New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-26
An Involuntary OliUe Branch.
The Story of Mutual Antipathy.
IN THREE PARTs-PART II


bring Tommy" up 10 the scratch. However. saw
"A CLEAN of hope when the Major suddenly resumed:
"Oh. yes and. by the way. I thought you two
fellows and young Embden. and perhaps one or two
more would come and dine quietly in the evening.
and We would set Iowndes 60 tell some cam
paizning yarns"
Thanks very much. Major, that would be very
Jolly. But do you know. though all your other
arrangements sound very nice and--eh-proPer. l
am not quite sure that LOvndes will 20 20
through It all lie is rather-rather-what you
may call difildeut about that sort u thing"
Alas. I might as wei have talked 20 a brick wall
''Difident.' snapped cat the Ne Tor. ''Dtfident
De id! That Is Just where all you young fellows
make mistake George ne went on. Iapsing into
the air Of didactc superiority which Invariably
had the same effect TOMMY Is0wndes's TEN
per a red rig fs reputed % nave upon a bulls.
You should never let opportunity pass OF fOs-
ter!ng loyal and patriotic feeling IN that II
Hre-thdt IL IN that domestic circle where fortune
has placed you Tn return or these volunteer sol
cieFs-n Mt that they done much fellows. how
should they. unframed as they aree-is sort %
national occasion And II old soldier puts him
SELF out OF his WAY organic a suitable reception
for local representative IL IS his manifest duty
to-eh. what shall I say?-to respond becoIn!1gly
And it Is your duty. George. being his most in
innate friend. 10 explain him what THAT is his
coUntry-exDects OF him"
When the Major IS once fairly seated upon his
high horse. attempts to dsIodge him are apt 10
provoke unDleasantuess. So 1 thought II best 70
give IN all points ana shortly took my leave.
having pledged myself TO use my utmost exertions
70 induce Tommy to regard the matter u the &c
ceptiOn from proper point o. view.
afraid that. having from the outset regarded
ToTnny's refusal be feted as = forezone con-
clusion I did not allow my own promised assist
ance in the transaction 70 weigh very heavily OF
ny conscience.
To be sure, II was refreshing 70 see the Major
trotting about the village from sunrise 20 sunset
buttonhong every other he met on the way.
and holding long consultations az the corner OF the
street with the board school master. who evil
IDENTIFY armed at all points 10 play a conspicuous
part IN the coming display. But il was not till I
received a wire from Tommy. who had landed
Southampton, reminding OF my promise meet
him in London, that was awakened TO a due sense
OF my responsibility; and It was the Journey 20
London that for the first time I remembered to
read over the Majors rough draft OF his impronptu
speech.
My dear Lowndes.'' Il ran. representing.
perhaps I may claim 70 represent the military in
stincts OF your native village, I at this time
acting as the mouthpiece OF this most loyal
munity IN welcoming you home to the scenes OF
your childhood. and IN expressing 20 you
admiration Of the spirit which prompted you at
your country's call 70 don the garb OF peace and
assume the panOpIy OF war. That your conduct
during the late trying campaign has been such
TO merit the special commentator OF your com
handing officer is gratifying than surprising
TO who have known you intimately. and We
feel that the enconium earned by you reflects
credit not only on yourself personally but on the
village where you received your earliest training.
1t is. let me add my dear Lowndes 10 a source
Of deep satisfaction and Of heartfelt gratitude that
escaping well the perils Of shot and she'll Of
devastating disease you have been permitted 70
return 10 US with what may. indeed. call the
mems sana in corpore sanO. Permit me, then, my
dear Lowndes. not only in my own name, but in
the name Of all those present and many absent
friends 70 extend 20 you most hearty welcome
y. B.-Here shake hands
Oven as I read this stage directions and all. the
wicked thought occurred TO me that there was 2
tolerabIy strong scent Of midnight oil hanging
eboUt the spontaneous utte-ance OF our good Ma
ior's Overlooking heart and found myself rather
sorry for the orator Il he had been the trouble
OF learning his speech by heart For had a sh-ewd
suspicion that. like the Roman cobbler's crow. he
might shortly have occasion 10 remark. opera 81
irpensa periit" However. it was a consolation 70
remember that in committing his speech to paper
the Major only following the example Of some
OF our grea test orators and charitabiy hoped that
some Of his elaborate sentences would serve as
stock in trade for future occasions
I found my old friend Tommy looking d oil me
drawn and very much bronzed. but apparently N
excellent health aud spirits. We dIned together at
nv ciI5 and was so much interested in listening
70 his adventures that neither the MAJOR nor ~
proposed reception ever again entered my MIND ~
the waiter brought NE a telegram FORWARDED from
wire Immediately day and train Essential he
should come in khaki.
nv judging probably from the expression Of ny
face that the contents of the dispatch were not OF
wen no. not exactly but" as I determined 10
get the thing over and have done with II one way
or the Other 1T concerns you more than II does
me so I think you would better read lt-4Id 1azs,
too" and I handed him the telegram and the
"And, pray What is the meaning Of all this jar
gon?" inquired Tommy. after casting MS eye Oyer Oyer
the two documents Give Us Key 10 the Tldole-
Lamsiy enough ard with many hesitat hesitate I, and md
apologies gave oIiiIny q -, v5irS Ea was ex-
pected 70 play 20 conspicuous a part ....,,1,,
You know the Major means u nosI aWIuAy
"Devsh kind OF him it sounds to Try and make
for a minute seriously imagine t1at an gong %
be made an exhibition Of Tor that old dot-ano-so-
0i' wei repeated he means it kindly. and
know that ne has set his heart upon IL, - coma
thing else. This cock won't fight any now .,
-'C'6uIfn't vo,l meet him half way l suggested
..GtiI Eaya - 30 IN last half then" was the re-
tta go ~ 7ba Lew no solution OF the difficulty
why not the last half. them Why not come ahG
oLle G-etiy W. ~ f ~ own dining room
greet oTati2n q E ms , s 5rDroiss en- George
exclaimed Tommy. laughing and thei- aiLer a IT,
Won are not right old chap don profess 70 oe
70 J.Dovr Put after aIi the old boy meant II
kir11v and I do not want 20 figure as an ulgTa-
cf1rIs beasf 7rv more than I % be exhibited
as e0-t of r-fze Dig to a LOT Of yOkes- So. II YOU
q - - - ~ ,-rirp 10 the old man that
- a+iCr ~ dinner but that the-hum- ha-shat-
$50 Sc ~ nv nerves after scrimna g.ng with
brother Roer won't allow 70 take part In pub
lie ceremonial In fact. write any rot you like as
IL can scout that baIEerdash OF his az nv head At
bis own table If ne likes. but II. see nm SOM
squawking children or be upset in ditch by lot
o. fhes Ire1 the matter was finally settled after
a little corresp ondence with the Major 10 whom
1-iiT horses would not nriuE our ur willing Hamlet