The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-08
1901, BY Charles King

to good business" I'm Brentwood, and It's
fame spread beyond the Red Water val
ley. One thing about II was objection
able to the junior member from the
start. The Seattle had by this time
subsidized" Cresswell and limited the
sphere OF usefulness OF the concern.
Langdon had no reason 10 love the man
agement of either road, but that OF the
Seattle was especially obnoxious. Men
with Just claims against that company
could not look TO him for legal aid. and
he would have been less than human had
he not cared In such cases 10 appear
rather for the plaintiff than the defend
ant. The road had Its regular stan Of
course. and kept IL busy day and night
A railroad lawyer may be paid a salary
no superintendent can aspire TO. but he
earns II and must see TO II that local
talent along the line Is not too often ar
rayed against him. You're too Quix-
otic. Langdon." said even his big hearted.
big framed. big voiced Kentucky friend.
You're too much given TO kicking against
the pricks. That's no way 10 get ahead
In life!'
LangdQn was poring over some papers
at the niomens and turned I'm his revolv-
ing chair and looked up with n quizzical
smile Gray hairs were sprouting at his
temples. and two or three appeared In
the thick growth OF his moustache: lines
and crows feet were digging underneath
his fine. clear eyes. but he was looking
the world In the face now. He had his
start and sought no favors. You are
thinking OF which case now?' he asked?"
and there were two Of Langdons eccen-
tricties the senior never ceased 10 twit
him about. One was the celebrated trial
OF the United States versus Santley, when
that distinguished officer was brought to
book by an irate colonel of cavalry be-
cause OF sensational stories growing out
OF the ravine episode: the other was the
arraignment OF a former assistant I'm the
NJ. V. office at Brentwood accessory In
the safe robbery that had resulted in
Iangdons discharge. Sankey's trial
came on long months after the Occurrences
that led 10 IT, for that story at the time
was known 10 but one woman and half
dozen men but with host of vivid en-
bellishments was spread broadcast dur
ing the winter when one of the "toughs."
whose life had been made almost bur-
den TO him. when the story gradually
made Its way about the battery, conclud-
ed that desertion was better than perse-
cution and turned up In Chicago with a
pitiful tale OF wrong and oppression.
abuse and tyranny In the regular army.
There was something at bottom as the
fellow told II, for investigation develop
ed that they had assaulted LAngdon, that
they had provoked his wrath and that
they had insisted that they were obeying
santleys orders. They swore 10 II. In
fact. and IL might have gone hard with
Santiey all things considered. had not
IAngdon himself journeyed to Pawnee.
testified TO the exact manner and Ian
guage OF the pair and then so aided
Santley In his defense that the SANDER
ers were oonfounded In open court. IL
was established that 6aHtiey- Had merely
cautioned the members OF the battery
tl,at th~x 10 r,aor a
10 Mr.. Langdon than to any other civilian.
and his accusers broke down when cross
examined as to the time. place and cir
cumstances under which he had given
them further and specific instructions.
1t spoiled a newspaper sensation and
sore nurt Everybody knew he was deep
ly smitten with Ethel Grahame and had
not prospered In his suit
Many knew that there was only one
man who could set him right before the
court. and that was the last man no
could ask to do so. and few had any ink
sing of the plan OF the defence when
as a guest of Major Melville. Mr.. Lang
don appeared at Pawnee little more than
two years after his expulsion thEefrom.
looking very well groomed and fed for
man picked up out of the Chicago
street" as the Nathans had said two win
ters before, very calm and dignifed In
and Woodrow. very cordial 10 Claiming
and his cavalry chums. very courteous 60
Santley and most civil to Colonel and MIS-.
Cat. Nathan and Torrance he never seem
ed to see and during his ~ hours sojolrn
at the post both those warriors were
much occupied with home duties All
Pawnee. was aware OF the fact that Miss
GrahAme and Lawyer Langdon had gone
out riding together the AFTERNOON of the
second day, and Miss Grahemes eyes ana
color were something beautiful TO see
as she slid from saddle with Just touch
OF her slender. shapely hand on Lang
don's shoulder as. he assisted her to -is-
mount. Everybody else at Meville's was
out OF sight at the mopent, but there
were spectators galore up and down the
row and on other piazza despite the chill
air OF the close winters day. II was per-
haps the consciousness OF this display Of
garrison interest that prompted every in
dependent young woman TO turn at the
fence and accost him once more. there
by causing him TO leave the horses to
the care OF Bugqer Kerry and to follow
her TO the steps and stand there look
ing up into her glowing face. with tine
slant OF the setting sunbeams illumln-
ing his own clear cut. soldiert visage.
Looks TO me-" said Captain Cannon to
his better half. much as though Ma
than's malevolence meant Langdon's Wti-
mate bliss" And as Cannon was one OF
the very many of Ethel Grahame's ap-
preciators u was proper that Mrs. Cannon
should promptly point out to him the
detrimental side. which she did.
what good win II do him? She hssnt
O penny. and he has nothing but his |
debts" 4
Some women. my dear" said the big |
gunner oracularly. ARE treasures with |
out a penny. As for Langdon's debts"
he added. with a sigh 81 wish I saw ms !,
clear n sky ahead"--a speech which ru- |
ined the serenity OF Mrs. Cannon's usu-
ally sunny temper "a much as week. |
and Cannons coffee was cold and streaky /
IN the morrow. That visit was quite |
the episode OF midwinter at Pawncc I'm |
ways more than one. Nathan. Torrance |
and Santley. who had been quite a close |
had a flare up OF some knd |
and parted company. This was quixot- |
ism No. this trip To Pawnee and To rne
defence OF Lieutenant Santley. according
10 Cresswells views lie was for duei /
when first the story OF Santley's mang-
nant persecution of his new partner /
reached his ears. 10 was nearly vain ef- |
Ill IT, a..