The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-06-04
MY HERO.
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COriginal.l

er's boy whom | passed in my morn
ing walk during my summer outing in
the country, who lives in that singu-
Lar looking house up there on the hill?"
"Major Stewart, ma'am."
1 had read of the bravery of a Cap.
tain Donald Stewart who during the
Spanish-American war, then just con-
Guided, bad fought till nearly all his
men had been killed, then had fired
cannon himself. I happened to read
an account of it published soon after
the occurrence, and it attracted my at
tention. Not that l was interested in
the war, which l knew nothing about,
for a girl OF twenty doesn't take any
interest in fighting, but somehow an
imaginary picture of this Captain Stew
art had got into my head and remain
ed there. TO me he must be tall, ele
CANT fellow with a piercing black eye
and a mustache turned up fercely at
the end.
What Major Stewart?" l asked of
the boy.
II don't know, ma'am"
My hero was only Captain Stewart.
I did not know enough of war to IN
derstand that bravery leads to promo
ton. Indeed, l did not know which
was the higher rank, captain or major.
I determined to go up to the house,
ask for information and possibly get
view of the soldier. When I came
near the piazza 1 saw some one in a
hammock, reading, and presently
young man, very pale and weakly, sat
up and looked at me.
81 beg your pardon" said. Can
you tell me the way to M. -
Right on up the road, and when you
reach the fork mile beyond keep to
the right
The voice was soft, and he spoke
slowly as If afraid of firing himself
by using it. Excuse my not getting
up. I'm on the sick list VIII you be
seatedT'
81 understand" / remarked, still
standing, that Major Stuart lives
here. Is he the Donald Stuart who
was the hero of the Spanish American
warp
A faint smile passed over the wan
face. ooh, no." he said; mot the same
person at ALL"
1 was disappointed. The young man
dragged himself from the hammock
and handed me a chair. He was
STRIPPING in figure, though 1 fancied
from his face that he might be older
than he looked. 1 concluded to rest
bit.
"Do you know the Major Stewart
you speak of?' he asked.
"No. read about his heroism and
have 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 critictse a brave man?
Suppose it 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 &C.
cupied when he was brute"
Well, 1 never! To think of this insig-
nificant little fellow who looked fitted
only to Lead choir in a country
church or teach chil6Sen how to read
setting himself up to pass judgment on
the herodsm Of strong. brave man!
That's the argument of the stay at
homes,'' replied vicionsly. MEN who
go forth in defense Of their country
don't stop to moralize."
There was nothing pleasing in this
dialogue, and, having failed in my
quest, l arose and went on my way.
On reaching the gate met an elderly
lady and young girl coming in. They
looked as if they belonged in the place,
and l spoke to them, apologizing for
being there.
II came in to ask the way to NJ"
said. "a young man on the porch
kindly gave it to me-"
The elderly lady looked frightened
''Did he talk much%' she asked.
"Not very much,'' I replied. "Why
do you ask"
"He has a dangerous wound in his
chest that doesn't seem to heal. The
doctor has forbidden his talking"
"Wound? What wound?'
GA wound he received in the Spanish
war"
| stood gaspng.
"Do you mean to tell me-" I asked
at last, chat the young man on the
! porch is Captain Donald Stewart, who
| distinguished himself in the Spanish
! American WARP"
81 do said the elderly woman in q
| tone so proud that I knew she was his
mother.
"Not captain" said the giri-"pro-
NOTED for gallant and meritorious con-
duct and all that to be major"
1 saw in her likeness to the young
man and judged she was his sister.
stood looking at the two women, think
ing Of my speeches to the young man
on the porch.
whats wrngT queried the girl.
Wrong? Wrong enough I blurted.
II have been quarreling with him be-
cause he decried military heroism.
! never dreamed