Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-30
WATERBURY EVENING DECEMBER

ardently crave beyond your reach. To realize that you may have Dead sea fruit in abundance, but never the only joy which would make life worth hav- ing. You talk of ancient battles and forgotten struggles. Mine is battle of to-day for my life's happiness, and I've lost it. I'll go out west and look after my mines, or I'll go cruising, and I'll play the same old bluff society game. But, rain or shine, what do I care?''
 'sTut! tut!" said the old fort con- temptuously. "You should have been born 40 years ago. You have all the capabilities of the soldier who led his men in breathless rush up these walls, and you look like him. But his was a courage which would not admit of defeat. Yours-?''
 Again the breeze swept over the fort, f1inging out the flag, which had been dropping at it's staff, waiting for sunset, the turn of the tide and wind from over the seas.
 'sYou look like him.. continued the old fort. tsHe was a dauntIess fellow Ee made a superb charge, leading his men up to scale these walls. He fell just where you sit, and yon tuft of primroses blossoms above his head. The difference between you and Col. McIver is that he was product Of the tempestuous times in which he lived and you have spent your years after the manner of the wealthy idler. You accept defeat where he would have struggled to the end, whatever the end may have been.''
 Hugh McIver glanced up at the slanting wall of the big earthworl, at the tufted grass, covering it's sides and the sentinel passing to and from.
 Yes, McIver was great soldier. He fell leading on his men just where you are lounging, young man, said the old fort.
 To-day this is a very peaceful spot. Life among the small garrison is a quiet routine of easy labors, and only the officers wives quarrel over small matters or play cards and have music. Some of them are pretty. The children laugh and romp on the sunny side of the parade ground, and the nurses sit together and talk of what they see and hear.
 "But can't forget those other days, when cannon roared from these para. pets and flame and smoke swept through the embrasures now closed up; when the sound of the clash of war rang out and assaulting columns dashed up against my walls, and the din of battle covered the groans of the wounded and dying.
 To-day the bugle call and the sen- try's step are the only sounds which disturb the quietude of evening and night.'' -- s.
 It does seem as if we are smaller men than our fathers" unused the young man stretched on the grass.
 s'This old fort has seen heroic times linen. dying for their convictions.
 "Well, man to-day is not called on to storm forts.
 "I'll go out to those silver mines and look after them. Not bad idea to do a little mining myself. Perhaps she'll think little better of me if she thinks at all.''
 Why, hello!" called gay voice inn periously, incoming up at the stars, or at the walls of the fort? Aren't they formidable? Ina zine your cotil- lon leaders of to-day leading storm ing party up that slope. Maj. Thomp- son was telling me last night how the Fortieth Pennsylvania stormed up and nearly took the work. The colonel and nearly all the officers fell. Perhaps we are standing on their graves now this minute. They were buried with military honors at the foot of the fort, so he said"
 She had stopped and stood gazing up at the great slope of the wall, the flag staff overhead and the indistinct sen- try pacing slowly along, while Hugh McIver stood looking at the fine spir- ited face and graceful figure by his side,
 ''The Fortieth. That was my fa- ther's regiment. Then it was here he lost his life," Hugh said slowly.
 A pause, followed, then she turned and held out both hands.
 Forgive me. did not know. How heroic!"
 They turned silently from the grass grown rampant.
 ..I am going to the post office. Walk with me- she said, with radiant smile, < and letus forget hostilities.
 It was 2 slow and rather silent ram ble to the queer little post office in the center of the village.
 "A last .fascinatin recollection to take away with me- Hugh said with regret.
 Going? Where and when are yon going. and to do what?'' she asked 
 ITO Colorado-to-Inorrow-to look after some mines" he answered, look ing steadily a. the lovely face before him.
 ITO Colorado? When will you get back?"
 'sNever,' Hugh said. .'unless-''
 "Unless-?" she repeated softly, turning toward him.
 Hugh McIver stretched out lis hand 
 .sWho is he?'' said the old fort re- Rectively. as they sauntered slowly by later on. That young man reminds ne strongly of Col. McIver when he stormed these walls and the. battle