The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-04
TWO ENLISTMENTS

the fair ground they were conscious that
they had lost the stride which had carried
them over many a mile of Tennessee "bad
roads" and that their backs were not SO
straight nor their waists so trim as they
had been back in the sixties.
But there were xceptions-Genera1 Beal
bore his years lightly. Pride and success
had kept the general erect-he was used
to being observed, and it only served to
make his step frmer and his smile more
serene.
Old Dick Bradshaw had brushed his
faded blue coat and buttoned it tight to
his chin, to hide his frayed shirt front; he
had given his limp hat pull over his
eyes, as he had worn it between 1861 and
1865, and he walked with a tremulous, yet
assertive dignity, quite unlike his every
day SLOUGH. These reunions were great
days for Dick-he was never drunk until
evening, and he tasted again the JOY of
meeting other men as an equal.
The ranks broke at the gate of the fair
ground, and the old soldiers drifted into
groups. Dick met Cyrus McNally. Glow
dy do, Dick?' he said, holding out one of
his stubby hands, and taking Dicks stub
by one
Cyrus was master carpenter and was
upheld by the consciousness of his snug
sum in the home bank, but Cd occasion he
could afford, to unbend.
"Oh, I'm fair to middling," Bradshaw
replied. Flows that ball in your leg?'
at don't trouble me much except in
wet weather. Cyrus said. Are you n
me the only ones of old Company G here
today?'
1.-The generals around somewhere; he
was in the march, - Dick answered. 81
guess we three are the only ones; G has
scattered and died more than any of the
Others
General Pool etorva1 in front IF 4Ler,
Cyrus suddenly felt himself to be moth
ing but an insignificant country carpenter
with no words at command, and Dick
pulled his old blue coat closer at the neck.
Both had known this man since boyhood,
yet his success made them feel awkward
and constrained.
"Ah, boys, the general said biandly,
''I'm glad to see you. We the only
members of company @ here. Did you
come on the train, Cyrus?''
When he had shaken hands with them,
he laid his arm over Dicks shoulder with
the familiarity of brother. Bradshaw
looked at him with a twinkle at the back
of his eye; ten days before the general had
passed him with q nod so cold that it was
little less than cut, and Dick knew well
enough that ten days hence the same cold
greeting would be his portion. Still, this
present cordially was sincere while it
lasted.
Dick?'' the general asked. ''You came
running into my Office to tell me you'd
Joined, and. I threw down my law books
and jumped out of the window to get to
the enlisting booth sooner?''
Don't I?'' Dick cried. ''And Cyrus
here had been kind hanging off, but
when he got the fever, he just sooOted-
didn't you, Cy?'"
Il guess / did, McNally admitted,
with his deliberate smile. young blood 8
impatient
1--WE three couldn't seem to get killed, -
Dick said, land poor Billy Roberts went
down in the first skirmish. You know he
Joined the same day we did
Cyrus was the first to speak. 'fDo you
recOllect, - he said, pushing back his stiff
hat and rubbing his hand over his ohm,
do you recollect the night the rebs got in
behind our hnes-it was a week or two
! before Chickamauga? Dick, you was the
first lieutenant then and the general was
second.
my God, y Dick cried, "what fool
was Why didn't you fellows tell me was
going to perditionS Why didn't you tell me
that in 80 years I'd be a bloated old loafer
that would lose my rank and finish as
private after being first Heutenant9"
''But you were''- the general began.
The other gave no heed. why didn't
you warn me when you saw the drink
getting hold ne2'' He glared at his
two companions with fierce, bloOdshot
eyes, arraigning them for his ruin. "What
a chance had 1 might a been Colonel
Bradshaw instead of Tipsy Dick. had as
good start anybody. Why didn't you
boys warn me?''
General Beal looked him straight in the
eyes. 'FHow much interference would you
have stood from a second HeutenantP' he
asked. "And how much from a private,
even though he was your best friendf
Would you have taken advice from u.s. even
though we'd been boys together and en-
listed from the same town?'
''That's So" Cyrus put in. you wasn't
fellow to take advice, Dick
THAT'S true, Bradshaw said, brighten
ing and feeling that unreasoning pride we
cherish for some of our faults. II wasn't
fellow to take advice just bound to go
my own way if it was to the devil, - he
went on, relapsing into his dark mood.
why don t you reform, DiokP'' the gen
earl asked briskly. "We'd all be glad to
give you helping hand"
"Reform?' Dick echoed bitterly. care
you the light of the county bar and yet ask
a question like that? Reform at 5S? What
would you do with me after I was re-
I formed? Neither you nor Cyrus would in
| vite me to your table if 1 lived for 40
| years on salt and water"
/ ''This is a reunion and not temperance
meeting" Bradshaw interposed sardonic-
! ally. "How many of the regiment have
/ died since last year, general?''
Thirteen or fourteen, - he replied sober
". 1--WE lose a larger percentage every
/ year. Before long there will be only a
/ handful of the old One Hundred and Fiji
tieth left
BEST regiment that ever marched from
| ulinoy," Cyrus said, with the conviction
! of 80 years in his voice.
"WeIl, I'm glad we've had talk to-
| gether, - the general said.
Dick got up carefully, for he missed his
usual stimulant. II guess I'm nearer the
| foot of the slope than you two. 1 joined
| the One Hundred and Fiftieth before you
/ III Il L..