Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-09-17
Campfire at Collyer.

The gathering was called to order by
A. G. Lord, commander of Collyer Post,
who then proceeded to call for speeches
from his comrades, many of whom failed
to respond. Comrades johnson, Black
will, Briggs and Lord entertained the
audience with short talks, but the talks
were far too short, and too many of the
old soldiers who really had something to
tell did not tell it.
We all wanted to hear from the SOL
diers of the war. The stories now are
without faint of bitterness and without
sectional prejudice, and to those who
have no war record to honorably, and
pardonably feel proud of, the stories new
er lose their charm. Every campfire is
a milestone in the journey of these old
soldiers and while they rest awhile they
should be more ready to tell us of those
interesting scenes in which they figured
to our eternal advantage and pride. Old
soldiers, your time for telling stories and
onr time for listening to them is growing
shorter with each campfire and, at the
one in the near future, come prepared to
add to the pleasure of the younger crowd
and your brother comrades by telling
your very best stories in the way entirely
your own.
Remarks pertinent-some of which, at
-hrx
ever, consider the time and the surround
ings.
The evening, although not starlit, could
scarcely have been pleasanter. The air
was delightful, indeed the actions of
some from distance would Justify the
conclusion that the ozone acted on their
nervous organizations as does the Won
derful elixir of the famous Brown-Se-
guard. Notably, Mr.. Damn, it seemed,
had succupbed to the peculiar atmos-
pheric conditions and was gay, even to a
state bordering on hilarity. However
since there were a great many more
counties from that same state (of Hilar-
ity) represented, he had abundant COM
pany.
A gentle zephyr, coming through an
open window, toyed gayly with bunch
of brick colored whiskers. The aud
fence seeing the waving hirsute screamed
"Cowick, Cowick," long and enthusiast
calIy. Capt. WEIGH, the innocent cause
of the demonstration, cautiously whis-
pere1, "Do they want Cowick for speech
or for supper?" Being answered "a
sdeech" the captain quietly retired be-
hind his beard and the commander had
to send an investigating committee to
discover the owner of it. And whether
from chagrIn at the mistake or from
dazed complacency in his new role, the
captain could not be prevailed upon to
address the audience.
Mr.. W. D. Matthews in neat speech
which showed much care in preparation
solicited great applause from a delighted
audience when he declared, with feeling, |
that he made no speech.
Mr.. Hoar, in the part he took in the
donkey song, did beautifully. When the |
meIliiuences caGences Of his bray re-
sounded throughout the house stranger, |
unable to control his emotion, sprang up |
on a seat, waved his hat and cried ex-
citedIy. "Who is he? He out donkeys
anything for the size OF bis ears that /
have ever seen.
CAPTAIN Pierce Metz never fails to pay |
HIS respects to the heroes of the late war,
and does it in a manner that is appreciat-
ed and applauded.
Too much credit can not be given to
the ladies who work so faithfully that
these events may be a success. The
burden of it all rests on their shoulders,
and they get in return only our thanks
and appreciation for the good time that
re had while they, in preparing and
serving supper, loose the pleasure OF the
eocial visiting and much OF the speeches
and songs. The ladies Of Coliyer csrfain-
" deserve the thanks Of Ill Tor the