Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-03
LOVE AND WAR.
IEUT. JOSEPH M'KENNOY

r IEUT. JOSEPH MKENNOY had
been to war-as far as Chicka
mauga. The inducement! HA
loved a girl; he hoped, but dared MOI
ask. that the girl loved him: but all girls
love a hero; therefore he would perform
glorious deeds and make the matter
sure.
Now the war was over and he was
mustered out; his only scar Of battle
stifr neck, souvenir Of case Of mumps
contracted In camp. Alas. hard was
fate!
And SO 1t was with doubling heart
that he paid his first call. 1t was sad
He heard sung the praises Of the gallan'
Rough Riders and the heroic Dewey
he heard the girl declare that did the
women have votes Roosevelt should bt
the next President. Nor was that all
In heart breaking desperation he hao
seized the worst possible moment to
make an offer Of his heart and hand
and the same had been almost contemp
tuOusly refused.
ut seems evident" solilOQuized Lieut.
McKennoy, vending his way sadly
homeward, that my war record Is moi
my strong suit in this deal. But We
shall see, We shall see," and he sat late
in his room smoking many big. strong,
meditative pipes.
The next evening he hOnored Miss
Fremont with another call, at whicf
she was scarcely able to conceal hel
surprise. 1t did not seem the natural
order of things for the rebuhed-nay
almost ridiculed-suitor to bob up &c
serenely. Perhaps her sarcasms had
not been appreciated. She would make
it certain that this young gentleman
should no longer be in doubt as to her
sentiments regarding soldiers who al
lowed themselves to be kept safely in
camp, while their brothers-men OF
sterner stuf-were battling in blood fOr
their country's glory.
Il am SO glad that your poor wounded
neck does not keep you indoors" was
her sarcastic greeting. "Such a serious
hurt was enough to keep any man on!
of battle"
McKennoy smiled grimly. you are
pleased to be facetious, Miss Fremont
But II was not SO easy as you imagined
to get to the front. We tried our best. "
"Yes, you are right. 1t needed men
Why. from the beginning even the
J newspapers knew that II there was to
be any fighting Teddy's Terrors would
be right in the thickest Of 1t, and they
were. Col. Roosevelt is a man with a
will. All, II we poor women could vote
how quickly we would make him Presi,
dentv'
"Yes, so you said last night" inter
rupted McKennoy, hoping to get her
out of that strain.
"Ah, jealousw she cried. Jealous
Really, Mr.. McKennoy, il you are SC
Jealous of those who have proven them,
selves men of sterner stuff than your.
self, you should at least have the tact
TO conceal It,"
"women are always cruel" the lieu.
tenant remarked sadly.
Cruel" she cried. Indignantly
STRENGTHENING up In her chair "Cruel.
But 1 noticed that Company D was SO
! utterly lacking in cruelty, SO fearful of
hurting someone, of wounding the poor
Spaniards' honor, that they were care
full not to leave their camp. Lieut.. Nc
Kennoy, should think that you would
expire from shame. Twenty thousand
heroes bore the suffering of crowded
transports. and bearded the enemy in
his lair. The gallant Rough Riders
charged him the first day. Their broth.
ers. their fighting brothers. We're not be
hind. Their names are writ in blood OF
the slopes of Caney and San Juan.
Nothing kept them from the front. For.
ward, ever forward, they went right up
to the cannon's mouth: guns to the
right Of them. guns to the left of them;'
men dropping around them like hail
or er - bullets - bullets. dropping
around them like hail. men falling as
er-as grass before the scythe. Heroes
they were, etc"
McKennoy had always known that
she was a beautiful girl, but as she
stood before him now with eyes fash
ing, q burning red spot In each check
trembling in her enthusiasm, she made
such glorious picture that he vowed n
mighty vow in his inmost soul that she
should be his; and the Rough Riders.
and all other heroes, Individually anc
collectively, might rot in their graves
before they got her.
''In the drama of war, Miss Fremont" :"
he said. 'all the star parts are not cas-,
on the field Of battle. Some of the So b,
limest scenes are acted out In the quiet
camp. unheralded to the public. seen
only by the few. Those whose lot 1t Is
to fight, 1t may be to fall-to shed from
bullet wound or saber gash their life's
blood-are fortunate indeed. They m.y
be brave men; they may be cravens who
go forward only because they fear the
jeers Of their comrades; these are cow
ards. Whatever their impelling motive,
they are urged on by the knowledge
that an expectant nation at home will
greet with loud acclaim their slightes:
deed; their triumphal arches are sure to
DE awaiting them. But we poor devils
in camp, Miss Fremont-whO hears of
us, or cares to hear? And yet, believe
me, those few who know consider some
Of Us camp loungers' as deserving O.
praise as are any"
He had spoken feelingly. and his lis