Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-03

I shall recruit from the ran1s Of ny
friends. and the nswspapefs VIII a. tne
rest.
Ana 40 not wish to ~ understood
~ protesting against Photographic.
would like 70 have several tnousand Of
them (as probably shall before ths var
Is cver). but DON'T think the boys are
acting with sufficient coyness In this mat
ter. No male creature living has ever
yet been able to procure a Photograph
from q woman without at least sfxs
weeks beseecning, and even then the
picture Is not given outright - the sup-
plicant. II Is merely placed where he can
steal Il easily. and II he Doesn't have
sense enough TO steal II he Is regarded
as an idiot (Which he is). The first thing
we know some woman IL going 10 criti-
else my sex about this thing and hold
us up TO ridicule 1t Is for this reason
that I sound warning. have never yet
allowed womankind TO bulldoze men
without at least doing my part to pre-
vent II.
We like TO hear from tire boys In camp
and TO read about the early morning
drills and the rattlesnakes and the
rheegers and the sand-feas and the dust
and the short ratlons, but II seems the
young rascals always want something
from home when they write. We never
knew before how much we-or, rather,
our belongings-were appreciated until
they left US. To-day there comes a re-
auisitlon for socks and tobacco, or darn
lng-needle or scissors, and tomorrow
twill be for sweet soap or sticking.pias-
ter. or "ny brierwood pipe" and a score
Or more OF other articles that have been
left behind. And every letter winds up
by saying: 1--WE are daily expecting a
box from you. and we want II rammed
md TANNED with mas cake and few
pies and some cigarettes and few
cigars. and oven a little candy. Also,
send us a few Jerks OF the old mans
brandy" 1t is sweet to be remembered by
needy friends, for they are the only Kind
that stick by us, and TO satisfy their null
hilarious wants. but when we get ready
to ship the necessaries required We are
invariably shocked at the expressage we
have to pay. Sometimes, to DO the
graceful little acts, we have to dispense
with dinner at home. and TO drop In on
the neighbors, or TO dock the cook ~ for
breaking a quarter dish. And on the next
day, when we ruminate on our good
deeds. and wish we had the price OF
car-fare TO get. Whit OF fresh air. We
read about the soldiers living of the
fat OF the land and taking surf-baths or
attending receptions. or having strangers
invite them into meals. Since I've
scratched my knotty old head over this
thing. I'VE kinder come to the conclusion
that these 'sojer men" have rather goe
the best or us Just think of it-$l5 or
Whereabouts in sound money. at the least'
good substantial grub. no house-rent,
free doctors bills and chance TO live
in history by dying on this earth. THERE
many a one of us here who would crack
his heels at such opportunities But al
ter all. I know how tbs. We old soldiers
old Confeds., who are forgotten nowa-
DAYS and don't count for anything-used
TO do just the same way. If the moon
had been made OF green cheese In those
DAYS there wouldn't have been mucn OF
It left when we sent In our resishaeoiiS
at Appomattox. guess Wen have 70 sena
the box after all, and in 1t a few Jerks
of the old mans brandy.
THE IDLE REPORTER.