Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-05-19

MySA E DeAuWIul DAy oppo
PIA site the Boeano d.
uH y Vitas at the north
\ away around In wide
" sweep across the
Pasig and thence to old Fort San An
tonic Abad at the southern suburb,
long lines OF American soldiers were
pitted against tho opposing forces OF
tho native army, led by Aguinaldo's
best and bravest generals.
As early as the middle OF December
IT was only too evident that armed
conflict was imminent. All the same,
orders required that Aguinaldo's Of
ficers DO received with every courtesy,
aud the rank aud flo with kindness,
They came and went within our lines
at their own free will. Their SOL
diery, their women aud children in
swarms would visit the American out
posts and claim share OF the ample
rations, and profess undying regard
for their Amigos Americanos; yet In
hundreds OF native homes rifles and
ammunition were stored to be used
when tho day Of battle came, and
some OF the converts and many OF the
churches proved to DO veritable ar.
senals.
Aud it Is about ono OF these, the
big stone church at East Paco, the
easternmost suburb OF Manila. that
there hangs a story not soon to be for.
gotten by tho men OF Anaerson's Di.
vision of the Eighth Corps--a story
OF heroism and devotion to duty that
may well DO remembered by the youth
Of America.
Crossing the Estero do Paco by q
massive bridge OF stone, tho Gale
Real-the main street-passed within
a few rods OF the windows and towers
OF the church. II was the broad thor.
oughfare over which went most OF the
travel, aud much OF the traffic be-
tween Manila and the thronged towns
and villages up the Pasig River and
around the picturesque Laguna do
Bay. 1t was lined on both sides with
houses the lower story Of which, Of
least. was Of stone, solidly built tore.
sist the earthquakes sometimes so de.
structive in this volcanic land, and on
its northern side were strung the tele.
graph wires, two in number, OF the
signal corps OF the army, connecting
the outermost blockhouse, Number
Eleven, with the field headquarters OF
the general in command of tho First
Brigade of the First Division OF the
American army of occupation. and
with those Of his superior officers,
Major. General Anderson at Division
Headquarters in West Paco, and
Major-General Otis at the Palace
within the walled city Of Manila.
With the early dawn Of that lovely
Sunday there came galloping along
the hard.beaten road wiry little Fill.
ipino pony, ridden by slender
young soldier in brown khaki uni
form. From underneath the curling
brim OF mis- drab felt campaign hat q
pair of clear, dark.brown eyes peered
eagerly, searchingly along that line
OF wire and up and down every pole.
From the fact that the sentries at
the bridge presented arms as the
young rider spurred along, and that
there was single silver bar on each
dark blue shoulder strap, it was evil
dent that, despite his youth, the young
rider was an officer, first lieutenant,
and the device on the collar told fur.
ther that lie was Of the signal corps Of
the volunteer army. He was hand
some fellow. with regular features,
dark, wavy brown hair and q face
bronzed by tropic suns, but radiant
with the health and spirit OF youth.
Only few minutes before, two men
of the First Idaho had been shot o.
most in front of the building where
the young signal officer sprang from
the saddle to make his report to the
"Lines all safe as yet, sir" he said,
his hand going up in salute, "but the
fire is pretty sharp along the road,
and the sentries say there's occasional
shooting around them. The worst OF
It is that they can't tell where the
bullets come from. now that it is
light, and the enemy uses smokeless
powder. The Wyoming regiment is
IN reserve, by General Andersons
order, behind those buildings across
;he bridge, and they say, too, that
hey hear shots every little while"
An ambulance, driving rapidly,
,ame rafting down the street from the
firing line ut the eastern skirt of the
village. A pale.faced soldier, his arm
reshly bandaged, sat beside the
lriver, and both soldier and driver
with wrath and excitement
IS they drew up in front of the build.
ng.
1--WE were fired ct from three OF
hose nipa huts up the road, right
here this side of the bend!" said the
lriver angrily; and then, lowering his
'oice, 1--WE got two desperately
Wounded men inside, too" Then o
hospital corps soldier, springing from
he ster, corroborated the statement.
l. COuiu Seo tuCui III Ouc ouuCh
lining at me, he said, land the bul.
cts flew close as--that," and he
his hand back over the shout.
Ter, almost shaving his ear.
"Tbe generals over at Battery
Knoll with the guns" was the answer
If the chief of staff. 'There they go
low!" lie added, as with a roar and
shrek the long shell leaped from the
,rown muzzle and went tearing
Trough space toward the Krupps in
he river redoubts. Then followed q |
Instant crash-it had burst just above
he hostile parapet. 1--WE can't get |
riders to advance yet, and when we
10 he wants you to follow us right up |
With your wire. Communication must |
'e kept by telegraph. It's rs much
IS n mans life is worth to attempt to
ide this street, and 1 hate to send an
rderly with q message"
Can you leave men enough to
,uard the line?" asked the young
ignalman, auxiously. They'll be
utting it in dozen places other
rise."
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