The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-08-19

his pocket. He was young man, born
after the close of the war, and what
he knew about it he had CLEANED from
books.
"Oh, well, let it co. said the old
veteran as he turned away. After
ALL what good would it be? There'd
be tomorrow night and nights after.
| If I've got to freeze and starve
| might as we'll begin tonight. Beg
i pardon for the way I startled you. l
was huddled up in the hallway, wish
ing the end would come, when l heard
your footsteps. 1t seemed the only
chance for tonight, and so l hustled
out. Well, you could have called a
policeman; and as you haven't done so
l want to say I'm much obliged.
eff l thought you were telling a
straight story" said the pedestrian
as his fingers gripped a coin in his
| pocket.
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 Il salute you, sir-good
going-to walk"
He turned the corner and started Off.
His steps were slow and uncertain, and
the man watching him took notice of a
| limp The clothes on his back would
not have kept out the chill of June
night. He had gone block when the
other called:
Hello old man-come back! don't
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 halt and about
faced 'I've tried begging tonight for
the first time in my life, and I'm not a
success at it. About face! Forward
march! Again, sir-good night"
"He was telling me the truth, and I
| turned him down, poor devil" NUT
tered the young man as he walked
slowly on.
/
soldier as he turned the corner. When
l passed through this town on my way
| to the front the men crowded about
the cars to throw me cigars, and every
woman had a bouquet for soldier
boy. When l 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 fiags-no bouquets. Old vet is
hunting for coal yard to make his
| bed. Company G-halt! Right dress.
Parade-rest!"
He had stopped before 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 their
work.
"Queer-queer!" whispered the old
man. This place has familiar look.
wonder if Say, 1 have it now!
Bless me, if I haven't run across our
old barracks after all these long years!
True as gospel, but our regiment was
auartered here for 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.
"Ughi" shivered the old veteran
"but it's better than walking the
streets. Attention, company G.! Carry
arms! BY twos-file left! Forward
march,"
Through the darkness and over the
debris he picked his way until he
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?'
he asked and answered after a 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 well as
drown? All! but it's not as cold as il
was. And there seems to be people
talking and moving about. wonder
now-I wonder if"
Company G, fall in for roll CALI"
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 roll CALL"
With his back to the wall and his
heels together, with his heart beating
unanimously and his eyes looking in.
, to the darkness and his ears strained
to catch the slightest sound, the mar
, waited
Amber = Allen-Andrews! called
the sergeant.
"He calls the names of men who
were dead after Manassas" whispered