The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-29


when it is ut his very lips, deprived Of
its solace for the want of one little
spark of fiame2 Poor old Tom had
passed through q whole army OF
memories patiently. But now he was
ready to cry. And then the sun was
so warm on his bowed shoulders, and
the air so crispiy sweet. that the army
he had passed through formed their
ranks, and, led by that pipe CO Tam
| tulus, came on.
And he Nigh. have d;sarned them
with whiff-it was cruel.
But presently hope dOwncd A man
was coming towards him from the di-
rection of Hunchester-a man might
ha, ca Undertook and q tii-1er to spare
for charity. But Knight he might
not: and that would be the mockery of
fate indeed The man came nearer.
But no sooner was he full in view than
he began to turn sharp up the level path
| and move up the hill.
Such q balk was not to be borne. The
farmer put his hat on the end of his
stick and waved it in the air. "YO-
hoyi" he shouted; not with the lungs
of old. but with some very effective re-
mains.
And his signal was seen. The man
turned back, came to within half q
dozen yards of the stile. and looking at
the farmer without speaking.
Al want to light my pipe" said Tom
Blackthorn, in a rather querulous way.
Have you got such thing as finder
box? thought YOU were never going
to hear. But tbs strange how deaf
everytody's growing. l suppose that's
wtat makes them all humble so that
nobody else can hear email but my
! girl
| The man was one to whom Farmer
Blackthorn would never have spoken in
the old times save to drive him of his
| land, ii there he had caught him. with
lifted stick aad hard words For he
was tramp; and a tramp of what was
then held the worst and most danger
Gus sort of tramp-a wandering sol
der. 1t was always the soldier tramp
who was made answerable for the
burned hayrick. and the farmer wife
stopped and plundered on her way
| from market, and for the entries into
houses that stood alone, and for the ex-
cesses of alehouse jollity. Considering
what our soldiers were doing. it was
amazing how grateful we all were to
them wheaeve.: they CHANGED to come
home. And, unhappily. they were often
bard put to it to find an honest living.
and so took. or returned to dishonest
ones, while many soldier who traded
on his scars had never crossed salt
water and had himself manufactured
| L. d 90 nft q
nobody was so very much to be blamed.
Under the circumstances. however.
| the tramp was not one whom feeble
and elderly man with n good coat that
had pockets in it would care to meet
alone in the fields in those rough times.
He was q sadly dilapidated tramp in the
matter of ragged regimentals, and too
stalwart and young to make it fitting
that he should be out of work, if but a
lahorer's. There was something pc
culiar in his look. too. as he looked on
Farmer Blackthorn without speaking
word.
Cant you speak. man? Have you n
tinder-boX-ay or no?"
The mans hand made dive some
where, and brought out battered tin
box, once round in shape, that brought
sparkle into Tom Blackthorn's eyes.
THANK you. my good fellow. A
| friend in need is a friend indeed" He
| drew in the first smoke, all the sweeter
for delay, and exhaled it with : grunt
and sigh.
so YOU re SOLDIER" asked he.
Il have been soldier" said the
man. Don't you-ton't you know
who"
..Ah; I'm sharp enough. I thought
50. by your clothes. A soldier ali.
Soldiers sad word to me. But a proud
one. too"
He must have changed. indeed, to be
sitting on stile and chatting with a
wandering soldier. So changed that
he half SMILED in the others eyes, as if
counting n question, so that he might
have an excuse for chatting little
more. But. as no question came, he
went on talking as much to himself IS
! to his listener, as old men will when
they turn garrulous and have no outlet
in common way.
Yes, said he. 81 had boy sol
dicr: but not a common one. like you.
He was sergeant! Think of that, my
| man-an officer, Ell.
..Good Godr' exclaimed the tramp.
"Way-"
All thought that would take your
breath away, talking to 4 full sergeant's
father. Poor Dick! but he always was
wildish; bit too much like the old
block. I'm afraid, when the old block
was new Yes; full sergeant was my
boy Dick" said the old fellow, cough
ing, rs it might be with the smoke, and
rubbing his hand across his eyes.
'And as brave as lion. But he died,
sir. he died. You see my hat-band?
That's for my son.
Died.
| "Ay. You may well wonder that
it's the worst that are left and the best
that 90. He was the best of sons; and
boys will be boys. Did you ever hear OF
the battle of Talavera, my man-eh?"
"Talavera-why, / was therer'
God bless my soul! Man-give u
your handr'
Don't you remember
"Everything-ev I'm Won
derful for memory. remember things
that happened when was seven years
old; ay, and before then. What makes
You look SO sad and queer? Dash it,
you was at Talsvera. in Spain. May be
may bel was his father, you know;
may be YOU knew my boy? May be you
saw him 6e?"
Farmer Blacs thorn"
"Ah, Blackthorn-the very name!
Sergeant Blackthorn-Sergeent Richard