Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-05-20
How the Colonel Died.

resent him in the field.
When the first shell exploded in the
city the Colonel was at the dinner
table.
THAT is a SHE'LL he remarked quiet
~, land it fell within half mile of
this house."
The children screamed and their
mother turned pale.
"Are we in much danger?' the mat
ron asked.
''That is a hard question to answer"
replied the Colonel: "but do not mind
saying that we should prepare for the
worst. l have often told you about the
Smelling of Vera Cruz. We poured a
hot fire into the city, but when we en-
tered it | was surprised to find how
few we had killed"
''But, grandpa said little Tommy,
Syou did kill some, didn't you"
''Oh, yes" answered the old man,
<'quite a number of the citizens were
killed After the surrender saw blood
stains on the walls Of my room. 1t
seems that whole family had been
killed there"
AT this Tommy set UP doleful howl,
which was swelled by a chorus from
the other children.
but this is nothing" said the Col
onel, rising from his chair and going to
the window 1--WE must expect Il few
shells. Possibly there will be siege,
but it cannot last long. You know that
our policy is to draw the enemy this
way. We want to get the invaders as
far as possible from their base of sup
plies"
eyes, / sce,' said his daughter
thoughtfully. ''but don't you think that
we have drawn the Federals far
enough in this direction?"
"Ah," said the veteran, with a smile,
''you do not understand the Fabian
policy. Now. l.
eff we lead the Federals on until
they cover the country" said the lady.
sit seems to me that they will have the
best OF it,"
"Nonsenscw blurted out the Colonel.
''You women know nothing of the art
of war; and it is we'll that you don't.
Never talk in that way again. One
would think that you were disloyal to
the Confederacy.
'Of course, you know BEST" respond
ed the little woman meekly; sit is all a
horrible business to me, and hope that
it will soon be over. But how are we
to protect ourselves from the shells?'
"Ieave that to me-" answered the
Colonel My experience at Vera Cruz
Is worth something. The MeXicans dug
pits with bomb-proof roofs, and the
women and children found them very
good shelters. l am going to have one
dug al once"
In spite of his 76 years, the old gen
tleman left the room with the brisk
step of man who proposed to take
hand in the defense of the city.
His residence was an old-fashiOned
mansion in a retired quarter OF the
town. The prospect Of siege created
the widest excitement, and in a short
time thousands of citizens were at
work digging bomb proofs. Under the
Coloners instructions, a large pit was
dug in the shape of an 81" 1t was
not ready for occupation until the fol-
lowing day, but when it was finished
nate layers of clay, timber and bar iron,
inspired confidence.
For six weeks the little family had to
occupy this underground retreat good
portion OF the time. Sometimes rain
of shells aroused them from their slum-
bers in the house and sent them pre-
cipitately to the cave. All except the
Colonel. The Mexican war veteran
showed no alarm. When he went into
the dugout he always made it a point
to say that he was there merely to keep
his daughter and grandchildren from
feeling uneasy.
1T is waste Of time to lay siege to
this city" he said one day. Our posi-
tion is almost impregnable, and in a
few days re-enforcements will arrive.
l really pity Sherman. He does not
know what is before him. | expect
any day to see his army routed, and
the majority will be taken prisoners"
The fire of the besiegers grew hotter
and hotter, and the inmates of the Col
onels household held no communion
ton with the outside world. Fortunate
". they were we'll provisioned and
were able to live in a fairly comforta-
BILE way. Every morning the daily
paper, half-sheet printed on wall pa
per, was thrown over the gate. The
toione, always went himself to pick
up this interesting journal. He would
not allow Il servant to run the risk of
encountering stray shell.
1t was sight to see this white-halred
soldier. with his gold-headed cane,
walking out to get his paper followed
by the admiring but anxious glances
of the entire household. Generally he
walked with a slow and dignifled STEP
but little Tommy declared that one
morning he saw his grandpa dodge
shell and return to the house at rapid
pace.
"The noise made me little nervous,
explained the Colonel i was NOT eA.
pecting it. but of course | was not
frightened. Not one III hundred OF
these shells ever kills man.