The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-10-02
CHAPTER ".
rImea Have CHANGED.

The SD of the Browns had started
for La Tir on the same day that the
12Sth of the Grays had started for
South La Tir. While the 128th was
going to new scenes, the SD was re-
turning to familiar ground. 1t had de-
trained in the capital of the province
from which its ranks had been recruit
ed After steep incline, there was
welcome bugle note and with shouts
of delight the centipede's legs broke
apartl Bankers, laborers', doctors,
Wallets, butchers, manufacturers and
judges sons threw themselves down
on the greensward of the embankment
to rest. With their talk of home, 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 a
few steps, in shortness of breath. He
was quite withered, his bright eyes
twinkling out of an area of moth
patches, and he wore a frayed uniform
coat with medal on the breast.
us this the 53d?" he quavered to
the nearest soldier.
1T certainly isl" some one answered.
Come and join us, veteran!"
rs Tom-Tom Fragini herer
The answer came from big soldier,
who eprang to his feet and leaped to-
ward the old man.
TITS grandfather, as l live!" he
called out, kissing the veteran on both
cheeks. II saw sister in town, and
she said you'd be at the gate as we
marched by"
Didn't wait at no gatel Marched
right up to you'll" said grandfather.
Marched up with my uniform and
medal on! Stand off there, Tom, so
can see you. My word! You're big
germ your father, but not bigger'n
was! No, sir, not bigger'n l was in
my day before that wound sort O. bent
me over. They say it's the lead in the
blood. I've still got the bullet!"
The old mans trousers were thread
bare but well darned, and the holes in
the uppers of his shoes were carefully
patched. He had a merry air Of op-
timism, which his grandson had in,
herited.
well. Tom, how much longer you
got to server" asked grandfather.
six months" answered Tom.
Zone, two, three, four" GRANDPA
Their counted the numbers off on his
fingers. That's good. You'll be in
time for the spring ploughing. My
how you have filed outl But, some
how, can't get used to this kind Of
uniform. Why, don't see how grid
be attracted to you fellows, at all"
They have to, for we're the only
kind of soldiers there are nowadays
Not as gay as in your day, that's sure
when you were in the Hussars, chr
Yes, was in the Hussars-in the
Hussarsl tell you with our sabres
a-gleaming, our horses bits a-jingling
our pennons a-fiying, and all the color
OF our uniform-I tell you, the girls
used to open their eyes at us. And VIZ
went into the charge like that-yes
sir, just that gay and grand. Colone
Galland leadingl"
Military history said that 1t hal
been a rather foolish charge, a tin'
example of the vainglory of unreason
ing bravery that accomplishes nothing
but no one would suggest such skepti
cism of an immortal event in popula
Imagination in hearing of the old mai
as he lived over that intoxicated rusi
of horses and men into a battery o
the Grays.
Well, didn't you find what sal
was true about the lowlanders?" aske
grandfather after he had finished tn
charge, referring to the people OF tn
southern frontier of the Browns, wher
the SD had just been garrisoned.
mo, kind Of liked them. made
lot Of friends" admitted Tom. "They'r
very progressive"
Eth, ehH You're 3okingi" To hk