The National tribune., 1901-10-03

a lots better grip on himself III take
Eote of him. III not make any play to be
q Methodist preacher. though I'd be that
/ er break my neck trying, il Maria d say
so. but I'll walk SO straight mark that
Maria shan't be ashamed of me- and when
| the Deacon gets off one of his laundering
family prayers against evildOers of all
kinds. | won't have to blush so that can
feel 1t smuggling the roots of my hair
| The bugle was now sounding ii roll-caIl
| and supper. He folded UP the precious
letters rs tenderly as his strong fingers
would admit. looked at them lonsingiy. re-
lectant to lose for minute sight OF what
her hands had touched. folded them in
The silk handkerchief, which contained his
other treasures, and made his way back
to the company. to answer his name.
He was not the only one in Co. Q or
the rcgiment-or the whole army. for that
matter-who was in state of mental
cxaltatiOn. Every one in the company
had received something from home, which
mad elated him, more or less. and the COM
pany was in such a mood for cheering and
| laughing, that it was impossible to pre-
serve the usual attentive quiet of Co. Q's
rOll-call.
Sis face literally beamed. Now that
they We're really married, and she felt that
she was his very own, Annabel let tho
long-repreSscd fountains Of her affections
flow freely, and had poured out her heart
to her young husband. in way that made
him feel that the whole world was Il mass
of sweetness and light.
Patsy the kinch came up as they vera
eating supper, with his eyes full of great
things.
Say, I've found two udder holes. wild
big gators in dem, just right for de
hunkidoriest fight you've ever see. De
holes amt more dan 30 feet apart, an
bigger'n a beer-kag. De gators in dem
must be as big as. palmetto-lOgs, an full
ginger an hight.
w here's the place." asked Shorty,
pricking up his ears.
Right over deere. I'm keeping it awful
dead quiet, for | wants our fellers to have
the first show. You've and dat Wagon
master Teller be de ringmasters, and an
git you've own men to hold de ground, an
run de tight. / won't say nothing to no.
body else bout it, till you've is all ready"
That's right, Patsy" said Shorty, full
of lively interest. Well just put up n
show that ii make a record. Co. Q shall
have first seats at the performance, and
well make the others take the rear. I'll
go right over and see Shuck Dilworth, and
arrange the program, to come off first
thing IN the morning after guard-mount.
You'll be time-keeper, ST"
Il shall not have anything to do with
it, answered 81 quietly.
Why, what in the worldF' asked
Shorty, looking aghast at his partner.
ITS all right to kill alligators," ex-
planned 81. Kill as many as you please
kill 'em for meat, kill 'em to get rid Of
EN-, kill 'em just because they're alliga-
tors. But to set 'em to fighting for our
fun is barbarous, and | won't have no
share in it"
But they fight among themselves any
way" remarked the stupefied Shorty.
That's their business. If they get to
fighting of their own accord. it's none Of
our affair one way or another. 1t may
be God Almighty's way of killing 'em
off, just as Sherman's army's God Al
mighty's way of killing off the rebels. But
its quite another thing for set of grown
men to nag these animals to fighting one
another, and stand around and yell at the
pain and misery they're giving one an
other. It's brutalizing to every one mixed
up in it. | don't see that it's a bit better
than getting up chicken and dog fights,
and l won't have nothing to do with one
more than the other. But I'm speaking
for myself only. That's just the way
feel"
But the allgators ought to be killed"
"AIebbe. and mebbe not. The Lord
made 'em for some purpose. They ought
to be killed if there's any reason for kill
ing them. If we need 'em, if they are in
the way, if they're doing any harm, or
are likely to, kill 'em. If there's any rea-
son for killing EN-, I'll go out with you
and kill any number you like. But that's
a very different thing from making them
fight Just for our fun"
well, I'll be -" gasped Shorty, but
he thought of Maria's letter just in time
to prevent his saying the word that came
to his lips.
"Of course. the way 1 look at this
needn't influence you in the least" said
81, turning away to some retreat where
he could think undsturbed of the wonder
fully sweet letters. That's merely my
private views, and not necessarily intend
ed for publication"
The idea that anything wrong could be
possibly done to an alligator, or in con-
nectiOn with one, was stunning thought
to Shorty. 1t was q fash of that higher
Klegg morality which he could not I'M
derstand. but which he felt he must un-
derstand for Maria's sake. He thought it
over till his head buzzed, without arriy-
ing at a solution. But one thing was
clear: IL 81 thought it was wrong, then
Maria was likely to think it wrong, and
that prospect was uncomfortable.
THAT settles it." he said, when he had
slowly reasoned around to this conclusion
Il was Just planning how l could jockey
our alligator SOS that he'd chaw up them
Wisconsin fellers' in about three shakes
of sleeps tail. but l wouldn't have that
look on Maria's face that came into Sis
for all the alligator fights between now
and the Fourth of July"
patsy" he said, when that young
worthy came around. you'll have to get
some one else TO be Ringmaster. My cor
will keep me busy all day to-
morrow, and must catch the next mail"
Ito be continued.)