The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1906-09-08

to throw Il away.
The men spread their blankets on
the floors Of the bare rooms, and put
ting their packs under their heads and
lighting their pipes, they lived In lazy
peace. Bees hummed in the garden and
a scent OF flowers came through the
open window.
There was sudden little spatter Of
shooting. A cry from Jones rang out
With no little intermediate scrambling,
the sergaent leaped straight to his feet.
Now" be cried, let us see what you
are made Of. IT," he added bitterly.
you are made OF anything"
A man yelled: Good God, can. you
see you're all tangled up in my cart
ridge belt?"
Another man yelled: Keep on my
legs! Can't you walk on the Gcor?"
TO the windows there was Hind
rnsA OF siumberous men, who brushed
W. from their eyes even as they made
ready their rifles. Jones and Patter-
son came stumbling up the steps. cry
Ing dreadful Information. Already the
enemy's bullets were spilling and sing
ing over the house.
The sergeant suddenly was stiff and
cold with sense OF the importance Of
the thing.
There was a howl. There they are!
There they comet" The rifles cracked.
A light smoke drifted Idly through tho
rooms. There was a strong odor as
from burnt paper and the powder OF
firecrackers.
Now" said the sergeant, ambitious
ly. I'VE can beat them on easily II you
men are good enough
There was q fusillade against an
other side OF the house. The sergeant
dashed into the room which command
cd that situation. He found dead
soldier on the floor.
Patterson" cried Sergeant Morton.
Yes" said Patterson, his face set
with some deep-rooted quality OF de-
termination. Still, he was mere farm
boy.
at those people," said the sergeant,
hoarsely. Afterwards he coughed.
Some Of the fumes Of the fight had
made way to his lungs.
Patterson looked at the door into
this other room. He looked at 1t as if
he suspected 1t was to be his death
chamber. Then he entered and stood
across the body Of Knowles and fired
vigorously into group Of charming
plum trees.
They can't take this house" de-
clared the sergeant In contenptuOus
and argumentative tone. He was ap-
parently replying to somebody. A
man who had been shot in the throat
looked up at him. Eight men were
firing from the windows The sergeant
detected in a corner three wounded
men, talking together feebly.
Don't you think there is anything
to do?" he bawled. Go and ret
Knowles cartridges and give them to
somebody that can use them. Take
Simpsons, too" The man who had
been shot In the throat looked at him.
or the three wounded men who had
been talking, one said apologetically:
my leg Is all doubled up under me-"
Meantime the sergeant was reload
Ing his rife. His foot slipped in the
blood OF the man who had been shot
in the throat.
"Why, we can hold this place."
shouted the sergeant jubilantly.
Corporal Flagler suddenly spun from
his window and fell IN a heap
Sergeant" murmured man, as he
dropped to seat on the floor out OF
danger, Il can't stand this. swear
can't. think we should run away"
Morton. with the kindly eyes of a
| good sherherd, looked at the man.
, You are afraid, Johnston; you ere
| afraid ne said softly. The man strug-
gled to his feet, cast upon the sergeant
a gaze fun Of admiration, reproach and
| despair, and returned to his post A
moment later he pitched forward. and
thereafter his body hung Imply out OF
the window.
The Sc, geant laid his rife against
| the stonework OF the window frame
and shot with care until his magazine
was empty Behind him, a man sim
ply grazed on the elbow was wildly
sobbing like a girl.
shut up" said Morton, without
| turning his head. Before him was a
vista OF fields. clumps OF trees, woods
populated with little, stealthy, teeting
/ figures.
! He grew furious. why didn't he
! send me orders?" he cried aloud. The
emphasis on the word he" was I'M
pressive.
The man who had been grazed on
/ the elbow still set up his bleat. Nor
| tons fury veered TO this soldier Can,
I sou shut up7 Can't you shut up.
Can't you shut up? Fight! That's the
| thing 10 90, Fight"
! \ bullet struck Morton and re fell
upon the man who had been shot IN
/ the throat; There was sickepins
moment. Then the sergeant rolled on
| 10 position upon the bloody floor. Hs
turned himself with last effort until
! he could look at the wounded who
were able to look at him.
| His arms weakened and he dropped