The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-11
The Siege of Fort Poverty.

1t not by any reprehensible eleemOsynary
means that the corporal earned his livelihood. for
despite his being minus leg his rubicund visage
beamed benignantly from inside his paper and apple
stand which he facetiousy called Fort Poverty. II
situated Wall street corner, and fronting
the great banking house of Money & Scrip. Mr..
Money, the elder partner of the great house. gave
him the sobriquet of the corporal and he was known
by other name.
The corporaIs little grandson brought him stock
of morning and evening papers every day. which he
sold over the ''ramparts" he termed the front or
his stand He strict disciplinarian in his bust
and domestic relations and his entire actions
marked by strong vein of military discipline.
His little grandsons were named Sumter and Apo
mattox respectively and were aroused every morn
ing by their grandfather beating the ''reveile on
the bottom of dishpan, and went to bed at the
sound of taps on the same instrument. When his
eldest boy Sumter brought him his dinner he called
it his ration" and when dispatehing Appomattox
errand he invariably enjoined him to make
reconnaissance
The corporal veritabe oracle in his way.
and was consulted on all matters Of moment by the
young clerks and telegraph boys of the neighbour
hood who loved to hear him talk When asked to
give his opinion any matter by person whom he
considered to be of some Importance he would eie-
vate his brows in true Jack Bunsby style and give
an opinion "as is opinion"
In order to maintain his oracuar reputation the
corporal caused of the boys to read the paper to
him every morning his own sight being somewhat
defective and in this way he cleaned great deal OF
vague and dsjonted information, more properly
speaking misinformation about things in general
A conversation with him on the subject OF
European politics usually in this wise: "GOod
morning corporal, what do you think Of the outlook
in Europe?"
The corporal would grasp his crutch more closely.
elevate his brows and say with an air Of gravity: ~
don't like the way them Roosions and English
monkeying with the Dublin treaty"
His interrogation with a merry twinkle in his eye,
would continue to ask. What do you think would
be the result Of a fight between France and Ger
many%
The corporal would fire up at this query and
"Why. hang it. sir, them Mounseers and
butchers don't know how to fight. I'll bet that
boys of the old army of the Potomac could go over
there and lick them with boxing gloves"
The corporal took keen interest in the affairs OF
the great firm of Money s. Scrip and when he heard
fine morning that the senior partner, Mr. Money,
had died abroad he felt that he had lost good
friend Shortly after the death of the head Of the
firm the younger members began to complain Of the
unsighty appearance Of the corporals stand, ana
finally notified its owner that it would have to be
removed.
When the old soldier heard that his beloved Fort
Poverty would have to go he seemed utterly dunn
founded and begged of the firm to let him stay, but
the elegant young gentlemen looked contemptuousy
at the old veteran and ordered him out OF the Office
st declare. Walter" said young Harry Scrip adj
dressing young Mr.. Money. ''the view from the win
dow is actually destroyed. you know, by that old
her-beaten box not to speak of its horrid old
occupant" Walter Money adjusted his glasses to a
proper focus twired his incipient mustache and said
with a drawl peculiar to his aristocratic set: "Why,
yes, to be sure, you know when my friend Manville
here the other day he said to me- says he, Wal
ter by Jove you have capital view here, you know.
but I'd have that old tumble-down booth removed,
you know. if I were you and, you know Harry my
friend Manvlle has such excellent taste"
The corporal was ordered to have his stand re-
moved within a period Of five days, and the heads
Of the great banking house were inexorable he was
almost distracted. At length when the stipulated
period drawing to close friend suggested the
ACCESSIBILITY of petition. and Of asking his
toners among the bankers and brokers to sign IL
when they called for their morning papers which ad
vice the old soldier took.
On the morning of the day when the time for re-
moving expired the corporal presented himself at the
office of Money & Scrip with long petition, bearing
some prominent names, and asked to see the heads
of the firm.
The young fnanciers busily engaged with
tall, militarylooking gentleman when clerk an
nounced the presence of the corporal and his formd
able looking document. An angry look overSpread
the features Of young Mr. Scrip he said, some
what petulantly:
"Just show him to the door, and If his booth Is
not removed today tell him that 1 will invoke the
aid Of thatprQner authorities to- compel him to
IT, vftrats Eea 4i!z / .oH' *
The clerk bowed, and about to withdraw
when the corporal entered the office and holding his
petition up, said:
Gentlemen. allow old soldier to present a Pc
tition signed by all the gents on Change"
80, bother" said young Mr. Scrip, and look OF
anger was in his eyes Il say, old man. If you do
betake yourself off directly III lave you elected
from the building, and"
Zone moment, Mr.. Scrip" interrupted the mill
ryooking gentleman, arising and walking toward
the corporal Where did you lose your leg?"
The old gentleman, seeing that the stranger was
disposed to be friendly, said after giving the reg
lation military salute At the Wilderness sir under
Hancock. when our brigade made the first charge on
the rebel line. a little before daylight Oh"
"Were you in that charge" asked the gentleman,
his face becoming suddenly animated with the In