The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-01-13
I ONE OF THE OTHERS !
( BY Lawrence Boone. ]
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(copyrghtedA
BY Lawrence Boone.

There is, therefore, the less neeC
that | should help swell the chorus
For, after all, there are others. Ant
this is the story of one of the others.
1t may sound like q contradiction
but / shall always maintain that Eber
Frazer was hero because he did NOT
enlist. He wanted to enlist. He was
urged to enlist. he was ashamed not
10 enlist. He was exposed to the most
seductive and perilous temptation that
earth can offer to a slow, big-lmbed,
big-hearted fellow, such as he was
and is. For he was--and is-in love.
And his love babe him go. 1t was
merely duty that babe him stay.
1t is often much easier to march in
the middle of the procession, even to
the cannon's mouth, than to swallow
the bitterness of undeserved re-
proaches and trudge on alone in the
rough, homely path of duty. This is
no disparagement to Claude Living
stone and the rest, who faced the
deadly volleys at Eel Caney without
flinching. But really it is sometimes
harder to live humbly than to die
nobly.
Eben and Claude had long been
rivals, and Lola Tanning was the
prize to win which Eben toiled and
Claude schemed. They hated each
other very cordially-and who shall
blame them? 1t is too much to expect
Christian charity from lovers.
And Lola was, in truth, an attrac-
tive girl. Even l, who did not love her
in the least, must concede that. She
was tall and fair and graceful, Her
eyes were pale blue like a misty sky,
and her hair pale golden like a watery
sunset. 1t was not peroxide - though
but for the kindness of nature it
might have been. She was fond of
dress. which is commendable; she was,
perhaps, little overdressed, which
was inexcusable. Unborn triviality be-
trayed itself in a superfuity of guards
and trimmings; yet her beauty ir-
radiated all her frippery. That her
fair head was empty and her soft
heart shallow | will not presume to
add; for may be prejudiced. You
shall judge for yourself.
Yet thought it much to her credit
that of the two suppliants at her
shrine she chose Eben. / must own
that | was surprised when the en-
gagement was announced.
So she condescendingly wore the
ring that he had chopped cordwood
to buy; and he was permitted to call
twice week and sit by her side in
awed and palpitating reverence, while
she chartered away in a fashion that
ought to have opened his eyes, but
didn't.
Meanwhile Claude was lively" after
the manner of his kind. His liveliness
was decidedly loud, in speech, in dress.
and in action. 1t seemed to consist
very largely in dissipating his money;
for he had inherited large farm,
which he promptly mortgaged.
Il do wish. Eben, you had little
more spunk and spirit, !" remarkedLol
one day, as Claude flashed past on a
trotter on which it was rumored that
he had lately lost $500.
do you mean that you'd like me to
drive fast horses?" exclaimed Eben,
surprised and little shocked. "You
know | can't afford it if wanted to.
And I'm trying to save"
you might al least drive something
faster than an old plug of pillow
horse" she interrupted. petulantly. |
What's the good of shaving and saw
ing when there's money coming? III
were man like you I'd make a stir in
the world some way. But / don't be-
Iieve you do anything but chop wood
and hoe potatoes"
Yet it would be a mistake to conclude
that Claude was wholly bad He was
not a sneak; indeed. his brazen frank
ness was startling. His "liveliness" was
at least spontaneous; and exuberant
fifality, even though vented in vice, is
a virtue.
What Claude most needed, was less
money and proper outlet for his rest
less. reckless temper. The first OF these
was not far to seek. His
Tarm was forfeit; his debts were ure-
mt; his creditors were already begin
ning their remorseless man-hunt.
Then came the war. What was more
- u a. 1hoh thdt ne suOulO enllStI lie
lid more. He raised company and
vas chosen captain. Some shook their
reads. but he had a strong following,
md those who jibed at his follies still
ather admired his dash. 1t was ad-
nitted that he had at last done some
hing to redeem himself-and he had.
Eben, as you are aware, did not en-
lst; and thereat everybody seemed
This must have been be-
ause he was SO big and strong; men
Who look as if they could pull down
fountains get harsh judgments with
nut common equity. Otherwise il could
iardiy have been ignored that Eben's
mother was helpless invalid, entire
dependent upon his daily wages. And
lis Cousin Jennie, who cared for her
light and day, was also dependent, ]
hough far from helpless. This patient, {
nergetic little miss was quite compe- !
ent TO take care of herself, but not to \
AXE care of herself and querulous
'aralytic too. ;
You can't go. Eben, dear" she said. s
You mustn't think of it. Your moth {
r xpQ1r1d cir II IL. l.