r took
his name. She had a handsome son, that looked like her and the major,
but she didn't know how to manage him--went to the dogs, or worse,
before he was eighteen."

"Axell here?" asked the young man.

"No," replied the reporter; "and 'twouldn't do her any good if he was.
The major's stylish and good-looking, and plays a brilliant game, but he
hasn't any more heart than is absolutely necessary to his circulation.
Besides, his--"

The reporter was interrupted by a heavy hand falling on his shoulder,
and found, on turning, that the hand belonged to "The General."

The general was not a military man, but his title had been conferred in
recognition of the fact that he was a born leader. Wherever he went the
general assumed the reins of government, and his administration had
always been popular as well as judicious.

But at this particular moment the general seemed to feel unequal to what
was evidently his duty, and he, like a skillful general, sought a
properly qualified assistant, and the reporter seemed to him to be just
the man he wanted.

"Spidertracks," said the general, with an air in which authority and
supplication were equally prominent, "you've told an awful sight of lies
in your time. Don't deny it, now--nobody that ever reads the papers will
b'leeve you. Now's yer chance to put yer gift of gab to a respectable
use. The lady's bothered, and wants to say somethin' or ask somethin',
and she'll understand your lingo better'n mine. Fire away now, lively!"

The ex-shorthand-writer seemed complimented by the general's address,
and stepping forward and raising the remains of what had once been a
hat, said:

"Can I serve you in any way, madame?"

The lady glanced at him quickly and searchingly, and then, seeming
assured of the reporter's honesty, replied:

"I am looking for an old acquaintance of mine--one Major Axell."

"He is not in camp, ma'am," said Spidertracks. "He was at Rum Valley a
few days ago, when our party was organized to come here."

"I was there yesterday," said the lady, looking greatly disappointed,
"and was told he started for here a day or two before."

"Some mistake, ma'am, I assure you," replied Spidertracks. "I should
have known of his arrival if he had come. I'm an old newspaper man,
ma'am, and can't get out of the habit of getting the news."

The lady turned away, but seemed irresolute. The reporter followed her.

"If you will return to Rum Yalley, ma'am, I'll find the major