The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-08-18

The PEDESTRIANS hand went down to
his pocket He was young man. born
after the close Of. the war. and what
he knew about it he had cleaned from
books. B
"Oh. we'll, 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.
II I've got to freeze and starve
might as well begin tonight. Beg
pardon for the way startled you. !
was huddled up in the hallway, wish
ing the end would come, when heard
your footsteps. It seemed the only
chance for tonight, and so hustled
out. Well, you could have called .
policeman; and as you haven't done so
want to say I'm much obliged. /" 4
IF I thought you were telling q
straight story" said the pedestrian
as his fingers gripped coin in his
pocket. 'S'''@'
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 nickel. salute you, sir-good
night. You are going home, and Lam
/ going-to walk!" u q q
He turned the corner and started OF.
His steps were slow and uncertain, and
the man watching him took notice of .
limp. The clothes on his back would
not have kept out the chill of June
night. He had gone block when the
other called: q
"Hello, old man-come back! I 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. Give tried begging tonight for
the first time in my life, and I'm not Z
success at it. About face! Forward
march! Again, sir-good night" s
He was telling me the truth, and 4
turned him down, poor DEVIL" NUT.
tered the young man as he walked
slowly on. y 2s %g &
STwos right march," said the old
soldier as he turned the corner. "When
I passed through this towu on my way
to the front the men crowded about
the cars to throw me cigars, and every
woman~ehads bouquet for soldier
boy. When passed through after
Lees surrender the bands were play
ing, flags flying, and the old vets owned
the earth. There has been a little
change in the programme! No bands
mo flags bouquets. Old vet is
hunting for a coal yard to make his
bed. Company G-halt! Right dress.
Parade fiI9Nt 4o
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.
s'Queer-queer!" whispered the old
man. 'This place has familiar look
wonder If Say, I have It now!
Bless me, If haven't run across oul
old barracks after all these long years!
True as gospel, but our regiment was
quartered 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 & III y ME$&
@"Ugh!" shivered the old veteran
''but it's better than walking the
streets. Attention company G.. Carry
arms! BY -twos-1ile LETT. 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 thu
cold bricks. There i. 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. 90. !
"And what If do freeze to death p
he asked and answered after q few
minutes had slipped away. when
man has fought his best and beer
downed there's nothing but death lief
for him, and why not freeze as well al
drown? All! but fits not as cold as =
was. And there seems to sbe people
talking and moving about. l wendei
now4-I wonder IT, yss2Sfs1S5
Company G, fall in for roll CALI"
God q my llfs!! The Vet.
eran as he Strengthened up, but that
the voice Of Sam Andrews, our 46ds or
derby sergsant, sanasthe bdsyJ Jug fallint
in forsroIgcsll.s @AMA# sS@ Il
With his baplsSto lths vail md hi
heels together, with his heart beating