The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-08-26

II mi pedest hand vsnt "a g
his pocket ne No. 8 young man, born
after the cloee off the war. and what
he knew shout IS he had cleaned from
books ~ IS
"Oh, we'll. let 60 8 said the Old
veteran as he turned away. After
all, what good would It be? There'd
be tomorrow night and nights after.
II I've got to freeze and starve
might as well begin tonight. Beg
pardon for the way startled you.
was shuddled up In the hallway, wish
Ing the end would come, when I heard
your footsteps. It seemed the only
chance for tonight, and so I hustled
out: Well, you could have called a
policeman; and as you haven't done so
I want to say I'm much obliged. -
''If I thought you were telling a
straight story - s, said the pedestrian
as his fingers gripped coin in his
pocket. j., <.. ,s.., go.
Henry Zembler, sir, late private in
the Tenth New Jersey infantry in the
late unpleasantness,' replied the old
man as he came to attention" again.
''You can't be certain of my story,
sir. The town is full Of tramps, as you
say, and they'll tell any sort of yarn to
get a nickel. I salute you, sir-good
night. You are going home, and I am
going-to walk" - : = ''S-'@
He turned the corner and started of.
His steps were slow and uncertain, and
the man watching him took notice of q
limp. The clothes on his back would
not have kept out the chill of a June
night. He had gone block when the
other called:
'Hello, old man-come back! I DOM
go much on your story, but I'll stake
you for tonight"
Late of the Tenth New Jersey, sir
in the late unpleasantness," replied the
veteran as he came to a halt and about
faced. give tried begging tonight fol
the first time in my life, and I'm not g
success at it. About face! Forward
march! Again, sir-good night"
HE was telling me the truth, and ]
turned him down., poor DEVIL NUT.
tered the young man as he walked
slowly on.
"Twos right-march!" said the old
soldier as he turned the corner. when
passed through this towu on my way
to the front the men crowded about
the cars to throw me cigars, and every
woman had bouquet for a soldier
boy. When I passed through after
Lees surrender the bands were play.
ing, flags flying, and the old vets owned
the earth. There has been little
change in the programme! No bands
no flags-no bouquets. Old vet is
hunting for a coal yard to make his
bed. Company G-halt! Right dress
Parade rest!"
| He had stopped before a long,, one.
story stone building. There were open
ings for doors and windows, but only
the openings were left. Here and there
the roof was sagging, and it needed
but one look up and down to show that
time and decay had about done theil
work. a" Z: =
"Queer-queer!" whispered the, old
man. "Thiss place hasa familiar LOOK
I wonder If Say, have It now!
Bless me, If l haven't run across oul
old barracks after all these long years!
True as gospel, but our regiment was
quartered here for a month before We
went marching away for First Bull
Run. Here we are, company G, right
in front of our old home. I patrolled
up and down here a dozen different
nights"
He peered in at the open doorway
upon heaps of refuse. AS he turned
his face upwards he could see the stars
blinking through holes in the roof
The winter winds swept through the
old rookery from end to end, and being
darker inside than out, it also seemed
colder in there. l.,
"Ugh!" shivered the old veteran
''but' it's better than walking the
streets. Attention, company G! Garry
-arms! By twos-file left! Forward
-march!"
Through the darkness and over thu
debris he picked his way until hi
reached the opposite wall and leaned
his weak and weary frame against the
| cold bricks. There was no shelter
from the Chill, but the walls turned
away the keen edges of the winter
blasts. Here was the last battle line
here! he must make his last fight. ~
"And what if do freeze to death p
he asked and answered after L few
minutes had slipped away. when q
man. has fought his best and beer
downed there's nothing but death LEFT
for him, and why not freeze as we'll q.
drown? All! but it's not as cold as II
was. And there seems to be people
talking and moving about. wonder
now-I wonder if"
Company G, fall in for roll calf"
God of my life!" gasped the vet,
eran as he Strengthened up, ''but that's
the voice Of Sam Andrews, our old or
derby sergeant, and the boys are falling
in for roll4call.'' 81 u! %ss,s 49, Il =
: With his back to the wall and hi
heels together, with his heart sbeatinf