The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-21
The Fortune Of War.

there amt a fun company, there's only
enough for picket duty. Pr'aps you
know what the right word is when n
man drives in tin tack into the tip Of
is finger?
Mrs. Peppercorn-Yes, sergeant. The
word is. why don't you look what
you're a-doin' OFF,
"Old Crimea" Qaughing)-Shall tell
you what should do with you. mum. If
| was ten years younger-a giddy youth,
so to speak?
Mrs. Peppercorn-Lawks mussy, no,
sergeant,
"Old Crimea"-- Marry you. my dear
Mrs. Peppercorn-Oh, my, there's an
old coquette for you! And why, pray?
"Old Crimea"-So as / could look on
comfortable while you drove i'm the
tacksl Ha! ha. hs / feel that gay to-
day, and that strong. and young, you
can't think, mum. It's 'aving my boy
back again that's doin' Il. I'll bet my
pension II is Mrs. Peppercorn, what
about the decorations, eh? Ever see
anything like 1t in your life time?
Mrs. Peppercorn-Dont believe l new
er ave, sergeant, cepting. p'r'aps. the
Jubileel My goodness. 1 call EN- grand
"Old Crimea.' (besming)-Well. not
grand, mum. Hut you might call 'em ar
tistic. Now, If 'ad To write a truthful
description OF 'em for tho London pa
pers, / should use the words helegant
sootable, gaudy and reuned! ProudlyD
You see, mum. IL amt every day that a
father as the proud privilege of well
coming 'ome such a son as mine, num-
Lord! but l knew ed be a good 'un the
very day e was born, Mrs. Pepper
corn. II you'll believe me- that AIRY
OF mine-on the very day he was born
card the call for dinner sound In the
barrIck yard. sat up and opened is
mouth as wide as It would GO That's
Gospel. Look at I'm. now. mentioned
I'm dispatches for distinguished conduct
IN the field: credit TO is King, is coun-
try and is regiment.
Mrs. Peppercorn-Aye, sergeant. 'e's a
good boy--but SOS mine, for the matter
OF that. although e ain't 'ad the luck TO
get into the dispatches.
old Crimea" icourteously)-Mr Pep
percorn. l stand corrected. or course.
yours Is a good boy. and a good soldier.
too. Should I ave i'm as a son-in-law N
g wasn't? But you mustn't mind an old
man thinkr' mostly Of his own son on "a
day like this mum. AIRY fills my cart
today, mum. and that's fact. A ser
geant at twerty-eisht is AIRY: the
youngest sergeant In the Fighting
Fifth" That's somethin' to be proud OF.
mum, that Is. But what did you expect7
The son OF fightln man. the grams son
OF a fightin' man, and the great gran son
OF a fghtin' mani A.. Mrs. Peppercorn.
when my boy. the last Of four sons,
comes I'm at that door this mornin' with
the bran new stripes on is left arm,
with the sun and wind on is face. and
q looks at Is old father with is mothers
eyes and silently says. Father, ave I
done nv duty To my country as behts
a Sorrel?" 1 praise God. Mrs. Pepper
corn. ] shalt bo able ia grasp is strong
and. grip II ard. and ray. % AIRY, ms
son. i'm proud OF vert Would that Ged
could IA spared your mother 90 SEE this
day with emotion MISLEADING his
voice. he turns abruptly sway You left
the door open when you came ia. mum,
and the draught must e given me a
cold in my eyes. I'm s-gOin' 70 get my
sndkerchief. (rhe old man goes into the
kitchenl
Mrs. Peppercorn docking after HIM
All right. "Old Crirnca. Drsught indeed i
Hsl hs. hs'-(shs laughs kindlyl-Dcsr