The daily Alaskan., 1906-08-14
A Romance In a Barrel
TOrigInal.l

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A barrel shipped from the United
States by a woman's aid society Tor
soldiers In the Philippines was carted
to a ship and went rolling over the
waves to its destination. I'm only an
old flour barrel" 1t said to itself, but
I've got something within me that
shall turn a man upside down"
Private George Merritt OF the til
United States infantry sat In his tent in
the Philippines reading novel. 1t had
come 20 the army OF occupation in the
barrel. on taking up the book, which
was an old one bound in paper half
the cover torn Off and numerous
smudges and lead pencil marks scat
tered here and there, the soldier turn
ed first to the fly leaf and read the
name-"Julia Anita Leigh"
We may snap our fingers and say
Whats in a name" but there are
times when there is everything in
name. Had Private Merritt read Me
,etabel Bunker there would be no oc-
caslon for this story. But Julia Anita
Leigh" was different. A young man
exlled. as It were, In benighted land
where he seldom saw q woman eX-
cept the cOppery creatures of the coun-
try was in an excellent frame OF feel
ing to be impressed with anything sug-
gestive OF civilized femininity. When
he read Julia a pair Of soft brown
ewes looked at him. Anita suggest
ed long black coils OF hair. About
ct, eigh" there was something especial
" refined. The whole made a very
lovely creature.
Private Merritt read the book. 1t
was about a young Englishman who
went to Australia to seek his fortune,
and, after many trials in his new home
and many complications In England.
during which his ladylove was con-
stantly calling upon him to come and
save her from certain prosecutions
she was obliged to endure, he went
back home. they were married and the
humdrum Of life commenced.
In Idleness and tropical climate, fan
ned by soft southern winds, one Is apt
to dream. AS Private Merritt read Ju-
liza Anita Leigh was calling upon him
from every page in heartrending ap-
peals to come and save her from a vii
famous uncle who was trying to get her
into an insane asylum to secure control
of her fortune. As soon as he had nm
Ished the book he took up writing
case and, placing it in his lap, wrote a
letter to Julia Anita Leigh thanking
her for the pleasure he had derived
from her book. There was no means
Of knowing her address except the
word "BlytheSford, so he addressed
his letter to Julia Anita Leigh.
Blythesford. U. S. A"
The United States postoffiCe depart
ment takes great pains in delivering
letters, never emitting to find an i'm
perfect address except IN the case OF
made up stories wherein the writer
wishes a complication between lovers.
Miss Leigh received Private Merritts
letter covered with pOStottice marks,
such as Try New York" Try Ore
gon," TRY South Carolina" She open
ed it and read that young soldier
In the Philippines had derived pleas
ure from novel she had forgotten.
But her Imagination became inflamed
with a picture Of handsome young
fellow with a pair Of pistols in his
belt a sword dangling at his side,
rife In the crook of his elbow, sitting
on a camp chair while the band played
on the parGGe reading that novel which
had once been hers.
Letters by the dozen crossed the
deep, passing each other eastbound and
westbound. The tone of the first few
was subdued. but 1t was not long be-
fore the tropical warmth Of the Philip
pines began to enlIven those going
westward, kIndling Ike fire in replies
going eastward. A picture Of a strap
ping young fellow in an undress khaki
uniform went westward and passed
one Of a pretty brunette in silk attire
going eastward.
Then came the welcome news that
the til infantry was ordered home.
Private Merritt packed his kit and
marched to the ship that was to take
him to the girl whose letters he had
caressed In place of her who had writ
ten them. Julia Anita Leigh awaited
with palpitating heart the man whose
noble sentiments as expressed on pa
per she regarded worthy of the general
In chief of the army.
One sunny morning Miss Leigh was
handed card with the name on it Of
George Merritt. All In a fiutter, she
went down into the drawing room, and
there sat, or, rather, rose as she enter
ed, young man in citizens dress, for
Merritt had been discharged. For the
first few moments they did not scruple
to ogle each other to satisfy themselves
that they were not disappointed, as
two children who have been just in
troduced stand and cape at each other.
Each saw that the other was not disap-
pointed-indeed, was much pleased.
Then they sat down and talked it over.
There was no villainous uncle in the
case. Indeed, there was no need for
one. These distressing persons are for
lovers who feed on while the match Is
being touched to the tender passion.
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