The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-17
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY,

Two grixzled Confederate veterans s1t in the corridor of . Memphis hotel, turn ing back tn. pages of that Book of the Past. where soldiers love to finger.
 Love and war?-why notT said the captain: "the two are indissoiubly we'd ded. There's something about soldier life that makes love q necessity. Many say that the men without sweethearts or wives were easier to whip and easier to kill than the fellows who were teth- % sred to life 5y a good strong a anestion; Sa n; Take Your Gun and Go. John." so loud above the noise of shell and shrapncl that l could have sworn it was the real thing; and when I went into battle Il was of her l thought. and of what she would say!'
 "Who was she? Where was she?' ask cd tho comrade with quizzicai smile.
 Who was she? Why. she was various. of my command. Once she was dreamy vicksburg aristocrat-blue blood to her finger tips; then she shifted and became The Merriest Girl That's Out up in Manry County Tenn. After that; che che that's long tale and goes deep.
 The deeper the better: fire away"
 And the veteran settled himself con- tsntsdIy Md to- to listen: st .,,,nu.a h. o.n,.,r were hoping-but what's the use of say, ing anything about our hopes?"
 Skip 'em! said the other with sigh that showed the kindred soul: "a Con understand-are things fellow must learn to forget. But when Cupid was afield. that's another matter. You were near Petersburg?
 "Yes. but hang it all. so were the Yankees. and getting nearer every day. We all felt that battle was imminent; and were waiting to see just what turn to take. We filled in the time of walt uu tinted with some of virginias fair daughters. Know anything about those Virginia wonen?" and the captain paus- ed as If the answer to this question gave
 My wifs's a virginian." the other an-
 "she is! Oh, well. then, explanations and amplifcation are unnecessary. You can easily understand that crossing the occasionally by Yankee plckets was the Jolliest sort of fun when the smile of . pretty Virginia girl was the reward.
 "Only one?" asked the comrade, fn- cr"dulously.
 For me-only one! There were others. sister and lot of cousins. You know the women folks congregated in tho big Southern homes in those perilous days. But soon Miss Glsdys was. .S,,w for me; adn.e the
  exist Colonel Bascom, her father. was wealthy tobac:o planter; and cont need to tell you just what sort of well come we ragged rebels got in those old he mes at that time. We were all com rades to the men and heroes to the wo- men. That accounts for the luck some of us had"
 For instance7" tentatively suggested his friend.
 Now. don't try to hurry fellow it's good to go ever those days. and, like rare old wine, one loves to sip 1t ieisurely. But Miss Gladys! You should have seen her?'
 Skip itv' interjected the other. "rve travelled the road. and they all look alike at that period. Angel? Yes, that's all right. Had you proposed?"
 No hadn't. ] was just in that bliss full borderland where anything so tangi-- ble as a proposal seems sacrllege. l think l must have meant to, if I had stopped to ask myself what l really did res h. We'll matters were at this bliss ful state; Colonel eascom telling the boys they were welcome whenever they chose to come. and the girls. not telling them so in words, but making them feel 1t in a thousand delicate little ways"