Wichita eagle., 1888-05-27
BY Nathaniel LYON Post, Grand Army of

by Nathaniel Lyon Post. Grand Army OF
the Republic"
The relationship between this fallen
hero and the managing editor proved as
mysterious as any of his other connec-
tions outside of the Office. for within
week after his return 1t began to be whis-
pered about that Prof Tom was actually
improving. Not that he labored less; II
such q thing was possible. he did more,
being at any time worth two men In the
Office. Neither could il oe said that he
was more genial. but somehow he looked
changed. His face assumed a softer ex-
preston, less hurdened one. and when
pair of Indian clubs were one evening
hauled out Of the corner where they had
rested for an age and whirfed around
like pair Of hunming birds at one stalk.
the printers devil, ehuckling TO himself
at the novel scene cried out to Bones"
the copyholder: Il say. Bones. wouldn't
il be good scheme TO have the professor
sign with our Grandeur Miner
I'VE could give the Sneezer fellows
three and beat them then" came tho
quick reply. Matters continued 70 i'm
prove, and when the long. pleasant spring
DAYS appeared our managing editor con-
trived TO make shorter hours at hrs desk.
at the same time accomplishing the same
marvellous amount of work as before; but
where this extra time was spent no one
but Thomas Whitaker himself could
have given en- account. lie kept good
company. IL company II was. for he grew
rudy and boyish looking He WAS re-
garded with sstonishment by all. and the
prophecy that PROF. Tom viii kill him
self with his work." went out of use and
out of mind.
Now, The Grandeur was an afternoon
paper, and since the coming of Whitaker
as manager, it had not missed one of its
three evening editions. six days in week,
including holidays. Judge then of the
establishment with which all hands heard
the editor call out 10 the foreman OF the
press room on the morning Of Decoration
day, We viii omit the last two editions
today"
Cant do il, sir" replied the chief Of
the type settlers. so dazed by the unex-
pected order, that he forgot who was
speaking.
awe will do It." came the mild but firm
response. 1--WE will do it, 1t is holiday
of which we must make an exception. III
have to leave the first edition ia your
hands; | am going 10 join the column on
parade" Truly. news has no breaks.
Prof Tom" was going on parade.
EARTHQUAKES, broken banks. runors of
war In Europe. all were common place by
the side of this announcement.
II required the personal presence both Of
Nick" and Bones" 10 verify the truth of
it. These two important characters gen
orally possessed inside information of the
doings of the sanctum quarters. "Oh.
it's true" exclaimed Nick to a doubling
nearer. land you needn't hedge on that
cablegram. either"
why. we've seen his uniform. inter
rupted Bones. ''spick and span-big brass
buttons-G A. X and all that-that"-
His memory falling, for he had no text to
follow. Nick prompted him.
That insignia OF the order"
Eyes, that insig"-stammered Bones.
ance, the blue blouse and soldier cap in
his hand.
Walking TO the reporters table In the
ante room, he opened a package of ad-
justible buttons and letters. with silver
wreath and bullion cord. and. apparently
regardless OF the crowd of employees
around him. began TO prepare his novel
suit.
By this time the publisher Of The
Grandeur had climbed the three fights Of
stairs leading into the room. drawn thither
by the news. and putting and blowing
from .he exertion, TO see whether Tho
Grandeur was in very truth about 10 stul-
tify its ten years record by suspendlng
two issues
well, well Whitaker, didn't know
that you had ever been in the army"
II was there. sir, even If you did not
know it."
why. you were only boy then; that's
years and years ago"
Yes, / was a boy. but ! was ono Of
1000 600 boys who fought the war
This questioning OF fact Of the past
seemed 20 arouse personal pride. and
having completed his dress 10 his salts
faction he slipped on the blouse drew 10
In. buttoned il tightly. and placing tho
Mcclellan cap rather jauntily it mus, DO
confessed, upon his head-wi;h his 1.-THE.
straight figure. pale, earnest fare. and
deep blue eye, be looked the ideal soldier.
Yes, | was a soldier ho continued
proudly. his eve wandering over his audi
ence; then suddenly stopped. rs though
he had said too much a second thought
urged hin on, and he continued moro
gently:
AN EDITORS WAR STORY.
Il was a soldier. and this ia the first
time since put Of the blue that have
ever spoken Of i, 20 any who didn't know
It from the FIRST. The war was no child's
play-not as saw it-snd gladly forgot
as much Of IL as ~
could when II was NyGfA
over. Today lam
doing what ] did 80 sx
Ia 81, because IL fzkJ ~ q
IL my duty. At Vfsp
this hour'-it had -
Just struck 10 N A
"a new silk flag Is NJ
waving yonder In a
cur Lakeside CEN ArkA
etery over the re- f{sasSs ssz14EVE0
mains Of q soldier: ~, ssSAANaR%
q r.an-no. Tot alNt&I,'sIeiN ss,VNN "
man, only boy. HeiNfNlSytNNN''