The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-11-12
A TWo-SIDED SOLDIER.

"Yes," murmured the old staff officer,
 most good officers would make excel
 lent soldiers, but all brave soldiers
 would not make fine soldiers-no, not
 by a big sight"
 The time was just after supper, but
 the old soldier lay back with one leg
 thrown over the arm of his easy-chair,
 and his face almost hidden behind the
 cigar smoke. The light, turned down,
 threw the dim, uncertain shadows of
 misty past about the room, Battal- | ions of shadows chased each other over
 the walls, and, through the cigar
 smoke, charging squadrons rushed bat 1 teries placed high upon the ceiling It
 was the time for 9 story. Both the colonel and h.s Boswell recognized
 that.
 II was thinking of child I knew in Longsueet's corps said the colonel simply. He was just fifteen. and a chap to be proud of. Longstreet saw him about the second fight, The gen. eral had ridden to the front and there, far ahead of the line was thee boy, He was about the size of woodtiek, but he made enough noise for brass band. The men were crouching and hiding behind cover. but to see that lad you would not have thought there was tree or q rock in a hundred miles Ev- cry time his gun went off it would al- most knock him over, Then he would rub his shoulder, all the while jumping e1,. i,,r
 -, btysl Give em -!'
 Well. that time I've give 'em - and in the charge the boy was the first one over the breastworks. His com mander was overioyed to see it. After the fight the general sent for the younsster. The lad came and stood at attention before his officer as straight as you please. General Long, street oomplimente6 him on his bray cry. Then he said And why are you fighting, my son2'
 Why, to be an officer, of course, sir, replied the little hero,
 "'All right, I'll make you lieuten- ant
 "In week not an officer in the army oculd strut Ike the new lieutenant.
 Then we had another fight The bull lets bfwan to whistle and to sing, and the new lieutenant showed signs of He did not shout. Give 'em ---' this time. but he looked all white and scared. Of sudden he dropped his sword Right before Cen eral I.angstreet's eyes the boy soldier ran away
 The general summoned him after the battle. The lieutenant came, fear full and penitent.
 :" DO you know I should have you shot sir?' thundered the officer.
 Yes sir replied the boy. T dent know why l did it, but Just ran, I couldn't help it, sir. Shoot me if you want to, or give me my gun and I'll win my straps again.
 For ? minute tie general stared at 1is impudence; then said: "I'll do it.
 Tn the next fight I was at the front with Longstreet. There was that boy. 10 boy, but a fiend of battle. shout ng, cheering whooping, at the very 'ront in every charge Two men had 70 drag him away when we were 'orced back
 After the fight Longstreet promptly lad his straps returned to him. Again he youngster went in as an officer, and again he ran. For the second time ! -ongstreet put the boy back in the anks in disgrace, only to reappoint linn after a fight. As usual, the boy ieutenan- ran.
 "Then, bofore he could be sum l noned he sought out the generals tent1 1ongstreet looked at him sourly,
 " What do you want% "The lad flung his sword on the round and tore the straps from his houlders. Take your -- old sword e said T won't have it. I'm going I ack in the ranks And he staked ,, roudly from the presence of the as 1unded general and his staff T Three days later a boy hero fell i, ards in advance Inf a fnnppin,, ry,,, i