The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-04
WHY BADGER WAS BLUE.
his story Of Home, Sweet Home"
Explained It AL

IT was the regular weekly rehearsal
of Tie Banjo club. The playing had
been unusually good that night and
conseanantly VIC were In particularly
happy spirits The stories were more
spicy. the Jokes more clever, and. tax
i.ig ii til ii an, we enjoyed more
laughs 1t everybody's wit and at every
boNlB S xpense than at any other meet
iagof The year.
Tut pardon correction. II Is not
true that we were al in good spirits.
fsr jim BADGER usually the jolliess fell
ioss ii TIE whole club, had sat back
AGAINST tie wall the entire evening.
mi FAD contributed neither word nor
stHile To the general fund Of amuse-
tacat However, this was not an un-
hcartl-of occurrence. and Jim was such
i mighty fine fellow that | suppose we
imposed on his good nature when he
had an ''offt night like this, and made
hi1n the butt Of more jokes than was
really kind. But he always kept right
on playing, never beeding the thought
less shafts that were thrown at him,
and seeming to find comfort in the
strings d his instrument
How he did play that night Good
ness. It seemed as II that banjo actual
ly talked and think II did. to Jim.
Well, We had played our last piece
and were putting our baujos in their
cases, ready 70 so TO our rooms. Jim
was just passing out the door without
his usual Goodnight, boys when
Sam Watson called to him:
say. Jim. old man, you're not feel
ing very jolly tonight, are you2 Here's
little song may cheer your walk
home. .
With that Watson commenced to play
Home, Sweet Home,'' punctuating it
with those slurring, crying notes that
arc made BY sliding the finger up the
string.
Jim turned quickly. There was an
angry flash in his eyes, but for only q
moment, and then he said, softly:
Please don't, Sam. IL you knew what
that song means to me you wouldn't
use It FOR q joke"
There was the faintest suggestion Of
tear III his eye. Sam saw he had
gone toofar, and said, with honest peni-
tence: Forgive me, Jim. was only
in fun, you know; and If you don't
mind. old fellow, let us have your
story. Perhaps it will cheer you up
ard help MS To understand you better. y
Yes. think it will. Jim went back
q Els seat. leaned his banjo against
the wall, and after moments medita-
Lien began Il don't much believe in a
fellows talking about himself, but II
you will listen for awhile may be able
u e8pluin why have the blues every
nosg and then.
The summer after my sophomore
year spent among the foothills Of
the Rockies, out in Colorado. One af-
tsrncen in September dozen or so OF
IS atarsed out with rifles, hop
ING to stir up little game
somewhere, but my horse had
hurt his foot quite badly, and was
unable to keep up with the others, so
told them To go ahead and not TO mind
me- ! watched them out of sight and
then turned toward home; but before
going very far found had forgotten
the road. Considering the lameness Of
ny horse, and knowing we had. al
best, q long distance to travel. / con
cluded my best plan was to put in a:
tie first house until morning 1t was
already dark, and we Travelled some
miles before seeing light, The horse
seemed 70 know that it meant rest and
shelter FOR him, So he ambled along
more courageously, and another mile
brought us to the door, where dis
mounted and raped loudly.
An old woman answered my sum
mons, but before had a chance Il
speak She said, in hoarse whisper
sh Thar's sick man in here
stranger. an yer mus,n't make SO much
noise
II apologizcd for my rudeness, ex
planning that had lost my way anC
would like shelter for the night, and
adding that perhaps \ might be 81 some
assistance to her
Reckon yer kin, stranger, she re-
Piled fer hain't slep a night thess
two weeks Come in
Il entered the room and saw on
led in one corner an old man whs
seemed to be just lingering between
Life and death The old nurse did no
lcok much better In fact, she seem&c
70 worn ont by loss Of sheep that
asked her 70 instruct me about thu
medicines and allow me TO watch II
her place. She was soon asleep, and
sat BY the bed. wondering at thu
strange circumstances that had broughl
me there looked at the sick mar
and was Bit startled to see his greai
eyes staring steadily at ma
.