Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-07-05

the the Mexican war. Lieutenant -
and called the Major. And how the boys
did cheer, and the Colonel led the cheer
ing. and, in fact. it was whispered that
the Majors nomination was due alto
gether to the Colonel's contriyance any
how. Well. the Major was just over
whelmed with pleasure and surprise, for
he thought the name to be pronounced
would surely be the Colonel's; in fact he
was a good deal astonished that Major
Jett was elected commander instead of
his friend. As it was. he rose to his feet,
blushing and stammering, and after
thanking the gentlemen for the honor
conferred, he said that there were many
in that gathering who were more de-
serving of this mark of confidence than
he was, and that there was one in par
ticular who was so well fitted for the of
flee that he could not think for a moment
of accepting it himself. Then he sat
down, and everyone knew that he meant
the Colonel. And they also knew that he
would stand by what he had said. and so
the Colonel was elected lieutenant col
onel by acclamation, and in the same
way the Major was elected major.
And they went through this war as
they had gone through the other. and
when it was over they returned to their
native town and looked each other in
the face and by that look inquired.
What shall we do now 2" For. having
lost the inherited property which had
been ample for all their wants, they
knew it would be necessary to turn
their hands TO something 30 earn at
least a meagre living. The Colonel had
studied little law the MAJOR had
done little surveying" Therefore
they decided to open small Office. and
soon OH one side of the door appeared a
modest sign bearing the Colonels name
and informing the people that he was
Notary Public and Commissioner i'll
Chancery." and on the other side a
sign with the Majors name. and be-
meath it simply the word Surveyor '
And then they sat in their Office and
waited for patronage to come. and now
and then little did come. and by
pinching and scraping they were able
to pay for their office and the bedroom
back of it, and irregularly to pay their
board at Miss Sallie Carter's "around
the square.
Once the Colonel spruced up bit and
began to pay some attention" to Miss
Sallie. but he soon dropped back into
his old ways. and this brief departure
comprised the entire history of the
courting days of the two friends.
Thus into quiet routine their life set.
tied. and SO continued for twenty years.
Every morning when they awoke it was
good morning. Colonel; trust you slept
well last night" and. "Yes. thank you,
Major; do you feel refreshed yourself.
SIR" And then they dressed and brush
ed their clothes and walked around to
Miss Ssllie's, where they paid their
respects to the charming hostess
and whatever boarders were at the
table then; and. after breakfast. asked
if the DAILY Landmark" had come and
if they might "glance over it," and
said they were thinking of subscribing
for it themselves; and then with bow
and pleasant day to you all they went
back tc the office; and the Colonel would
say, "Well Major, will you be very busy
today and the Major would reply, mot
very, Colonel" -" "Ah, neither have
much on hand today; how would you
like tn try game of checkers? 2" "Very
much, Colonel" And then, if the time
were winter, they spread their board
near the open coal fire; if summer. un.
der the old maple tree in front of the
door; and there they played until the
dinner hour. Then, Dear me, we have
occupied the entire morning; this will
never do: our business will suffer. Then
dinner. then work" then supper, then
smoke. and talk of old times. then I,
bed. Coed night. Major; pleasan,
dreams" Good night. Colonel; hope
you will sleep well after the fatigues oi
the day"
Thus with rare exception. the days
went by, the weeks, the months. tn,
years. until the twentieth had come anC
gone
Then the letter came. II was address
ed To the Colonel, from his cousin, say
ing: lyon have probably forgotten, i
you ever knew of my existence. an
the grandson of your fathers brothe
who went to Kentucky so many year
ago. My father afterward moved I,
Missouri. as you probably already know
and here | was born and reared. NJ,
family consists of myself, wife and tw,
children. aud we are the only represen
tatives of my name, that l know of, ex
cept yourself. | recently met gentle
man who proved to be a Vlrginian an,
he told me that you were not i'm the bes
of circumstances Now, | have acauir
ed considerable amount of this world
goods. and shall be more than delighte'
if you will consent to come and max
my house your home for the remainde
| of ynur life Vudapd / shall taka III