Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-12-11
The Christmas
Of
Private jackson

IN Company K Of a volunteer regl
ment that was camped in Manila
a year ago there was a soldier
named Isaac Jackson. He was
just common, everyday sort Of man.
good enough fellow to get along
with, but one whose talents and per-
sonality never would attract any par
ticular attention. Previous to his en-
istment he had been hostler in a
livery stable, and in the village where
he lived his social status was consid-
cred minus quantity.
The town Of Falconhurst was a place
Of aristocratic pretensions, and the
leading people of the municipality
pride6 themselves on being up to date.
Consequently when the whole country
was interested In the sending of Christ
mas boxes to soldiers on foreign serv-
ice the members Of the exclusive set
of Fa]conhurst resolved to do their
share. AT an informal meeting held
one evening at the residence Of Brew
eter pc Kallb, the bank pIestdeht It
was resolved to appoint committee
consisting Of six fashionable ladies and
a half dozen Of the wealthiest men in
the community to prepare a suitable
Christmas box TO be sent to THE heIpes
who had left their homes in Falcon-
hurst to do battle for their country's
dag IN the faron Philippines"
The select committee entered into the
work with enthusiasm. On the first
day there was collected vast aesort-
ment OF things that It was thought the
soldiers would like. As the stuff was
being packed in the big box that was
to be shipped to Manila one Of the la
dies CHANGED to ask the names OF the
boys who had enlisted from Falcon
hurst. No one present was able to an
swer the question, and, fearful that
their town had no heroes whom they
could honor, the bank presidents wife
went at once to make further Inquiries
OF her husband. Although this worthy
man was supposed to know all about
everybody who was anybody In Fal-
Econhurst, he could not Immediately call
To mind the name Of q single volunteer,
and rather shan1efaeedly be 10 stated
TO his wife. But Just then bis ONCE
boy, who had overheard the question
and answer, spoke up and said that
like Jackson, who used to work In
Jones' livery stable" had Joined the
army and gone to Manila. The bank
ter made an Investigation and found
that with the exception Of Ike Jack.
son no one had enlisted from Falcon
hurst.
When It became known that Jackson
was the only volunteer Of whom Fal
conhurst could boast there was some
disappointment in certain quarters, but
it was felt that the honor of the town
had been saved by small majority.
And by one of those sudden turns
which public opinion often takes the
absent Jackson was made much OF.
People who hardly desired to notice
him when he lived in their midst called
upon the committee with parcels and
kindly messages that they wished to
send to their "old friend, Mr.. Jackson"
Possibly no box that was sent to the
Philippines ever contained greater
variety of presents. Everything from
champagne to ginger snaps, was most
carefully packed into the Christmas
box. There were reading matter galore,
knickknacks Of every description and
other good things too numerous to men, :
ton. -...-,--9 80. ..,..s.: =
u When the box was finally fllDod and
nailed up It took four men to had. It /
into the wagon which was to haul It 70
the depot.
Having packed the box and started