Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-11-01
MOTIVES.

After the first days fighting at Sam
tiago two men, lying side by side, tried
vainly to sleep. The nightmare of the
struggle still left its impress on them.
A twitching of the lips or a nervous
starting of limb showed the after
effects of the strain. They were volun-
teers, who had picked each other out
for the stanch, all trusting friendship
that comes to men who are exposed to
danger and hardship.
The heat of war sends all the small
conventions of life up into thin smoke
Where death and blood surround on
every side and the hum of bullets and
the shrek of she'll whisper a warning
that the next to go may be oneself
the man is reduced to elementary prin-
ciples. David cleaves to Jonathan with
his whole soul and asks no reason why.
So it was with these two. Their
hearts spoke directly to each other.
The black Cuban night formed fit
ting surrounding for condolences. A
man liked to reach out hand and find
that friend was near. 1t was so dark,
so empty of God and hope, such fit
ting prelude to the frowning morrowl
AT last the younger broke the silence.
"By gosh, Billy, you showed up
we'll todayl" said he. "You went up
that hill like man who wasn't afraid
to live or die. tell you was proud of
you"
"shucksr' answered the other.
"You did the same.
eyes, know, but my reason WASH It
nnifa tho cau,a TS,,, ofrni6 rIo +a1I ,,o,,
the plain truth, old man, only came
into this business to get my name up.
/ wouldn't give you cents hundred
for Oubans, let alone my life. want
ed, +" he went on in shamefaced way,
"to have the girls point me out when
got home-you know, Amt he heroP'
and that kind of thing. 'Tain't very
noble, is it? 1 don't suppose you'll
think much of me after that, but some
how felt 1 had to tell it. 4"
The elder man smiled into the dark
ness-an exceeding bitter and mirthIess
smile.
"what do you suppose 1 came down
here for?'' he asked
II don't suppose anything about it.
1 know" answered the other stoutly.
Haven't 1 been with you every day
since you fished me out of the surf?
And you've never kicked nor grum bled,
no matter what came up. You're here
because you believe in it, and you need
not say anything different just to COM
fort me- -
"Listen, said the other, laying
hand ON his arm and bringing his
mouth close to the lads ear. "rm GO
inc IN toll Won So,DaEbin0 R;5 ,o,,,o
thing I certainly never expected to tell
anybody. But 1 may get it tomorrow,
and feel that I must speak. Don't say
word until I've finished and then see
If you want to take my hand.
"My boy, I came down here to kill
man in our regiment. ("
He felt the start the other gave, but
went on without change of voice. "I'd
been watching my chance for month;
then heard that he enlisted, and 1
Joined. Now, the first time he gets near
me and nobody's looking I'm going to
shoot him through the heart-right-
through-his-dirty ty-black-heart. I"
Good GodI" said the other. "Good
God AImightyP'
"It's the truth" continued the elder
in the same quiet voice. ST picked the
scoundrel out of the gutter and tried to
make man of him-took him right
into my home, and that was the worst
days job ever did, for it didn't stay
my home long. Ny wife-my wife
well, had no wife after that. don't
know what to think. She seemed a good
girl-as true wife as man ever had
before-for years-but-well, Kid, the
reason charged up the hill today was
to show myself that wouldn't be
afraid to meet him face to face. I'd
have killed him openly before, but that
would have brought the whole story
out, and the buns on the corner at
home could laugh and joke about
about my wife. :"
The silence fell black around them.
AT last the younger spoke.
"I'm only kid, Bill, and don't
quite understand these things. don't
know anything about them, but do
know that you re square man. 1t seems
awful to me, but there's my hand just
the same
The other groped for it and squeezed
it heartily. a tingling came to his eyes.
The boys sympathy was very sweet to
his sore heart.
81 have always been square man,
and this job goes against me, - he went
on. "I wish there was some other way
out of it."
go Lord, so do Il'' groaned the boy.
"Ain't there anything, BillF''
Nothing. suppose if we both get
back it will be the same old misery all
over again. 1 suppose if could talk
about it to-to-my wife-perhaps it
might make some difference-bnt 1
can't speak. The words stick in my
throat "
Perhaps he'll get kiIled:'
'fNot on your life. His sort never do.
No, mol There's nothing for it but for
me to take the law in my own hands.
Good night, Kid I'm going to sleep"
The next day Bill was struck on the
head by piece of she'll in the early
part of the engagement.
A man who had hitherto kept care
fully out OF sight ran forward and, pick
ing him up. started for the rear, carry
ing his insensibIe body.
The Kid, who was leaning against
the tree bandaging his shattered left
arm IoOked nm aa thew Tlassad him