The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-20
BY GAN M~ACLAREN,"

porter to carry my things to the carriage
he fatty refused to take it.
"Hexcuse me, sir. not to-day. I amt that
sort. You brought the news of Ladysmith.
Which. indeed. was all my. share OF the
glory of the passage, the rest belonged TO
my driver, who was indeed a Mercury fit
for the work of the gods.
Just as the train was starting a man ar
rived with a pile of newspapers TO sell them
on the downward journey, for the special
editions with the relief Of Ladysmith had
been got out with vast CELEBRITY. 1t was a
pretty sight, when the train stopped at
some country station. to see the man jump
out and hear him shout the news. while the
people a moment ago stolid and Indifferent,
crowded round him TO buy the paper. And
then the train went on its way, followed
by a cheer. because Ladysmith was safe.
At one station two respectable country
women got into the compartment where 1
had been alone. and they had been so eager.
as their kind is, TO secure their places that
they had not caught the news before the
train left the station. BY and by they be-
gan talking together and it appeared that
the elderly woman had a son at the front,
a reservist in an infantry regiment with
General Butler, while the other was the
wife of a reservist who was with the cav
airy under General French 1t was hard
lines, one could not but feel, for those
women TO have a son and a husband taken
away from their homes and peaceful en-
ployment, sent out TO hardship and danger,
and it would not have been wonderful If
they had complained of their lot. But no,
my heart swelled with pride as in a corner
of the carriage. and behind my newspaper.
1 heard the mother and the wife exchang-
ing news from the seat Of campaign and
talking cheerily of critical affairs. Till at
last and quite suddenly. trouble arose, and
there might have been a hot quarrel in that
compartment.
MY mans all right" said the wife, hes
with French. you know. an French looks
after his men, e does. Jim says as 'ow 5
general. won't let rs men into any traps"
"Who are We getting hat, may l ask" said
the elderly lady. flushing purple with indlg-
nation, talking about traps. If it's Cen
eral Butler we're meanin', hexcuse me tell
ing you e don't get is men into traps. Ny
boy says that e 'ad the hardest job of
them hall, 'ad General Butler, and George,
e writes and says to me in is last letter,
you just wait and see if General Butler
don't do it, Them's lis very words, you
just wait and see if General Butler don't
do it,"
The younger woman explained she had
been making no reflections on General Bull
Ter, but only had been telling how proud
her husband was OF his commander, but
nothing would appease the old lady.
II know nothing about French, and I say
nothing against French. but L wish you to
understand that Butler is a good old sort.
and as sure as you're sittin' there in this
carriage, ell do the job"
Then I laid down my newspaper and adj
dressed the reservist's mother.
Madam" 1 said. your son was right,
and Butler is a good old sort, he's done the
job. and Ladysmith is safe"
We all shook hands, two women wept.
but not for sorrow, and a man looked out
of the window intent upon the scenery.
copyright by d. T. Pierce. All Rights
Reserved.