The National tribune., 1903-06-11

"You see, Ma. this is what they make
wedding walls Of" said Maria, as she
carefully folded the tulle back on the
board. sand it really looks amost provi-
dential-well-of course Providence isn't
round furnishin' girls with wedding walls" J"
she said with gay laugh, "but Provi-
dence seems to have known that there
was girl round in this burg who needed
the wedding garment and has been doing
its best to hep her out"
Wedding garment" expostulated Mrs.
Klegg. "Now, Maria, you know your pa
wouldn't let you git married in dress
made out Of that stuff! Why, it wouldn't
stuff that them women wear in the pic
lures of the Sultan's wives. Now, you
| just put it right away. I amt going to
have no girl of mine disgrace herself that
way" Mrs. Klegg was really much
worked up before the laughing girls told
her why they were SO "t;ckled." She was
soon Modified, however, and as pleased as
they were at the prospect of Maria having
an ambition gratifed. that nobody would
have suggested as possible, if the Kleggs
had been at home.
"a wedding vail! Just think of it, cho-
rused the two gir's as they started hos
pitalward to tel ST and Shorty of the
good luck coming their way. 1T is just
as fine and pretty as the one that Sis Har-
| llsOH SOl Ill ANeW lOIh LOT ITCH COuSili
of hers, over to the Corners" declared
Maria.
As Co. Q was finishing supper the STEM
torian voice of CorpI Yawman reared
out:
20, yes; o. yes! Come into court! All
the qualified voters of this here school dis
trict will now assemble in a mass-meet-
ing"
Hello, what's eatin' yon now, Yawp?''
inquired Sim Dickinsheets. the chronic
snarler of the company. Coin to hold a
primary?'
That's what we are," answered the
Corporal. "Goin' to express our opinions
and idees as free and independent citizens
Of this greatest country on earth"
''Where've you got all that freedom and
independence hid about you, Yawp?
hain't seen none of it since 1 enlisted back
in Injianny; l hain't dared say my soul
even was my own for nigh on to three years
now, but've been ordered about by every
shoulder strap and stripe, from the Gen
eral down to the lowest water-carrying
Corporal, such as you are, Yawp.'
20, you're always grumblin,' Sim," re-
piled the Corporal, good humoredly. "Your
you git to heaven: about them givin' you
last years halo"
| I've had good reason to grumble.
wasn't born to be no mans slave and
drudge
| Don't know any man in the company
who's done less slavin' and drudgin' than
you, Sim. You've managed to skip most
everything, except this last march, and you
wouldn't've done that if you hadn't been
caught unawares, when you was sent back
to us at Savanny."
'That's right. Blackguard n man about
his poor health. Just because you wear
stripes. If it wasn't for them I'd JUST
Il amt backguardin' You. and you
know it, Sim. Come now, Sim. Have 4
loosid interval in your growlin'. This army
business is near'y over now"
They'll find some way to keep US in as
long as we live" growed D:ck.nsheets.
"No, they won't. They'll only be too
glad to git shet of feedin' and cloth;n'
SUCH Yawman started to retort, bu.
he was too full Of his fun to be ill-natured.
Now, this war is about over at last.
| when We'll all go back home. and be free
and Independent citizens of the great State
| Of Injianly once more. and we ought to
begin learning how right away. The EX-
ecutive Committee of this here school dis
trict have decided to call a mass-meeting
Of all the qualified voters, to consider mat
ters of great Importance.
"A mass-meetins," yelled the boys,
eager for anything which would be di-
version. "Yes; let's have one. What's it
likeT
"The committee will begin" said Corp'l
Yawman, who had been n good deal of a
political worker in his township before en-
listment, "by calling the Hon. Montgom-
cry Scruggs, of Hoop Pole Township, to
the chair"
Monty ruffled up his hair, as he had
seen speakers do at home, composed his
face to severe expression, and took his
seat with becoming dignity on pork bar
rel at the end of the company street.
Comrades of Co. Q, 1 thank you for
the honor" he began.
"Cheese that, Monty" admonished
CorpI Yawman. "This is citizens
meeting No soldier racket in it,
Excuse me, l forgot myself" Monty
corrected himself. Friends and fellow