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

telegram.) Mrs. Peppercorn (his voice Is
shrill with fear), what-what's that?
Mary (running forward and picking IL
upl-Its telegram, father darling.
''Old Crimea' quitting his hand on the
table TO steady himselD-A--a telegram?
What's I'm IL?
CMrs. Peppercsrn puts her finger on her
Mary-it's from Willy Peppercorn. faith
er.
.old Crimea"-oh. It's from willy. IL
II? Nfe looks wonderfully relieved, ana
heaves a big BREATH Give IL 70 me.
Mary (breathlessy)-Bu you can't read
IL without your glasses. father
Mrs; Peppercorn thastily)-Let Mary
"old Crimea Aye. aye. my girl. Read
a.. read IL,
giles. with emotion. and then reads Mrs.
Peppercoru bends, eagerly forward y
with you soon. Love 10 Mary. Best
respects TO old Crimes
"Old Crimea"-Best respects TO "old
Crimea." Thankee. lad; thankee. Mrs.
Peppercorn, mum, bring I'm your boy 70
tea. The wrinkles III go round, ana It's
right and proper TO be all together today,
seem as 'ow we're all In the regiment.
and you're goin' TO belong 10 the FAMILY.
AIRY 'u'd like IL. They're chums, your
willy and my AIRY, good boys. and good
soldiers both. distant sound of military
musicp All! there they are. Trains in.
Did you ear the band? Mrs. Peppcrcorn.
hang up the festoon over the door while
Mary gets out my old ,tunic. lMrs. Pep
percorn bustes to do 500 Now, then,
my girl Must receive my boy with all
the honors, that's sartin. and i'm SER
geant. Top drawer, Mary, under the tis-
sue paper. Bustle, lass, hustle. Tut, tut.
I'm that stirred 1 can't'get out OF this
MsrySfil help you. father darling tshc
hurries back TO him, putting the tunic
on the table,
"oid Crimea That's right. my girl,
Gle gets out OF IL and turns To Mary, put
ting his arms round her.l MY little bless,
in calls her old Father darlini
quite a lot today. don't She More Than
she has for quite a long time. Are you
fond Of your old father;
Mary (clinging tightly TO the old MANI
oh, father you're al I've got IN inc
"oid Crimeay tpushing her indignantly
awayl-Whats that? You're not pround
of Your brother them You've got no love
for your brother who's TO carry on the
good name of Sorrei after Is father sends
in is papers? For shame. darter. for
Mary-No, no. father. 'Tisn't that,
love AIRY as much as you DO. I'm az
proud OF him as you are
"Oid Crimea'-No, that you're not,
Mary. Elp me on with the tunic. my
dear. No ones as proud OF his hoy as n
father. He's the only son left 90 me now:
black men on the West Coast, Billy was
shot through the cart. along of Lord
Kitchener. and Charlie laid down Is life
for a friend on the Indian frontier.
Mrs. Peppercorn-Pvor lads
'oid crime" Poor lads? No. no, lucky
lads 10 ave 'sd the good fortune 10 die
for Queen and country. Al! manvs the
time I've envicd EN- that privilege
Seems straugs thing that their father
should a begun at the Crtrpea a. "a
drummer hoy and ended at Tel-el-kebir
~ a sergeant without so much as a
limb gone while three Of my boys stay
on their first battlehelds, At times ! fret
20 think Of dying IN cold blood between
the blankets Its an unna turul crdin
FOR q Sorrcl, Mrs. Peppercorn. But there's
ALWAYS cOmpensatiouS mum. tltc bright.
ems and grows excited again.l ~ Iq been
nat away Ga Egypt I shouldn't a been
ere fO welcome the last OF my sons ONE
again. a sergeant, like IS father LIS the
last time maybe / shall wear the tuniC.
Listen can you ear 'emi Theyr re In the
barricks now, aud the colonel In a-speak-
i'm To EN- where's the soft cloth To
polish up the medals? Their faces must
Mary rubbing them With her handker-
chiefl-.ti tiere they are father. ] can see
my face in 'em.f kiss Inc. father.
'Old Crlmua 0issius herl My sirl
you're trembling AMI he tears ls niniin
down your cheeks
Msry Ate they father It's because
love you ~ Although m not sen and
a soldier. lm a S0rrel end III DO nay
dutk. whatever IN may be J want vOu ~
remember this. father. sud if iu tie fi-
ture. you'd like me 10 put OF marry iug
WHY tell ms 80 ana III - lt-hecaiiec
aoid rrimsa u come. come. u'il never
% q, lst Sour brother catch yoJ Ike this.