Evening journal., 1892-08-02


band bursts into martial song and all
along the row women are waving hand
kerchiefs wet with tears, even though
many are sobbing MS though their hearts
would break, and little children are
perched on the gallery ratings, shouting
in shrill treble their goodby to papa,
who turns one brief glance. perhaps the
very last on earth, and big lump rises
in many husky throat and stern eyes
are dimmed with unwonted tears, and
God alone knows the secret thoughts
that go surging through the soldier
brain, the never ceasing whisper of that
still, small voice, "What-what will be
their fate if | am takenT God alone
can hear, God alone can know the
humility. the piteous pleading in the
muttered prayer that floats to him on
high, "Oh, guard and protect them, and
if it be thy will ia thy good time restore
the father to his helpless little ones"
All, il is one thing TO go forth to fight
for an imperiled country, for an in
suited flag, 70 stake life and fortune
and hope TO guard the beloved ones at
the Preside, and TO feel that one is bat
Ting for them, for their honor, peace
and future prosperity.
But it is a thing far different 10 be
torn from loving arms and the smiles
and sunshine in the little faces, the pratt
ting and kisses of baby lips, TO face
year after year savage foe, knowing
full well that, defeated, cS.y death can
be the soldiers fortune; that, victorious,
the only reward will be permission TO
stink back to the station whence one
came. Il is the conquered Indian who
rides in triumph TO the nations capital
and learns how great and good thing
it is TO take the warpath every other
year. 1t is all well enough for the young
officers, the young troopers, to laugh and
cheer. 1t is the husband and father
among the seniors, the old campaigner
in the rank and iile-men who have been
through many and many bloody fight
within some twenty years of national
| peace and prosperity-men who have
seen dozens, hundreds of their cherished
/ comrades slaughtered in battle with tho
Sioux-it is they who see the other side
of the picture, and ask; ITO what pur-
poser To what endy"
Outbreak has followed outbreak, cam
paign has followed campaign, each
marked by bitter losses in many a regi-
ment, each swelling the list of the
widowed and the fatherless, each ter
minated by the final surrender of hostile
bands satiated with the summers slaugh-
ter and shrewd enough TO know that
10
submission to be restored to public con-
fidence and double rations. Step aside
now, gentlemen Of the army, bury your
dead, patch up your wounds, go back h
your stations and get ready for another
shindy in the spring You have had
your annual outing, the Indian only his
first innings. Now comes his second
Now the bureau takes hold, and away
60 the prominent leaders of the red re.
volt in the annual pilgrimage, the an
nual starring tour through the east, and
the sentimentalists swarm to meet them
and wheresoeyer they stop hosts Of oui
fellow citizens throng TO smile upon
them, eager to clasp and shake the hands
that less than a month ago were reelinl
with the blood of mutilated soldiery fol
whom desolate women and bereayed lit
tie ones are wailing hopelessly today
We victisl
Go on in your triumphal circuit, rec
brothers Rain-in-the-Face Thunder
Bear, Blizzard Hawk. Rejoice in tn,
sunshine Of your prosperity; go back {,
your new lodges and unload your chests
of plumber. the free will offerings OIL
your palefaced kindred. The war Ia!
made you rich. Your squaws and chill
dren reyel in food and fnery galore, ant
should supplies begin to slacken up lit
tie with the coming Of another spring
shoot your agent, carry off his wife and
daughters, and start in for another sum
mer Of fun. As for you, weeping widow
and children Of Captain Something-T
forgotten his name-shot from ambush
by the Sioux last fall, get back to the
east as best you can, dry your tears, and
be happy on twenty dollars a month
It's what one must expect in marrying
into the army
And now the last Of the blue column
has passed through the western gate
and a throng Of comrades surges after
every man in the garrison, not other.
wise on duty, trudging down through
the mist and mud 10 see Berrien's bat
TALON to the waiting train The guard
springs TO arms and falls in line-the
guard whom Brewster was to have re
heved at eight a. m.-and again the
major lowers his saber in acknowledg
ment Of their salute. and so, down the
winding road. tramp, tramp, steadily
cheerily, even joyously, they go, and
the broad parade above is silent and de
serted. Women are sobbing in one an
others arms. and Mrs. Berrien, seated
at an upper window looking out to tn,
west. is stroking Winifreds glossy, rip
ping tresses- Winifred, who, kneeling
has buried her tear stained face in hei
mothers lap. Fainter and fainter tn,
martial strains come floating up from
the wooded valley The band is play
ing another quickstep now, its prelude
full Of vim and life and spirit, anc
then What strange inspiration hai
possessed the leader Listenl listen
Winifred raises her head and looks on'
instant with dilated eyes into her moth
ar'e MILD ouivo1.ipcr fooo. tbon ooxn,.