The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-03-05


Hawk again, my Henry-that horse
will complain of you soon, the strong
beast. What is it you are in such a
hurry to say that one must race across
country 80 of good hour of the morn
ing%
But Henry was too intent to talk
nothings. "It is important" he said
briefly. I'VE must have a captain for
the company at once, and 1t must be
you"
Sabre de bois!" smiled Francois ra-
diantly. "The good idea! l can not
imagine a fellow more beautiful to be
a captain than l. Can your"
But Henry was, altogether serious
minded. you will consent then?" he
threw at him. 'T did not think of it
till this morning, but see it should
be done at once. We shall all want,
you, of course, and want nobody else"
Now Henry Hampton, not having
thought of the question till this morn
ing, had no right to make this state
ment in full round voice of certainty.
Yet he knew every man in the com.
pany, and he felt in himself the force
to answer for them. He answered
for them without hesitation. And
with that Francois laughing face grew
grave. He pushed the letters from him
and got up and came across to the boy
and bent and put his arm around his
shoulder as he sat still and stiff
These French ways of his friend
pleased Henry immensely, but they
also petrified him with embarrass-
ment. Francois was not in the least
embarrassed He patted the broad
young shoulder affectionately.
my good Henry" he said gently.
What loyal heart-and what reck-
less one! How then can you answer
for all those messieurs"
Harry flung up his head and began
"They will--if they do not shall make
them"-but Francois stopped the bold
words.
NO." he said quietly-yet with a
tone of f1nality which the other recog-
nized. "That will not be necessary. And
the messieurs are my good friends;
they will treat me with honor; they
will be better to me than deserve.
know that we'll" There we're so FEW
people in the world who did not, to
Francois, seem his good friends. But,
my Henry, will not be the captain.
have thought of that, if you have not
Look here"
He swung to the desk and slipped
out drawer, and had long folded
paper in his hands. He tapped it
open before Harry's eyes. 1t was
formal notice to Mr.. Henry Hampton.
junior, that the Jefferson troop of Vir-
ginia had elected him as it's captain.
Harry flushed violently and his
mouth quivered with pleasure, with
nervousness, with unhappiness. The
other watched him eagerly. All this
affair of the troop he had done to
give pleasure to Harry Hampton, his
friend. 1t was the only way in which
the lame boy could be on equal terms
with the other boys, and Francois had
uOICI llOIH IuS ulSI LudI ONOlS
| Joy which could be cleaned out Of
it he should have. To be the captain
ought to be joy.
"I!" Harry cried and then was silent
and then spoke sorrowfully. "But-
it can not bel"
Can not be-" demanded Francois.
why not?"
There was a moments silence and
with painful effort the words came.
"My-misfortune / am lame"
And Francois cried out, "Henry-all
that Is nonsense! What of it? 1t is
thing you do as we'll as the best
riding. Who has such a seat, such
hands as you? Why not then, l de-
mand?" And went on. ut is settled.
have talked to them all--see the sig
natures. You are the captain, my
Henry-and am your right hand and
your left hand-yes and your feet. too,
whenever you need me-"
But" said Harry, dazed, at is really
your place; don't you want to be cap
tain?" he shot at the other boyishly.
And with that Francois arm was
about his shoulder again as the two