The San Francisco call., 1910-03-09
ALL WIDOWS ARE
NOT SILVER HAIRED
All Swords We're Not Drawn in
the Defense of Threatened
Nation
All Bohemia, However, Is Again
at the Tale of Dick HO=
taling's Saber
Continued from Page 1

tune that has come to me, neverthe-
less there is doubtless much senti-
mental value that you feel toward
this relic of your husband, and l
would willingly forego having it If
1t Will give any pleasure to you to
retain 1t. lie it has a value as an
heirloom to pass on to your suc-
cessors, l willingly return it to you.
Otherwise | would be pleased to
take 1T and present 1t to the Bohe-
mlan club, where the many friends
of Colonel Granniss will really
value it. Again, if you already have
youh home filled with mementos Of
Colonel Granniss and the sword
does not make any material differ
ence, shall be pleased to meet you
at my Office and receive the sword
from you.
A day was set for the presentation.
but the widow of the venerable colonel
of the Bohemian club did not appear.
Later. when Hotaling was out of the
city, she called at his Office in the Mer-
chants Exchange building and left the
trophy.
Then she wrote to Hotaling. She
wanted to make an appointment to tell
him of the sword
Hotaling believed that an interview
with the ''silvery haired" relict of the
soldier would be a painful one. Though
with the utmost complaisancy he will
harrow his audiences with the woes of
Othello, the amateur tragedian does not
relish being narrowed by any one else.
Awaits Silver Haired Widow
But the lady came. She was an
nouneed, and in Difference to age Hotai-
ing waited most courteously her en-
trance, and in Difference to her sacred
mission he bowed his head in respect
as he heard the step of the widow of
Colonel Granniss cross the threshold of
the studio which he occupies in the
California street building.
oh, how do you do, Mr.. Hotaling?'
sang soft young contralto.
Hotaling looked up with jerk. A
vision of youth and excellent tailoring
and millinery was waited into the
studio on zephyr of Pompeiian sachet.
Hotaling had expected lavender.
Il am the widow of Colonel Granniss,
Mr.. Hotaling," said the cordial voice;
that is, maybe / haven't the right to
the name of Mrs. Granniss, but, you
know, Colonel Granniss died nine years
ago and l was true to his memory for
four years. l just adored him-but |
married a Mr.. Wagner and he has de-
serted me, and 1 have to do something
to support myself, and you could help
me to get position on the stage"
Hotaling steadied himself by grasp
ing conyulsively the bronze bust OF
Dante on his study table.
And the sword of Colonel Granniss?'
he murmured reverentially.
"Oh, yes; l just dotted on the colonel
he was such a splendid man''-Hotal-
ing bowed his head in memory of le-
gendafy battles In the Wilderness CAM
paign. The young woman continued:
Il had to sell many of his things to
help support myself and 1 want so to
go on the St
Story of the Sword
But the story of the sword" said
Richard M. Hotaling in a solemn voice
the career of Colonel Granniss being
still associated with the phrase. II
will fight it out on this line if 1t takes
all summer"
Yes, the sword of Colonel Granniss
/ made s72 on it, echoed the handsome
caller-in all the correspondence the
widow once removed had always re-
ferred to the historic weapon in that
glorifed way-as 1.-The sword Of Colonel
Granniss," as poets speak of "the sword
of Bunker hill"
Yes, could you tell me it's story?'
suggested Hotaling. religiously think
ing of the splendid history of the Amer
ican armies.
"Oh, yes; Colonel Granniss got the
sword when he was a colonel on the
staff of Governor Perkins. back In the
eighties. And now about going on the
stage?"
There is an epilogue to this gallant
tale:
Richard M. Hotaling still has tidy
little sword with silken sword knot
and q straight nnIiShad Scahhard in a