The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-12-03

~
ELSIE BAKER was sitting on a log in
the wood-shed, gloomily listening Ia
her brother Joe. who was talking with
much enthusiasm.
For tell you. sir" said he to Elsie.
lit isn't every boy who'll get a chance
to be in that procession tonight. sir.
There'n be a thousand torches. and
speeches, and fireworks; and the train
leaves Porter's Corner at six o'clock;
and Mr.. Hill says to me. You be on
hand. Joe. you and Jack Stone, and
you may go to Portland along Of the
'.Continentals'' and march each side
OF the flag. and wear white rubber
capes. and carry a torch apiece il you
like It's to be the biggest show Of
the season, and
- can't CO." burst in Elsie. just
because I'm a girl [ a never 60 any
where or see anything"
"Of c0urse not,' assented Joe.
cheerfully. "Girls never can. 1 90
because fathers in Ohio, and I'm the
man Of the family. / declare Ishouldn't
wonder If half the people in Portland
should think Jack and / could vote
when they see US processing. Three
cheers for Hanfieldr'
Hantield? Hanfield? That did not
sound quite right Joe meditated.
Hanfield? Well. never mind. There
was no time to waste oyer names. II
Joe would help toward the election Of
q President Of the United States he
must be off and away for Jack Stone.
or the I'VE would miss the train.
And Elsie? Poor little Elsie was left
forlorn. She was quite alone. for her
mother had gone to visit a sick neigh
Dor, and would not even be nj home for
tea.
"Oh, why shouldn't q girl do Just
what her brother does. and have some
funP' thought Elsie, bitterly. ..Or else
why wasn't l born a boy?"
She sat close TO the andirons in front
Of the wood fire. and more and more
dismal did she grow. She had nearly
come to wondering whether it was real
~ worth while to live il one had to be
only a girl, when the front door burst
open. and in bounced Master Joe.
"Elsie," cried he, grasping her by
the arm. there's your chance. You can
60"
go? go?' repeated Elsie, flushing
crimson with excitement.
Joe hurried on. Jack Stones sick.
Earache-both ears-onions on 'em-
here's his cap-who'n know you're not
a boyP-tuck up your skirts-on with
this big cape-cOmer'
Elsie was beside herself. Mother
wouldn't let me-" she half gasped-
did she ever say you m~ustn't?' ar
gued Joe. Like as not Wen be back
before she is. Don't be a goose.
There's no time to talk. Hurry! hurry.
You won't get such another chance"
Her eyes flashing, her brain IN a
whirl. Elsie pulled the blue cap over
her short curls. Her little petticoats
were quickly pinned up and covered BY
the rubber cape. With her unlighted
torch over her shoulder, who would not
have thought her a sturdy younger
brother OF the boy who held her tightly
by the hand, and exhorted her not to
let the grass grow under her feet.
Down the road they ilew. and reached
the station just as the "Continentals''
came marching up with fife and drum.
Here we are, Mr.. HILL" said Joe.
presenting himself and his companion.
IAN right" said MI. Hill. too busy
to pay much attention. keep with
the rest Of the.men. How are you, Jack.
my boy?"
There was no time for the make
believe Jack, nv boy" to answer.
The engine was pulling and painting.
Elsie was swung on the train. where
Joe and she tucked themselves away on
a back seat.
The "Continentals'' were in the best
Of humor, SO were the "Philtrick Pho
neers." who. gorgeous IN their Zouaye
r~egimentals. came crowding into the
a AT the next station. Ia crack Jokes
and talk politics. Pretty soon the train
stopped with a jerk, and everybody was
out in a twinkling.
There we're shouts Of command. The
s'Continentals'' and " Pioneers fell into
line. Torches were lit. A host Of boys
set up shrilI yclls. Joe and Elsie were
twitched into place BY energetic Mr..
Hill, and ordered TO hold up their heads
and keep time 70 the music.
"Isn't II funP" thought Elsie. step
ping briskly along. and grasping her
torch with both hands.
II one hundred torches were fun
what COIL be sad wLc- tacy reached