The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-07
Be a Good Boy.

people had transformed the Stduon INTO
turbulent sea with waves of unrestrain-
ed emotion. Between the inspiring strains
of patriotic airs and the rafting OF
drums, shouts of encouragement were
pouring from the mega phoned mouths OF
the multitude.
Remember the Mainer' thundered a
man whose appreciation for the eternal
fitness of things is more to be admired
than his originality.
Instantly a thousand voices took up
the uncouth refrain, which ended finally
in an uproar.
XIII every blooded Spaniard you see!"
added a young man, whose appearance
gave no token Of his vicious injunc-
ton.
An old fellow with copper button in
the lapel of his coat hobbled through the
throng, fourishing his cane in the air
with little consideration for the comfort
of his countrymen.
:'Git mkt the whites iv their peppers,
b'ys, thin pop it Z thim!" was the adj
vice Of this typical son Of the Emsrald
Isle.
The clang of the bell gave notice that
little time remained for the final fare
wells.
A witness of all these demonstrations,
and alone, with no one to cheer him or
to say good-by, was a silent young sol
der, who stood lost in reverie. He look
ed scarce more than a boy, with a proud
military bearing and a handsome face.
While his comrades were bidding their
last adieus, he stood as If transfxed to
the platform, but suddenly he looked
about and exclaimed:
Wont somebody kiss me good-bye?"
Before he could escape pair of arms
were thrown around his neck from be-
:, It'd ha fur no r1-ar
kiss scuarely on the lips, and a soft
voice whispered: BE a good boy and
come home again!''
In another instant the savior had gone,
but as the train moved out dainty
white handkerchief was waved in the
crowd-and for him.
The vision-the sweet face, the burning
of the kiss on his lips, and the tender
admonition to ''be a good boy and come
home again"-followed Eugene Brockway
to Springfield. It broke camp with him
when they were ordered South and en-
barked with him on the transport which
carried the regiment to Cuba. In his
dreams the girl was sure to present her
self, and when the fever took possession
of his reason the boys heard him say:
BE a good boy and come home again"
After a years struggle with war and
the elements of the tropical island Brock
way was returned to Chicago, haggard
and weak from the privations and hard
ships of the Cuban campaign. One
thought remained uppermost in his mini.
His deeds of daring and bravery while
in the trenches of Santiago, his praises
sounded in the home papeis,( and his
new commission as lieutenant were en-
tirely forgotten in his quiet search for
the pretty and plump little maiden whose
kindness had completely disturbed bis
peace of mind.
In a comfortable and happy home in
one Of the suburbs the movements of
certain Illinois regiment had been of I'M
common interest to Maine Hurdman. She
followed the campaign of the infantry in
Cuba with consuming relish. She scru-
tinized the printed list of casualties and
refused to believe that death was able to
overcome the rugged lad she had jok-
ingly clasped in her arms, and VINO. in
return, had carried away her heart with
neither her consent nor hint of where it
might be found in the future.
Several weeks after his return, Lieu
tenant Brockway received an invitation
to a reception he was disposed to decline,
owing partially to the state of his health.
but more directly to the general disfa-
vor with which he now considered society
girls in comparison with one romping
yet sympathetic soul whose image was
lodged in his memory. Had it not been
for the persistency fhis friend, Horace
Judson, he would have remained in his
room But Horace had sent him word
that ne would call for him with a car
riage and two ladies at 1880 o'clock, and
there was but one thing TO do.
Hang the parties" muttered Gene,
as he pulled and tugsed with his high,
stiff collar.
The door bell rang and in a moment
the familiar voice of Judson was inquir-
ing for Gene.
Tell him 10 hurry; the girls are crazy
to see him"
In a few moments he was undergoing
a counterfeited enjoyment of greetings,
and took his place beside a young lady
whom he could see but dimly. She had
been presented to him as Miss Hurdman.
The conversation naturally drifted to the
war, but 1t was with a noticeable effort
that Gene was induced to participate in
the discussion.
And you have been with the Illi-
nois, Mr.. Brockway?" said Miss Hurd-
man, plunging into the subject very near
her heart.
YES. I started with the boys" growled
the soldier.
How strange; had a very dear friend
with that regiment. l had known him
but a short time sch continued, with
a concealed smile, but l had become
very much attached to him, and the
thought Of his being so far from home
and the object OF Spanish tTeachery has
given me an interest in the war which
otherwise l would never have felt"
The tender and sincere manner of Miss
Hurdman in referring to her friend ap-
pealed rather strangely 10 young Brock
Ia IrfyItev@Ed ba
quizzed his clever charmer
Was he a private. Miss Murdman?"
"Well-yes, 1 believe So she drOlled,
feeling her way out Of rather a danger
Gus corner Of the conversation, but was
it really true that you had nothing to
eat but bad beef, which made you sick?"
she added, seeking, with some adfoitness,
to general!ze a bit.
Our provisions were served a Ia carte
jokd Brockway, but no with the pomp.
perhaps, Of our Chicago Deimonicos. But
your friend has he returned to the
states?''
''No-that IS. not that he has told me.
Il has been so long since I have receiv-
ed any news from the company that I
am getting much alarmed. And had you
no cream for your coffee. and did you
often sleep out OF doors al night, Mr.
BroCkway, by the banks OF rivers where
cr0cocLes and things we're crawling and
swimming around?" rsmbled Miss Hurd-
man. with embarrassed desperation
The heat and swamps q Cuba were
our deadliest enemies, Miss HUFFMAN,
but what was the name OF your friend
and Of what company was he q mem
Der? Perhaps I may know sonethiug
OF him
Are you folks stilI talking war" ex-
claimed JUdson. whose previous atten-
tons had been so absorbed t5at Re was
not aware how his timely Interruption
had saved the day for Maine
4 TuEt tel you good JOKE on Gene.