The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-01-07
PoIIy's Papa's Homecoming
A War Episode.
Ru Wilson NIcAlister.

BY WILSON NcAllotcl.
"Are you a soldierF The old man
who sat facing the little girl looked
Mt his wife and smiled encourag-
ingly.
Eyes. I am a soldier"
ssWhy aint you fighting, then?" and
the child laid down the popcorn
candy and wiped the sticky kernels
from her lips.
Inside the car 1t was close ana not.
The rain had begun at Washington
and the windows had been closed 10
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 a soldier why amt you
dressed like one and why Amt you
fighting, like my papa?
HThe colonel fought all through the
other war, DEAR" answered the old
lady, pleasantly, 'and-
al know" put in the child eagerly,
she couldn't be spared. Uncle John
couldn't be spared, either. That's why
my papa went away"
"How are you getting along, little
womanT'
A man had come in from 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.
CLOVIS the POPCORN
"Pretty good; but it isn't as good as
Aunt Mary makes"
'Well, guess not. faint every one
that can pop corn like Aunt Mary.
Shall / get you some more, or mebbe
you want some candy? I seen a boy
with some little while ago."
II don't want any candy, Uncle
John. When are we going to get
homer"
.'In a little while hope she won
bother you," she added to the old man
as he rose to go. "We've been dowI
to Georgia to see her papa and she's
right tired. I'll be back, Polly, aftel
WHILE"
That's my Uncle john" exclaimed
the child, as the man left the car
"He didn't go to the war because h
couldn't be spared. You see, grandp;
said some one had to stay home AM
do the work. Uncle John, he live
with me and grandpa and pap ant
Aunt Mary. He stayed home"
"Why didn't your papa stay home?
'1Ie said he could be spared bette
than Uncle John"
where is your mama, little girl?
asked the old lady, after pause.
"She's dead. l never saw my man
ma, but Aunt Mary says I look ik
her. I'm not sure, though. l asko
papa one day, and he said he hope
not Have you got dog? w got
great, big dog and his name Is Ton
He carries my basket to school, an
he can swim. I've got colt, ar
Uncle John says he'll break him fl
me when he is old enough. I've G.
some doves and lots of chickens"
1--WE haven't any dogs and horses
said the old lady: Eve live in Ne
York and we can't keep pets there"
II don't like New York." answer,
the child, gravely.
"What do you know about Ne
York? Did you ever live thereT'
mo, but papa did, and so did mai
ma. was horned there, but I've liv
with Uncle John ever since I was
little baby. Papa hates everybo,
t.
I was little girl a man came up
Uncle Johns in a great big carria
with two horses and he had a beau
full lady with him. They drove
right to the kitchen door and ask
for glass Of milk for the lady. I
Gle John took 1t out to her, and VIII
she saw Aim she just screamed avn
loud, and they made the horses j,
run out Of the gate. Uncle John W
terrible mad, and said if papa'd be
there he'd shot him. They came fir
New York, and l guess that's W
papa didn't like them. Can you pa
pictures"
no, my child" returned the
man. ''Why do you ask"
MY papa can. He is beauti
painter. Uncle John says that if
wanted to he could make mo-
enough to pay off the mortgage in
time. But he doesn't like to pa
Once he painted a picture of me
man gave him a hundred dollars
IT. Aunt Mary wanted TO keep
picture but papa sold 1t. He said it
minded him. What does remin
mean"
..Does that horse look like
co,t9. asked the old lady irreleva
as she wiped her eyes.
The child peered through the
dow intently. Il don't Gee any nc