The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-06
Taking it Over.

disadvantages" said the girl who had
ordered ice cream and cake for her lunch,
to her two friends who slipped egg lemon
ade-"because-
II see only the disadvantages said the
girl whose brother had gone TO the front
because mamma is sick in bed over
brother Toms going, and papa has the
blues over the business outlook, and
doesn't even listen when l talk Of our
summer plans.
ITS much the same at our house." said
the pretty girl, whose eyes were blue, and
who wore the sweetest and freshest Of
spring gowns. Papa frowned dreadfully
yesterday when 1 asked him for a white
muslin and two new hats. He said 1t was
no time to be thinking of such frivolities
when the men of the nation were offering
their lives on the altar Of patriotism
That's very exalted said the first
speaker, whose name was Ann. but sum-
mer gowns and hats are of momentous
Importance, also, and not to be put aside
by the mere incident of war"
But if all the best young men go to
war we needn't take so much trouble.
There's no use wearing pretty dresses
with no one to admire them" suggested
Lettie.
HIM" retorted Anna, plenty of the
men will stay at home. Besides, it may
be so easy to rout Spain that the boys
will be back before the summer is over,
and we must be ready to subdue the con-
Guerors. Having been deprived so long OF
the blessings of civilization, we must make
things pleasant for them"
Speaking of blessings" interrupted Let
tie. what a funny thing camp life is.
Papa and 1 went to Springfield to spend
Sunday with brother Tom, and. girls, 1
hardly knew my own brother, he had
changed so much"
"How?" asked both girls in breath.
''Well, you know at home Tom was so
fastidious, and never cared how much
trouble he gave. He would come down
late to breakfast after we had all fin
ished and order fresh toast and coffee
and eggs, but down at the camp he is
living in a tent with two Of his COM
rades, and they sleep on cots and cook
their meals over a fire, and sit on boxes
and camp stools, and don't have any fur
niture.'
rs that the way they live in camp 2"
asked the blue-eyed girl.
Yes" answered Lettie. And they have
the most dreadful meals. When we got
there Tom was eating breakfast of
ham sandwiches with potatoes baked in
the fire and drinking black coffee out of
a tin cup"
ION. how dreadful" exclaimed both
girls.
And he looked so dirty. too" she went
on. Not dressed up a bit, and he must
have forgotten 1t was Sunday morning,
for he wasn't even shaved"
Wasn't he a little ashamed OF it?' ask
ed the blue-eyed girl.
mot a bit; that's what surprised me so,
because he always scolded so dreadfully
if he saw the least wee speck of powder
on my nose or if my gloves weren't the
freshest, but now he only laughs and says
seen the way be made way with the baked
chicken and pie and cake and preserves
that mamma sent to him.
Did you see anybody that I know in
Springfeld?" timidly asked the pretty girl,
her blue eyes growing soft and tender.
20, now Maize we know who you
mean, don't we, Anna?" laughed Lettie.
Yes, saw him. He's sharing the tent
with brother Tom, and Tom shared all
the good things we brought him. Don't
worry bit, Maize, he's all right, and we
left him whstling There's Only One Girl
in the World for Me- ="
IF there's another excursion next Sun
day." said Maize, 81 am going to try to
get papa to take me-"
You should, and, Anna, you ought to
go, too. It's just grand to see so many
men in their blue uniforms and the brass
buttons, and the music, and the flags,
and the drill master saying: Forward,
march, face about and more things
don't remember. 1t captures a girls heart
and she's proud of so many brave defend
ers'
Il met Margaret Jones yesterday" said
Anna, land she said she was getting ready
to go as a nurse
20, haven't any patience with these wo
men who want to be nurses" exclaimed
Lettie. Aren't they clever enough to
know the government doesn't want them2
Why, if every woman went who talks
about 1t there would be an individual nurse
for each soldier-which is rather too much
of luxury, think"
Il don't believe half of them would go,
if they could" said Anna. But they
want to have their pictures in the papers,
and get themselves talked about for their
self-denial and patriotism
We'll. I'm going to join some society or
other that makes clothes for the soldiers"
said Maizie, venturing her suggestion
against the opposition of her friends.
20, that is different" replied Anna, 'it's
well enough to be sensible and do ~
the good you can. and l wouldn't mind
helping every relief society IN town, but
when 1t comes to going on the field Of
battle will leave that to the Red Cross
society and ease my conscience by making
lint and bandages at home"
And so will l." said Lettie.