The age-herald., 1898-09-18

drum was beating, flies shrieking and the stars and stripes waving in the breeze With steady tread the company of brown legged men marched by.
 "They go to defend our country and to avenge the Maine. Hurrah for them," cried the gray-haired veteran standing by.
 La Dukes eyes were flashing, the blood was tinPling in his veins, and his fingers calmly said "I go, too,"
 itched to grasp a rifle or sword, but he
 It did not take long. La Duke was of magnificent physique, and as the surgeon passed him, he remarked to the business like captain: "Fine specimen; ought to make good soldier" The captain nodded his head approvingly. Alexander La Duke was now Private La Duke, Company I, Sec ond Wisconsin volunteers. splendid fig ure La Duke made in the uniform of Un- cle Sam, and as he presented himself at the little hotel before starting for the front. the landlord. his grey-haired father. said: "It is La eau Jacques again."
 And his wife admired him more than ever. His little daughter-he had one by this time-a tot of three years, played with the heavy belt. and dragged 1t round the room playing soldier. When the heavy brass buckle struck the stove, the clink filled her infantile soul with joy. La Duke smiled at the childish glee and kissed the little one again. His wife smiled also and they were happy for the moment. Both dreaded to think of the parting.
 But 1t came in the morning.
 His wife shivered as she opened the door. It was cold and raw and the sky was heavy. It was not a good omen Alexan- der laughed, but his voice had mirth in it, for his heart was heavy Today he had to leave home, wife child and all off to foreign country, where he might find soldiers grave. The long drawn out notes of a bugle were waited faintly over the air. He started, and his pulse beat more rapidly. There was the smell of powder in that music. the rattle of musketry, the roar of cannon the booming of the drum. Honor and glory perhaps Fame, everlast- ing and undying. There was a heros name to be made.
 He must be off. Death to Spain, he l shouted with flashing eyes, He turned round His wife was quietly weeping. His pulse began to beat sluggishly again, and he no longer had the smell of powder in his nostrils A shiver passed through him, and the air seemed heavy and oppressive. She
 casped him round the neck and wept on his breast. The little one came out, and seeing her mothers tears, began to cry, too. The mother dried her own and com
 forted the little one. "Why does oo cry" said innocence. Alas! why!
 The bugle sounded again.
 'I must leave" cried the husband and to himself said, 'I can't stand this any
 longer. I'll break down apd cry like a woman" "Good-by fathe 4 and God bless you. Goodbye, my sweetewife. and good bye, darling" He tore himself away, marched stiffly round the corner, waved a last farewell and burst into tears. It was a stern-eyed volunteer that re- ported half an hour later to his lieutenant. The enlisting officer, an old army cam paigner who was standing by. said to the lieutenant: "Been saying goodbye. poor devil. He'll make a good soldier, though" With banners flying, and bands playing. and with cheers of hundreds ringing in their ears Company I were started on their way to the front. And as the train pulled out Private La Duke turned and said: 'swho wants to start game of California | Jackf" Half an hour later Private La