Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-10-27
POIIg'S Papa's Home Coming.
By Wilson McAlister.
A War Episode.


Are you soldier?' The old man
who sat facing the little girl looked
at his wife and smiled encourag
iugly.
Yes. l am soldier
why aint you fighting, then?' and
the child laid down the popcorn
candy and wiped the sticky kernels
from her lips.
Inside the car it was close and hot.
The rain had begun at Washington
and the windows had been closed to
keep the seats dry. The child had
tired of watching the water form in
pools on the window, break into riv-
ers and trickle slowly down to the
sea at the bottom of the pane.
Through the clouded glass she had
looked at the dreary, wet landscape
until her eyes ached. Then she turned
to the old man for entertainment and
Information.
IF you are Il soldier why amt you
dressed like one and why amt you
fighting like my papa?"
THE colonel fought all through the
other war; DEAR" answered the old
lady, pleasantly, land"
! Il know" put in the child eagerly,
'he couldn't be spared. Uncle John
couldn't be spared, either. That's why
my papa went away"
How are you getting along, little
wOman?"
man had come in from a front
car and sat down by the child's side.
All right, Uncle john" answered
the child and she took his rough hand
in hers and pressed it affectionately.
"How's the popcorn?"
Pretty good; but it isn't as good as
Aunt Mary makes"
We'll, | guess not. Tain't every one
that can pop corn like Aunt Mary.
Shall | get you some more, or mebbe
you want some candy? 1 seen a boy
with some Il little while ago"
Il don't want any candy, Uncle
John When are we going to get
homer
In little while 1 hope she won't
bother YOU" she added to the old man,
as he rose to go. We've been down
to Georgia to see her papa and she's
right tired. I'll be back, Polly, after
a while"
That's my Uncle john" exclaimed
the child, as the man left the car.
He didn't so to the war because he
couldn't be spared. You see, grandpa
Sald some one had to stay home and
do the work. Uncle John, he lives
WIN me and grandpa and pap and
Aunt Mary. He stayed home"
ny didn't your papa stay homer"
lie said he could be spared better
than Uncle John.''
Where is your mama. little grip
asked the old lady, after pause.
HneS dead. l never saw my mann
ma but Aunt Mary says I look like
HeF' I'm not sure, though. I asked
papa one day, and he said he hoped
not Have you got dog? Nv got a
great, big dog and his name is Tom
ne carries my basket to school, and
re can swim. I've got a colt, and
rucIe John says he'll break him for
lie when he is old enough. I've got
Soule doves and lots of chickens
we haven't any dogs and horses, :"
SdIu the old lady; 1--WE live in New
'oEN and we can't keep pets there
l don't like New York" answered
We child, gravely.
what do you know about New
LUX; Did you ever live there?'
Nc, but papa did, and so did man.
,,,1 / was horned there, but I've lived
WIN Uncle John ever since was a
.e baby. Papa hates everybody
1N"t IlTes in New York. Once when
was little girl a man came up to
w;-, 4' 'ohns in 4 great big carriage
e., 'I TWO horses and he had a beauti-
WI, 1aoE with him. They drove up
go 20 the kitchen door and asked
-, d glass of milk for the lady. I'm
Wv 'ohn took it out to her, and when
1a 81" aim she just screamed awful
~"' ana they made the horses just
|"F'of the gate. Uncle John was
St,Io.s mad and said if papa'd been
1Ie se d shot him. They came from
DIRK and 1 guess that's why
pietures?" - p'--'
No. my child" returned the cid
u Why do ron asks"