The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-24
Hero Of the TransvaaI.

0S@A ~AN-
part ~tersichorean in McGough's hall.
far out in the west side. Irish. German
and Bohemians mingled in the happy
unit and s~ingleness of purpose when
speech-making part OF the program
was over. Colonel Burke, MAJOR Lunnis
and LAWYERS Ingerthron and Rust had
delivered string addresses eulogizirg
the gallant burghers and d~enouncing
the policy of Rhodes and Chamberlain
The floor was covered with nimble cou--
pies, gliding and gyrating to the strains
OF merry music.
"Ah, dis. indeed. is q sight wot does
me good" commented. as If in emo
tional communion with himself, a spec
tator of the enlivening scene. "Wot 4
change for me from de hot and cory
battlefelds of Sout' Afriker."
Those who overheard the words
turned toward the speaker with sud
den and lively interest. He stood lean
ing against the bar in the refreshment
room, gazing musingly forth upon the
whirling throng. and his appearance CO.
incided with his speech; his rugged
face, rather gaunt and tanned as from
harship and exposure, his eyes some
what beared and bloodshot as from
long nights of watching n sleepless-
ness on the veldt, yet keen n hawk
like as If a deadly sharpshooter; Do
broad-brimmed hat turned up with
49, oNS $3.50 N~-
ridge belt, now empty. round his waist,
and his rough clothing still grimy as
with the u Of rough riding.
$50 you've been to South African
gently but eagerly inquired Z. Croner,
and the listening group drew around,
curious and eX~pectant.
Just got home from de Transvil,
sonny, after long months of hard and
CORY scrappin'. you Det." was the re-
ply; hain't had even time yet to change
me fightin' toys"
There was a prompt volley of inqui-
ries as to the progress of the war. But
the returned fighter shook his head;
for he was inclined to be modestly reti-
cent.
zone thing I'll say. mates; it's safer
to be here a dere. with the British
ers pluggin' at you all day and the
snakes and tarantellers nippin' you at
night. Still. Ih glad L went to help out
dem noble Beers, for, as George Wash
ington, h fader of his country, said,
Give me liberty, or give me DEATH"
He proudly folded his arms and swept
the attentive faces with the loo of a
Rienza. only relaxing his severe and
lofty mien on a pressing invitation to
drink, which, after some protest and
hesitation, he accepted.
Were you with the Irish brigade?"
inquired Pat. Curley.
= ySoJ Nok % q III NC IIIAlC.
Dey were all right. too. Me grandnud-
der was Irish. I believe; many a time
she told me if de Irish only hang to-
gedder dey'd carry every previnc' and
ward in Ireland. sure I like de Irish,
and dat's why I'm here tonight"
The distinguished guest thus oppor-
timely discovered vas made the object
of most importunate hospitality. His
pockets were stuffed with good cigars,
and the rounds of drinks came with
such rapidity that although possessed
of a most abnormal thirst-evidently
acquired On the sultry veldt and as yet
unsatiated-he found it a matter Of
much application n elbow work to
dispose of them. And then came some
of the war-like "reminiscences. graphic
and mellow.
DE first crack out of de box I COPIED
two English dukes and an earl. I laid
for dem in the alley-'dat is, as dey
say out dere, de kopjes-and when dey
m along, unheedin' 1 oops right
out and pinches 'em. Gee. but dey was
mad and gore! Dey offered me all
kinds of dough to let dem duck. But
dey couldn't bride your uncle Silas. I
toted dem right into Pretoriar n lock
ed dem up in de clubhouse. and de
Beers made me a officer right off de
reel de same night. Dat happened at
S~loshywash. de far side of Crumberly."
1Gr1aDS you mean AlfnD6ClVSS VEN
tured Ed. Croner
"P'raps I don't. But if you're tellin'
dose experiences of bloody war and
slaughter, p'raps, u man, you'd
better tell 'em yourself. / says what I
means and knows, and I'm tellin' de
plain story of an honest soldier of lih-
erty. a man wat CAV up his happy
home and his situation and his fortune
to draw de sword of freedom. and wat
now comes homo fn his native citv
wounded, friendless and dead broke"
There was a sympathetic murmur.
followed by the chink of silver. The
veteran wiped his eyes as he received
the collection.
Gents. gents. dis is really too much'
However, though honor forbids. as
Shakespeare says, necessity compels.
valued in his native land. 1t makes
me feel as proud as when 1 got dis
scar what 1 prize more dan a crown of
gold"
He showed a semi-circular scar over
his left eyebrow. And I got dat mark
Of honor" he continued. "leadin' de
cavalry charge dat won de battle Of
Spine Kop."
But I understand that Spion Kop
was a high hill" said Ed. Croner, and
that all the fighting was by rif1emen."
You did, did you? Dat shows you've
been readin' de lyin accounts in de
papers. Don't you know dey never tell
de truth! All dem reports is doctered
A child could tell o dat. Yes, gents
dis cruel scar was given me at Spine
kop by General Kitchener himself, as
! was persuin' de odder Teller. de main
guy, Lord Roberts"
But Roberts was not at - be-
gan Croner. but stopped in Difference to
the veterans glare of reproof.
Yes. gents" continued the hardy
fighter from Boerland. I'D sworn to
git Roberts or die. and / was jus tafter
him like creased lightning. and de war
was about being ended den and dere,
for I'd gripped him by de coat tails
and he was hollerin' for help for all he
was worth. when dis Teller Kitchener
came to de rescue. he did, and takin'
me unaware, he hit me dat crack over
de eye with his sword. nearly stunnin
me. Now you just screw out Of here If
o know what's healthy for you" he
said, or next time I'll 81 oarate you
from our whole id cocoanut.'"
And you just screw out Of here. too.
Gtllr n-I 49,