Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-07-31

and there in the various public
buildings confiscatcd for the pur-
pose of passing away the time as
best suited their Individual fancy.
Groups of four, six and eight
seated on camp stools, produced from
heaven knows where, were busily
engaged at playing cards around the
odd one in the center Other groups
lounging about the hall in the most
ncgligec manner were each in their
turn spinning some yarn concerning
an imaginary adventure with the sole
object in Wow Of telling one which
would put the preceding to shame.
The goings on among the American
soldiers differed but little perhaps
from those of the other men. There
was the same card playing, the same
knights of Munchausen, and the
same happy-go-lucky spirit seemed
to be present there az elsewhere.
One thing, however, seemed lacking
among the Others, which did not fail
to attract its share of attention
among the Americans. A quartette
of beautiful voices were in tones rich
and mellow, singing those songs
which all Americans love to hear
"M1y Old kentucky Home"
others az suggested by the brave fel-
lows who wished to hear some spc-
cial onc-raminding him of home
and those there.
Near this group Of soldiers sat one
apart-he was nothing more than
boy-strong and handsome. His
brown hair clustered in ringlcts
about his forehead, his dark eyes
harmonizing well with his sunburned
face-itsclf looking all the moro
tanned in contrast with the white
throat beneath, showing through his
unbuttoned collar. He was busily
writing with a pencil upon a tablet
of cheap paper which he held in his
lap-evidently letter-and after
moments study of his face one would
feel quite safe in adding-to mother.
Only once or twice when the quar-
tette was singing some exceptionally
pretty song did he take his eyes
from his work, while the express
sion on his face changed ever. Now
a look of deep interest, now of pain,
now look of childish feelings in
jured, which in turn gave place to
settled expression of sadness and
longing as though he hungcrcd for a
sight of her whose named graced the
top line of his letter.
lie stopped writing for time and
sat with his face buried in his hands
.motionless as though carved from
stonc-the unfinished letter still lying
in his lap. Presently he stirred,
picked up the tablet and began to
read:
My Dearest Mother: Feeling as /
do, know | should not attempt to
write to you, as | fear my letter will
be nothing more or less than a
gloomy setting forth OF that which
now oppresses me. do not like to
write to you unless can be cheer.
full, and make my letters such as will
give you pleasure and not sorrow.
But tonight as write | feel sad
and lonely. long for the sight of
you and little Beth--to hear her say
just oncc-"Buvvcr Jack" Speak
ing Of her reminds me of little in
cidcnt which happened to me to-day.
! was off duty, feeling blue and home
sick. thought if | would take
short walk ! would fec! better. 7!
started out and unconsciously d.
rcctcd my steps toward the quarters
OF the American legation. I walked
along with my head bowed down,
of the slight to our soldiers
in not being invited to participate in
the enjoyment Of festivities occa-'
stoned by the successful rescue of
our countrymcn from massacre by
the Boxers. The British honorcd
their soldiers, the Germans honored
theirs, but us poor fellows were for
gotten save the officers. So busy
was | with my own thoughts that
when heard the voice of little
child call "IIcllo, mister soldier" |
never stopped nor looked up until it
called again, "Ilcllo, mister soldier"
This time the voice had such an
Imperative little ring in it, that it re-
;allcd me from my rcvcric. looked
Up and saw that ! was i'm American
quarters, and this little creature who
lad accosted me was just the prctti-
,at LITTLE a morinon GIRL 7 thou,,bt 7