The true northerner., 1900-08-03
FROM BEHIND THE COUNTER,
(From the chicago Record)

Bv cott.t tesy of Mr.. Cox the sun wac
shining brightly down the little wes
side stre et that backed up against the
railroad tracks. making irridescent the
hairs in the tail OF the sorrel morse
chat caparsloned with saddle and brl'
die and tri-colored rosettes. stood before
the little cottage next To the carpenter
shop. There were flags, stuck over the
cottage door and colored lithograph OF
Admiral Dewey In the front winuoW
and flags and autographs appeared at
intervals all up and down the street. 1t
was, In fact, Dewey day.
The sorrel horse was large animal
with a dropping head and eyes, big
hoofs and a name that bore the marks
OF the chatting Of the work collar HIS
appearance was decidedly detected In
spite of his rosettes, but he seemed 10
be an object of admiration TO quite
considerable group OF boys and men
who from time 10 time turned TO look
expectantly, at the cottage door.
How long is he going to be- IN
uuired the carpenter OF the small boy
who was proudly holding the horse 5
bride.
"I d'now." replied the boy. Hes
putin on his so jer clo'es now. lie
orter bin here by now"
Maybe they don't III him an he's
havin' EN- altered" suggested another
boy.
He'll be late fer the procession an
wont get 70 ride alonside o Dewey.
tits all right about that. They
wouldn't start without him. whey
might git along without Dewey, but
they've got 10 have Hogan. II Vouldn
be no procession II they left him be-
hind"
Hold on to that horse; he's going
60 break away IL you don't watch MIN.
Somebody take hold and help the kid
Here he comes now"
Everybody turned about as the cot
tage door opened and big, broad
faced, very newly shaven man walked
down the steps with a martial dignity
that was due 10 the uniform that ne
wore. II was a lovely uniform, dark
green with yellow and white fac'ngs'
epaulets that were triumph 10 laN "a
upholstery and broad bullion stripes al
=
the outseam Of his trousers, but big as
the man was his uniform was bigger.
IT wrinkled across and over his new tan
shoes and puckered at the breast ana
fell superfluously over his knuckles IN
a way that would have caused the
contractor pangs of anguish for the
waste of material if ne could have
eeen it.
When the man saw the crowd his
broad. red face relaxed into grin and
he raised his hand to his plumed hat
IN q clumsy salute, whereupon the
crow cheered.
What are you injuns doin rubber
in here?" he asked. Why aren't yer
down town on the coorb wild yer soap
boxes? Why didn't you go, James,
I'm goin' all right" replied the car
penter. "only I don't have TO hurry
I'm goin TO walk myself.
"Ain't you goin' to get them whisk-
ers on your horses feet trimmed up?'
INQUIRED a young man with dusty
derby hat.
r'If you'd go wash Il 'u'd improve
you" retorted the warrior. And I'd
like you to move further off wid the
cigarette" me added; I've got my good
clothes on"
The young man laughed mirthlessly
and backed into the middle Of the road
as the man in the uniform approached
his steed and regarded it thoughtfully
"Its the best they could do, Hogan,
said the carpenter; hes some frisker
4 q.
good rider can manage him. They
told me to tell you not to try to stop
him If he ran away, because he'd soon
get tired and lay down in the street. p"
rs that SCOOP asked Hogan;
"well, tits a harse anyway. Hold my
sword for me till / ascend"
"Why don't you get on him. Mike?"
called a stout woman from the door.
Here we are waitin 20 see you ride
that was an in the world you had 10
do.
The big man turned round with a
magnificent gesture. "Be aisy, woman.
be aisy" ne said; "Ill be on him in
pigs whisper; I'm taking his altitude
first"
Run into the shop. sonny, an
bring out the little step ladder you'll
find in the corner at the wise end of the
bench" said the carpenter, addressing
"a small boy
did l tell you where I put the ac-
cident assurance policy, Mary?" called
the big man, turning with one hand
on the pommel Of his saddle.
Go on, laughed the woman encour-
agingly. Trust me to look after tie
insurance.
The big man raieed his left foot and
was lnsertinE one in the offside stirrup
when ano her took his pipe out Of his
mouth and told him he was getting Up
the wrong way.
The BIZ uan paused moment 1T
cont make a taste of difference To his
horse which Il take" he said.
He been bred aythcr handed. Whoa!
Now thl1 "
He hoisted himself up and then
stopped asain as ne saw tina he would