Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-07
CHAPTER XIX

at Morristown about dusk.
My companion rode away proudly
the medal dangling at his waistcoat
lapel.
Jerushy janet said he, presently,
as he pulled rein. Amt a-goin' t. hev
tibet foppin' there so-meks me feel
LUX bird. Don't seem nohow nat'ral.
VIVA d We spose he gin me tibet air
thing fer?"
He was putting it away carefully in
his wallet.
AS token of respect for your
bravery" said l.
His laughter reared in the still
woods, making my horse lift and snort
little. 1t was never an easy job to
break any horse to D'ri's laughter.
It's reedic'lous,' said he, thought
fully, in a moment.
'Why?"
Cause fer the reason why they
don't no man deserve nuthin' fer dom
what he d orter," he answered, with
serious and determined look.
You did WE'LL" said 1, ''and deserve
anything you can get"
Done my damdest!" said he. But
! did MT do nuthin' but git licked Got
shot an tore an slammed all over
tibet air deck, an could MT do no harm
t nobody. Jes LUX boss tied n the
stall, an lot D. men whalin' i'm, an
lot more tryin' t. scare i'm t. DEATH
VIVA d. We s'pose thet air things
made wv" he inquired, after little
silence.
Silver" said l.
Pure silver?"
Undoubtedly" was my answer.
Judas Priest!" said he, taking out
his wallet again, to look at the trophy.
Tibet air mus be wuth suthin,."
More than years salary" said I.
He looked up at me with sharp
, whistle of surprise.
ee. Ain no great hand fer sech funny
diddles," said he, as he put the medal
away.
TITS badge of honor" said 1.
1T shows you re a brave man."
:"Gpt 'npugh on 'em," said D'ri.
This 'ere rip n the forehead's bout
all the badge need"
Tits from the emperor-the great
Napoleon" said. ut g mark of his
pleasure"
'tWall. by Judas Priest!" said D'ri,
y would Mt jump over a stump or
stun wall t please no emp'ror. an
! would Mt cut off my leetle finger fer
hull bushel basket o. them air. l
Aatn't a-fghtin' fer no honor"
what them" said I.
His face turned very sober. He
pursed his lips, and spat across the
ditchi then gave his mouth a wipe.
eAd glanced thoughtfully at the sky,
Fer liberty" said he, with decision.
Same thing my father died fer"
Not to this day have forgotten Il,
the answer of old D'ri, or the look of
him as he spoke. / was only a reckless
youth fighting for the love of peril and
adventure, and with too little thought
Of the high purposes of my country.
The causes Of the war were familiar to
me; that proclamation Of Mr.. Madi-
son had been discussed freely in our
home, and had felt some share in
the indignation Of D'ri and my father.
This feeling had not been allayed by
the bloody scenes in which had had
part. Now l began to feel the great
passion of the people, and was put to
shame for moment.
"Liberty-that is grand thing to
fight for" said I, after brief pause.
Swap my sblood any time fer tibet
air." said D'ri. II can fight sassy, but
not fer no king but God Almighty.
Don't pay t git all tore up less it IS
fer suthin' purity middlin' vallyble.
My life amt with much, but, we see,
hain't nuthin' else.''
We rode awhile in sober thought,
hearing only sough of the wind above
and the rustling hoof-beat of our
horses In the rich harvest of the au-
tumn woods. We were walking slow
ly over a stretch Of bare moss when, at
sharp turn, we came suddenly In
sight of huge bear that sat facing
US. drew my pistol as we pulled rein,
firing quickly. The bear ran away
into the brush as fired another shot,
He g hit" said D'ri, leaping off and
bidding me hold the bit Then, with a
long stride, he ran after the fleeing
bear had been waiting near half an
hour when D'ri came back slowly, with
a downhearted look.
Il ain no use." said he. Cant
never git tibet bear. He IS got flesh.
wound high up in his him quarters, an
he 8 travellin' fast"
He took fresh chew of tobacco and
i mounted his horse.
Terrible PITY" he exclaimed. shak-
} Ing his head with some trace of linger-
Ing sorrow. Ray" said he, soberly,
| after little silence, when We see a
bear lookin' your way, eff We want i'm,
I always shute at the end thet's toward
ye."
There was no better bear-hunter in
4 the north woods than D'ri, and to lose
bear was, for him, no light affection.
Can't never break bears neck by
shutin' i'm in the him quarters" he
remarked.
made no answer.
Might jest es we'll spit N lis face"
he added. presently; ''jest eggzacly."
This apt and foSceful advice Gained
4 lingering sense of duty, and he rode
on awhile in silence. The woods were
" glooming in the early dusk when he
spoke again. Something revived his
contempt Of my education. He had
tsen trailing. after me, and suddenly ]
felt his knee
\ TELL ye this. Ray" said he, In q
kindly tone. "Ef We wan t git bear
BOT = mux i'm up a leetle for'ard-
Y right UP n the neigh borhood Nv is