Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-11-08


some grumbling and much
| profane jestng, for Western
! volunteers possess a sense of humor
superior to the most trying conditions.
Somewhere in the darkness in front,
the Fllipinos We're taking pot shots
| between their cigarettes, as an occa-
sional zcu attcsted.
There go the blamed typcwriters,"
cried young private. "Firlng at
irelles rs usual. No sleep tonight"
"Typewrtcrs' was contemptuous
appellatlon given to the Fourteenth
Regulars, because the popping Of their
magazine guns in the distance slightly
| peace.
Put your mouth on the safety
notch" ordered the captain from the
| right of the company. "Thcy'rc send
| ing out the outposts. Get their bear
! mgs so that YOU can shoot around them
if the ball opens up
Two men We're receiving final in
structions from the colonel, previous to
venturing into the hostile country in
front. "Snenk out about 200 yards"
| ordered the officer, "and lie low. II
you see any signs of an attack, try
to get back and warn us. If You can't
get back, you must warn us somehow,
and take your chances. No need to
| tell you to be careful. You hold the
lives of many men in your hands. Good
luck, boys"
| This sort of work is called Cossack
outpost duty, and men detailed upon
1t should not be men Of family or
nerves. A few nights previously two
nervous men were detailed upon 1t.
One Of them fired at white pariah
dog. The shot caused the Fiipnos
to concentrate series of volleys last
Ing thirty minutes in the direction Of
the Outposts. The Americans awak-
| ened from n sound sleep and let go
several unauthorized volleys. Conse-
| Quently the two nervous men, being
between two fires, were riddled with
two kinds of ammunition.
The two men detailed for this even
ings work were of different metal.
"Morituri te salutamus, colonel" said
one with reckless laugh. With the
| easy nonchalance Of veterans, they
gave the rife salute, and, sliding over
the top Of the trench, disappeared into
the night.
"There go two good men, observed
the colonel.
The two men tiptocd across the dry
rice paddles each holding his rifle at
the ready. There was no sound ey-
cept the occasional hiss Of a random
bullet, or the faint and distant pop of
rifle.
Guess this is far enough" said one
Of the men at length; "hcre is little
hollow. Why, it is almost as safe as
the trench" The ether acQuiesced
with faint murmur, and they
sprawled upon the ground facing the
enemy's territory.
ITS queer freak of fate that we
two should be detailed on this to-
gether," observed the shorter Of the
two, "after avoiding each other so sue
cessfully."
'It's blamed queer, Osbourne," re-
turned the other. but Wen have to
stand It,"
ut Is not that would want better
man for tight place, Wade" said Os-
bourne, "but there Is that one thing"
"Yes, l know" YEARLY; that's the
trouble. If you We're not as good or
better man than l, there would be no
danger of Helen Bartlett caring for
you"
1--WE were good friends in the old
days, Billy" said Osbourne, rather
huskily; IF one of us only loved her
little less"
mo 60, Tom" replied the other. ut
is either her or the jumping off place
for me. Our friendship was friendly
thing, but she is above that. Would
you--"
mo, you are right. It's no thorough
fare. l wish it were ended, one way
or the other"
"What can we do" queried Wade,
with studied composure. "We cant
gouge each other with bayonets ont
here, and Springfelds at two yards is
bit too unique
Osbourne laughed harshly. Eve
might draw straws, the loser speedily
to meet an accidental death"
mo, thanks" replied Wade. 81 Qm
am willing to take my bullet, if it
comes. but not that way. One of us
might get it deccntly at any time
you're right. Wade" said Osbournc.
"YOure a good fellow"
Same to YOU" returned Wade.
LETS quit chat ing and attend to our
| work."
For some time they lay silent, star
ing into the darkness for things .hey
could not see. even had they been
there. Only the / termittent popping
Of musketry and the occasional zeu
Of Mauser bullet broke the silence.
Now and then they could see through
the blackness faint, mOmentary red
fare.
"COnfound them" observed Os-