The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-05
FIGHTING JOB
HAS THE BLUES

Westinghouse little man. grizzled ana
shrunlxen of form, sat in the lobby OF the
Arlington a few nights ago with his head
bowed, his CHA resting IN the palm of his
hand, while his eyes gazed at spot in the
floor. For several minutes he sat in this
position motionless as form moulded in
bronze
Crowds of politicians and oface-holders
swarmed through the lobby the hum Of
conversation and the clouds of tobacco
smoke filled the atmosphere, while the soft
strains of a negro melody which was being
played by the orchestra hidden behind
bulwark of palms in the dining-room were
waited through the corridors and into the
lobby.
No one seemed to notice this little man
as he sat there silent and Slone. The
World correspondent drifted into the hotel,
scanned the faces of the crowd, and, rec
ognizing the outline of the little shrunken
figure, approached, tapped it on the Shout
der, and Major-Geheral Joseph Wheeler,
Familiarity known as Fighting Joe," the
grim-vsaged hero of two wars, looked up
and extended his hand.
But there was something lacking in that
handshake. 1t was not the warm, affec-
Tomato, glad-to-see-you grip which the
fighter usually puts out to every one. The
old warmth and vigor were gone, and in
their place there was a look of detection,
of disappointment, of sorrow-the look
which one might expect to see on the face
of an old gray-haired father who, in his
moments Of melancholy, felt that he had
lived in vain, His voice, always squeaky
and imperfect. was almost inaudible. His
articulation, oftentimes marred because OF
the rapidity of his speech, was now slow
and distinct, yet feeble.
There was pathos in his voice, and sor-
row in his heart. 1t was clearly apparent
that "a heap o. trouble was on de ole
mans mind" He babe the correspondent
be seated.
Are you going to the Philippines, Gem
eral?' the correspondent asked.
mo, I'm afraid not" he replied slowly,
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. painfully.
But you want to go?"
Goodness, gracious yesr' and he turned
and looked his questioner squarely in the
face. But" he continued, II don't be-
lieve I will ever be sent there"
1t was because he had been told earlier
in the day that he could not be sent to the
fighting line that made the venerable old
man sad. 1t was because he could not be
in the thickest of the fight that put sorrow
In his heart. 1t was because he believed
the war department ring had successful
~ planned 10 TeleBaIe MIN 10 the rear,
where there is no fighting to do and plenty
of coffee to cool, that produced this meta
morphose In the old veteran. He was sor-
rowful sad, detected downcast, depressed
because he could not fight one more battle
before Father Time tolls his final hour
AT this juncture a sweet-faced little wo-
man in black came to the entrance of the
lobby scanned the faces and hurried over
to where General Wheeler and the corre-
spondent were seated. She halted in front
of the General, who was still seated, with
his head bent forward, and in a soft, child
like voice addressed the little man, say
ing:
''Father, It's train timer The General
looked up, smiled at the little woman,
arose, shook hands with the correspondent,
and bowling himself away, said:
''Yes, daughter I'm coming"
And the two departed. Later he will
likely be placed in command of the depart
ment of Texas. But he will be back in con-
gress next December unless there be fight
ing to do.