The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-08


ately into the face of Efie Page, who
stood on the wharf by her old fathers
side.
1t was memorable day in the history
of San Francisco. Dewey's victory had
raised the fame Of war to fever heat, and
California was sending forth her brave
sons to carry the flag forward to renewed
triumphs.
San Francisco's favorite regiment had
marched through her crowded streets, past
ranks of screaming school children, shout
Ing men and shrieking women. The
transport had been reached. a moment
more and the Commander would wave his
hand, the moorings would be thrown OH,
and the crowded ship would speed on her
voyage to Manila.
Private Garter was an orphan boy,
reared by a maiden aunt. lie was tall,
sturdy, prepossessing lad, about IL years
of age, with a bright, hopeful, honest race
and a sDringy stride that showed the max
ing of a fOrceful man.
Ellie Page and Howard Carter had
grown up together as next-door neighbors.
Hand in hand they had toddled through
childhood; side by side they had graduated
from the Horace Mann Grammar School.
At the first note Of war young Carter
had thrown up q clerkship with the United
Workingmens Boot and Shoe Company,
actuated by the patriotic fire that con-
sumes all other ambitions and yearnlngs.
Elite was tall, slim, graceful girl Of
II, with deep-blue eyes, and pretty,
pouting, rosebud mouth, at this time work
ing nervously with restrained grief. How
ard Carter was as a brother to her, and
as she chung to the arm of her old father
she tried to sink sorrow in the imaginative
picture OF her brave young playmate, re-
splendent in gold braid and sword in hand,
driving before him the foes of his coun-
try.
Archibald Page, Efie's father, worked
himself into a fever in his disappointment
at not being able to join the expedition.
He saw the cheering troops sail away,
and the old war horse pined to follow odd
Glory into the fire of battle. That night
he sat for hours before his smolderlng
fire bewailing the fact that he had grown
old and useless, of no further use In the
defense of his dear old flag.
Sergt Page was veteran of the civil
war, and an enthusiastic member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. In the
battle of Gettysburg he had thrust him
self between Col Ramsay and a furious
fusillade and had been left for dead on
the battlefield.
Col Ramsay appreciated the unselfsh
heroism of his gallant Sergeant, and had
HOT DeeH Iue SOlOAel udu
secured pensoin for the brave fellow,
beside sending him a quarterly allow
ance, so that though incapable of con-
tinuous manual labor, the old man was
comfortably provided for.
Eifie's mother had died when the little
girl was very young; cares and response
bilities had therefore come early, giving
to her carriage and countenance an air
of pensive dignity peculiarly attractive.
Three months passed. No tidings came
to them from the far-off Philippines. How
ard Carriers aunt had left the city to
dwell with a relative on a ranch near
Napa. How sadly the lonely girl missed
the CHEEKY laugh and boisterous greeting
OF her quondam playmate!
One morning black-bordered letter ar
rived from the East. Col. Ramsay had
died suddenly. This meant the cutting
off of their quarterly allowance. What
should they do? Efie had already men
tally disposed of it in advance in ordinary
necessities.
Without murmur, Effie sought for and
obtained from kind neighbors little COM
missions as seamstreSs, thus keeping the
two above want.
Another month and still no tidings Of
Howard Carter.
Sunday morning, in San Francisco The
church bells rang out in solemn mono
tone; the sun flung down its flood of gold
en- light; the birds in the locust trees
twittered merrily in the leafy branches.
Alasl the Page homo is the shading to
this picture. Sickness had robbed the
two Of their little store; the future looked
black, indeed
Rendered almost desperate by the sit
ustion, Efiie threw on her hat and shawl,
with the intention Of consulting a neigh
Dor who had shown more than ordinary
interest in the brave daughter.
She opened the street door. As she
did SO she was confronted by a tall, dis
Notwithstanding gentleman, with heavy
black hair and large, lustrous kindly eyes.
de was evidently an officer in the army.
Pardon me-" said he, in a musical
voice. i am seeking Archibald Page.
Can you locate him for me?" This was
said with such grace, and gentleness of
manner, that Efie's heart warmed to him
at once.
Mfr. Page is my father, sir: this is
Fife, blushingly.
Il am very anxious to see him, miss"
said the stranger, with a courtly bow.
Walk in, sir; will go and speak to
The visitor proved to be Maj. Ramsay,
brother OF the late Colonel. Maj. Vim
cent Ramsay had been sent to the Pacific
Coast by Secretary Alger on important
official business. In his last moments Col.
Ramsay had solemnly directed the Major
to look after the old veteran Not know
ing the condition Of affairs, the Major
had, in his easy way, quietly waited I'M
I'll he could attend to the matter in per
Son. The kind-hearted officer was yisiblv
shocked when he learned the real condi-
ton Of affairs, and proceeded at once to
make amends. Through his influence Eff
he secured lucrative employment rs copy
ist in the Recorders Office She was thus
enabled to make her father comfortable
For her convenience the two moved far
Their down town, taking a modest suite OF
rooms on Ellis street. Here Of an even
ing the genial Major was often to be
found, sitting in the coy little home Join
ing the old soldier in friendly smoke and
listening to tales of the time that tried
mems souls.
One evening, as the Major sat by an
open window in the home on Ellis street,
newsboys rushed noisily by, crying out ex-
tras, with war news from Manila The
Major hurried out and secured n COPY.
"Ahar he cried. enthusiastically; "the
boys have got their chance Mt last; let
us see what they did" So saying, the
Major commenced TO read the cabled ac-
counts Of the advance on Manila from
the trenches.
Hum! Gen. Greene's Brigade: started
toward the city: advance made under
cover Of night; roads beastly; rivers of
mud; rain falling in sheets; night dark
as pitch Ugh, horriblew
"H0-ho'' cried the old veteran, grimly:
the boys have commenced to find out that