Morris tribune., 1905-03-18

unprotected feet. "That's my sign
manual, and it's not hard to duplicate
in the army yonder either"
That's true And to think that the
cause of liberty's got down so low thai
we are its only dependence. And they
call us the grand army
"Well. as you say" went on another
recklessly. 1--WE can't get into anything
worse, so burrah for the next move,
say T."
"Three days rations and light march.
ing order, meaning. l suppose, that we
are to leave our heavy overcoats and
blankets and foot stoves and such 9TH
er luxuries behind That rather indi-
Gates that we are going to do some
! thing besides retreat. And / should
| like to get whack at those mercenary
! Dutchmen before l freeze or starve,"
| was the reply.
"Bully for your
"Pm with you, old man."
81, too
| "And l." came from the group of un-
! daunted men surrounding the speaker.
And to think" said another, "of its
being Christmas day and all those lit
tie children at home! Oh, WE'LL" turn
ing away and wiping his eyes, march
ing and fighting may make us forget,
boys! / wouldn't mind suffering for
liberty if we could only do something,
have something to show for it but
bloody trail and a story of defeat.
I'm tired of it," he continued des-
/ perately I'D fight the whole British
army if they would only let me get
! chance at them"
"We're all, with you there, man, and
guess this time we get chance re-
! piled one of the speakers amid a cho-
rus of approval which showed the spir-
| it of the men.
While the men were talking among
themselves thus the four riders on the
tired horses had ridden up to the farm
! house. A soldier dressed no better
than the rest stood before the door.
/ "Halt! Who are you" he cried,
presenting his musket.
Friends. Officers from Philadel-
phia with messages for his excellency,"
replied the foremost. Don't you rec
ogniZe me, my manY
why, it's Lieutenant Talbot! Pass
in sir, and these other gentlemen with
you," answered the soldier, saluting.
/ Its glad the general will be to see
you
Without further preliminaries the
young man opened the door and en-
tered, followed by his three compan
IONS A cheerful fire Of logs was blaz-
ing and cracking in the wide fire,
place in the long, low room. On the
] table before it stood a great bowl Of
steaming punch, and several. officers
were sitting or standing about the
room in various positions. The uni
/ forms of all save that of one of them
were scarcely less worn and faded, If
J not quite so tattered, than were those
, of the escort The same grim enemies
had left the same grim marks upon
them as upon the soldiers
The only well dressed person in the
| room was bright eyed young man,
! mere boy. just nineteen wearing the
j brilliant uniform of an officer of the
| French army. He was tall and thin,
! red haired. with long nose and re-
i treating forehead. His bright eyes and
animated manner expressed the inter
est he felt in conversation carried on
in the French language with his near
est neighbor, another young man
scarcely year his senior. The con-
] trast between the new and gay French
uniform of the one and the faded Con-
t tinental dress of the other was not less
startling than that suggested by the
difference in their size. The American
/ officer was a small, very small, man,
! but in spite of his insignificant stature
the whole impression of the man was
striking and even imposing. In con-
| trast to the other his face was very
handsome, the head finely shaped, the
/ features clear cut and regular. He had
| decisive mouth bespeaking resolu-
ton and f1rmness, and two piercing
eyes out of which looked will as
hard and imperious as ever dwelt in
mortal man.
| In front of the fire were two older
| HCuy CttCu Ill IilC VI a SCASId dl
} officer, one of thirty-five or thirty-six
| years of age, the other perhaps ten years
+ older. The younger Of the two, full
/ faced. intelligent, active, commanding
sort of man, whose appearance indicat-
| ed confidence in himself and the light
Of whose alert blue eyes told Of dash
| ing brilliancy in action and prompt
decision in perilous moments, which
made him one Of those who succeed,
would have been more noticed had not
his personality been so overshadowed
by that of the officer who was speak
ing to him. The latter was possessed
of figure so tall that it dwarfed
every other In the room. He was
massively nodded, but well proper
toned, with enormous hands and feet
and long. powerful limbs, which indi-
Gated great physical force, and having
| wfthal an erect and noble carriage,
easy and graceful in appearance,
which would have Immediately attract
Il