May 10, 1869."

After the ceremony there was handshaking among the men and some kissing
among the women, as the two parties--one from either coast--mingled, and
then the General's tent boy came under the blanket to call Bradford, for
the General wanted him at once. Somehow Bradford's mind flew back to his
first meeting with this boy. He caught the boy by the arms, held him
off, and looked at him. "Say, boy," he asked, "have I changed as much as
you have? Why, only the other day you were a freckled beauty in
high-water trousers. You're a man now, with whiskers and a busted lip.
Say, have I changed, too?"

"Naw; you're just the same," said the boy. "Come now, the Gen's
waitin'."

"Judge Manning," said General Dodge, in his strong, clear voice, "you
have been calling us 'heroes'; now I want to introduce the one hero of
all this heroic band--the man who has given of muscle and brain all that
a magnificent and brilliant young man could give, and who deserves the
first place on the roll of honor among the great engineers of our time."

As the General pronounced the Judge's name Bradford involuntarily
clenched his fists and stepped back. The Judge turned slowly, looking
all the while at the General, thrilled by his eloquent earnestness, and
catching something of the General's admiration for so eminent a man.

"Mr. Bradford," the General concluded, "this is Judge Manning, of
Boston, who came to our rescue financially and helped us to complete
this great work to which you have so bravely and loyally contributed."