davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07
JOHN BURNS

comes up said Reynolds. he started
back on the winding, rounda bout road
through Gettysburg to meet his men. who
were a mile beyond the town. On the
road the general met an old man in a
frock coat and wearing a white fur hat.
On the old mans breast was a large
badge.
old man. said the general. lis there
any short cut by which / can get my men
from there (ponting to where his corps
stood to there" pointing to Buford's
POSITION.
Yes declared John Burns. and he
showed how a cut could be made through
the outskirts of the town. Some fences
had to be leveled and some quick work
done to open a road to Seminary Ridge.
but the minutes saved were priceless.
After Reynolds men had raced across
the short cut Burns met two wounded
mon OF Buford's force Both carried
guns, but both were SO weak that they
were unable to handle them. The roar OF
battle had stirred the blood of old John
Burns. He begged the soldiers for one
of the guns. AT first they refused, but at
last they gave in to his pleading. He got
not only a gun, but pocketful OF car
tridges. Then over the fields and over
the fences went the old man. He came
upon the Union line where stones brig
ade was holly engaged.
Il want a chance TO shoot" he eX-
planned to Maj. Chamberlain Of the 115th
Pennsylvania. who halted him and de-
manded what he was doing.
The major passed him on to Col. Wis
ter. He did not have to plead with Wis
ter.
81 wish / had more like you said the
colonel. Then he ordered him To so TO
a bit OF woods where the Iron Brigade
had taken position and where he would
have shelter. Taking position there with
the 18th Wisconsin, the old man began
firing. But the woods did not suit him.
He wanted a fair. unobstructed view, So
he left the timber and went TO a fence
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

in the open ground. Like all true marks
men, he wasted no powder. He fired
only when he saw something to hit. He
paid most attention TO mounted men.
They offered a better target, and, besides,
they amounted to more. He had not
been at the fence long bfore some of
the officers, realizing what an excellent
shot he was. and fascinated by the sight
81 that queer civilian figure, surrounded
by the white fur hat, shouted suggestions
to him as to good objects for him to
shoot at. Away across Willoughby run
an officer on handsome gray horse was
seen leading his men. A suggestion was
shouted to John Burns, and the next
minute the gray charger was riderless
-
There was a lull in the battle at noon,
and the old man stretched out on the
ground to rest. AS soon as firing was re-
sumed he went back TO his work. But
soon there was change in affairs. The
9Th Wisconsin had received little atten-
ton from the Confederates previously
Most of the fire had been at longe range.
Now the Confederates were pressing for
ward. and a heavy fire was directed at
the Unonists. Burns, utterly reckless of
himself. kept to his position down by the
fence, shooting carefully but steadily,
showing no excitement, and apparently az
cool as if standing in a field shooting at
birds. But suddenly he was seen to reel.
With some difficulty he saved himself
from falling. Two shots had hit almost
al the same instant. Both had taken eff
feet I'm his side. 1t took him a few min
utes TO recover from the shock. Then he
resumed shooting. He was weak and his
hand trembled. but he would not give
in. a little later bullet struck the
buckle OF the belt the old man wore to
hold his trousers. This seemed to affect
him more seriously than the wounds I'm
his side, for it bent him almost double.
He could not speak for a time, and the
pain was excruciating. But gradually he
recovered, and then the indomitable man
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07
Old John Burns.

Extract from Bret Hsrte,s famous poem
sTWAS but \ moment. for that respect
1 Which clothes all courage their voices
checked;
And something the widest could understand
Spske 10 the old mans strong right hand
And bis corded throat. and lurking frowu
or his eyebrows under his old bell-crown,
I-ntil. as they gaxed. there crept an awe
Shroush the ranks in whispers, and some men
saw,
In the antique vestments and long white hair,
The Past of the Nation In battle there;
land some Of tho soldiers since declare
Thst the CLEAN az his old white hat afsr.
Like tho crested plume of the brave Navarro,
That day the orifamme OF war.
80 ragged the battle. You know the rest:
How the rebels. beaten, aud backward pressed,
Broke at the final charge, and ran;
At which John Burma practical msn-
Shouldered his ride. unbent his brows.
And then went back to his bees and cows.
That is the story Of Old John Burns:
This is the moral the reader learns:
In lighting the battle the questions whether
Sou'I show hat that's white. or a feather.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

he formed. This league is to be based
on the same lines as the Primrose League
which works in the cause of the con-
servatives.
The countess, who has had "a series of
lessons in elocution. is bright and hu-
morouS speaker. though far her plat
form experiences have been confined to
the opening of baZaars and charity feteS
But she is badly bitten with the desire
to shine in oratory, and before all she is
looking forward to her experiences as a
canVasser.
1t would pay any government to give
Mrs. George CORVALLIS West a perma-
nent income TO become its professional
advocate. She has been known to turn
rabid tories into warm wings. rampant
unionists into genial home rulers. Sew
eral of the present ministers are implor-
ing Mrs. West not TO leave England for
her much-discussed lecturing tour i'm the
states until the fate of the present gov
eminent il decided. The story goes that
Lloyd George has threatened to pass a
special law compelling her not to desert
England until next spring. We should
De lost. Mrs. West-simply lost without
you. he is reported TO nave said.
Mrs. West has trained and found an
apt pupil in her dauShter-in-la law, Mrs.
Winston Churchill. That lady threatens
to outrival her preceptress She has ::
strong individuality and the power of maxi
ing herself felt almost before she opens
her lips. Mrs. Churchill intends to give "A
succession OF political at homes at her
house in Eccleston square directly So
ciety returns to town before Christmas
Winston wants to be prime minister some
day, and his mother and wife will, IL lie
succeeds have as much to do with the
achievements as himself. These two
women understand him perfectly They
know that If they want to make him per-
fectly happy he must be made to feel
that lie is the greatest man OF the age
And they impress it upon him for all
they are worth 1t is said they are per
fectly sincere. and that Mrs Winston has
made study of the lives of all the
great statesmen Of the past and is wont
tn see I'm her husband all the best char
acteristics Of each.
Mrs. David Beatty (the late Marshall
Fields daughterD does not intend to al
low her husband to rest on his laurels a s
a defender of his country, big though his
reputation be for the splendid work he
has done in that direction. Not bit of
il. She is urging him to the front of his
political arena and the next election will
find him contestng constituency. She
VIII have to decide the shade OF his poll
tics, for so far he has none. Hitherto
Mrs. Beatty was of liberal turn OF
mind. Lloyd Georges budget has, how
ever. put her or somewhat as II has
put of others. and no doubt il will be
on the conservative side that Capt.
Beatty will fight.
II was Lord Roberts who said once that
the Duchess of Marlborough was cut on,
for the wife OF a great statesman The
duchess is very clever woman and she
likes people to realize this. II she had not
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07
Church and School.
SEyYyHEN the late Philip Aud HarI
w RrOXn- rector of Ct L.

HWHEN the late Philip Aud Harrison
=" Brown. rector of st. JOINS
Chapel. was a young man he used 10 go
to Maine for the summer said Trinity
trustee in New York. DR. Brown often
told OF an unforgettable incident connect
ed with one of his first Maine sermons
Two children had come To the church
alone. and the minister noticed them
from the start Of his discourse. They
sat in a great high-backed pew, side by
side. very solemn.
After while they got tired. Evident
ly they thought that church etiquette was
the same as the etiquette of the village
school They climbed down from their
pew and the boy took his tiny sister
by the hand and led her up the aisle
stopping in front OF the preacher.
Please. sir" he said, may we go
home?'
Yes said Mr.. Brown
And they turned and soberly departed
hand in hand.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

LETTING Their Prettiest
" Frocks and Most Fetch
ing Hats Ready for the Great
Battle Which They Believe
Is Coming When the Lords
Throw Out the Budget and
Force a General Election
Some of Them Are Even
Taking Lessons in Public
Speaking and Trying to Find
Out What 1t Is All About
American Wives of English
Statesmen Who Are Relied
on to Help Their Husbands
to Retain Their Places or to
Turn the Present Holders
Out-Liberals Have the
Largest Supply of Really
Clever Women.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

Hen Lincoln issued
his first call for
troops a sturdy.
old white haired
man. who had been
a toiler all his life,
marched with mus
ket on shoulder
from Gettysburg to
the recruiting sta
ton at West Ches-
ter, Pa. and pre-
sented himself for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

THROUGHOUT the
United X / n g d m
politics is, at the
moment. the abb
absorbing attr ac-
ton. and TO women
1t m e an 3 a =
much. il not more.
than to men. That
element OF intrigue
which It promises
goes straight to the
heart OF ambitious
women.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

der of Teck is reputed To have the deter
mlnation to 20 incognito to the booths
when the time comes. All this points Ia
the fact that rumor Is likely to be v.ri-
lied when IL says that the Forthcoming
campaign will be essentially a woman :
battle.
Copyright in America and Great Britain BY
Curtis Brown
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

who means to be 10 the fore when the
dissolution of parliament takes place.
They are preparing speeches To he used
in his cause. or designing frocks where
with to cajole the elector. In their en-
thusiaSm they are undergoing rest
cures. taking sun baths and swallowing
UNPLEASANT mineral waters they are
requisitioning the beauty specialist and
the masseuse, SO that when the day of
battle comes they may go forth in all
their war paint. glorified and Respondent.
If the liberal party is To return to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

resumed shooting Nearer ana nearer
the Confederates were drawing. and fast
er and faster the old man shot. There
was not much difficulty in finding tar
get now.
But il he had little difficulty in finding
a target, neither had the ConfedeSates
Another bullet struck the old man. this
one severing an artery in one of his arms
A little later another bullet hit him. this
one in the leg. Then he fell. He was
very weak, but. strange as it may seem
in one near death and who had imper-
He'd his life for hours. his every thought
Was on self-preservation. The Confeder-
ates were preparing To charge. the 18th
Wisconsin was in retreat. He was in
between the two forces. As civilian
taking part in battle he was entitled to
no mercy. So when he fell and he
realized that the Confederates would he
upon him In a minute he hastily cleared
himself OF all proof Of offense. His gun
he hurled as far away as his waning
scooping a hole in che ground. he buried
in It his four remaining cartridges. As
he patted the earth down on them he
could hear the rush OF the charging Con-
federates. Then he swooned.
y
It was night when consciousness re-
turned to him. The field had been won
by the Confederates. A sergeant and six
men were gathering up the Confederate
wounded. They were astonished when
they saw the old white-haired man in
civilian dress and wounded so terribly.
They asked him how he came on the field
lie told them he had been in search of a
girl who lived nearby and was caught be-
tween the two armies. They did not be-
lieve him. Thinking he was near death
they left him. He was aroused little
1nno
They pestered him with questions. He
told the same story. They also did not be-
lieve him. When they left him he became
unconscious. A little before midnight he
was aroused by hearing the voice Of a
sergeant who was posting guards. II
was raining and the old man was chilled
He called the sergeant, and got not only
drink out blanket from him: Then
he fell asleep. It was day when he
awoke. With much effort and with
great pain he crawled and rolled along
TO where a guard was stationed. But
when he got that far he tainted He was
carried to a house in Gett ys0urg that was
crowded with wounded and there his
wounds were banda ged by an overworked
surgeon. In the afternoon neighbors car
ried him to his own house, which also
Was an improviSed hospital.
The Confederates held the town and
some of them were very insistent in their
demands to be informed how the old
man had been wounded. Gradually the
story came out. Some of his neighbors
who were sympathizers with the southern
cause told how he had obtained a rife
from q wounded soldier and OF his violent
northern sympathies. Some northern
soldiers. wounded and prisoners, told OF
the great execution he had done while
stationed at the fence. Some one else told
how he had directed Reynolds corps by
a short cut and helped to save Buford
from disaster. A captain and lieuten-
ant came and questioned the old man
Burns confessed that what they had
heard was true.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

in due course, and il is said that il has
as good as sealed the future success of
the conservative candidate in the borough
in question.
Ioughby ii 'Eresby and Lady Alastair
Innes-ker are keen politicians, and would
DE more so were il not for the pre- judices
OF the families into which they have mar
RED. Both mean to figure as canvassers
at the general election. Possessing pleas
ant. persuasive manners. they are not
easily snubbed, and they have a great
deai OF tact. They are among the nu-
nerous smart women who will shortly
he giving teas al which diplomacy, rep
artee and elocution will be taught For
Such parties hostess engages a nro-
feSsor. who gives her friends and her
sell instructions in the above subjects. a
Weii as in the arts and wiles essential to
the canvasser Old hands at the art
come forward to tell the uninitiated the
snares and pitfalls which await the can
vasser and the best ways Of avoiding
them.
Although the Duchess of Roxburghe
does not take part in electioneering af-
fairs, on account of the dukes objection
TO the woman in public. she is greatly In
terested in them, and has i'm the past been
found in warm discussion with her
friends who have been on the rampage
in politics.
Those who know most about platform
speaking and canVassing are emphatic on
the importance OF appearances. They
say that pretty woman with a nice
manner and A beautiful frock Will score
where brilliantly clever woman who IS
plain and badly dressed VIII not get "a
look in, or. if she docs. will be inter-
rupted and perhaps insulted. Which
means that wise women are determined
that their Invading frocks shall be lc
dernter cri and the smartest things that
ii is in the power OF Paris to turn out.
IT IL thought that Mrs. Asquith will
get her canvassinE gowns IN London and
go out OF her way To label them home
manufacture. She is one OF those who
have been ordering Irish lace. possibly
with View to conciliating those trouble
some people across the Irish sea. AS a
canvasser il would be hard to beat the
present prime minister's wife. She has
no rival save Mrs. George West. Bril-
liant, good tempered and witty, she has
the further capacity of making black
seem white when she is discussing things
with voters.
Ii is the boast OF the Marchioness of
Graham tina: when as Lady Mary Halnil-
ton she canvassed for her fiance she
drank one afternoon twenty-five cups of
tea, and had dyspepsia for O month after
ward. Notwithstanding her self-sacrifice
she was unsuccessful. Mrs. Pearson, the
daushter-in-;aw of Sir Weetman Pearson.
carrying the Gay. Lady Graham means
to score next time, and il now preparing
for the fray. Before Ter marriage, which
took place about -four years ago. Lady
Graham was the greatest heiress on this
side o. the water.
So fasc.natin IS canvassing and cleo
t!oneerne to the society woman that a
few of the royal princesses say they
would give five wears of their lives to be
able 10 take part in 1t. Princess Alexan-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

An American woman that the English liberals
can't do without. She is the widow Of oRe
statesman and the mother Of another
power. il will he due 10 the ,exertions of
the extraordinarily large number ~ beau
full and clever American women who are
the wives OF it's leaders In years gone
by this party used to be IA noted for
the dowdinesS of its womankind as II
is famed today for their brilliancy Mrs
Lulu" Harcourt Is one OF those who
is determiped TO enter into the fight
with enthusiasm. Every one knows that
she has done much to make Lulu She
has sworn TO keep the liberals In power
and as she has good looks, exquisite
frocks and that most essential OF all ele-
ments for electioneering purposes. money
to back her, she is In a position To do
much.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

Your manner inquired the recru''ihs
officer. -
John Burns" was the reply.
Your age?'' was the next question.
.Sixtv-eiebt" was the answer.
Too old said the officer, waving the
old man aside and summonlng the heh'
I'm line.
For several DAYS the old man remained
about Camp pleading for enlistment IL
WIS in vain that he told of his service In
Tho war of 1912. of the part he played IN
tho battles Of Sacketts Harbor and
1,,ndv. Lane. 1t was in vain that he
told of his service in the Mexican war.
Neither did it sway the recruiting oiii1ei
ub.n the old man. to prove how well ne
could shoot gave some exmptiohs VI
craftsmanship that astonished al VIII
saw them.
Tho troons went away TO the war. and
John BURNS. sad and dispirited. put his
uusket on his shoulder and walked nome
40 C;e,.vsburc. For a few days he sat
shout his home and discussed with MS
neighbors the news that came 10 uehi
atout the great struggle which was just
beginning. In all the north there was ilo
more ardent Unionist than the old war
horse Of Gettysburg. and with every re-
mort Of the spread OF tie uprising through
out the south he chafed more and more
over the idea that he must remain IN
active What did 1t matter II ne was
sixty-eiyht? He was stronger than most
men of fifty he could Outshoot any man
for miles around he had been under flre
many times, and war had no terrors TOT
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

him. One morning he bade his aged wife
goodbye, and by nightfan he was tramp
ing along the road to Hagerstown Md
with his musket on his shoulder as it had
been when he went to West Chester But
they would not enlist him a Hagerstown
either. So he Joined the wagon train as
a teamster Within month he was pro-
moted 20 be the police guard OF the train.
lie was with the wagoners when he
heard the roar OF the cannon and sounds
OF the musketry fire at the battle of Fall
ing Waters. Dropping tlis whip and seiz-
ing rifle. he raced across the fields To
get into the conflict. He was too late.
however. 10 get in the action.
For seven months he served under Gen.
Banks. and then. ii being midwinter.
lie was sent home. He was eager as ever
for fight. but the exposure of the camp
only accentuated his rheumatism and the
infrmities Of old age laid him up a good
deal of the time. In the spring he wanted
to get back to the army. but to keep him
AT home the Gettysburg people elected
nm town constable. In a little place OF
800 inhabitants. such as Gettysburg was
then, the office OF constable seemed big 10
a plain. sinple-living old man such
John Burns. and, TO dress in keeping with
the dignity OF his position. he wore a long
black frock coat ard a tall white fur hat
With his badge on his breast he went
about the town each day, proud and
happy, for he felt that upon his shoulders
rested not a little OF the duty OF safe
guarding the nation.
r For little more than a year he had
held this office, and then suddenly the
scene of war was changed from Virginia
TO Pennsylvania. Down I'm Virginia the
battle of Fredericksburg had been fought
and Burnside had been beaten, after
which the two armies the one under Lee
and the other under Hooker. who had
succeeded Burnside faced each other.
separated only by the Rappahannock
throughout the latter part Of the winter
Of 1862 and the early spring OF 1883 Then.
in June. Lee had determined upon an in
vasion OF the north. II he could reach
Harrisburg and destroy the Pennsylvania
railroad system he would break the chief
line of supply of the Federal army II he
could reach Pittsburg and the anthracite
coal fields he would ruin the iron mills
that were invaluable to the government
and would cripple the Federal navy that
was dependent upon the coal from the
anthracite mines.
Invasion of the north was hazardous.
but so much depended upon it that he
was willing to accept the risk. One big
victory on northern soil was likely to
bring about the recognition of the Con-
federate government by foreign powers.
and il would serve also to Offset IL not
minimize the fail of Vicksburg, which
Lee knew was sure to result from Grants
investment.
With magnificent skill Lee yelled the
movement of his army and kept Hooker
doubtful of his design until the whole
force was under way. Once Ii was re-
vealed however. Hooker. hampered as he
was by the need OF protecting Washing
ton and Baltimore, acted cleverly.
II June u that some scouts of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

Buford had taken a position command
Ing all the highways entering Gettysburg
from the north and west, and 1t was
Gen. A. P. Hills attack on him that
opened the battle OF Gettysburg Blu
ford's men fought dismounted. and the
Confederates. thinking 1t was heavy
infantry force. marched slowly But for
this fact and the timely arrival of Rey-
nolds, Buford certainly would have been
crushed. Buford had been fighting des-
perately for two hours, and was prepar-
ing to retire TO Cemetery Hill when he
was overjoyed to see the corps flag of
Gen. Reynolds The two generals held
hasty consultation. Reynolds. with his
staff. had been riding far in advance of
his men.
Il hope you can hold out until my corps
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

far they met some Union scouts and were
ordered back. A few days later Gen.
Early arrived with his division and took
possession of the town. He needed sup
plies and demanded them from the town.
Burns. as an officer of the town. was
furious and was violent in his IAN
guage to the Confederates that Early held
him under arrest for two days. Then
Early and his division departed and
Burns was free. 1t was on Sunday morn
ing that Burns got his liberty. That
evening he captured two Confederates,
one carrying dispatches from Gen. Eweli
TO Gen. Early. and the other a trooper
who had Jagged behind. These he put in
the Gettysburg jail. The next morning
he captured a guerrilla and threw him in
Jail. too.
On Tuesday. June 30. Federal cavalry
force under Gen. Buford arrived I'm
Gettysburg. and after resting in the
streets for several hours moved out to
McPherson'0 farm and encamped. The
two greet armies now were almost in
touch Of each other, and 1t was apparent
that in the rugged Cumberland valley in
and about Gettysburg a momentous bat
tie was to be fought.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

More enthusiastic still in the interests
of the present government is Lady Gran
ard, whose Lavender League will shortly