The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1900-05-24

| ing back on the old argument that If his
father fought for his country it was his
country's place to look after his family.
| The summer wore on. The Fourth of
July dawned hot and sultry. The temper
allure rose with the sun; at 10 o'clock it
was 80; at IL o'clock 80 and at noon it
registered SO in the shade. The glare from
the asphalt streets blinded the eyes, Men
painted for breath and now and then one
fell. The water front and the parks were
| thrOnged with women and children seek
ing relief. These who succumbed were
taken to the hospitals, but no one minded
them. Down before Santiago 5000 men
in dingy brown canvas blue trimmed uni
forms in the blistering heat of tropical
climate were fighting against Overwhelm-
ing odds. On the day before had come
the news of disastrous defeat. and the
night had closed down in gloom. To-day
the defeat had been turned into a victory
and the cable had flashed home the details
of great naval victory besides. The
great city sweltered and sweated and
waited for confirmation and for the list of
| dead.
That afternoon business called me to
the Office. For an hour l worked and
then fell to thinking OF the great tragedy
being enacted. Suddenly became aware
that someone was standing By my desk.
''Ev men Journal, sir? List NV dead and
wounded"
| 1t was Mike, but l hardly recognized
the voice. All the impudence, the old
time braggadocio was gone. and he had
come in so quietly. "Why, Mike"
began. Then / noticed the trace of tea IS
| furrOwed through the dirt on the two
! grimy cheeks. There was an unwonted
seriousness in the deep black eyes and
an unmistakable culver in the voice as he
repeated, "Ev'nen Journal, sir? Extra,
| jes' out. 'Plete list Nv dead an wound
ed"
l snatched the paper eagerly and tossed
Mike nickel "Never mind the change"
/ said, and plunged into the details of the
fight. When glanced up Mike was still
there.
IF yer please, SIR" he began, standing
on one leg and uneasily rubbing it with
the dirty brown foot Of the other. IF
yer please, sir, could l count yer regular
fer poiper every night? Oi--Oi got ter
sport de family now cause Dim tn head
Nv it. He-he's dere, sir" he finished
with dry sob, pointing to the open page
before me. CHANGING down the column
! in heavy black, bold-faced type, saw the
name Of Private Dennis A. Murphy on
the roll Of honor with the brief, explana-
tory line, "Shot through the head"
Mike drew step nearer. Say" he
said, with just touch Of his old-time
eagerness, 'he's hero now, amt he"
Mike has several regular customers In
the Office now, but he no longer blows in
like a miniature hurricane. He comes
and goes quickly but quietly. He is full
of business, and although his former i'm
pudence now and then flashes out it is in
a guarded way that will lose him no Gus
toners. He is always ready for a scrap
| when anyone intrudes upon his rights,
but he has given up fighting for the fun
of the thing, and he no longer pitches
pennies and CANDLES away his hard earn
ed money. Eyer see, Dim de head NV de
family now. an have ter help me mither, "
he explains.
The other day he came into the Office
with the old-time rush. They've got me
fathers body, an it's ter be buried here"
he cried. Then after a moments thought
he inquired wistfully. "Say, do yer s'pose
de sogersll march ter his grave an put q
flag an flowers on it MORTAL day Pr
Thornton N. Burgess. in Orange Judd
| Farmer.