The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-21
FlA57EK S1UBB5 QEJ5 ME NTAL BooD


 I from misadventure, but managed to clear 1 about esOO year himself out of Dobble's income.
 Dobble, it must be confessed, was not hero. Mr. Stubbs himself did not incline to the brutality and blood-shedding, not to mention the unwise risks. that the pro- fession of heroism involved, but Dobbe being so very much less of a fire-eater, it was almost inevitable that Ensign Stubbs should take on bit of an extra swagger and talk a little more boldly than he had been in the habit of doing l hitherto.
 | The North Bungays were a fashionable regiment. Crude, rough fellows, without money, who had to fight their way to pro- motion, had to go into regiments that were sent to war being good for nothing else Therefore there were not many men in the North Bungays who were inclined l to question MT. Stubbs title to bravery. i He came to have crack character and was voted their boldest officer. l He might have become a general had not the fatality that pursued him brought it about that his regiment was sent tenn
 
 couth maritime place. At first it seemed a fortunate thing for the gallant ensign met a very rich naval contractors daughter, Miss Clopper, whose brother was a soldier himself, being captain in a line regiment.
 i Though he had had two such bitter dis l appointments in love, his heart was still warm and trustful. He succeeded in winning the coy affection of the lovely creature and all was fair in the prospect. l Then fate descended again and snatched away the prize.
 Dobble and Captain Chopper were in- 1 vited by him to be his guests at the coffee 1 house where Dobble lived-a rather for :, tunate arrangement, because Dobble's father paid the bills and an extra din- | ner or two was hardly noticeable.
 The admiring Dobble ordered many bot ties of wine and became so enthusiastic that he described his friends bravery at l length and loudly. Ensign Stubbs, who | had done the proper honor to the wine so freely offered on his altar, responded in a still louder voice. Captain Chopper raised his own voice and felictated him self on the approaching marriage of his sister to so worthy man and officer
 That led naturally to choice remarks on l the ensign's fatal powers of fascination He admitted modestly, though loudly, i that he had broken a few hearts in his l time Dobble cried to his hero to tell 1 how Mary Waters had run after him.
 Unhappy Ensign Stubbs did not ob- serve that naval officer at an adjoining table had turned around at the mention of that name "It was a mere bagatelle" said he. "She was the niece of some i blackguard apothecary or doctor or some 1 thing in the neighborhood, but my mother took a fancy to the girl and had her up ] to the park and petted her. The girl fell in love with me, that's the fact; and l was obliged to repel some rather warm advances that she made. That upon my honor as a gentleman, is the whole story. "
 Just as he finished these words, his nose was seized in a cruel grip and voice i shouted: MT. Stubbs, you are liar and scoundrel, Take that-and that, for daring to meddle with the name of an l innocent lady!'
 Mir. Stubbs was pulled out of his chair, l much lO lHe agony ol HE liosc, anu pe held a great marine monster, six feet ] high. The creature began to box his ears and then to kick him in the most un- gentlemanly manner, shouting as he did so: He is a lair and a swndler." Then he told all the people in the coffee room the whole libellous story about the boot maker, and ended by giving him another l kick and sticking a card Between his stock and collar after which he left the room
 Dobble raised him up. Taking the card from his neck, he read Captain Waters. l Clopper roared If this is true, you are | an internal rascal and must fight me | after Captain Waters.'
 1 Mr Stubbs was helped home, where a very brief reflection showed him the only | dignifed and sensible course to pursue ] He sent the Captain note, short and contemptuous as the ruffian deserved