Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-04-19
p RIVATE
Monsoon ~
By LYNN RoDY r1EEk1Ns.
Copyrighted by DAILY story Pub. oOl


i war Harner went out to take a
last look at the field. A battle would
certainly be fought the next day. His
own differences had been corrobora-
ted by hint from the headquarters
10 which he was temporarily at
SaGhed.
When he first appeared as a war
correspondent, full of the romance
that his work promised, he waited for
the fights and then threw into his de-
seriptions all the resources of his
ready pen and prompt vocabulary, but
1t would not do. He soon found that
by the time his copy was ready the
other fellows held the wires and he
was left te receive pleasant messages
from the home Office about his dis
patches being quite good. but some
what ancient, with an occasional re-
roinder that the paper he represent
Cd was not q monthly publication.
So he learned to gather and arrange
the PreGminaries and then to dash in
she details while the cannons were
booming and the bullets were scoring
their points with human lives In the
great and glorious game of war. Even
with the swiftDess that experience
had brought him his lot was far from
happy. He did not mind hard work
that was . part of the business
but after he had run through one Of
the hottest and prettiest slirmish e.
he had ever seen, had witnessed won
derfnl deeds OF yalor and had taken
his own life into his hands and made
bold dash across country to . tells
graph station only to receive in &C
acknowledgement of his superb descrip-
ton the message: "Adjectives arc
cheap and telegraph tolls are not"
his feelings were honestly hurt. True
It was that the sltrmish was but an
Snoident in the mighty conflict be-
tween the great sections Of q great
country and history has not found
space to mention it, but HarRer knew
that it was more savage and pietur-
esque than many OF the battles to
which pages were given, and he wrote
rs he saw.
Then, too, there was the restraint
Of his work. When a soldier is fred
ut he has the satisfaction Of firing
back, but 1t is never pleasant to have
the other fellow do all the shooting.
AS correspondent Harner was q
noncombatant. He was shot at IS
much as any Of the soldiers and
great deal more than some Of them.
and he simply had to stand 1t without
the privilege of returning the compk-
mept.
But he had become used to Il all
now and the battle OF the morrow
must be attended to. He knew the
locations of the commands; he be-
Geved he had the plans of the fight,
and he wanted to get the field Of OPP
erations so clear in his mind that his
account would be as accurate in its
geography as In its other important
particulars. He had permission to
rove within the lines and he was on
his way to the line.
As he turned into path which would
save him some Of the distance a young
soldier overlook him. he was hand
some and young, with the rosy health
Of perfect physical manhood. Harner
viewed him closely and into his mind
came pity that such hope should be
used as food fer gunpowder.
''My name Is Monsoon, OF company C,
Eighth volunteers" he said, "and /
want you to do me favor"
"Very glad to do anything I car" re-
piled Harner.
Your paper goes to our town and
anything that is printed about uH will
be read there" he went on. what I
ask may seem q little strange, but I
know that you can do it without much
trouble to yourself"
"Wen, what Ia ftp"
"In your dispatch about to-morrow's
fight, I wait you to report as dead viii
liam II. Monsen, private in company C,
who enlisted from Spring Falls"
Harner took q more careful look at
the young man, but there was Estking
h his countenanco to indicate that he
was either insane or insincere. But it
seemed to be jest, and Harner smiled.
How would you Ike it put?" he
asked.
.'T don't understand"
''Of course, you want to die a hero's
death. Shall have you leading your
company over the enemy's ramparts;
or dashing forth to grasp the flag from
hostile hands; or picking up burning
bomb; or throwing yourself In front
Of your captain to save his precious
uniform from an approaching bullet
or shall it be just plain case OF dead
N the line OF duty with only an empty
knapsack and visiting card to tell the
story OF a Life cut down in the bloom of
youth2"
'You can fix it as you please" said
the young man, Eolemnly. az suppose
you newspaper fellows have to put
things in to fill up and as I am going to
die 1t won't make much difference how
1t happens. But I'll be satisfied with
just Ine-just say I'm dead. That's
all I ask"
81 suppose" he said, "that you have
never taken time to consider why nv
paper keeps me out here or why 1
stay. It isn't for the fun of the thing.
assure you. They are not paying me
a salary and expenses merely TO spend
their surplus or to enable mo te fele-