The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

They marched along in good order. their
small legs being equal TO the slow pace of
the funeral procession. 1t was long way
to the sailors cemetery, aud the day was
hot. but Company stood mp to the work
like men. Whether by design or not they
were cut off from good view of the grave
when poor old Capps was let down into 1t,
and the next moment the band struck up
"Garryowen," and to its rafting music
the sailors and marines steDped out at a
lively rate. So did G Company. But
after ten minutes the pace was too much
for it. First Canliffe Jagged behind, then
one by one. even TO Young Brydell. they
gave out and il was good twenty min
utes after the sailors and marines haG
TUNED in the great gate to the navy-yard
that & Company, consisting OF seven very
hot and tired small boys. struggled
the corporal of the guard sang out, Turn
out the guard" and the next minute the
marine guard stood at present arms" as
the boys marched through.
For it's the honor You did poor old
Caps" said Grub to I oung Brydell.
The boy had the usual habit of asking
questions. after the manner of his kind.
and one day when he and Grubb had got
to be very good friends. he suddenly asked !:
"Grubb. are you married.?
Pm widower," said GrubO.
$50 is papa answered Young Brydell.
''The other fellows tease me and say papa
will give me stepmother some day, but l
don't believe it,.
"A stepmother's a deal better'n no
mother at all. announced Grubb.
And have you any children? con-
tinued Young Brydell.
"a boy about your size, but he amt
here"
Young Brydell felt so surprised and also
so hurt at Grubb's want of confidence in
keeping these important facts ID himself
that be could only stare at him. Grub
laughed rather grimly
"G GU see, my wife belonged to better
folks tina l. Her folks said she oughtn't
TO marry jjrene. ashley called me. Her
father was master mechanic, and when
she died. poor thing, they took the boy.
| saying they could do a better part by him
| than / could, A marine don't git much
| pay, you know, and like fool | give him
up. Now, in some way the boy don't seem
| like my child. He's got schooling more'n
L ever had and he goes 20 school with
fellers whose fathers | waits on, and he's
| ashamed O. this here uniform / wear. So
when l seen how il was a year or two
| back l kinder let the thing go. | send
| him half my pay every month and IL don't
pay for the clothes he wears, they dress
| him so fine, and ii seems to me L Oughtn'
to bring him here just TO associate with
Micky O'TOole and the rest OF the mems
children"
But | associate with Micky O'Toole, -
put 10 Young Brydell.
That's different. Micky knows how
you are gOin' to be OFFICER ana as how il
ever he gets in the navy, twill be as q
prentice boy and Micky amt no sort O. q
aspiring fellow. He don't want 10 be NJ
gentleman. But my boy does. And my
boys too good for me, that's a fact"
He oughtn't to be-" said Young Bry
dell, stoutly. You're good fellow, every
body says so, and you're handsome fel
low, and papa says he never saw better
set uD fellow, and you'll be promoted"
"No. sir" answered Grub, shaking nil
head. Il amt dedicated. l know my bust
ness. but II takes book larnin' 20 make
sergeant or even corporal. l can reaC
and write ana cipher some-bul my boz
could beat me at it before he was eigh
years old. Ii seems to me like the DO,
was mine and yet he amt mine, but-goo,
LOrd-yonder' the admiral comm and
amt been TO the postOffice yet" So Cruz
strobe eff, leaving Young Brydell consid
erably mystified about the marines boy.
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