The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-02
CHAPTER Y.
TN THE BIvoUAC OF LIFEBE 4 HERO
IN THE STRIFE.

| VT ii'SiNS
IN THE STRIFE.
Sidney is..busy sludying-reviewing
The date for the competitive examina
ton has been published. Writing
Spelling, Arithmetic, Grammar and
Geography, are the studies. The
boy is nervious and restless, like a
soldier on the eve of battle.
He is pegging away at his Grammar
one afternoon when lovely Lillis
Yarbrough drives up. Coming in she
chats pleasantly awhile when Tom,
Jr: says
"Mother, dear, show Sidney the
city paper. I can't wait any longer.
Thereupon she unfolds a newspaper
she had held carelessly in her hand
and pointing to pictured face she
gives it to Sidney.
Can the farmer boy believe his
senses. There in city daily is a pic
ture of himself, of Sidney Johnston
a splendid picture too-in the Guards
uniform. Aunt Lou came and looked
over his shoulder; Little Bee leaned
on his knee and said excitedly "It's
our Sidney, it is, it is, for there is the
dimple in his chin."
Then Mrs. Yarbrough took Bee on
her lap and thought, "If only had
u daughter, my cup OF happiness
would run over"
Presently Gladys, behind her dap
pied greys, drove up, and waved q
newspaper at the group on the piazza,
Sidney ram out to meet her, while
Mrs. Yarbrough stood Oh the steps,
and waved her paper saying "Oh,
you're late, got here first"
Aunt Lou carried them off to treat
them to strawberries and cream, and
Sidney read the head lines above his
pictured face--"Another Albert Sid
ney Johnson. ."---"Candidate for West
Point"
Then followed Il brief, but exceed
ingly well written narrative of the
boys life, his parents, his marvellous
voice, his studious habits, his devotion
to his benefactress, Mrs. Markstlale.
1t even told how Sidney happening to
be in Editor ChisOm's Office when two
roughs came in to thrash that one
armed soldier and Christian gentle
man, who had lost said arm ut NAL
vern Hill, and left leg lying round at
Gettysburg--how Sidney had, ito use
the expressive slang Of the man about
town, "shed his coat and Knocked
them down time about" when they
had beat 4 hasly retreat, going down
three steps at q jump-while the of.
flee devil sang out "Bring in another
boss, boys!
Sidney bluslfed scarlet, yet his heart
g4owed to think he had q friend in the
far away city by the sea. When the
ladies came back he was deep in the
Geography of the United States.
81 do not think Sidney need to he at
all nervous" said Lille to aunt Lou,
"hc is a remarkably we'll Informed boy,
so my Senatorthinks and-he knows"
II told Sidney that" laughed
Gladys, and he said, he was afraid
great deal of his information was like
some of the elements Of the CONNER
cial fertilizers, "not availablc.' How
ever, / have come for him-I am so
nervous about the result that l can
think of nothing else-so Sidney must
20 home with me-"
The nomentous day for the competi-
tive examination came around in due
time. Gladys came over to aunt
LOUIS in the carriage. DR.. Darby rode
q spirited black horse. Ike was lila
riously happy, singing and dancing,
while saddling Dan. The Guards
were to drill and be inspected that day
by the Adiutant General-so Sidney
wore his uniforme Dr.. Darby asked