Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-11-25


Looking American GirI--she DeIiv-
cred the Message.
The tension of the crowd of soldiers
and their friends gathered in and
around the armory was becoming so
great that even bystanders who had
no acquaintance in the regiment were
irresistibly drawn into it. The time
was growing short, for In ten minutes
the bugle would sound to fall in and
the regiment march away to the de-
pot to embark for Tampa.
Among those on the outside of the
armory were mother and her soldier
son; she a pale, slight body, with the
hands of working woman and the
face of lady; he big, awkward
boy, still in his teens, but with his
mothers heritage of refinement. Most
OF the other family groups contained
at least three or four beside the hoy
in blue" and in partings. as In other
things, there is safety in numbers.
But these two were alone. There
were none to take any interest in
their sorrow except such bystanders
as noticed them and felt a natural
sympathy for them.
One. however, took more thanpass-
ing interest In the couple. A good
looking girl of 20, gracefully poised
and daintily dressed, had watched
them ever since she first caught sight
of them. She was typical. thorough
bred, American girl, fair of face and
form. and thoroughly healthy in body
and mind. She did not know the
pair from Adam, but she was attract
ed by the woman's pale refined face,
and by a certain evidence of good
stock" about the boy, despite his un-
gainliness, which doubtless responded
to the same quality in herself. Moth
CT and son did not converse much;
they held each others hand and fed
on each others eyes, as though the
time were too precious to waste In
words.
Suddenly, as she watched them, the
girl became aware that the woman's
eyes lost their expression and stared
she could tell herself the reason she
saw the poor, frail body totter and
fall inc the soldiers arms. At that
insant the bugle sounded to form
companies. The boy looked help
lessly around, and catching the girls
sympathetic glance his eyes appealed
to her. She nodded quietly, and beck
oned him to bring his mother into a
nearby store, whose owner stood on
the steps watching the formation Of
the troops.
Il will take care of her." she said
quietly. ''You are wanted over yon-
der"
He looked his thanks, for he dared
not trust himself to speak, and was
gone.
To the tune of ''Star Spangled Ban
ner" the regiment marched away to-
ward the depot. 1t was to halt at the
Chamber of Commerce and receive a
A burst of cheering and the stimuli
an hour the poor woman remained
in a deep swoon while the girl AMI
the storekeeper worked faithfully and
patiently with her. AT length she
opened her eyes.
"My boy" were her first words.
Hush" said the girl gently. "He
had to go with his regiment you know.
You would not have him stay behindY
20, no, no." sighed the poor woman,
"but l did not even say God bless
YOU to him when he went"
HE understood" said the girl, sooth-
ingly. 81 am sure he understood. He
went away so bravely. Now rest,
and presently you shall tell me your
name and address and l will take you
home"
stand of colors. For more than half
taneons music of the band came from
the direction of the town, and the
woman started up, but the girl gently
laid her back again.
"They had received their colors at
the Chamber of Commerce." she said,
land are starting for the depot
"For the depot" echoed the poor
mother despairingly. HE will go
away and shall have no chance to
say Goodbye to him. He has no one
to see him OF but me-"
The girl took q sudden resolution.
Listen" she said, taking the toll
worn hand in hers and stroking it
softly. You cannot possibly go down
to the depot, for you are tired and
i'll and weak. You shall tell me your
boys name and the number Of his
company, and I will go down and say
good-by to him for you, and give him
The poor mother caught eagerly at
the offer
"Wil you reallyT' she cried, with
tears in her voice 20, God bless you.
my dear. Go quickly. Tell my boy--O,
my dear, tell him all l would say to
him. You are young. but you know
what a mother would say to her boy.
Tell him, above all, to be brave, and
| will pray for him until he comes
home again. Go quickly, or you will
be too late
The girl hurried away, leaving the
woman in the care of the hospitable
storekeeper. Half way TO the depot 1t
suddenly occurred to her that In the
excitement the woman had forgotten
TO tell, and she had forgotten to ask
again, the boys name and company.
There is no time to 70 back" she
said to herself. Il must find him with
out, that's ALL"