The Advocate and news., 1898-09-14
BY MABLE DIccs.

IOkLU IblCO5 VI bOAlC VI bAO ANDAAASAND'
When they got to New York and were
being taken home the paper describes
the scene on one Of the cars; physl-
clan tried to go in to relieve the sick
but couldn't stay in the car a minute,
the air was so foul and thick with the
breath from so many sick bodies. Con-
fusion reigned supreme; the groans and
the cries were heartrending. One soldier
in his delirium complained constantly
that the train went too slow, when 1t was
running at the rate of seventy miles an
hour. Another cried piteously, oh, /
don't mind dying, but wish could get
home first Oh, / do wish the brave
boys hadn't had to suffer So"
"IVe thought about them an awful lot,
too" answered Harry with sober face.
Cuba was bad enough place to go to
fight, anyway without being exposed to
fevers, camped on low ground and put
on short rations. It seems to me as
though there should have been the most
careful management and care taken with
our soldiers, after their speedy response
to the nations call to arms. But Of
course 1t Is very wrong and impudent
Of little boys to criticise the heads Of
our country" and Harry tried to look
very angelic as he made an effort to hold
in the wrath he felt towards Secre-
tary Alger
well, If it's impudent to criticlse
Secretary Alger," broke in Dick, then
I'm going to be mighty impudent, for
tell you even If he isn't personally re-
spOnsible for all the mismanagement 1t
was his place to see that those under
him were competent to look after the
welfare Of the soldiers, and think he's
chump."
1T is dOubly sad because it seems as
IL much of the suffering and death might
have been aVerted. But after all, boys,
the only sure safe way to avert such dis
asters in the future Is to do away with
war entirely. Say, Harry, did you read
about the peace proclamation Of the
Gear of Russia? Well that's the great
est thing out He wants all the nations
Of the earth In peace compact. Which
means that if they all agree to 1t, there
will be no more legaliZed murder no
more fearful war; with its long train Of
suffering and woe" And Toms eyes
shone with qualification as though the
good time were right at hand.
Say, the Cars a crackerjack. Why,
he's the finest thing that ever piped upI
a dusty road, said Dick rising to the
occasion and dancing jig In honor Of
the Car Of Russia which would have
done that young gentleman's heart good
to behold.
THAT would be a fine thing to do
away with the army, but what would we
do II we were invaded by foreign coun-
try Where would we have been IL we
hadn't had our battleships ready to be-
gin tlghting?" inquired Harry.
Whereat both of the boys laughed.
why, you're the chump nOw," laughed
Dick How in the world could any
body fight us If they didn't have any
thing to fight with? You must remem-
Der that 1t is not proposed that just one
nation hold its peace, while all the 9TH
ers pitch onto 1t; but there is to be uni
versal peace on earth, good will toward
man"
"Y0u know what I'd do II I were Pres
ident just now?" said Tom, who had
been silently thinking for at least min
ute.
Go duck hunting?" guessed Dick.
mo" said Tom, ''I'd muster out all the
soldiers from the volunteer army and
muster them into Volunteer Industrial
Army"
What do you mean?" asked Harry.
why, just this. II were President
Mckinley I'd have my Secretary of War
(whose name wouldn't be Alger) enlist
all those soldiers, who are soon to be