Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-06-01

MS stories Of the news grew bigger ana "a
more yellow. He followed every move ~
the army and his imagination ran ria 4
with the possibilities Of the world chan ~
ing drama being enacted. Every scrap 3
news in regard to his fathers regimen
was on his tongues end and soon founl!
that with the donning OF his blue coat IA y
father had become hero. As for Mikw3t
himself he was the same impudent, shan3
eyed, dirty, ragged little gamin as ~
yore one Of the most successful ncwsbor
on the street. an inveterate scrappcr an
gambler, and on his own con cssiop. rar
ly at night having more than half NJ
days earnings to take home. When
demonstrated with him and pointed cd
that he should take his fathers place.
was always ready with an answer, fauot
ing back on the old argument that II III q
father fought for his country it was M
countrys place to look after his family.
The summer wore on. The Fourth -.
July dawned hot and sultry. The tempe !,
AZURE rose with the sun; at 10 O'Clock
was 80; at IL o'clock so and at noon
registered 9G in the shade. The glare frol g
the asphalt streets blinded the eyes. Me- II
painted for breath and now and then oil It
fell. The water front and the parks wed
ing relief. Those who succumbed wen :
taken to the hospitals, but no one minds /.
them. Down before Santiago 10000 me -
IN dingy brown canvas blue trimmed uni y
forms in the blistering heat Of a tropicf3I
climate were fighting against oyerwheln@&
ing odds. On the day before had con y
the news OF disastrous defeat, and IL
night had closed down In gloom, To-da D.
the defeat had been turned into a yictoi q
and the cable had flashed home the detail /,
OF great naval victory besides. TT
great city sweltered and sweated nm VI
waited for confirmation and for the list dI3
dead. pt
Ihat afternoon business called me
the Office. For an hour | worked an y
then Tell to thinking of the great ira gedx e
peing enacted. Suddenly became AVA )e
that someone was standing by my desl IN
Ev men Journal, sir? List Nv dead a 4
wounded" 2
1t was Mike. but l hardly recoeni.
the voice. All the impudcnce. the AL
time braggadocio was gone, and he b, =
come In SO quietly. "Why, Mike" Il
began. Then noticed the trace OF tea :
furrowed through the dirt on the tn be
grimy cheeks. There was an unwont1 Ell
seriousness in the deep black eyes al ii
an unmistakable culver in the voice as
repeated. "Ey'nen Journal, sir? EXIT
jes, out 'Flete list wv dead an wouus 81
ed" "a
l snatchcd the paper eagerly and toss.
Mike nickel. "Never mind the change e. o.
said, and plunged into the details OF u 4rt
night. When | glanced up Mike was Side
there. AZ
III yer please, SIR he began, stsndl e
on one leg and uncasily rubbing II wit h,
the dirty brown foot OF the other, 4
yer please. sir. could count yer rerTy ~ !.
fer poiper every night? Oi-Oi got q -
port de family now cause Dim tn he; &o
NV II. He-he's dere, SIR" he finish ,.sS
with dry sob. pointing TO the open pas MI =
before me. CHANGING down the coluu
IN hea'y black, bold-faced type. l saw -
name OF frivate Dennis A. Murphy is
the roll Of honor with the brief. exnlsu ,,
tory line. shot through the head"
Mike drew a step nearer. Say je9H
said. with just a touch OF his old-tss
eagerness, "he's hero now, sin't he ~ ~
Mike has several regular customer,
The office now. but he no longer blows
ike miniature hurricane. He CON r
md goes quickly but quietly. He Is ~
II business. and although his former ID
'udence now and then flashes ont II 10 Re
guarded way that will lose him no G. IA
omers. He Is always ready for a scr
hen anyone intrudes upon his righ =
'ut he has given mp fighting for the d \
u the thing. and he no longer pitch =
'ennies and CANDLES away his hard cal 4.
d money. Yer see, Oi'm de head Nv
am'ly now. an have ter help me mthe1
lie explains.
The other day he came into the Oh re
WITH the old-time rush. They've got ID
athers body, an it's ter be buried her Blu
e cried. Then after 4 moments thoui (e.
e inquired wistfully. Say. do yer s'pd Icf
e soSers'H march ter his grave an pui N,
aE an flowers on 1t MORTAL day
.horhton n. Burgess. in Orange Ju
farmer.