Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-12-14


bullets were whistling near and vici
ously, scattering dry sand in his face
and behaving as only random bullets
can Besides he momentarily expected
the enemy to come from cover, and
! then
! At this junction wild yells were
heard in the rear.
Courage, Jimmie" whispered Vim
| cent. "The colored troops have come uI
I for blood"
Then the black avalanche came tear
| ing up the line Of march and through
the woods on either side, pouring vol
ley after volley into the timber ahead
When the line came level with Vim
cent he rose to one knee and the crack
Of his rifle mingled with the incessant
roar. Suddenly he threw his hand to
his side and fell forward on his face.
My Cod" groaned Morgan, Fired s
down. Heaven reward him"
With steady persistency the colored
regiment drove the enemy from am
bush through the woods till, at it's
farthest limits, the regimental flag
staff was plunged into Cuba amid a
deafening roar from it's brave follow
.ers. Then followed the burying of the
dead, weeks Of suffering for the wound
ed, among whom were our two
friends-then home.
When they were leaving home for
the seat Of war there were lamenta-
'tions in Gillead-tears in gracious
abundance for Morgan but none by any
one for Vincent.
Yes one.
A month before enlisting he had been
introduced to comely Edith Ainsley-
had fallen in love with her, but his
abOminable bashfulness kept his
tongue tied. She, too, loved him, but
with woman's perversity had firted
with other young men simply to draw
him out. He, with the usual dense
stupidity of the male human animal in
such matters, construed it to mean in
difference to him. His blindness gave
uation when the donning of the haki
uniform tore up hope ~ the roots. But
memory held her job, as witness the
froWn before the ambush.
Edith stood at the window on the
line of march to the south-bound train
and watched Vincent pass. His face
was stolid. He would have given all
Kansas to experience the last bitter
sweet wrench Of parting from a loved
One-frOm Edith. AS he passed out
of sight her chin trembled, everything
looked blurred, her eyelids snapped
and sent two crystal drops rolling
down her cheeks.
He was gone.
Perhaps he would return. Perhaps
o! that miserable two-faced perhaps
They were home again. Morgan had
a limp and bald spot, Vincent lead in
his left side and an ugly scar on his
right cheek. A week after their ar
rival, and after supper, they were sit
ting in silent retrospection in the
formers room, when the landlady en-
tered with
ga note for Mr.. Morgan"
1t was from Edith
She and Morgan being intimate
friends he had told her the incident of
the ambush, and with Inorganic en-
bellfshments, she womanlike, had con-
fded her hearts secret to his sister,
and the latter, finding the response
bility too great, had shifted it to
Jim's shoulders. So the note sug-
.gested humorous possibilities in the
light of Vincent's astounding bashful-
ness. Turning to the victim Morgan
said:
Invitation from an old friend to
spend the evening with him. Come on. -
Ten minutes later they stopped at {.
house. the plate on the door of whic 4
said DR.. Ainsley Vincent wheeled, but
Morgan caught him and enquired What
was up.
Couldn't go in there for anything
Miss Ainsley."
why" said Morgan, she's just a
supberb girl, lovely, beautiful
so is an iceberg" returned Vincent.
why, man, she cooled me once and
I've felt chilly ever since If she
/ looked at this scar over her nose I'd
want to disappear" and he tried to
get away. An old gentleman, passing
was pity young men could not remain
sober
Then" broke out Vincent, 1--WE
lost my charcter. Did you hear the
public express its opinion? Come on
| you illgrained animal"
But I-really, you know-really
can't Jim. I've an engagement else
where. Convey my regrets"
I'll fell you and convey you by the
heels, you stiffnecked yahoo. Coco
thing it's dark or the whole town and
most of the suburbs would be here tc
see the curiosity"
And without more ado he logged his
unwilling captive up the steps and
rang the bell. A neat maid answered
and ushered them into the parlol
where they were soon joined by pretty
Edith
Morgan Immediately begged leave tt
visit the conservatory to examine {
plant with Latin name. Wha
transpired in the parlor we don't know
We are watching Morgan examine the
plant. He doesn't know nettl,
from nasturtium. He is saying:
| Darn your untalkable names. II
go back to that door if l violate ever.
sense Of honor and glue my eye AM
maybe my ear to the keyhole to catcl
snapshots. Morgan, you cur"
But he went, and applying his ear
heard Edith's voice: