The Republican journal., 1898-07-14

Nl14-xO1 uCE
1t is the "modern powder" and should be in
every nursery Mrs NJ. f. Dana Green, Trained
Nurse, Fayville, Mass. says that's really so.
the town hall reared its white pillared
front with the classic superiority of a Par
theuon. The recruiting bureau had clos
ed for good and all at six o clock that day,
but a group of the newly enlisted We're
gathered in its neighborhood discussing
the one all-absorhing topic, conscious that
events in which they were about to take
part were the making of history. Ex-
element was in the air. The whole vii
lage was charged with it.
All at once the little gathering was
stalled by the sudden appearance of a
woman, tall, uncouth, i'll dressed, who
dashed hastily down among them and up
the door that bore the large official pla-
card. When She had convinced herself
that her efforts were useless she leaned
back against the doorpost with stifled
exclamation of despair.
One of the young men in uniform step
ped forward and lifted his cap respect
fully. ''Madame,' said he ''the office is
closed. Can be of any assstance?"
The woman threw back her veil, and
there rose a loud murmur of surprise.
II wanted to join the company" de
clared deep, masculine voice, and a
mans face full of trouble looked out
from under the black bonnet from one
wondering bystander to another
Its Mis- Barlow's BILL murmnred a
lad, tapping his forehead in a meaning
way; land by George, he's got on the Old
lady things, He was in the war, you
know, and guess the sound of the drums
has completely TUNED his head.
The captain was among the crowd.
Stirred by generous pity, he Went up to
the fantastic figure.
'The ranks are full, he said "You
should have applied earlier
"Couldn IT, returned Billy, simply.
''Much as ever I'm here now. Mother
she's dreadful set against my going. She
burnt up my clothes to keep me to home.
Been locked up three days. Reg lar
blockade. But l got away, l got away
The boys crowded round with delight
ed laughter at the news of the first en-
gagement of the war of 1898, and the
captain slapped the camel hair shawl on
the back as its wearer told the details of
his escape.
'Why you are a historical parsonage,
man" cried the former, merrily, land
deserve to be escorted home by detail
of soldiers Come, fellows, fail into line
and Vel see that Mr.. Barlow gets back
safely. You must do duty as one of the
home guards at present, sir, and be ready
if second call for men comes.n
So, with an imposing military attend
ance, Billy returned to the little red
house under the apple trees as pleased
and proud as a major general, his heart
beating fast and his head held high as he
fell involuntarily into the familiar march
ing step.
1t was droll sight as the black silk
skirt did its best to keep up with the
smart blue trousered legs, and the cav
alcade made merry as it advanced.
Mrs. Barlow heard it approaching, and
filled with presentiments hurried to the
door to behold a horrible caricature of
herself trudging along in the centre of a
squad of militia For one moment she
felt faint and sick at heart; then with a
sudden rush of certainty, the truth dawn
ed upon her, and trembling, she ran
down the path and met the procession at
the gate. She seized Billy, and hustled
him unceremoniously inside; and return
ing still at white heat, addressed her
self to the captain:
$50 you've got him in spite of me
Well, take him, if you want him. sup
pose his body's good enough to shoot at
if he amt got any mind to speak of. But
it a wicked, wicked thingr' Her voice
quivered and broke.
The young officer grew sober in an in
slant.
on are mistaken, Mrs. Barlow,' he
said. ''We do not want your husband.
We are only bringing him home safely to
you, for he might well meet with insult
in such dress. But don't lock him up
again. He deserves better things. He is
hero, and has won the first victory Of
the war;
With which perplexing speech the men
broke into new laughter.
'Bout face! Forward, Marchn cried
the captain, and they wheeled away.
1t was sometime before Billys ward
robe was replenished with modern gar
ments, for his wife happened to think of
some of his old army buds put away in
the attic, and to his intense delight he
found himself again wearing the dear old
blue. The next morning when Company
Q passed by Oh its way to camp, he stood
at the gate in ragged uniform which had
Deen on more tnan one nafd-1 ouenu Held,
and when the men caught sight of him, a
ringing cheer went up for Billy Barlow.
Poor old Billy! He never guessed the
truth, but thought they were cheering for
the flag, and when its stars and stripes
went marching along before his eyes
again to the stirring sound of fife and
drum, he put his grizzled head down on
the messy gate post and cried like baby.
And all the while, Mis- Barlow, with
set lips and ears that refused to hear, sat
in the kitchen mending the three corner
ed tear in her black silk. 1t was matter
of history. Boston Herald.
A household necessity. DR.. Thomas Fclec-
trio Oil Heals burn, cuts, wounds of any
anrt. cnrea sora throat crnun catarrh