The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-12-21
This Boy Had Fighting Bl""d-

titled "Chuggins, the Youngest Hero
With the Army to the November
St Nicholas. It is story OF boy
whose various ancestors had served IL
all Of the American wars. The fight
ing blood in him was too strong to oe
resisted, and he finally made his way
to Cuba with the American troops
Here is what he saw at Las Guas'mas'
where the Rough Riders got their hrSt
taste OF war.
If there we're bullets flying now, ne
did not know it-did not stop to think
Of them, but spurted over the rough
uneven road, full of the idea that ne
was to fire few more shots TOR that
gallant young soldier behind. II was
strange how completely that idea shut
out any other thought. Now the mr.
ing rang louder than ever; there were
cheers mingled with it. ChuggIns
came in sight of an irregular mass OF
men ahead. They were charging
through the jungle aud under the
trees, firing as they ran. At quick,
sharp command. they lay down, but
kept on firing. Painting, Chuggins
ran among them, unnoticed, throwing
himself upon the ground between two
Of che men. Through the trees he
caught just glimpse Of little brown
men in blue and white uniforms that
looked very much like bed. ticking.
They were firing at the Rough Riders
as fast as they could work their guns,
while the Americans we're giving
rather more than they received.
| Chuggins had no time to see whetd-
er men were being hit around him,
but he knew that the hiss and chug
Of bullets all about him was some-
taipg terrifying, and he had time to
be afraid. For few moments he
shook as if with ague. 1t was the
thought of that dead soldiers face,
with the lips trying to say "Hurrah!
that made Sperry of him again.
| Pushing the carbine out in front of
him, trying to see the blue-and-whte
uniforms through the forecast, Chng-
gins began to fire. 1t was amazing
how quickly that magazine was emps-
led
Now the Rough Riders were up and
yelling again. Onward they dashed
and the boy went with them. lu the
rush he was left in the second linr;
but just as he finished slipping in The
FIVE fresh cartridges, he reached the
frort rank again. He fred ahead, be-
cause the rest did; but it took him
longer to empty the magazine now
than it did when lying down There
was spirited scurrying. wild hur-
rahing, and the Spaniards had fed.
Now, when men began to breathe
again, and rest, and look about for
comrades, they espied Chuggins, or
rather noticed him, for the first time.
Certain of the officers were among
the most curious. One of them strobe
swiftly over to the boy 8 side, rested
strong hand on his shoulder, and
looked down inquiringly into his face.
Something in the man s features look
ed familiar. Chuggins remembered a
portrait that he had seen in the news
papers.
"You re Mr.. Roosevelt, aren' you?'
he asked.
eyes, my lad; but who are you 2
Name Sperry, sir. Striker for
Lieutenant Hansel," Chuggins breath
lessly explained.
Glow came you here? Where did
you get that gun? What are you
doing with it p
Colonel Roosevelt did not look
cross, but he plainly meant to have
the whole story. So Chuggips
told it briefly, dwelling on the dead
soldier whose lips seemed trying to
cheer.
Il felt sure he wouldn't mind my
taking his gun, if he could only say
SO, sir, wound up the young mar
ra.or. "Fact is, I think he'd have
been glad to have me put in few
more shots for him, and I'm glad
did
weren't you scared, Sperry p
asked Colonel Roosevelt, his face
softcning.
"Awfully, for little while, but it
wore off, came the candid reply.
Colonel Roosevelt looked at him
thoughtfully. He knew that such a
mere boy had no call or right to be on
the firing line, but such deeds and
reasoning as Chuggins offered must
nornlov I. iover of heroes. so he said