New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1902-05-14
Proving His
Manhood
By P. Y. BLACK
Copyright. 1902, by the
s. s. Mcclure Company
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hills rising behind the Wnlle@ peit tsls
On the deck the men lounged, only halt /
believing that the voyage was nearly
over: In a corner group were intent
on a card game. Presently one Of the
three sprang up with an angry laugh:
"Kids for luckt" he cried, throwing |
down the cards.
"Nobby," said lad with the badge |
of the band on his forage cap, ''say,
I can't help it if the cards will come
my way" -.
"Come your way! I'm only an limo !
cent veteran, with three service stripes, |
and 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 match for
any" /. T.
Young McRafferty, commonly known
as 'Bones,' looked up, with a CLINT Of
eagerness in his eyes. Honest, Mob
by?' he asked. =,
'Haven't 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 a game!
Bones threw a scared look aft, but
grinned cheerfully as he said, Hope
he's seasick YETI
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 hute-the flute which, as all the
regiment knew, was 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 a 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 was seasick.'
The boys eyes glanced up, apt in de-
NAL without the need of compromising
words.
"LcRafferty," 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 II
the world could influence him it wa:
the chaplain.
Tonight we will be in Cuba. TO
morrow I will be in the front wher'
the men need me, you in the rear will
the nurses"
''No, nov' cried the boy passionately
GLOW can they march without music?
1.-THE colonel has ordered it, and yo1
must obey. But, lad, lad, where ar
the promises you made me? You thin
that have not heard these things, bu
l have. The men have hidden 20
away twice because you were til
worse for drink. You gamble ever
chance you get. They even say-ol
Bones-that you don't play fair"
Bones faced him stubbornly. II don
Ike Tue DGGI. IL uldhcS u1S SIChs al
don't care for the money when I al
gambling"
''Then why do you sully your father
memory and hurt your best friends?'
The boy drew in his breath with a
most sob as he said slowly:
because I'm a man, and want
prove it. I'm tired of being called XII
by all the regiment. When beat the
enough, they'll stop"
The chaplain laughed bitterly. e"Yt
a man, and break your word! You
man, and cheat at cards! If you ke'
on as you have begun, you will becom
not a man, but a disgrace to the reg
mentv'
Bones turned away without ansWe
If the chaplain could have seen tt
tears in his eyes, he might have add
comforting word. The boys hea
was swelling with grief and indign
ton. "Some day he shall call me
man." he promised himself.
I
Mules, men and ambulances we
crowded in the narrow, muddy, hes
tangled jungle. From the front cal
the sound of heavy firing from
Spanish trenches and blockhou
where the red and yellow flag still q
tered. -4.r T. -. -
A regiment of regulars came swil
ing along. With them marched
chaplain. A slender figure came
pantingly from the rear. The sergea
who was file closing. ran up with
oath.
what brought you here, you yor
devil2 Do you think we are on dr.
parade? Get back to the ambulan
where you belong" <.
IT can't, Sergeant Bull" said
boy. with an injured air. 'The doc
said I was only In the way; die
know the difference between the lii
and the lancet. Told me to go to
devil, so T came to you" LIZ
'Blame you, Bones" said the