The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1909-04-10


trying 10 smile at me through the
tears, II reckon III have to stay
out Of the union as long as dad does"
She held out her hands to me. u
was standing there, holding both OF
them in mine, neither one Of US say
ing q word, when | heard steps behind
me. / dropped Betty's hands, 1t was
the colonel. His face was redder than
| had ever seen II. his eyes were
blazing under his white eyebrows. He
walked so fast he was painting.
Mister Thornton" he said, looking
straight at me. may | ask where you
were born?"
He took ms by surprise. 1t was .
little late for the colonel to begin
taking a personal interest in me.
"Connectiout-New Haven, Conneo
ticut," | blurted out.
And did you have any kinspeople
Who fought in the war of the confed-
crate secession he said.
l caught myself wondering whether
the colonel was thinking of reopenina
hostilities and meant to begin by at
lacking me. But | WAS about TO get
on the hring-line, anyhow, and, be
sides, | didn't feel in the humor right
then for playing Fort Sumter.
My father was an officer in a Mas
saehusetts regiment" / told him. land
| had an uncle on Sherman's staf."
Sir" he said, allow me to shake
your hand"
He shook 1t. | looked out of the
corner OF my eye at Betty, Her e
preston said palmer than words.
My poor father has suddenly gone
daft; please humor him
My child" said the colonel, turn.
ing TO her, 81 have glorious news for
yod-news of your brother, Lieut.
Mother, the Prussians Are Coming
John Breckenridge Shelby, U. S. Al
"Oh, dad!" cried Betty, and she
threw both her arms around his neck
good news of Breck! But, daddy
Breck's not a lieutenant-he's only !
corporal"
He was a corporal, my dear-hC
was a corporal" said the colonel
drawing himself up until he looked
two inches taller. He is now a lieu
tenant. | have Just received a tele
gram from the secretary Of war-ouI
secretary OF war, Mister Thornton, an.
n~ouncing that my son has been COM
missioned in the field for highly mert
torious service.
1T appears that there was an en-
gagement with savages in the island
Of Samar. A detachment was led into
an ambush. The officers were shot al
the first volley from the jungle. The
men began falling back in disorder
The company colors were captured b.
one Of the insurgents. My son re
captured the colorO and rallied tbs
men. He was wounded"
Wounded" cried nj Betty. "Oh
daddy"
Not badly wounded. my child,
said the colonel, merely a iesl
wound. But he turned a rout into I
victory. In his telegram our score
tary of war congratulates me upon be
ing the father Of so gallant a younl
officer.
Mister Thornton" the colone
went on, 81 objected to my sons en-
listment in the army Of the UniteC
States. ! had never accepted the re
suit OF the war between the stAtsI
as a just and proper result. / hAC
thought l would never so accept 1t.
am still loyal, sir, to the traditions o
the Cause, but the nas my son light
for and sheds his blood for Is my ial
now. / am about, sir, to drink q toas
to the United States flag. II you vii
4, join me | will feel honored, sir"
! Did | Join himi II the colonel NO
ticed that I was holding Betty'S han'
as the three Of US walked up tn
drive TO the house he didn't say any
; thing about It. / have never seen
man SO utterly happy. The news tina
be had received Of his son had trans
ported him decades and decades ava!
: from the Lost Cause. He held thu
telegram he had received from tn,
wal department at Washington in hi
hand as though It were a Jewel o
priceless value.
We went into the parlor. The colo
mel stepped to the door to tell Uncl,
Zach, the butler, to bring the glasse
? and the decanter. With one hand o.
4 the knob he turned around.
Mister Thornton" the colons
said, 81 stayed out Of the union a loni
time, but / have come back"
. Betty" / said. your father says h
I Is back in the union"
She came straight to me and m,
: arm slipped around her waist. sh
tucked her head against my shoulder
!. Through the open window I could hea
! the mourning-dove calling in the OF
ehard. His mate answered him.
{ The colonel stood there at the dool
looking at US. He was the first ;
!, speak
Mister Thornton. your hand sir.