The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-01-27
MY HERO.


nr looking mousse ap lhcFe on the hill Z
Major stewart ma'smp
had read Of fhe bravery Of a Car
tain Donald Stewart who during til
spanish-AmerIcab war, then just COZ
Guided, had fought till nearly all hi
men had been killed, then had fred
cannon himself. ! happened TO rea,
an account Of Unpublished soon afte
the occurrence, aFd Il attracted my al
tentlon. Not that was interested Il
the war, which 4 knew nothing about
for a girl of twslty doesn't take an,
interest Ia fghtbg, but somehow al
imaginary pieturdd this Captain Stew
art had got into hny head and remain
ed there TO meEhe must be a tall, ele
giant fellow with q piercing black ey,
and mustache burned up fercely a
the end.
What Major EewartT, I asked 81
the boy.
II don't know, na'am,"
My hero was enly Captain Stewart
did not know trough of war to nm
derstand that brtmry leads to promo
ton. Indeed. kdid not know which
was the higher rank, captain or major
determined tolD up to the house,
ask for informattm and possibly get a
view Of the soNer. When / came
near the piazza saw some one in a
hammock, readihG and presently a
young man, veryIale and weakly, sat
up and looked athe
Il beg your parion," / said. "Can
you tell me the Wy to Mp
Fright on up TIL road, and when you
reach the fork d nile beyond keep to
the right"
The voice was soft, and he spoke
slowly. as II aftad of firing himself
by using 1t. s'Exdse my not getting
up. I'm on the Silk list. win You be
seated?"
II understand, / remarked. still
standing, that Major Stuart lives
here. Is he the Donald Stuart who
was the hero of tie Spanish-American
war;?
A faint smile passed over the wan
face. "Oh, no. be said; mot the same
person at ALL"
was disappointed. The young man
dragged himself from the hammock
and handed me 4 chair He was d
STRIPPING In figure, though / fancfed
from mis- face that he might be older
than he looked. i concluded to rest a
bit.
EDO you know the Major Stewart
you speak Off" be asked.
'sNo. ! read about his heroism and
have a natural curiosity to see him.
that's ALL"
THE government pays soldiers to
fight, not to run away"
What business had this puny crea-
ture to criticise a brave man?
Suppose 1t does | retorted, "a sol
der may be hero for all that
"A moral hero. There Is no true her
oism in the butchery of war. It's sim
ply return to The condition man oc-
aupied when he was a brute"
Well, I neverl Tothink Of this insig- \
1ificant little fellow who looked fitted
,nly to lead choir in country
.hurch or teach Children how TO read |
setting himself up 10 pass judgment on
he heroism of a Strong, brave mani
"That's the argument of the STAY at /
lomes,s / replied fciously. Men who I
70 forth in defene Of their country
Ion't stop to morRlze.n
There was noting pleasing in this
dialogue. and. hpring failed IN my 1
Iuest. arose and went on my way [
ID reaching the 4ite met an elderly /
ady and d young krl coming In. They
ooked as If they kdonged in the place,
nd / spoke to tlsm, apologlzing for
elng there.
II came In to tk the way to M"
said. a younE man on the porch
indy gave II to BE-"
The elderly lad looked frightened.
Did be talk muclY she asked
mot very mucIl / replied "Why
D you ask"
"He has a dan9erous wound In his
lest that doesn't seem to heal The
1ctor has forbidden his talking"
tsWound? what wound?'
"A wound he re4eiyed in the Spanish
ar"
/ stood gasping-
'.Do you mean 70 tell me-" asked
last. that the young man on the
rich is Captain Donald Stewart, who
stiDguished himself In the Spanish
nerican warp
Il do" said the elderly woman in a
ne SO proud that knew she was his
sther.
Not captain" said the girI-"pro-
sfed for gallant and meritorious con-
1t and ali that to be major"
INV in her a likeness to the young
ii and judged she was his sister !
I'D booking at the two women, think
!. I'D my speeches to the young man
me porch.
WHAT'S wrongY querled the girl.
ksirongg Wrong enoughT' blurted.
have been quarrellng with him be-
Ise he docgied military hernism. |
saf Dreamed
.srf. halted. I didn't wish to get
! Keeper into the mire.
s d6n't know" said the young girl,
rated. "why everybody thinks that
S the great big men can be heroes.
s.ald isn't so small. He's FIVE feet
/. Is bis stockings. )"
lle next day Miss Stewart brought
81 apology from her brother for
making himself known. and I was
|.sf to the house at bis request. He
stsd my discontinue. but made up ,
80 4..-t..r- ..aucad II hv n1ot-iDnr ,