The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-30

hcers, and were. not much liked by the other two classes, naturally. The other graduates had to enter as supernum eraries. to be tried out and commissioned later, as they might show worthy. Now, there came to the cadet school in the colonefs time two brothers, sons of a major in the army, a man of very linn tied means. The two brothers presented a strong contrast in mind and body. Their name was Won L., and they were known as Big l. and Little L by the cadets. Big L. was a thickset fellow with large head and clumsy limbs, Little L., year and half younger. was like willow wand, so slender was he and supple His head was small, his countenance refined, his hair fair and wavy and clinging In curls around his forehead; his nose was like young eagles beak.
 Immediately upon their appearance in the school their places were settled for them; Big L was avoided, left out in cold, while Little L became the universal favorite; even the members of the first class would walk with him and make a companion and confidant of him. When the members of an upper class do this,. In a military school especially, you may be cure that the recipient of such at tentions possesses no ordinary charm of character. And though he was liked by the upper classmen Little l. was just as popular with his own class. The two brothers sat side by side in the class room and stood about alike in their studies. But while the elder brother was good mathematician the younger lad was not-and used to copy from his brothers work. In everything else, how ever, Little L was the brighter. While the elder brother kept his information to himself and never thought of helping out his fellows, Little L was continually prompting his classmates in the most barefaced and unblushing manner. Did a cadet hesitate in recitation there would come the loud and sibilant whisper of Little l. helping him over the rocky place. There was an old professor with whom the boys had Latin and at almost every lesson he would come to pause in the midst of a recitation and say severely: 'L Second, you are prompting
 
 manner I shall certainly be compelled to make an example of you. Look out for yourself I am warning you for the last timer' It was always the last time until the next!-and the professor never made of Little L the horrible example he threatened who could make a horrible ex- ample of Little l.? He was as much a favorite with the officers and professors as with the cadets.
 The boy was always good-tempered and as high-spirited as if each day had brought to him some pleasing gift; which was far from being the case, os the poor major his father, had little to bestow up- on his sons. Little L was always neat and clean outwardly as well as nwardly, while Big L was slouchy and slovenly in his dress. While they were preparing for inspection Little L used to busy him self frantically with the brush upon the clothing of his brother so that the hulk ing boy might not get a reprimand from the inspecting officer. When the cadets were walking in the court Little l., who himself never lacked companions, would often look anxiously around to see IL lilo DlOllicl lldu ti tOiiipdllOl dIQ lTe- quently, instead of walking with those whose companionshp he seemed most to enjoy, he would go and walk with his brother that Big L might not be alone. What Big L thought of this no one could tell; he was a taciturn, owering fellow, whose thoughts no could guess. The thoughts of Lit l., on the contrary, were all open to the day; you had only to look at him, to hear him speak, and you knew what was passing in his mind. Often, when his brother was not noticing, Little L would look at him with his fair young face saddened as if with some deep anxiety. But all this affection on the part of Little l. did not alter in the least the opinion the cadets had of Big L.
 Things went on In this manner for a year and then came the time of the dreaded examinations. When the "se- feet" and the First Class were done with their examinations they were sent home; and so for . while the Second