Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-23
BIRMINGHAM BATTALION.
Romance of Mardi Gras, Reported by the
 Huey Guards Correspondent.

That mardi gras day was dusty. This along with the motley countenances, an | obscure position in the great line, con- spicuous absence of the commissary de- partment, the very, very unelean condi- | tion of the uniforms and the superb dis | play of magnificent distances all went | to show, decidedly, where we were "at. | A private of the line, divining the iden- | tty of his royal highness, was heard to | cry piteously, "Beer!' All stood anx- | iously aghast The countenance of Vul- | can maintained it's august serenity. No l general rush was observed; indeed not l courier was seen to depart. But the sol | ders, brave men, undaunted plunged | headlong into the awful jaws of dust. Of course these are trifies. Night came | on and it's revelries. Passing along Nine | teenth street one might have observed | an infantry uniformed figure of about | feet 6 in height and wearing a cap of l the Huey Guards. dark buff mackin- l tosh, with high collar turned up, covered | the jacket. The person halted at the 1 Florence hotel corner, twirled an ebony cane, drew from the inside pocket plaid mask, mouStache and goatee. After carefully adjusting these our friend stepped into the cigar stand and stood | long and wistfully before the large mir TOT. It might have been observed here that the first four buttons of the jacket absolutely refused to. meet their corre- spending receptacles despite some phys ical persuasion on the part of the wearer the feet were dreadfully small for sol der, and that the ears were small and almost translucent and that the cap was adjusted from the rear instead of the front. In fact, there was something strangely fascinating throughout. We recognized the uniform-and nothing more-from a streak of car grease across the white stripe down the leg. These faafS atrat, moi nntiG iGra which seemed to infest the air caused us to follow cur unknown fellow soldier into various festive places, including the Flor ence bar, ErswelPs hall and the Elyton block. We played billiards at the Nor ris, at which game our companion was exceedingly green, but seemed to take much delight, yet spoke not word. The kings ball was next and long and ear nestly did we await the midnight un- masking. As the clock told the three minutes the little private was seen to start and pass rapidly through the crowd and close behind pursuer trifie taller. The clock thundered the hour. Rushing madly on, the pursuer grasped at the mask, almost tearing it. An in- effably sweet and dainty shriek smote the midnight and face radiant in the bloom of young womanhood smiled and blushed.
 "Carriage?"
 How much to take me to -"
 "Fo' dollars, boss and the cabbie smiled
 Drive on!' said the little soldier as she pulled up her trousers from the rear.
 The recognition was a shock, as 1t might be to many were the writer com municative as to names.
 The portrait of the late Captain Huey just finished by Miss Julia Ward will be hung next Tuesday evening. The picture is an excellent piece of workmanship and is on exhibition at Owens book store. Miss Ward will be present and will pre- sent the picture through Mir. H. R. Dill of East Lake, and Captain Brown will re- ceive 1t in behalf of the company All members are requested to be present with their lady friends. as the occasion, it is expected, will be a delightful one, and such one as will be deserved by so charming a guest.
 Should anyone find small gold medal with figure in the center of a shield he will receive reward and the thanks of the Huey Guards by delivering same to MT. Y. l.. Senn at chancery court room, or to N. D. Lacy, care International Mi grafton company, simon block this city.
 McCRARY