The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-07-12

A Romance In a Barrel
Observation-Disclosures;

loTlBlndl.J
A barrel shipped from the United
States by woman's aid society for
soldiers in the Philippines was carted
to ship and went rolling over the
waves to its destination. I'm only an
old -four barrel" it said to itself, but
I've got something within me that
shall turn man upside down."
Private George Merritt Of the til
United States infantry sat in his tent in
the Philippines reading a novel. 1t had
come to 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 nameY' but there are
times when there is everything in a
name. Had Private Merritt read ME
hetabel Bunker" there would be no &C.
casion for this story. But Julia Anita
Leigh was different. A young man
eXiled, 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
eyes looked at him. "Anita" suggest
ed long black coils Of hair. About
Leigh" there was something especial
ly refined. The whole made a very
lovely creature.
Private Merritt read the book. 1t
was about 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 We're married and the
humdrum of life commenced.
In idleness and a 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-
famous uncle who was trying to get her
into an insane asylum to secure control
of her fortune. AS soon as he had fin,
ished the book he took up writing
case and placing it in his Jap, 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 O.
made up stories wherein the write
wishes complication between lovers
Miss Leigh received Private Merritt
letter covered with postoffice marks
such as TRY New York." "Try Ore
gon,' TRY South Carolina" She open
ed it and read that young soldie
in the Philippines had derived pleas
| ulC Aloill u lloNCl SllC ud1 lOISOllell
But her Imagination became inflamet
with picture of handsome youn:
fellow with pair of pistols in hi
belt, sword dangling at his side
rifle in the crook of his elbow, sittin:
ON a camp chair while the band played
on the parade reading that novel whicl
had once been hers.
Letters by the dozen crossed tn.
deep, passing each other eastbound ant
westbound. The tone of the first few
was subdued, but it was not long be
fore the tropical warmth of the Philip
pines began to enliven those gon;
westward, kindling like fire in replie
ping young fellow in an undress KHAKI
uniform went westward and passet
one of a pretty brunette in silk attir
going eastward.
Then came the welcome news tina
the til infantry was ordered home
Private Merritt packed his kit ant
marched to the ship that was to talk,
him to the girl whose letters he hat
caressed in place Of her who had writ
ten them. Julia Anita Leigh awaited
with palpitating heart the man who's,
noble sentiments as expressed on pa
per she regarded worthy of the genera
in chief of the army.
One sunny morning Miss Leigh wa
handed card with the name on it O
George Merritt. All in a flut1er, sh,
went down into the drawing room, ant
there sat, or, rather, rose as she enter
ed, young man in citizens dress, TO
Merritt had been discharged. For til,
first few moments they did not scrupl,
to ogle each other to satisfy themselves
THAI they were not disappointed, a.
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 fol
one. These distressing persons are fol
lovers who feed on while the match il
being touched to the tender passion
Once it is aflame they are as useless as
doll to woman.
There was an r1navantf,,J oor,rtch;r