The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-05-17


r.. .After they had passed she
med -..
That grand sight! How nice
look in uniforms! Oh, love
[iers!"
Yes, that was fine looking body of
In. We have a splendid lot of fell
ws in our army"
Especially since the Spanish war,
yhen so many of the home boys en-
lsted," said the girl. Then, without
Eaiting for any reply, she asked alb
Z lhptly, why didn't you volunteer,
ack?"
ooh, / don't know, Stacey" he said.
II did not think it altogether neces-
sary; there were, enough fellows with
| out me. See how quickly they whip
ped the Spaniards.
IF / were man." was the rejoinder
and my country needed me, l would
certainly respond, for / think it the
| duty of every aDle-bodied young man
| to fight for his flag. To me it shows
a lack of proper spirit when he does
not.
The blood surged holly into Jacks
| face at Stacey's remark, for he thought
| of the hard battle he had fought when
| he unwillingly remained still while
his friends and schoolfellows were en-.
listing. When at last they went away
without him, it was one of the bitterest
trials of his young life.
| But how could he do otherwise? His
father who seemed failing rapidly,
needed his help-needed the strong
arm of his only &son to lean upon.
And when his gentle mother added
her tears and entreaties to Jack not to
leave them, he gave up all thoughts of
enlisting, and plunged more deeply
into the management of his fathers
business. They were left alone some
months later and Jack was thankful
that he had remained at home to sup
port and comfort his sorrowing moth
er.
And now Stacy, his promised wife,
had intimated nat it was lack of cour-
age which had Kept him back-that he
was coward! The words were like
a knife thru& in his heart.
Both were 2ilent for some time, the
girl already Iegretting her foolish
words. which were ranking in Jacks
mind, and 50 was on the point of tell
Ing him tbs she was sorry for her
fault wheN q unexpectedly asked
shall m Five further, Stacey?"
The girl proudly answered.
NO, am tired and would prefer
going home"
So the drive ended; the "good-
night at the gate was spoken abruptly
leaving both very unhappy over their
first quarrel.
just At this time the terrible street
car strike which shook the solid old
city OF 81 Louis to it's foundation, was
at its height 1T was not felt very
keenly ID the West End, the riots and
hostile demonstrations incident to the
company's efforts to run its cars being
confined chiefly to other parts of the
city. So it was without thought of
danger that Stacey Coleman boarded
car to go on an errand, little real
izing that she was going directly into
one of the districts where many of the
strikers lived, and with whom most Of
the residents sympathized.
When she alighted from the car she
was almost Immediately surrounded by
q crowd Of hooting men and boys. who
shouted vile epithets ct her, and fol-
lowed up their words with voIIey Of
stones and mud
The thoroughly frightened girl start
ed to run away. the mob following
closely. In her terror she sought ref
uge in the nearest open door. which
nDroved to be that OF q saloon, but frsS
khich she was roughly pushed . !;
~ bet again by the cote. = =
the place. At II a
knocked OF Staa