The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-10

at must be so lovely, George" one gol-
den-haired girl is heard TO remark, ito
wander out in the woods before breakfast
and gather wild fowers!"
Rules and regulations mean nothing to
these entertained and entertaining young
women. When the sentry presents arms
at the camp limits and George is I'M
able to wander further with his compan-
ion in that direction the girl invariably
looks personally offended and cuts the
sentry dead. Some of the women, how
ever, realize too deeply the gravity of the
situation and cling to their sweethearts,
husbands, sons or brothers, as the case
may be, with despairing fondness. One
girl sits on a knapsack beside her lover
during the entire time that he is at les-
ure. Neither talks much, and the girls
eyes are full of tears. Her sweetheart's
regiment is ordered to the front on the
following day. The mothers are the
most pathetic creatures, though, in all
that varied crowd. They are the ones who
busy themselves in making their boys
more comfortable.
IF l did not keep my hands busy my
heart would break" says one woman to
her son, as she fills his knapsack with
little comforts, such as she only knows
woman says nothing but works with fe-
verish energy. while her hollow, longing
eyes follow the movements of her soldier
boy as though she would photograph on
her brain stin more clearly pictures to-
look at during the lonely vigils IN store
for her.
The men who have already received
their marching orders are having try
ing time of it. The good-bys are heart
rending, and nobody thinks it unmanly
when a great fellow, with his shoulders
heaving, swallows hard and tries d5sper-
ately to prevent a troublesome mist in
his eyes from becoming a sudden shower.
I'm sorry to leave the folks-you
know, old chap, said one young sergeant,
Respondent in gorgeous new uniform. TO
an old chum from town. but I'll be
thankful from the bottom OF my heart
when we get away. The women. bless
their hearts. are making the wrench pain
fully prolonged"
After the last visitors have left the
camp supper has been disposed OF and
the men have a little leisure to them
selves before taps" are sounded. Then
the amusements Of the camp are INDUCED
in. Many groups gather around improvis-
ed tables made Of boxes. knapsacks OF
while away the time BY games of cards.
This is the time often selected by the
soldier Cor his letters home He props
himself UP against anything he can find
and with a stump Of lead pencil writes
letters as long as the light lasts which
aAe read and re-read by the loving home
folks" He pulls at his pipe media
lively, and his comrades usually respecs
his wish for solitude. = few OF the men
actively inclined start games of running,
jumping and trials Of strength. When the
light fails the musical instruments are
brought cut and plaintive or lively airs
are heard on all sides. The voices Of the +
men JON when a familiar tune Is played,
and from street 70 street. from company
70 company. down the long lines OF tents
is heard & grand chorus OF mems voices
The plaintive melodies a. this tine of
the day are the more popular. The words
Of Annie Laurie" float about the night 1
air in a rolling volume OF pathos- THE /
Banner" however. brings I
the men % their feet, and hearty cheer f
musters the ever read patriotism nightly /
20 The front.
Taps soon sound, and the men turn 4
in. falling al once into The hsaIthful sleep 4.
which plenty OF outdoor air AMI exercise 4
always give.
In an incredibly short tine the camp 4
Is silent city. and only the moving forms
q the guards 81 the ouipoSgs are 5inIy 4
seen Another day in camp IS over.