOTFON. If I have done wrong I am sorry. If l have caused trouble and disappointment I am sorry: but the die is cast As a matter of fact. I must be a soldier or nothing. The die Is cast"
 There being nothino to do, everybody acauiesced with the best grace possible although the father fumed, the mother wept, the sister stamped her pretty feet
 After it was all over and Tom had a moment with Mabel, the latter, white and contemptuous. said:
 "Of course. Tom, you have the right to rule your life as you please. So also have I. You cannot expect me to become the wife of common soldier
 You desire to be released?' interrupt ed Tom.
 Yes, I must be- replied the girl. The eyes of the boy filled with tears;
 You won't wait for me- Mabel? You won't let me show you what l can do?' How can I, Tom?" she responded. "lt is hopeless and you refuse to listen to reason. I would have to blush for you twenty times day.
 You are right" broke in the boy. inn petuouslv. "I have no right to ask 1t. But thought maybe love could stand for all these things"
 So they parted with heart burnings on either side. Just as Tom was leaving the next day for the barracks, he stumbled over Nina 'Blount. the seamstress, crying in & corner.
 Hello here. what's up?' he cried cheerily.
 Nothing. MT Tom" she replied, "only I am lonesome. I'm awful sorry you're going awav-and everybody so set against you
 Please, sir she continued impulsive- ly, q believe you are doing right and that you will become great general Thank you, Nina" he replied warmly clasping her hand. you're brick. and