Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-30

knew tnat tnelr colonefs hand had closed and
that he who broke that iron discipline would
not 60 to the front Nothing in the world will
persuade one OF our soldiers when he 10 or
| dered to the north on the smallest Of affairs
that he IL not Immediately going gloriously to
| siay Cossacks and cook his kettles in the palace
| for Mu!cahy's beer. because the campaign was
| to be conducted on strict temperance princi-
| pies. but. as Dan and Horse Egan said sternly,
We've got the beer man with rs. He shall
drink now on his own hook"
Mulcahy he'd not taken into account the pos
no1llty OF being sent on active service. He
had made up his mind that he would not 20
under any circumstances, but fortune was
| against him.
"sick-you?" said the doctor. who had served
poor houses. you're are only homesick. and
what you call varicose veins come from over
eating. little gentle exercise will cure that "
And Extraordinarily. my man. everybody is
allowed to apply for q sick certificate once. II
he tries it twice we call him by an ugly name.
Go back to your duty and let's hear no more Of
your diseases"
am ashamed to say that Horse Egan en-
1oyed the study Of Mulcahy's soul in those days,
and Dan took an equal interest Together
they would communicate to their corporal all
the dark lore OF death that Is the portion Of
those who have seen men die. Egan had the
larger experience. but Dan the finer lmagina-
ton. Mulcahy shivered when the former spoke
OF the knife as an intimate acquaintance, or the
latter dwelt with loving particularly on the
fate OF those who, wounded and helpless had
been overlooked by the ambulances. and had
fallen into the hands Of the Afghan women
folk.
Mulcahy knew that the mutiny, for the pres
ent at least, was dead. Knew, too, that q
change had come over Dams usually respectful
attitude toward him, and Horse Egans laugh
ter and frequent illusions to abortive conspira-
cies emphasized all that the conspirator had
guessed The horrible. fascination of the death
stories however made him seek their society,"
he learnt much more than he had bargained
FOR. and in this manner: 1t was on the last
night before the regiment entrained to the
'front.' The barracks were stripped OF every
thing movable and the men we're too excited to
sleep. The bare walls gave out a heavy hos
pitai smell of chloride of hme-a stencil that
depresses the soul.
And what" said Mulcahy in an awe-stricken
whisper, after some conversation on the eternal
subject, ARE you going to do to me, Damp
This might have been the language Of an able
consplrator conciliating a weak spirit.
You'll see, said Dan, grimly turning over
in his cot, "or l rather shud say you'll not
see."
This was hardly the language Of a weak
spirit Mulcahy shook under the bed clothes.
"Be easy with him." put in Egan from the
next cot. HE has got his chanst O. goin' clean.
Listen, Mulcahy, all we want is for the good
sake OF the regiment that you take your death
standing up, as man shud. There's be heaps
an heaps of enemy-plenshus heaps. Go there
an do all you can and die decent. You'll die
with good name there. IT'S not hard thing
considerin'."
Again Mucahy shivered
An how could a man wish to die better than
fightin'," added Dan consolngly.
And If wont?' said the corporal in a dry
whisper.
There II be dale Of smoke, returned Dan
getting up and ticking off the situation on his
fingers, sure to be, an the noise OF the FIRM
ii be tremenjus. and well be running about
up and down, the regiment will. But we,
Horse and we'll stay by you. Mulcahy, and
never let you go. Maybe therell be an acoi-
dent"
Its playing it low on me. Let me 20. For
PHYS sake let me go. 1 never did you harm,
and-and stood you as much beer as could.
y don't be hard on me. Dan. You are-you
were in 1t too. You won't kill me up there,
will you?''
I'm not thinkin' Of the treason; though
you shud be glad any honest boys drank with
you. It's for the regiment. We can't have the
shame o you bringin' shame on u.s. You went
to the doctor quiet as sick cat to get and stay
behind an live with the women at the depot