The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-11-01
A Soldiers vindication


bis eye was robins egg blue, and he
wore a perpetual smile on his lips lilo
looked 40 good that butter wouldn't
melt in his mouth.
When the Spanish American war
brose out. Bob, who was q member Of
the national guard of his state. went
with his regiment 90 Cuba aud fought
through the battles that resulted Ia tho
capture Of Santiago. lie seemed insen.
slhle 10 fear. and his companions said
OF him that he was too lazy to worry
about getting shot
Bob didn't get shot, hut with that
luck which comes TO reckless people
who rather deserve punishment he re-
ceived wound Just severe enough TO
4 enable him 10 show the scars OF war
veteran. A Aauscr bullet went
through the blceps Of his right arm.
nlying what might pass for two
wounds, one where II went ia and ono
where IL went out
Hazard. not being able 10 handle
musket during this time had abun.
dant leisure for mischief. Removing
two balls from cartridges. he sent ono
10 his best girl. with letter In which
he said that 10 her aud her alone ho
gave the spanish bullet with which he
had been shot The other he sent 10
his other best girl. with similar mes
sage lie enjoipcd each 10 keep the se-
eret OF his preference, since he didn't
wish TO appear 20 attach any impor-
tance TO his wound
Now, the recipients, Miss Edith
Spencer and Miss Della Marsh. were
extremely feminine young ladies'.
While neither were In love with the
young soldier. both were proud OF the
preference Each knew that the other
counted on Private Hazard ny one OF
her especial friends at the front In
those exciting days when not to have
an especial friend Mt the war made n
girl feel and appear like wall
flower" ut n ball. The next time Miss
Spencer met Miss Marsh after the re-
ceipt of her bullet she asked, with q
triumphant sparkle In the eye and toss
OF the head
"lleard from, Bob Hazard latelyw
The response was doubtless lnHu-
enced by the questioner's manner.
"Yes; the poor fellow has been severe
Iy wounded"
II know" replied the other. with an
air OF superiority. "He wrote me all
about IT,"
80 he did me. and sent mo keep
sake"
''IIe sent me the bullet that struck
him.
Miss Marsh gasped for breath. II
have that bullet" she said, ''ln my
escritoire."
"And have II In my Jewel box"
This was the preliminary part Of "a
conversation that led 10 the exhibition
Of two blvlets, each with polished
surface, which is never found on one
that has been fred from gun, TO say
nothing OF being sent through a mans
arm. Had the girls bocn dIslnterestcd
they would have smiled. Az II was.
they vowed that when Private Robert
Hazard returned he should explain
this strange proceeding and pronounce
upon the genuIneness OF the ball that
had wounded him.
When the war ended, II virtually be-
gan for Bob Hazard. An enemy
awaited him which would have strjck-
en- terror into any man OF less bravery.
His regiment marched through tho
city from which II had departed with
flying colors and martial music. The
FIRST communication he received after
being mustered out was note from
Miss Spencer asking him 10 come and
see how she had mounted the keep
sake he had sent her He called that
evening and found Miss Spencer and
Miss Marsh together. On the table
was an open Jewel box that had held
a pair OF solitaire earrings, and In
place OF the earrings were two bullets.
The expression on the faces OF tho
girls was ominous.
"Will you please" said Miss Spencer.
"tell US which Of these two bullets
wounded your
Bob looked at the leaden MISSILES
Their polished surfaces should have
brought the blush Of shame TO his
face, but they did not Indeed h1
took no note Of anything, he was
how TO wlggle out OF tho
scrape he had brought upon himself.
Finally, with an injured air he asked
permission to take on his coat. which
was granted Removing the coat and
4 pair OF gold sleeve links. he rolled
up his shirt sleeve.
This wound" be snid. pointing Ia
the scar where the missile that had
really struck him on the inner surfaces
jf the arm, was made by the bullet
~ the right This" pointing to tbo
scar where the original missile had left
Ills arm. was mada-by the bullet On
he left"
The girls looked nj each other.
You two young ladies'" he con-
lnued, ms especial friends Of mine.
thought might like 10 have bullet
hat hnd struck simple soldier of
be Spanish war Having bullet for
.ach wound. ! was enabled TO send ons
o each Of you"
Again the girls looked at each other.
Il told you" began Miss Spencer
',And told you" interrupted MisA
iarsh. that there was soine"--
That you were very unjust"
''Do you mean flashed Miss Marsh.
"Glrls." said the soldier, II am really
l fault should not have made 80
lnch " 80 trIhIng a matter"
The victory was with tbs villain.
ielthcr girl had loved him till BID
ylndieatlon. bis display &c
iodes,y Then both loved him whilss
= be loved them both
SPENCER ThOWBRiDGE
Yes. said Bragg. I've decided 10
ave long talk with the boss aud tell