Year: 1878

drawing something from his own pocket, said, quietly:

 Gentlemen, I, too, have something to show you."

 All pressed forward as he carefully un- folded the soft paper packet and laid something on the table. What was it /? What could it bea

 It was the bleached skeleton of a chickens wing.

 Gentlemen" he said, in that same quiet voice, which no longer sounded cold and stern, but rather full of strength and sweetness, "when I was here before, Twas poor, fatherless lad, owning nothing in the world but my poor little pittance of pay. I fear I was an eye-sore to some of you. think you felt that my appearance did not do jus tice to the dignity of our regiment. I believe often looked rather shabby, but really could not help it.

 1T had only one relative in the world, and that was my mothers sister. After my mother died she had been as mother to me, but when our home was finally broken up, there was nothing for it but she must be 0 governess in a strangers house. And she did her work courageous ly and cheerfully enough till her health failed, and nobody wanted the service of sick woman.

 "She had always been good to me. And we two had only each other in the world. I could net help her as she ought to have been helped, but my pay would at least provide her such home and such maintenance as poor working man can give to poor working woman.

 I took my aunt to lodge with the wife of the millsr's man, in the little black cottage beside the mill. She was kind, cleanly woman, though rough and plain in her ways, and my poor aunt used to call herself very happy there. But she could not eat the simple food my scanty n cans could procure. And the good landlady used to break my heart by suggesting that her appetite might be tempted by chickens or game, or such other lu1uries beyond my ut most reach.

 "All the day of that memorable din- ner-party my aunt had been very feeble and failing. When I left her I really wondered whether she would be alive when saw her again. My soul revolted at the sight of dainties which were no good to me, and which could not con- vey to her who seemed dying for want of them. Suddenly, bright idea seized me. I took letter from my pocket and spread it on my napkin, and then, by an adroit movement, transferred the wing of 8 chickon from my plate to the paper, and thence smuggled it to my pocket"

 The listening guests began to look at each other with enlightened eyes. The spiteful old Major felt that very full explanation was being given-and he was glad he was deaf, that he need not hear it!

 Gentlemen, you can all imagine my feelings when such unlooked-for circum- stances threatened to expose my poor little plan. Gentlemen, there are some of ..you who were, like myself, young then-whom it would have been as hard to meet after such discovery as itwould have.been had really stolen the jewels. ''

 "Heaven forgive us, Ranson, but can't cay you are wrong," said one brave gentleman. who had been 8 fashionable dandy in those days, but who had wife and six children now.

 Gentlemen, did not fear the old man, honored and enriched by grate, full country. The men who have fought the best battles of life have ever pitt full respect for the poor and the friend. less. To him could lay bare my poo1 little secret. But my place then wal among the young-the young, who, hay ing never conquered, always despise tho defeated-the vain, giddy youths, ex travagant with their fathers money | and"

 "Oh, come, Ranson," cried one off cer, cit is your turn now with ven geance. Please to remember that to. nigh we are the abiect and the defeated-ant be merciful."

 "The Colonel laughed. And the, could not tell whether it was with goot faith or subtle irony, that he reJoined You are right and then went on.

 "In that little room, yonder, I tol, my sad story to that good, great mal who is gone. And I folded up my quee treasure again, for could not leave i behind to bear witness and besides having paid such terrible price for il I did not see why my aunt should nc have it. And she ate it for her suppe that very night, and next morning, al most as soon as it was light, there wa the General hammering at the cottag , door, with basket of fowls and fruit carried in his own hand. And, then an there, I took this little chicken bone and vowed that would keep it till th , snuff-box was found, and I myself WE such man among such men that non , would smile at my poverty, or even d,

 spise my weakness"

 

 5 hnr,