The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-04-16
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When Colonel King looked up from
the letter presented by the handsome
slender youth who stood before him, ne
scowled. In fact, he was vexed at the
irregular proceedings on the part Of his
old friend Dawson, who Gs rector OF one
of the prominent churches in subur-
ban town, had taken this way to appear
to him in behalf Of the young man VINO
a soldie: would be.
The letter read:
INV Dear Colonel-This letter will in
troduce to your favora BILE notice Walter
Lyon, only son of our old friend and
comrade Lieutenant John D. Lyon, who
as you know gave his life for our coun-
try during the war Of the rebelllon l
have sent Walter to you because be-
lieve that, in memory of the time wheH
his father was our captain, you neu-
tenant and I chaplain Of our regiment
YOU will think as 7 do about helping
the son.
1.-THE boy has not the splendid ply
sique his father possessed, but he has
passed a creditable examination, been
pronounced mentally and physically
sound by the examining physician, IS
twenty-five years old and is full or pat
riotism.
young Lyon belonged to the home
guards and drilled with them, but for
another company. and seems to nave
such unbounded faith in my ability that
I am appealing to you, who can DO what
he asks if anyone can; therefore seno
him direct to you.
II know it may require vast amount
of red tape to bring this about, but you
cannot have forgotten what John Lyon
did for us when we were in mole, anu
I want you to help his boy now.
II have not seen Walter since his
papers were made out, as he has been
in the country, but have had several
urgent letters on the subject and am
convinced that his reason for TINS
change is important, and l nope you
will do what you can to grant the re-
quest.
TRUSTING that may be favored with
an early reply and that you will feel
as I do about the matter, l am very
truly yours,
That the rector's letter had it's effect
| was evident, for, in spite Of his private
! opinion that the young man was physl-
cally unfit for the life of soldier,
| Walter Lyon was mustered III ana
sailed with the company to Cuba.
"Better take young Lyon under your
wing, Joe; he's Captain Lyons son, but
he'll never make a soldier unless ne
shows more muscle than he does now.
Thus it was that Walter fell into
good hands, for Joe Ryan, who had fol-
| lowed the Colonel through every phase
| of life since both he and his master
were boys, was respected as the Col
| onePs right-hand man, and very few
| cared to displease the old man. Joe
| knew Walters father before the lad
was born, and he made up his mind to
protect "Laddie,'' as he called the deli.
cate looking boy. The boys dubbed
| Walter THE Handsome Dandy" but
| they all liked him, and Joe had his
hands full keeping them from bullying
him into smoking and drinking with
| them on the sly.
On the eve of the battle of Santiago
Joe, sitting up before the little tent he
1had giVan3Supis to, u ter oakedx tro11'
bled ,5sas IL sonnet thing lay h eeaxyyE on hi.
mind. =: $500: 49,: ~ :
The company: had not as yet been II
even a skirmish and the boys were al
eagerly looking forward to a chance tt
pale with suppressed excitement, bu
there was fire in. the dark grey eyes
and look about the mouth that show
ed it was not from fear or coWardlce
"Joe tell me if body knows how t.
shoot at mark and can hit 1t most ev
cry time, can he shoot we'll in battle
Joe took his pipe from his mouth ant
looked pittyingly at the white cheek
of the handsome young soldier hefor
he answered.
Eyes, Laddie, you will do we'll enough
if you have as much strength as plucl
tomorrow, but say, Laddie, wis.,
you didn't have to go on the battle
field. I don't see why you are here a
all; it's all wrong. Yes nay brave lit
tie soldier, it's all wrong!' said Joe
bringing his fist down with emphasl
| nj wiSffnInPS
at Walter.
"Why, Joe! how can you talk tina
way? Don't you know that my fathe
was one of the very bravest officer
in the civil war, and now that I ma
have a chance to distinguish myself
would you have me show the whit
feather and disgrace his name? 70
don't know how strong and braVe tet
] but'-with this assertion still fresh o
his lips the young soldier ignomin
iously burst into tears.
Don't tell the boys I cried, Joe
They might think I am afraid, but
am not I'm only nervous and Sill.
You will keep my secret, won't you?
and Walter looked appealingly into tn
grave face of his companion.
"You can depend upon me, Laddle.
have known your secret since the da
YOU came and it is safe with me: Yo
will bear me witness some day, If yo
are spared, that I have treated you
if you were my own child. But, what
you are wounded, Laddie-what then
You would be in other hands than o.
Joe's. Dr. Stevens came this evening
and he's new in these parts, so
might not let me have anything to sa
about it; but I'll do my best for 20
poor little Laddie.'
What secrets do you know, Joe? ar
what DR.. Stevens are you tallii
about?' Ladies' face was drawn al
haggard, his eyes full of fear. ID
Hugh Stevens. He's from the state
| came today and his home is in one
! the suburbs Of New York. He" b
Laddie had tainted land Joe, determi
| ed not to call the physician, had h
hands full restoring life to the appa
emily helpless soldier who expected
win honors on the battlefield in a fe
| hours.
This is pretty kettle Of fish.
I like to know what that new surgeon h;
got to do with it. Guess I'll tell Ladd