The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-12-20


tinuing his retreat into the west, and,
moreover, the weather did not invite to
active service. There was nothing for
the men to do but make themselves COM
Portable. and that they did the best they
could.
They occupied a shallow basin in the
crest of a low but very wide hill-a basin
large enough to hold the entire army and
seemingly intended by nature as a place
of camp and defense. Their great guns
made ring around them and covered ev-
cry point of approach. The soldiers felt
that they could hold such natural fort
ress against the assaults of ten times
their number, but they knew that an at
tack would not come, and they turned
their minds to other things.
Nearly all the camp work was finished,
and they were eating their suppers In
Vulnerable fires were burning, and the
flames rose up in the clear, frosty air.
Sparks flew off into the sky, trembled
there a moment and then went out. The
metal dishes ratified, and the hum of talk
and laughter arose.
"This is comfort-solid comfort, call
it," said Dan Mason, the Kentuckian, to
his comrades, leaning back and luxuriat-
ing little in the unusual rest and peace.
The others did not reply, but devoted
themselves body and soul to the food.
Mason looked thoughtfully at them for a
minute or two and then resumed his task
Yet he himself was worth the contempla-
ton of any one.
Dan Mason like his comrades, was
young, but he was taller, larger and
stronger than any of those who sat near
him; splendid specimen of the Ken
tuckan of the hills, a man of powerful
muscles, open face and frank, brown eyes
that looked straight at you, and yet at
times would flame into sudden passion
that might prove dangerous
Isn't this good. Tom Settler" he said
to the man Immediately on his left.
"Of course it is" replied Tom. with a
sigh Of content. Il like soldering we'll
enough, but I'm not such a glutton for it
that | must have it every day i'll the year.
y month of steady marches and battles
and skirmishes before we came into these
hills had just about finished me up. If
i there's any lighting to be done before
! spring, Dan. you can have my share and
there won't be any charge for it. Now
you hear me talking"
M He resumed his attack upon the food,
and the others laughed. 1t was in truth
"A most comfortable camp. The tents
were raised already, and the men might
take their ease without worry Mason
leaned back against hillock and, draw
ing tiny pamphlet from an inside pocket
of his faded army coat, studied it atten-
lively. The others did not notice him for
q minute or two, and then it was Settle
who spoke:
"Reading, DAMP" he asked.
"Ges, Tom, I'm reading"
rs it SO mighty Interestingly"
H"Yes"
"Teil it, then"
Eth let you know DIRECTLY
Settle said no more He was happy,
and he would not allow even his curios-
lfy to disturb him. Mason continued his
study of the worn little pamphlet, his
brow wrinkling now and then with a
mental effort which evidently proceeded
rom an attempt to calculate something
complex.
boys" he asked presently, what day
20 the week is this?"
W hat funny questions you ask, Dan
Mason. exclaimed Settle. How do
you expect fellows who have been fight
ing for month without break to keep
uack OF such little things as the days of
The week."
His pronouncement was received with
Approval by the majority, but third
man-Johnston-who took the question
20 heart, asserted that it was Friday,
Whereupon Settle, being compelled to re-
A
tne DAY being Sunday. Johnston main
tanned that it was Friday, and both
round supporters, while others held that
4 was neither Friday nor Sunday, but
were divided in choice between the re-
naming days of the week Then dis
pute arose and waxed hot 1t was at its
height when it occurred to Settle to ask
why they debated with such spirit uues.
uon That was unmportant
" hat difference, Dan, does il make
&nat day OF the week it isl" he said to
Mason
makes lot" replied Mason. 81
*ant to tell you in the first place. BOYS
.1at this little book I'm studying so hard
~ almanac. I've been keeping track
fne days and this is Saturday. and.
@eaFs more than that. its the 24th of
.'seenlber Now. Tom Settle just you
*1 PIG what's coming"
EeItle uttered a low whistle.
opys' he exclaimed, 1T $ Christmas
H4nA coming across yonderi"
*fre was trace of awe in his tone
H* pointed toward the east where the
~ was sinking and the shadows had
TO gather on the horizon. A
@* Tell over the group and soon ex-
10 the who-e camp. Hardened by
~ merSed IL constant fighting and
lXg free breath this day for the
Rne III month, these men had lost
~ OF time. So Mason's sudden an.
came with all the greater
refu memories rushed upon
ORIENT, and the silence IN the
HF4 The minds of these
az t6tm were ~ years,
[leoee- went hack to
<H when there was
*1I all was peace on
1nong men. They
Rho were lef@ he.
poke softly and
II seemed ever
hought of that
'pbe of intense,
~ blood red on
1--WE continued to
II was gone by
IS in a darkness
ne four quarters