The Columbus journal., 1899-04-19

nistsss Of good chssr just the things
that eaeh soldier nspded q wished the
most It i enough to etsrnally recon-
struct ones youthful shattered notions
Of Santa Claus to vake up sone morn
ing and find big tin sock stuffed with
tho very things for which be has been
wishing al these months.
It took twenty-6 bull carts and as
many .sweating, putting water buffalo TO
carry the boxes from the depot quarter
masters to the companies at the front,
and two days were required to make the
trip. When tho inst OK cart came in
sight everything, even the var, came to
. standstill We might blush If, in
saner moments, We could know how We
famed and fretted at the perverse slow
ness OF the ponderous buffalo.
When at last the boxes we're unloaded
there were not axes, bayonets and knives
in the whole Eighth army corps suf-
ficient to open the individual cases at
which eager fingers were nervously
clswing.
For one day, at least, beans and ba-
con went a-begging. The great and
good people OF Nebraska know the good
things that filed the boxes, 90 it is
needless to itemize the astonishing
quantities Of almost forgotten dainties'
that tickled the unaccustomed throats
Of our old states thousand. The sur
geons stared aghast for time, then ran
in mad haste to their tents to gorge and
disgorge their boxes to the everlasting
danger OF the service. Woe to the
Filipino that then had dared attack us.
filed to the surface with fruit cake, no
Mauser bullet could have punctured US.
And who says that our mothers have
not furnished the sinews Of war?
Wonder grew to wonder. How could
boxes hold 90 much? How 30 soon dis
appearing? The substantials, however,
will be useful for many days to come,
while the spirit in which they were
given touched tender responsive chord.
To be sure, We know that months and
and miles cannot eface our memory
from hearts most dear, and with the
dainty tangible proofs before us knowl-
edge becomes q certainty, yet even at
this moment another fellow may be
wooing some Manila soldiers tickle girl.
II the boys OF the regiment could
raise q common voice tonight they
might watt over the sea some such mes
sage as this: "Fathers, mothers, wives,
sweethearts, sisters, brothers and dear
est friends, We thank you with thoughts
that seek no words. BY the light Of our
and the CLINT of the stars, your
eyes may see, We are thinking OF You,
bright visions of the promised
land.
"Silent voices of the past, calling to |
us through the night, speak of the etern-
al bands yet holding us
Earth is small;
Love Is all
"You have frightened our lives be-
vond measure. Our days are warm, but
The nights are chill. Our hearts lag
over the dull monochord, and cold blood
nalts in languid veins. This night, and
IN, pulse with your pulse, thought to
We seem to live again as once
before"
You have made our burdens light.
,ur duties joy. May We never in any
wise disappoint your faith in us, or
yrow careless of your trust.
Lucky about these Christmas boxes,
ain't it?" mumbled Private Blank,
through mouthful of honey, condensed
milk and olives. "Huh?" questioned
Private Lank, rapturously whiting the
'mOke from another fellows American
'igar. IVY, If they'd come for Chris
mas we'd had 'em ct before the war;"
the whole squad threw
Blank over the cliff, afterwards notify