Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-07-19
CHAPTER XIX.

D'ri and left the chateau that aft
ernoon, putting up in the red tavern
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. "Ain't a-goin' t. hev
tibet floppin' there so-meks me feel
lux bird. Don't seem nOhow nat'ral.
Wha' d. We s'pose he gin me tibet air
thing fer?''
He was putting it away carefully in
his wallet.
las token of respect for your
bravery" said I.
His laughter roared in the still
woods, making my horse lift and snort
a little. 1t was never an easy job to
break any horse to D'ris laughter.
Its 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
a serious and determined look.
'You did WELL" said I, land deserve
anything you can get"
Done my damdest!" said he But
I 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 O. men whalin' i'm, an
lot more tryin' t. scare i'm t. DEATH -
VIVA d ye s'pose tibet air things
made wv" he inquired, after a little
silence.
Silver" said I.
Pure silver?"
'Undoubtedly," was my answer.
Judas Priest!" said he, taking out
his wallet again, to look at the trophy
Tibet air mus be with suthin,."
More than a years salary" said I.
He looked up at me with a sharp
whistle of surprise.
"Ain' no great hand fer sech funny
diddles,' said he, as he put the medal
away. "
Its a badge of HONOR said /.
1T shows you re brave man."
Got 'nough on EN-" said D'ri
This ERE rip n the forehead's bout
all the badge need"
TITS from the emperor-the great
Napoleon" said. 1T s mark of his
pleasure"
wall, by Judas Priest!" said D'ri,
L would Mt jump over stump or
stun wall t. please no emp'ror, an
l would MT cut off my leetle finger fer
hull bushel basket o. them air.
hain't a-fightin' fer no honor
what them" said I.
His face turned very sober. He
pursed his lips, and spat across the
ditch; then gave his mouth a wipe.
and glanced thoughtfully at the sky.
*sFer liberty" said he, with decision.
Same thing my father died fer
Not to this day have forgotten it,
the answer of old D'ri, or the look of
him as he spoke. I was only 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.. Mz.zi-
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 began to feel the great
passion of the people, and was put to
shame for a moment. r
'Liberty-that is a grand thing to
fight for" said I. after brief pause.
-, Swap my blood any time fer tn ct
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 g
fer suthin' purity middlin' vallyble.
My life amt wuth much, but, we see,
/ hain't nuthin' else 5
+ We rode awhile in sober thought,
hearing only a 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
" over stretchto bare moss when, at
q sharp turn, we came suddenly in
sight of huge bear that sat facing
us. drew my pistol as we pulled rein.
AI1u8 quickly. Inc pear ran away
into the brush as l fired another shot.
HE s hit" said Dri, leaping of 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 dowuhearted look. 55ss= #:.
1T aim mo use,'' said he. Can't
never Git tibet bear: he 9 got 2 flesh