Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-16
CHAPTER ".
Time. hav. Changed.

for La Tir on the same day that the
12Sth of the Grays had started for
South La Tir. While the 12sth was
going to new scenes, the SD was re-
turning to familiar ground. It had de.
trained in the capital Of the province
a which its ranks had been recruit
ed. After Q steep incline, there was .
welcome bugle note and with shouts
OF delight the centipede's legs broke
apart! Bankers', laborers', doctors
Wallets, butchers', manufacturers and
judges sons threw themselves, down
on the greensward of the embankment
to rest. With their talk Of homo. of
relatives whom they had met at the
station. and Of the changes in the town
was mingled talk Of the crisis.
Meanwhile. an aged man was ap-
preaching. At times he would break
into . kind Of trot that ended. after .
few steps. In shortness Of breath. He
was quite withered, his bright eyes
twinkling out Of an area OF moth
patches. and he wore frayed uniform
coat with q medal ON tho breast
as this the 53d?" no Qusvered to
the nearest soldier.
1T certainly Isl" some one answered.
Come and join Us, veteran!"
els Tom-Tom FTa3ini here?
The answer came from big soldier,
who sprang TO his feet and leaped to-
ward the old man.
Its grandfather. as I live!" he
called out, kissing the veteran on both
cheeks. II saw sister In town. and
she said you'd be At the gate - We
marched by"
Didn't wait at no gatei Marched
right up to you'll" said grandfather
Marched up with my uniform and
medal on! Stand OF there. Tom. SO
can see you. Ny word! You're big.
germ your father. but not bigger'n
was! No. sir. not biggern was in
my day before that wound sort O. bent
me over. They say its the lead in the
blood I've still got the bullet!"
The old mans trousers were thread
bare but we'll darned, and the holes in
the uppers Of his shoes were carefully
patched. He had merry air Of op
timlsm. which his grandson had In.
.sherited.
well, Tom. how much longer you
got to serve?" asked grandfather.
six months" answered Tom.
zone, two. three. four" GRANDPA.
Their counted the numbers OF on his
fingers. That's good. You'll be in
time for the spring ploughinE. Ny.
how you have hlled out! But some
how. can't get used to this kind Of
uniform. Why. don't see how . grid
be attracted to you fellows. ut ALL"
They have to. for we're the only
kind Of soldiers there arc nowadays.
Not as gay as in your day. that's sure.
when you were in the Hussars. eh!"
Yes, was In the Hussars-in the
Hussars! tell you with our sabres
a-gleaming. our horses bits a-jingling.
our pennons a-hying. and all the color
of our uniformlI tell you. the girls
used to open their eyes at US. And we
went into the charge like that-yes,
sir. just that gay and grand. Colonel
Galland leading!"
Military history said that 1t had
been rather foolish charge, a fine
example Of the vainglory of unreason-
ing bravery that accompiishes nothing,
but no one would suggest such skepti.
cism OF an immortal event in popular
Imagination in hearing Of the old man
as he lived over that intoxicated rush
OF horses and men into battery of
the Grays.
well, didn't you find what said
was true abou: the lowlanders?" asked
grandfather after he had finished the
charge. referring to the people Of the
southern frontier Of the Browns, where
the SD had just been garrisoned.
mo, kind Of liked them. ! made
lot Of friends" admitted Tom. They're
very progressive"
"Eh. eh7 You're joking!" To like
the people Of the southern frontier was
only less conceivable than liking the
people Of the Grays. That's because
you didn't see deep under them.
They're all on the outside Eighty
lot! Why. II they'd done their part
IN that last war we'd have licked the
'Grays until they cried for mercy! II
their army corps had stood its ground
at Volmer-"
$50 you've always said" interrupted
Tom.
"And the way they cook tripe! I
couldn't stomach 1t. could you? And
II there's anything I am partial to It's
a good dish OF trips: And the!. light
beer-like drinking froth! And their
bread-why. It amt bread! It's chips!
'Taint fit for civilized folks!"
But sort Of got used to their
ways" said Tom.
"Eh, eh?" Grandfather looked at
grandson quizzically, seeking the cause
Of such heterodoxy In q northern man.
sSay, you amt been falling in love-.
he hazarded. "You-you amt going to
bring one Of them southern girls
home?"
moi" said Tom. laughing.
"Well, I'm glad you amt, for they're
naturally light-minded. remember
'em WELL" He wandered ON with his
questions and comments. "Is It q fact.
Tom, or was you just joking when you
wrote home that the soldiers took 90
many baths?"
Eyes. they do"
.Well. that beats mel It's wonder
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