The San Francisco call., 1898-07-05
THE BOY IN BLUE.
A Tribute from a Red Coat.


 Under the trees of beautiful Golden Gate Park, characteristic of your unique energy, I watched the future conquerors of Spain going through the complicated movements of company drill. To me, as an Englishman. there was something particularly refreshing in the easy gait, the alertness and surprising good nature with which these lads, recruits of only a few weeks standing, performed the intricate evolutions. I passed and re- passed the squads and companies which are, in reality but raw material, and wondered as the world is wondering, at this display of single-soued patriotism the life strings of a nations heart-for what? Not in retaliation for a diplo- matic blunder of an underling of Spain nor yet in revenge for the dastardly act that engulfed the Maine and her gallant crew in the waters of Havana harbor. No; but as a great and generous nations response to the far-off deSpairing cry of a down-trodden people, gripped in the iron hand of tyrant who grips to the death.
 Such thoughts as these filled me as I left the sunlit terraces to where inviting shade promised rest and reflection. I came across one of "our boys" an af- fectionate cognomen which has more of has gained him. Let it always be so, "Our Boys" It savers so much of a mothers love, a fathers pride. Whether from ranch or workshop, office not. The man of the hour was before me; let that suffice. He has become a personality, of which every detail is known every action noted, and it ap- pears presumption in me to endeavor to make a faint sketch of the man which the whole of America, ay! and for that the Anglo-SaXon race speaks of with pride and dubs in admiration '"The Boy in Blue" He had watched me cross ing the green sward and 1 opine natural ly understood my motive, and conse- quently we met as strangers do in like circumstances, with a shy nervousness of each other. He had taken off his felt hat, identical with that worn by the and arranged the narrow slip that does duty as a band which truthfully needed no arranging, while I found a sulphur match is not one of the best means of tual reserve wore off and we talked long and earnestly of many things It is not meet l set down here of what our conversation consisted, except to say he destroyed none of my happiest opinions. l There may have been a boyish enthI- siasm of the glory and panoply of war, a | love of adventure, but underlying it all, | deep and strong, the true nature of a | real man was apparent, firm in purpose and indomitability of will.
 So we shook hands and parted; he go- | ing his way, l mine. l watched him | long and earnestly as he threaded his way | though the throngs of people campwar6 | six feet ol stalwart manhood, sound of | limbs, upright in bearing, clean in | thought, cherishing above aught else tie 1 flag which his national courage and strong arm will uphold always. Happy | the nation that produces such a son, and happy the son that fights for such a 1 flag
 Good-by, then, my ''boy in blue" Well meet never again, but I'll cherish ever this slight memory of you and when shouts of joy go up from a peoples heart | for victory gained, or nations pride rejolceS in brave deeds accompl1shed, IT | West and you.
 gro keep his flag flying he's doing ant | a dying;
 Every inch of him soldier and man."