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

1t brought upon the whole corps a dis grace which each felt deeply, as if 1t were a disgrace brought upon himself. They looked awed and spoke only in whispers. Ordinarily the denouncing of a comrade to the officers was regarded as q most contemptible proceeding. But this charge against Big L took the perpe- trator out of their comradeship-he was to them no longer a cadet but an out cast.
 And now they were to decide whether or not the captain should be informed of what he had done. The tall cadet, K, was the first to speak. He declared it to be his opinion that everything should be reported to the captain, for Big l. had, by his disgraceful conduct, forfeited every right to their consideration and of them. As K was the largest and strongest of the company his words were listened to with close attention and as everybody felt in their hearts that what he said was right, there came a pause of silence when he had done, no one thinking of any alternative to suggest. Then the group around the table was broken through by Little L, who had been until then standing in the background His arms hung by his side, limp and nerveless; his eyes were fixed upon the floor. He evidently had something which he wanted to say, but had not the cour- age to do so.
 Little L has nothing to say whatever in this matter" said K-he had always been hostile to the two brothers But this time Ks words were not needed. He was not a popular fellow anyway and it was felt by his companions that he had something mean and repulsive about him. He was that sort of person who only attacks people smaller or weaker than themselves and strives always to stand in well with those more powerful. An in- dignant whisper Gall the proceedings were carried on in whisper for fear of arous- ing the officers) ran through the room :: Little l. shall certainly speak; he has a right to; more right than anybody else here" As the boy heard his comrades taking his part he completely broke down and his breast heaved with convulsive sobs.
 One of his friends, laying his hand upon Little Us shoulder, said affectionately: ''Try and calm yourself; tell us what it is you want to say" Raising his white face, the boy sobbed out: ''If you report him he will be thrown out of the school and then what is to become of him?' All were silent. knowing that what Little L said was true-if his brother was dis missed from the school for theft his future was ruined. "But," said one of the cadets, "you must see yourself that your brother has been guilty of most dis graceful act and must be punished for it somehow" Little b nodded a sorrowful assent For a moment the cadet who had spoken was silent and then he said: q propose that we give Big l. another chance in life. We will not ruin him utterly. Let us see if there is not, after all. some good in him. I propose that he shall choose for himself whether he will be reported to the captain or will submit to our giving him a sound hogging and let the matter be forgotten thereafter"
 All the cadets agreed to this, except the one who had spoken so roughly to Little L., the cadet K. But his words were not needed and Little l. was told to, go and fetch his brother. Dashing the tears from his eyes, the little fellow ran upon his mission and soon returned with his big, glowering brother. Big IL looked no one in the face, but stood silently and sul- lenly in the midst of the circle of cadets, stolidly awaiting his doom, while Little l. stood with his eyes fixed upon the cul- brit with look of the deepest sorrow and anxiety. Big L was asked if he acknowledged having stolen the sword belt Yes, he replied. Did he realize that such an act made him unworthy of the championship of his fellow cadets "Yes,'' again. Did he prefer to be de- nounced to the captain or to suffer per- sonal reinstatement at the hands of his comrades7 'The latter" he replied A murmur of satisfaction ran around the room, everyone excepting K being glad that the affair was to 50 terminate
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