The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-10-19

L. ~ the hard ground. "Td like
&x%xa4o&xxx to brush up my spinal
cord; it's been so thrilled to
smithereens, I haven't any backbone
left. You know, COMFY, they drill on
Van Ness avenue, right in front of
our house. Will power can keep you
from the window, but they've been Civ
ing their orders by bugle, and the very
sound simply makes me want to
how'll
II know" chimed in Constance Brice,
waving a gold-headed cane, to which
had been fastened a very spick and
span silk flag; there's a squad down
near US, too"
1.-THE other day" went on Margaret,
"T had such an experience. As I
was coming home the soldiers were
lying fat in the middle of Van Ness
avenue, firing at the enemy over an
embankment. 1t was perfectly stu
pendous. OF course, there wasn't really
any firing, or embankment, or enemy,
but seeing them gave me the wal
fever, I can tell you! Oh, if I were
only a man I wouldn't be sitting here,
or standing with my hands in my
pockets, either" Ia whitening glance
at their thus employed ESCORT. I'd
goodness, Tom Scott, look ut that thing
right down there in front Of us. I am
going to run this minute"
"What is it," asked Constance.
"a great, big, borrid old %cannonw
ooh, hurry, Maige! Of course they'll
fire a salute. Let's so home and watch
the transports from our back porch"
"Haven't you had an object lesson in
cannon at your kindergarten yet?"
asked Tom, s%erenely; then, turning to
Margaret: "Baby's little dog OF war is
muzzled; doggie can't bark al the little
.durls," and lie reassuringly pointed
out to the cap upon it.
ITO change the subject" said Marga-
ret, with a little cough, did you ever
see such an uninteresting looking NOR
tai as that woman sitting by herself
over there. Her face is absolutely eX-
pressionless. I'd just like to stick q
pin in her to see if she'd take interest
enough to squeal."
"Your hat pin with its army button
end" suggested Constance. 4 don't
believe she has any patriotism, for she
hasn't a ghost of a badge or button"
Il don't see what she came for. If
she wants to read magazines such 4
day as this, she'd better stay at home"
1.-THE leaves turn over pretty fast.
She's probably only looking at the pic
tures-don't care for reading, you
know. How long have we been here
nova"
"One hour and forty minutes
answered Tom; then added encourag-
tngly: "It's my opinion the transports
won't 60 till night, then steal out
quietly"
They went on chatting of trivialities.
Then, towards 5 o'clock-they had
come to Block Point at 2-they began
telling stories.
Il heard such a romantic ore yester-
day." said Margaret. There was q
girl of Spanish descent called Anita
Anita-oh, I can't remember her last
name"
"Jones," suggested Tom.
"Her parents both came to this
country when they were mere babies.
They have been back. They
have made all their money here. The
father, naturalized, has voted right
along. And their children have been
educated in our public schools. But,
when this war brok~ out, the one
touch of Spanish blood in their veins
made them akin to their unknown
brothers in their unknown fatherland.
Anita, a belle of Santa Clara County,
was engaged to q promising young
Californian.
"The parental smile had all the
bless-you-my-children serenity until
the young man enlisted: then he was
forbidden the house and II intercourse
with the granddaughter of Spain.
Well, as you can easily guess, Cupid
managed q private correspondence, but
n sad day a telltale feather dropped
from his wing, and the Spanish temper
that hadn't been naturIlized when pa
pa got out his papers, flew into a rage
that babe Anita choose once and for
ever between home ties and heart ties.
1t didn't take long. With only enough
money to last a month, she pluckily
came to San Francisco to earn her
own living. AS soon as her son of
Mars heard it he insisted upon an i'm
mediate marriage. The wedding took
place exactly a week ago, ard today
he goes to Manila"
"The poor little thing" exclaimed