The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-03-27
CHAPTER VI.

The great thoroughfare Of that won
derful city, seated on more than her
seven hills, and ruling the western
world, was thronged from curb 10 curb.
Cav with bunting and streamers, the
tail buildings Of the rival newspapers
and the long facades Of hotels and bust
ness blocks were gayer still with the
lfe and color and enthusiasm that
crowded every window. Street traffic
was blocked. Cable cars changed vain
~ and the police strOve valiantly. II
was a day given up 10 but one duty and
one purpose, that of giving GOdsPeed
20 the soldiery ordered for service in
The distant Philippines, and, though
they hailed from almost every section
Of the union, except the Pacific slope,
as though they were her own children.
with all the hope and faith and pride
md patriotism, with all the blessings
and comforts with which she had load
ed the foremost ships that sailed, yet
happily without the tears that flowed
when her own gallant regiment was
first 10 lead the way, San Francisco
turned out en- masse 10 cheer the men
Srom far beyond the Sierras and the
Rockies, and 10 see them proudly
through the Golden Gate. Early in the
day the guns Of a famous light battery
had been trundled, decked ike some
rose-covered chariot al the summer fes-
1ival Of flowers. through the winding
lanes Of eager forms and faces, the can
noneers almost dragged from the ranks
by the clasping HANDS Of men and
women who seemed powerless 10 let
90. With their little brown carbines
tossed jauntily over the broad blue
shoulders. half a regiment Of regular
cavalry dismounted. had gone trudg-
ing down 10 The docks. cheered 10 the
gateway OF the pier by thousands Of
citizens who seemed 10 envy the very
recruits who, only haif-uniiCrmed and
drilled, brought up the rear Of the col
ANN. Once within the massive wooden
portals, the guards and sentries holding
back the importuuaie crowd, the sol
diers flung aside their heavy packs. and
were marshallcd before an array OF
1empting tables and there Toasted. com
forted and reioiced under the ministra-
tons Of that marvellous successor of the
sanitary commission Of the great civil
war Of the sixties-the order of the Red
Cross. There al those tables in the dust
and din Of the busting piers, in the
SCOT and heat Of the railway station. in
the Sam and turmoil at the ferry
houses. in the fog and chill of the sea-
ward camps. IN the feveT-haunted wards
Of crowded field hospitals. from dawn
till dark, from dark I'LL dawn. toiled
week after week devoted women in
every grade Of life. the wife of the
millionaire. the daughter of the day
labOrer. the gentle born. the delicately
reared, The social pets and darlings, the
humble seamstress. no one too high to
stoop 10 aid The departing soldier. none
TOO poor or low 10 deny him cheer and
sympathy. The war was still Young
then Spain had not lowered her riddled
standard and sued for peace. Two
great fleets had been swept from The
seas, the guns Of Santiago were ST.
lencod, and The stronghold Of the orr
ent was sulking in the shadow Of the
flag, but there was stiL soldier work 10
be done, and so long as tic nation sent
its fighting men through her broad
and beautiful gates San Francisco and
1Se Red Cross stood by with eager.
L-rish hands 10 heap upon the warrior
sCns Of score Of other states. even as
upon their Cwn. every cheer and com
fort that wealth could purchase. or HUI
man sympathy devise. 10 was the one
feature Of the war DAYS CT '9S that viii
never be forgotten.
Al one Of the fower-Gecked tables
near The great stage" that led 10 the
main deck Of the transport. q group
Of blithe young matrons ard pretty
girls had been busily serving fruit. cof-
fee and bouiIlOn and subsiantiais 10
the troopers man after man. for over
TWO hours. There was lively chat and
merry war Of words going on at the
mcmcnt between half q dozen Young
officers who had had their ewes CT that
particular tableeVer since the coming CT
the command. and were now making
The most Of their opportunities be-
fore the trumpeis should sound the
assembly and The word be passed 10
move aboard. All the heavy baggage
and ammunition had. al last. been swung
into The hold; the guns Of the battery
had been lowered and securely
checked; the forecastle head was
1hronged with the red trimmed uni
forms Of The artilleryncn. who had e.
ready been embarked and were new
jealousy clnmoring that the troopers
sbouid be shut Of from the further