The National tribune., 1899-03-02

families Then she had to give filial kis
to the Deacon, who had already begun to as
Snme paternal airs toward her, and finali,
she got around to ST. Neither of them hac
yet got to the point of kissing before folks. ,
and had to be content with furtive squeez
ing Of hands. Sis heart was aching to have
Annabe read Capt. McGillcuddy's letter
vet such was his shame-iaced m0desty thai
not for the world would he have alluded t.
il before the family. If he had been alone
with her, he might have slipped the letter
| unopened into her hand, with a shy request
for her to read it, but. so sternIy was the
Deacon and his family set against anything
like vainglory" and "self-praise " that
he could not bring himself to mention that
such letter had been received. At last,
when full particulars had been given about
the spread of measles and whooping-cough.
who was TO preach and who to be baptized
ut the coming quarterly meeting, Maria's
active mind turned to things nearer Sis
heart and she said:
80. Sis got sich nice letter from his
officer-boss, his Corporal, or Colonel, or Gen
eral, or whatever they call him - Mister y
"My Captain Capt McGillicuddy,
Maria" said 81. reddening at Maria's in
difference to and ignorance of military
titles.
"Yes, Mr. McMilimfuddy. Did you ever
hear o. sich n ridiculous name?"
McGillicuddy = Capt. McGillic u d Y,
Maria" Why can't you git his name
right?"
''Well, if / had sich name as that |
wouldn't expect people to git it right. There's
no sense in havin' Dutch name that makes
your tongue crack like whip Well, this
Mr. McFiilerngoody is Sis boss, and he writes
a nice letter, and says ST done so we'll at
Chickamaugy that some other boss--a Colo
mel or Corporal -
"The Colonel, Maria. The Colonel com
mands the whole regiment Won't you never
know the difference? A ColonePs much
higher than Corporal. You girls never
will learn nothin'"
"Well, | never kin tell t'Other from
which," replied Maria, petulantly. 'And
don't have to. l don't care hill % beans
whether Corporal bpsses Colonel, or t'other
way Anyhow, Si's no longer Corporal
He's Sargint."
80, ST. said Annabel, her big, blue eyes
filling with grief . I'm SO sorry"
"Why, Annabel," said 81, considerably
abashed, 'whats the matter? Don't you
understand? 'mpromoted. Sergeant's higher
than Corporal"
"Isit, really?n said Annabel, whose tears
were beginning to come. 1t don't sound
like it. Sargint don't sound near SO big as
Corporal. always thought that Corporal
was the very purtiest title in the whole army.
None o. the rest o. them big names sounded
half SO nice. Whenever l saw Corporal in
the papers l alw ays thought of you"
"Well, you must learn to like Sergeant
just as well,' said ST., fondly squeezing her
hand. "Maria let her read the letter."
"Well, Mr.. Gillmacfuddy does seem like
a real nice, sOciabe sort of man, in spite
of his name," she commented, as she finished.
''And like him, because he seems to be such
a good friend o. yours. l s'pose him and
you board together. and eat at the same table
when you are in the army, don't you?"
80. no, we DON'T" said ST, patiently, for
her ignorance seemed beautifully feminine,
where Maria's was provoking "YOu see,
dear, he's my Captain-c0mmands about
hundred sich as me, and wears sword, and
shoulder-straps and other fine clothes, and
orders me and the rest around and has his
own tent, all by himself, and his servant to
cook for him, and we have to salute him, and
do jest what he says, and not talk back-at
least, SOS he kin hear it, and Jest lots o.
thingsn
Then / don't like him a bit" pouted