Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-02-18
AN UNLUCKY KICK.
How a Soldier Lost His Foot in
Battle.

Battle.
us Irresistible Impulse to Stop "spent"
Cannon Baii-A Maimcd Veteran
Who Has Never Applied for
Pension.
1t was cold day, but the colonel
was comfortable in mind ana body.
Business had gone well with him. He
had had good breakfast. He was
making trial trip in a new overcoat,
which was as well suited to blustery
weather as any he had ever worn. AS
he stood at the corner waiting for the
car he was at first amused and then in
terestcd in the movements of man
who wore no overcoat, who had only
one foot, and who was making believe
that he was not cold The colonel
finally said; "You seem rather shivery,
my friend" Quick as fash came the
reply: Il am. | have no more blood
than q goose, but there are worse
things than shivering around waiting
for job, and am not as cold as
look am not as gay as lark, but
am happier than fellow who has the
grip"
What are you standing here for in
the cold? Why don't you go home and
sit by the fire awhile? A man who has
no more blood than goose ought not
to be taking such risks" The colonel
smiled good humoredly as he said this,
and this smile was answered by one
just as good humored on the face of
the other 81 have an object" he
said. "Do you see that pile of coal2
am lurking about to get job to carry
1t in. The lady of the house is. not at
home, but when she comes ! know
will get the job She knows me She
knows | am all right. She knows am
good deal better fellow than | look
to be-"
Docs she know how you lost your
foot2"
The whole attitude and appearance
ofthe man changed in an instant, and
he said stifily and somewhat resent
fully: mo, do you?"
Again that amused and interested
look came over the colonels face, and
he said, smilingly: mo, don't know.
How did you lose your foot?"
"In an accident" said the man. "In
an accident in which got only what
deserved | was foolhardy and fool
ish and-well, | lost my foot, and that
is all there is to IT,"
Didn't lose it in football game,
did you?" The man chuckled and shook
, ,his head "You weren't run over by a
street carp" Another shake OF the
: head Didn't have it torn off by
machinery" mot exactly" said the
man. Were you in the army?" A
grave affirmative inclination of the
\ head did you lose your foot while
6h were in the armyP" Another nod
Ibid you have it shot Off" Not,
not-well. no, No, can't say that
did. Il was d narrow escape, though. "
well, | don't suppose there was any
thing to be ashamed Of, was there?"
The colonel asked this with some i'm
patience, but promptly came the reply;
y
t. am ashamed of it. | am SO
ashamed of it that never tell the
story. That is where you missed it.
There never was q fellow more
ashamed of anything than am of the
way lost that foot
"lou see it was this way. Did you
ever see q cannon ball olling along
the ground, whirling and bouncing AND
looking as harmless as toy balloons
II you did, did you ever want to kick
itp" A queer light came into the
colonels eyes and he nodded ant
smiled. "Well, I'll bet you sixteer
cents.you didn't, I'll go you half n dol
lar you didn't. But that's what's the
matter with me. was good soldier
was proud of being good soldier.
had done good service. ] was never II
the rear in time of battle. | was not a
great map.and knew was not, but
did my duty and took great satisfac
ton in doing it. had great luck, too
because was not sick; had not beer
in the hospital; was never in the
guardhouse and the boys counted mt
one Of the jolly men of the company
but in one great battle-it was big
fight, | tell you-there was terrific
cannonading and our division wa
standing in line of battle waiting To-
the whirlwind to strike us. There wa
tremendous racket and confusion OIL
our right, but we had little to do eX
cept to stand and watch the scarce
rabbits and other animals as the,
rushed blindly pc llmell across ou
front, but every few minutes she'll
would burst near us or large cannon
balls would come rolling oblique
" from the left front One o
these rolled almost along on
line. We could see it coming; saw
bound up ten or twelve feet when ]
struck rock or log, then come whirl
ing along toward us. 1t was almost a
large as football, and in motiol
seemed as smooth and polished as I'm
ished steel. II had queer effect OF
all the men. ! saw a dozen get read
to stop 1t with their feet. heard tn
captain shout for them to let the thin
alone, but it fascinated me. The ide
came into my mind that could sto
II easily, and that ! must So i
spite of all shouts and commands pu
my foot out to give It little kick an