Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1912-03-29
Private O'Neil
BY F. A. Mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

CHe ulOTuluS SOlOHei breWSteE u lie
til United States infantry was sit
ting in his tent at Tampa. Fla. when
a private--a mere boy with rosy cheeks
and jet black hair-was brought up by
the corporal of the guard.
well, corporal" said the colonel,
not ceasing to wag large palm leaf.
whats he been doing?"
interfering with the guard in the
line of duty. sir"
How"
private Thompson on being repri-
manded by Lieutenant Blister knock
ed the lieutenant down. We put
Thompson in the guard tent, and this
man lifted up the rear part of the tent
wall while the sentinel wasn't looking
and helped the prisoner out"
What did you do that for2" asked
the colonel Of the prisoner.
why, they told me-" said the boy In
trembling voice. that Thompson
would be shot for mutiny"
what good would it do you to try
to save him that way"
| There was no reply to this. the pris-
oner standing with eyes bent on the
| floor.
do you think" said the colonel.
that If let you Off this time you can
let the prisoners in charge of the guard
alone?"
II don't know, SIR"
Don't know"
81 think can, sir"
| Ia n
march the hoy back to his company en-
campment and release him.
The next day the recruit was
marched to the coloners tent again.
having committed the same offense.
See here. young man." said the
colonel. do you know that you are liza
BILE to be shot for this?'
mo, sir"
"Thompson's striking an officer was
outright mutiny; your helping the mu-
tineer to escape from the guard is the
next thing to it. Do you want to get
yourself shot too?'
Gould | take Private Thompson's
place. sir?"
Take his place in whatT
Being shot"
what in thunder do you want to do
that forY" asked the astonished colonel
/ I'D like to, if he has to be shot"
How old are your asked the
colonel, hoping the boy was under age
and he could discharge him from the
army.
I'm twenty, sir"
| Twenty? Were you enlisted as
twenty? You're nothing but child"
There was no reply to this. Tears
were standing in the boys eyes.
Take him away" said the colonel to
the corporal, land tell his captain to
try and find some reason to get rid Of
him."
The commander heard no more of
the recruit Private O'Neil until after
the first fight in Cuba. Then, on look
Ing over some papers that had come up
to him from ID company. he noticed
that charges had been preferred
against one Of the men for cowardice.
The colonel, suspecting that some boy
had finched under his baptism Of fire
and needed to be carefully handled. di-
rected that the accused man be brought
to his headquarters. When this was
done, who should appear but Private
O'Neil.
You're the man who was continu-
ally trying to get another man away
from the guard when we were in
Tampa. aren't your
Yes. SIR"
And if | remember rightly you
wanted to be shot in his placer
Yes, SIR"
whats become of him?"
Hes Private Thompson. sir" the
corporal put in. Lieutenant Blister
withdrew the charge of mutiny on the
ground that Thompson, being recruit,
didn't know any better than to strike
an officer. Thompson has distinguished
himself in the battle and has been
made sergeant"
~ don't understand why this boy
was continually trying to save Thomp-
son.
They seemed to be great friends"
"Well. take him back where he came
from and order Thompson to report to
| me IN person.
He won't tell you anything" said
O'Neil.
You impudent. cowardly youngster.
what do you mean? Away with him."
Thompson reported with an arm In a
sling and a bandage around his head.
Il understand, my brave fellow"
said his commander. that you have
been promoted for gallantry In the bat
tie. Now, wish you to tell me why
this little chap who is to be tried for
cowardice was constantly interfering
in your behalf with the guard when we
were at Tampa"
II can't do that. colonel, unless you
order me to tell you"
Every we'll; order you to tell"
"ONeil isn't a man; he's woman"
"Phew"
"She's my wife. When I enlisted
she followed me and enlisted. too
dressed as man. l tried to make heI
go back to our kid. but she wouldn't.
wish you'd send her home"
Orderly" cried the colonel. "go &c
the captain commanding D company
and tell him TO send Private O'Neil
here"
Private O'Neil came. evidently fear