Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-07-10
THE PARSONS INDICATION.

His name on the army list was saun-
ders-J. r.. private. Company X, Tween
tN-hfth Massachusetts. on board the
transport he was unanimously dubbed
"The Parson." chiefly because he not
only refused to swear under extreme
provocation. but objected in a negative
sort of way to others doing so. And he
abhorred tobacco.
bad cess to him" remarked Pete
Kelly, six-foot color-bearer and oracle
of * Company, trying with wry face
to light brand-new clay under the
break of the forecastle deck; "the Par
son. / name. He bruk me old Guilty that
I've had two years goin' on Christmas; 1t
was prsinted to me by my cousins hus-
band. Mike Magee. and jool of a pipe
she was black as me hat"
How was that. Peter?" inquired his
admrer and faithful satellite, Tim Leary;
'shure an he's an inoffinsve sort NV a
man"
" Twas this way" replied the ag
grieved one. Il was standing by the
rail smoking me plpe-her that's gone
and thinking of the last dance l whit to
i'm Grady's hall. whin along comes the
Parson and the old Mcpherson givin
roll Just thin. into me he bolts head first
like ram; at the shock Nv it l bit clean
tru the stem, and the bowl dropped over
board.
" 'Yez laundering divil SEE l. for
was hot under the collar at the loss of
me pipe. haven't yez got more sinse
than to butt into man that way? I've
a good mind seq l. putting me fist under
the Parsons nose, to push YeZ ugly
little mug I'M maybe yez would like to
come tween decks and shtand up to
me-
THAT Parsons face wint as white as
sheet. I'm sorry for the loss Of your
\
and I'll get you new one; but m no
pugilist.' No more he amt" continued
Kelly, his face at last wreathed in
smoke. but I'll tell yez what. Tim. I've
noticed in me experience that livery
( mans got some out about him; with
some it's whiskey and with some it's
women: with others its lying and name
ness The Parsons got nothing about
/ him yez can see. but the shpots there.
and it's worse thin all the rlst. The
I color-bearer winked knowingly.
lis ne a tief. Peter" asked Tim anX-
/ iously
Nav" responded the oracle scornful-
/ lv Il kdu't name that He's a quit
ter. that's what he is mark me words.
/ Tim. If liver this old boat gets to Manila
and the rldgimint has the pleasure Nv an
/ Introduction to any of Mister Awguinal-
/ dos gintlmin the Parsonll show the
/ yellow that's in him. Have yez got a
match. Tim? Me new pipe has gone out. ~
The moon rising clear and beautiful
flooded with tropic light the small clear
ing shut In by the rank vegetation 81
the silent Jungle throwing into bold. un-
sheltered relief the irregular pile OF
rocks. behind which huddled the shat
tered remnants Of X Company. on de
tached scouting duty. surrounded the
/ day before by thrice their number Of the
enemy Four times had the reckless
cd tn
primitive stronghold. to be beaten back
by the grim. khaki-clad defenders, who.
mad with the lust of battle and night
ing without hope. refused either to die
or surrender.
The flag. its splintered shaft stuck in
a crevice I'm the rock. waved ftfully on
the night wind. and the incoheront bah
blings Of Pete Kelly-shot through the
/ body-rose increasingly on the stiffness.
. interspersed with pitcous appeals for
: Wather, for the love OF Mary give me
wather."
Watcr2 There was not So much as the
fraction Of a gill in the combined can
teens of what was left of the COMPANY;
I the monotonous cry Jared on the strain
/ ed nerves Of the men like the rasping of
file Lieutenant Clark. hardly six
4 months out OF the Point stared long
inglv through the moonlight toward the
southwark thinking vainly OF the relief
i'm bitterness OF spirit II he should see
the sunrise.
Presently from the shadow of the rock
against which he leaned. a figure doomed
forth. took shape, and saluted. Lieu
tenant" it said. pointing to a blur OF
trees showing black against the luminous
space. there's water over there; caught
a glimpse Of Il as We were driven in yes
terdaY If I may. I'll take a canteer
or two and when the moon goes under
that bank of clouds. make rush for 1t
If don't make-well. it's a mans death
sir"
ror fun minute the officer con'em-
plated the gray eyes looking steadily in
To- his You're a brave man. Saunders.
he said huskily, sternly checking an in
voluntary impulse to extend his hand
but can't permit you to 60; the enemy
are watching us like cats, and yot
couldn't reach that clump of trees shor
of miracle. If you did, well. you'd b'
a prisoner-or-dead-b YOU ha'
taken two steps backward"
The wounded mans voice rose all a
once. loud and agonized. on the night
"Wather,' he cried shrilly. Mother %
God will yez let me die for want NY
drop OF wather?''
The figure at the salute suddenly
swayed Lieutenant" he said desperate
ly, Il cant stand-auy more-of that
| Kelly'n die before morning if he doesn
have water. There might be chance
sir"
NO" answered Clark, wheeling sharp
ly, striving to conceal the tremor in hi
voice. lit is impossible. | tell you. W.
can't spare a single man. Besides, an!
of us may be in Kelly's place-or wors
tomorrow. Its the fortune of war
go back to your place"
Saunders melted back into the shadow
and the Lieutenant returned to his fruit
less thoughts.
Presently he started. rubbing his eyes
Along the edge of the clearing some
thing was moving; creeping with thu
stcalthy movement Of beast of pre-,
from shadow to shadow; motionles'
when the moon unveiled her splendor
continuing its progress as a friendly
cloud obscured the light; advancing stel
by step toward the gloom that hid th'
little pool.
Sergeant" called Clark under hi!
breath. there's something out there
can't make out. fancy ii may be one
of our men. See ii anyone is missing.
The sergeant returned his eyes wide
with amazement ITS the Par--it'
Saunders. sir" he reported Hes takel
Kellv's canteen and slipped over tn,
rocks without anYbody's seeing him"
Clark swore softly, for want of words
and together the men strained their eve