Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-05-15
| Proving His
| Manhood
By P. Y. BLACK
Copyright. 1902. by the
| s. 8. Mcclure Company

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4 The transport was at last nearing
Cuba. With glass one could make
out the scattered palms and the dark
hills rising behind the white beach.
On the deck the men lounged, only half
believing that the voyage was nearly
over. In corner a group were intent
on a card game. Presently one of the
three sprang up with an angry laugh.
'Kids for luckp' he cried, throwing
down the cards.
''Nobby," said a lad with the badge
of the band ON his forage cap, ''say,
1 can't help it if the cards will come
my way"
Come your way! I'm only an inno-
cent veteran, with three service stripes,
and l can't afford to play with sharks
like you. Did you fetch that last ace
down your sleeve, or was it hidden un-
der the blanket? You're a match for
any,"
Young McRafferty, commonly known
as 'Bones," looked up, with CLINT Of
eagerness in his eyes. Honest, Mob
by" he asked.
Haven't l just lost half months
pay to you, and me man, more the
shame? But what will the parson say
to me for letting you into game"
Bones threw scared look aft, but
rr1siF1rnd ahnapff711ry hn eoid
he's seasick yet"
He sauntered far forward in the nose
of the ship. Thrusting his hand in his
shirt, he drew out precious case.
Opening it, he fitted together the pieces
of a iute-the flute which. as all the
regiment knew, was a marvel in his
hands. Bones could play many instru-
ments. His dead father had been band
master. Thence arose the enlistment
of little McRafferty, the child Of the
regiment.
Now his eyes were filed with sad de-
sire as he fitted the flute to his lips and
breathed out sweet, familiar air, the
"Lorelei." Suddenly he started, for a
tenor voice had taken up the strain.
Turning around he saw the chaplain
standing by his side. Together they
finished the verse.
Then the man laid his hand on the
boys shoulder. "McRafferty, hear
that you have been breaking all my
rules while 1 was seasick."
The boys eyes glanced up, apt in de-
NAL without the need of compromising
words.
"McRafferty," cried the chaplain al
most angrily, "don't lie, don't lie to me
today, for it may be the last time /
may ever talk to your
His voice softened at the last words.
He held out his delicate hand. The
boy took it eagerly, for if any one in
the world could influence him it was
the chaplain.
Tonight we will be in Cuba. To-
morrow l will be in the front where
the men need me, you in the rear with
the nurses"
mo, no" cried the boy passionately.
''How can they march without music? ~
'The colonel has ordered it, and you
must obey. But, lad, lad, where are
the promises you made me? You think
/ have. The men have hidden you
away twice because you were the
worse for drink. You gamble every
chance you get. They even say-oh,
Bones-that you don't play fair"
Bones faced him stubbornly. 81 don't
1i1-n ioIy nd
don't care for the money when am
gambling"
'"Then why do you sully your fathers S
memory and hurt your best friends"
The boy drew in his breath with al
most a sob as he said slowly:
Because I'm a man, and want to
prove it. Pm tired of being called kid
by all the regiment. When beat them
enough, they'll STOP"
The chaplain laughed bitterly. "You
man, and break your word! You a
man. and cheat at cards! If you keep
on as you have begun, you will become,
not man, but a disgrace to the regi-
mentw
Bones turned away without answer.
If the chaplain could have seen the
tears in his eyes, he might have added
a comforting word. The boys heart
was swelling with grief and indigna-
tion. Some day he shall call me a
man." he promised himself.
=
Mules, men and ambulances were
crowded in the narrow, muddy. heav-
lily rutted road which led through the
tangled jungle. From the front came
the sound of heavy firing from the
Spanish trenches and blockhouse,
where the red and yellow flag still fut-
tered.
A regiment of regulars came swing
ing along. With them marched the
chaplain. A slender figure came up
pantingly from the rear. The sergeant,
who was file closing, ran up with an
oath.
what brought you here, you young
devil? Do you think we are on dress
parade? Get back to the ambulances
where you belong"
Il can't. Sergeant Bull" said the
boy, with an injured air. "The doctor
said was only in the way; didn't
know the difference between the litter
and the lancet. Told me to go to the
devil, so came to you"
Blame you, Bones," said the SER
geant, with grin, ''do you think
can't tell one of your lies? Go back to
the rear, and be quick about itr'
"Oh, SERGE" cried Bones, 'don't send
me back! l can shoot as straight as
the rest"
You've no Krag."
"I'll take your gun when you're
killed"