The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-12-21
This Boy iIad Fighting Bi""d.

tale of the capture Of Santiago, en-
titled "Chuggins. the Youngest Hero
With the Army 10 the November
ST Nicholas. 1t is story of a boy
whose various ancestors had served in
all Of the American wars. The fight
ing blood ia him was too strong to be
resisted, and he finally made his way
to Cuba with the American troops.
Here is what he saw at Las Guasimas,
where the Rough Riders got their frat
taste OF war.
lf there were bullets flying now, he
did not know it-did not stop to think
Of them, but spurted over the rough,
uneven road, full OF the idea that he
was to fire few more shots for that
gallant young soldier behind. II was
; strange how completely that idea ahut
out any other thought. Now the FIR
lug rang louder than ever; there were
cheers mingled with it. Chuggins
came in sight Of an irregu ular u'ass of
men ahead. They were charging
through the jungle aud under the
trees, fling as they ran. AT quick,
sharp command. they lay down, but
kept on firing. Painting. Chuggius
ran among them, unnoticed, throwing
himself upon the ground between two
of che men. Through the trees he
caught just glimpse Of little brown
men in blue and white uniforms that
looked very much like bed ticking.
They were firing at the Rough Riders
as fast as they could work their guns,
while the Americans were giving
rather more than they received
Chuggins had no time to eee wheth-
er men we're being bis arnmad him,
but he knew that the hiss and chug
of bullets all about him was some-
thing terrifying, and he had time to
be afraid. For few moments he
shook as if with aguc. 1t was the
thought of that dead soldier face,
with the lips trying to say "Hurrah!
that made a Sperry Of him ugain.
Pushing the carbine ont in front Of
him, trying to see the blue-andwhite
uniforms through the forecast, Chug-
| gins began to FIRE. 1t was amazing
how quickly that magazine was empt-
led
Now the Rough Riders were up and
yelling again. Onward they dashed,
and the boy went with them. In the
rush he was left in the second line;
but just as he finished slipping in The
five fresh cartridges, he reached the
front rank again. He fred ahead, he
cause the rest did; but it took him
longer to empty the magazine now
than it did when lying down There
was "a spirited scurrying. Il wild hur
rahing, and the Spania,ds had fed
Now, when men began to breathe
again, and rest, and look about for
comrades, they espied Chuggins, or
rather noticed him, for the first time.
Certain of the officers were among
the most curious. One Of them strobe
swiftly over 10 the boys side, rested
2 strong hand on his shoulder, and
looked down inquiringly into his face.
Something in the man 8 features look
ed familiar. Chuggins remembered
portrait that he had seen in the news
papers.
"You re Mr. Roosevelt, aren you?"
he asked.
eyes, my lad; but who are you r
Names Sperry, sir. Striker for
Lieutenant Iansel, Chuggins breath
lessly explained.
"How came you here? Where did
you get that gun ? What are you
doing with it p
Colonel Roosevelt did not look
cross, but he plainly meant TO have
the whole story. So Chuggins
told it briefly, dwelling on the dead
soldier whose lips seemed trying to
cheer.
Il felt sure he wouldn't mind my
taking his gun, if he could only say
SO, sir" wound up the young nar-
rator. "Faot is, ! think he'd have
been glad to have me put in a few
more shots for him. and I'm glad I
did,"
"Weren't you scared, Sperry r.
asked Colonel Roosevelt, his face
softening.
"Awfully, for little while, but it
wore off," came the candid reply.
| Colonel Roosevelt looked at him
thoughtfully. He knew that such
mere boy had no call or right to be on
the firingline, but such deeds and
| raaooosop oo Hburr;,o o<ro.oJ vou,x