The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-19
BECAUSE OF TOM.

Among the four hundred American
| teachers who went 10 Manila on the
! transport Thomas were two ChicagQ
young women, sisters and teachers OF
/ the public schools Of the city, who had
| successfully passed the hish-grade ex-
animation demanded by Professor Akin
son. and were very happy 10 be en- route
to the Philippines.
But their reasons for going 70 the new
American colonies were neither educa-
| tional nor patriotic, as I happened to
know. This is one OF the tragedies OF
life involving On ordinary private soldier
which is not written in army records, but
the story eugraven on the hearts OF two
women needs no establishment. The
young soldier had served his country and
vas rewarded with a hospital steward
ship in Manila. The Two young women
We're his cousins He was engaged in q
way TO both but he could only marry
one. It was a toss Up-heads 10 win
and Georgia won There was so little
difference in their sic and appearance
that the two sisters were often taken for
twins Both were small and quiet, limit
ed by the narrow encourage of a teach
ers life. TO which they had been born
and bred Their soldier cousin, who had
been reared in their family. was the idol
OF their hearts. That he could only
marry one made the tragedy Of their
lives, but If indeed he was to marry
?
tied IN their love-deluded minds why.
then, Julia would still be sharer Of
their home and happiness; either one
was ready to welcome sacrifice because
OF Tom
Tom, the scapegrace. the ne'er-dowen,
who had kept them all on the anxious
bench until he enlisted. when Uncle Sam
took him by the scrUf of the neck, shook
him up, and gave him such q taste of
army discipline that the young man pull
ed himself together and made very
fair soldier, with occasional doses Of
guardhouse medicine.
It was after one of those riotous re-
lapses that in spirit Of penitence Tom
had written TO his cousins suggesting that
they come to Me- Mia at the expense of
the government, and, incidentally, that
he wanted a wife TO keep him / ordenr,
addressing the letter to Georgia.
II was a memorable voyage for those
two. who had never in their lives before
seen the world outside OF the state of
illinois. They were surrounded by a re-
markable company of teachers, who had
been chosen from the many normal uni
versities of the country, all Of whom
were strangers to them and TO each other
before meeting on the transport at San
Francisco. Yet it is a matter Of his
tory that thirty couples became &C
Quainted. engaged and stopped at Homo
days. The diversion of these hurried
courtships relieved the tedium Of the
voyage for the little sisters.
When the transport was anchored off
the mouth Of the Pasig river awaiting
the visit OF the American sanitary IN
spector before steaming up TO the wharf
in Manila town, the two girls-shy and
brown as quails-sat with Toms last
letter open before them reading direc-
tons and laughing over his promise for
their future comfort.
We're to have gowns of pima
cloth" said Georgia, reading aloud with
reservations, land we will ride in a tram
car where the conductor blows a horn
that sounds like the wall of lost souls"
And he will take US TO ride on a
'quilez, in which the soldiers go on
larks"
He won't go on IarlSs any more" said
Georgia with decision. I'VE must make
his life so happy that he will find his
best entertainment with US"
o. said Julia, referring again TO the
letter. he says here that he has en-
gagged q Filipino girl 10 wait on US. She
wears short, picturesque gowns and has
a braid of lustrous black hair hanging
down her back, and can say a few
Americana words We must have her
picture taken and send it home. I hope
she likes Americanos."
II wonder if Tom is as anxious to see
Us as we are to see him." said Georgia.
NO, the dear fellow, It would not be
natural. We have not been in any dan
ger in the past three years. I have
heard teachers are a favorable risk for
life insurance 50 few of them die"
oh do you think Tom viii come on
board with the INSPECTOR Georgia was
getting very nervous
The boat came out with the inspector
1arr+
duty, they said 20 each other. but it
was two lonely little schoolma' ans that
We're finally landed IN Manila and found
no one waiting for them. No. Yes
young man in a uniform of the Z. s.
A. came running forward looking from
one group TO another. When he saw the
two little women he took of his hat.
You are expecting to meet Tom
Dewar?" he said. haltingly.
Yes" he is our cousin" answered
Julia, who, though the youngest, was the
bravest, and he knows we are coming
on this steamer On. do you know him ?'
we belong to the same company.
fought side by side and drank from the
same canteen. He was my best friend
said the young soldier, solemnly.
''Was?" Georgia caught at his use Of
the past tense. Has something hap
pened 10 him? IS he"
How can I tell you? On. why was
this cruel duty put upon me? May
ask which of you was-engaged to
marry TOM"
Both Of US" said Georgia, who did
not know in the least what she was say
ing
Neither" responded Julia, drawing
herself very erect.
THAT is WELL" the young soldier gave
a. sigh Of relief at Julia's stiff denial;
then you viii not be shocked 10 hear
that Tom Dewar is
Dead? ?" Both girls spoke as II one
voice. and gasped for breath.
NO. Married. To a native Filipino
girl. who has taken him home TO her
people. I'm awful glad you don't mind
il, and since [ was Tom friend I hope
YOU VIII let me be yours. and be of some
service 10 you in his absence.
II was manfully spoken. and the two
little. lonely. crushed women followed
him mechanically into the new, strange
world OF the Philippines. from which the
enchantment OF romance. beauty and love
had dropped forever. leaving an arid
desert Of duty-because Of Tom.-N. =.
Rayne.
Effects of Exercise.
Not only are the muscles themselves
benefited by exercise. but by their action /
many other tissues and organs become /
more rigorous. The heart beats more /