The Caucasian., 1913-11-04

Miss Matilda's ;
Substitute
Sam Dawson's Campaign as
aSOldier In the War
d. J. L. HARBOuE
| Copyright by tho Intsfnationaf
3D. }. L. HARBOtG

There was not in tAe 1hole Suw6 OF
Kent a more motherly looking woman
than Matilda GSsnSe. She boreno re-
semblance whatever % the ordinary
spinseer She Gas large. jolly, warm
hearted womaa oe about fifty years.
Never prim nDr sn che least sfussy''
about her dress or anything else, she
verified her o9s repeated statement
that she al0aes tooN things Ss they
came.
MSS Matilda vss ono sf tae Wost
useful persons In KeuA Che was one
Of those capable women Oho can surn
their hands 20 most anything, and as
the spirit % helpfulness was strong
within her there was not day OF her
life that she did not do some one
good turn. rejoicing that it was her
privilege to do 90. When the war with
Spain became a settled and sOrrowful
fact Miss Matilda at once became flied
with a desire to do something to help.
The spirit of patriotism ran high in
her heart. and she was the first per-
| son In Kent to run up dag and to be-
| gin the making Of comfort bags and
| MOSQUITO canopies. 1t was labor OF
love and loyalty.
| Then she went around with a sub
scription paper. collecting money for
the Volunteer Aid association. and, al
though Kent was but small town,
Miss Matilda never stopped until she
| had collected $500. Only she herself
4 knew how much. Of that sum had come
from her own slender purse.
And vet she was not satisfied
"Tt / were 4 man." she said. I'D en-
list quick as q fash, and I'd go as
nurse If I was not 30 old and so big
and fat. I never could stand 1t down
there in that hot climate, for heat al
| ways makes mo dizzy. And. OF course
they'd want experienced nurses I've
; nursed most every disease ever heard
OF, but ain't at for an army nurse for
all that I'd just love to be down
there caring for our boys. but aini
at, and I'd only be in the way. But u
stay to homes needn't be useless"
When the call for volunteers came
: il filled Miss Matilda with disappoint
ment and indignation because thers
5 were no volunteers from the town OF
, KeEt
II ..I'm ashamed Of the place" she sale
f openly. ITO think that there isn't
II man In this town with patriotism ane
+ loyalty enough to respond TO his coun
, try's call for msn to battle for tn
right It's disgusting"
.Mebbe you wouldn't want to 60 l
! you had family depending on yo'
for support" said old Mrs. Lane. t.
Il whom Miss Gwynne Lad thus unbur
, 6lened herself.
Il would. for. said Miss Matild;
4 stoutly. I'D have my family traine'
: 90 that they'd bs plum ashamed OF M
IL ] didn't 60 and SO that they'd D
J, willing to make any sacrifice to hav
me 90. tell you. Kent wouldn't b
without q single volunteer II was
man"
But Kent made no response to eve
the second call for troops, and Mis-
: Matilda's regret and Indignation wal
d ed warmer.
ri well. there's one thing" she said
IS herself, ..if l can't 90 myself mebbe
el can send a substitute. know wha
,el Til do. I'll offer to support some man
family II he'll 20 and put him to tn
: test that way"
: This idea took such full possessio
:, Of her that she let the comfort bag o
Y which she was sewing fall into her Ia
/ and began to run over In her min
# men who might be willing to voluntes
- uuder these conditions, but the numbs
It OF available men was very small. II
re deed, Miss Matilda could not think Z
II even one until she CHANGED to loo
ir out of her sitting room window an
saw Sam Dawson spading up a stri
In her vegetable garden.
"Why. there's Sam DawsonT 81
exclaimed In the spirit OF one who hs
made a joyful discovery. Hes
z great. strong fellow, who ought to be
n match for any spaniard in even
U&uU W uAuu o&AN NVuso oOPP0
Is his wife and two children for $2
ID week better than he supports ther
c. and I'd give more than that to te
/. that I had a substitute fghtin' for n
d country.
;c And 1t might just be the makiI
:. OF him to 70 to war. Then. again.
might get killed. but II he did he'd
~ dying for his country. and his fam
81 would have pension, which won
be more cash money to them ev'
week than Sam brings in"
OF After little further reflection Mi
IA Matilda suddenly appeared In her ]
il tie garden with 4 corner OF her apr
MI thrown over her head and her cril
calico skirts gathered up In her hand
"How ycu getting along. Sam:" 81
asked
Dc "WeIi. It digs kind o. hard" sa
as sam, In his usual tone Of whining Col
m plaint.
tn II don't know why It should with
nf much rain a. we've had 10 soften