Middletown transcript., 1898-10-22

wealth to have simply riches?
"As for me-" the nurse answered th
question he had put to himself, "a 10y
ing little girl waits for me, and when
have the five thousand dollars we wi
be married, and"
Just then din outside reused hin
It was another fakir come to the sea
side village where the physicians ha
ordered the captain. This one had
drum; its dull beating rose above th
harsh croak Of the itiEeranl's voice.
"If it should wake the captain?'
But the captains eyes were alread
opened.
"It is the reveille," he said.
TT is only fakir outside sill, )" th
nurse explained.
The captain struggled to a sitting
posture.
"It is reveille," he said. ''It is com
pany A."
"There, there, captain. soothed tht
nurse; "you have been dreaming, thai
is ALL"
"ListenF' said the captain.
"Drum, drum, drum, der-um, drum,
druml' sounded from the street..
sit is JONES'" said the captain. u
know his reveille."
"There, there" soothed the nurse.
81 tell you," the captain said, with
energy, 1T is the drummer of Company
Ait is Jones'"
But, captain"
81 want my uniform. 1t il in the
wardrobe. | tell you want it.
Drum, drum, drum, der-um, drum,
drumT" sounded from the street.
The captain laughed feebly. HI
would be up and dressed, had on the
coat, the hat, the walking stick in bis
hand.
II must see Jones. Jones saved my
life at Chattanooga. Jones was wild
scamp and drank too much, but he was
brave and true. I would have helped
him, but he drank too deeply, and ther
he disappeared. I should have found
him. must see him now"
The doctors had said there might be
vagaries. But the nurse was astonish
ed to see how firmly the captain stood
on his feet, what little assistance hl
needed 10 get to the stairs. Soon they
came upon the little crowd surrounding
the fakir.
The captain sprung from the nurses
arm. His form Strengthened, his CHR
went up, and walking stick was against
his side and shoulder in the manner o
a sword.
"'Tention." he said, Company All
The drummer started, looked up; /;
wild expression leaped to his face
"'Tention Company AlD repeated tht
captain.
The drummer's heels smote together
his shoulders squared.
"Forward -march!'' said the captain
Drum, drum, drum, der-um, drum
druml" And so they went to the cap
tail's room. There the captain sanl
on his wadded chair exhausted, ht
would not 60 to bed. Then the nurse
went to the drummer. tStop thal
noise,' he said. "When the captain
tells me-" returned the man. "Ht
was my captain-of Company A."
How much truth was in all this tht
nurse did Lot know. He was bewil
dered and knew not what to think.
Jones'" said the captain "comt
here.'
The drummer put down the plrch
mented cylinder and stood for the wad.
ded chair and saluted.
JONES'" said the captain, "Company
A did good work.
The drummer saluted.
tYou saved my life at Chattanooga, =
pursued the captain; ''you threw your.
self before me and got the ball in your
shoulder. | have found out that you
never applied for pension. YouWould
not let me give you anything at the
time, and afterward you hid away from
me, but now / want you to have this. J
He took from his finger ring in which
flashed brilliant stone. The drummer
drew hack.
Take itl' commanded the captain
s'No." said the drummer.
The veins in the captains forehead
swelled. The dccter had said hs must
not be made angry.
The nurse whispered to the drummer
he must take the ring, and why. The
drummer held it in his hand.
ut will keep you for the rest of your
life," said the captain. "then there is
the soldiers home you may CO." he
lay back In the chair. "Jones he said.
81 thought I should go out all alone.
But sou have brouht Company A to see
the last OF me-you always loved me.
1t was the drink that made you asbam-
ed to meet me. l have travelled all
over the world, Jones; been with thous-
ands OF people, in great cisies and gor-
geous palaces, and here I am agair
with You and old company A; have
neither chick nor child am all alone
except for you and Company a"
There come knock on the door
N. ~