The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-09-17
A HERO WHO hid.
HIS IDENTITY
Love Story. Of a Romantic
Girl and a Soldier.

e. . IVY WAVA I po"5eN ~ NY moAA-
ing walk during my summer outing in
the country, who lives in that singu-
lar looking house up there on the hill?"
Major Stewart, ma'am."
had read Of the bravery Of a Cap
tain Donald Stewart who during the
Spanish-American war, then just on
Guided. had fought till nearly all his
men had been killed, then had fred a
cannon himself. l happened to read
an account Of it published soon after
the occurrence, and it attracted my at
tention. Not that l was interested in
the war, which l knew nothing about.
for a girl Of twenty seldom takes any
interest in fighting, but somehow an
imaginary picture Of this Captain Stew
art had get into my head and remain
ed there. To me he must be a tall, ele-
CANT fellow with u piercing black eye
and a mustache turned up fercely at
the ends; a man whose iron will show
ed itself in his stern. rugged features
and deep bass voice.
What Major Stewart?' l asked of
the boy.
Il don't know, ma'am."
My hero was only Captain Stewart,
I determined to go up to the house,
ask for information and possibly get u
view Of the soldier. When I came
near the piazza l saw some n in q
hammock reading and presently q
young man. very pale and weakly, sat
up and looked at me.
Il beg your PARDON" 1 said. "Can
you tell me the way to MI"
Right on up the road, and when you
reach the fork a mile beyond keep tc
the right"
The voice was soft, and he spoke
slowly, as If afraid of firing himself
by using it. Excuse my not getting
up. I'm ON the sick list. Will you be
seatedy'
II understand" l remarked, still
standing, THAT Major Stewart lives
here. Is he the Donald Stewart who
was the hero of the Spanish-American
WARP"
A faint smile passed yer the wan
face. "Oh, no." he said; mot the same
person at ALL"
1 vas disappointed. The young MAJ
dragged himself from the hammock
and handed me a chair. He was 9
STRIPPING in figure.
do you know the Major Stewart
you speak of" he asked.
NO. L read about his heroism and
have a natural curiosity to e him
that's ALL"
1.-The government pays soldiers t.
fight, not to run away"
What business had this puny creature
to criticise a brave man?
Suppose it does" l retorted, "a sol
der may be a hero for all that"
"a moral hero. There is no true
heroism in the butchery of war. It's
simply a return to the condition maj
occupied when he was a brute"
Well. i never! To think Of this in
significant little fellow who looked fit
ted only to lead a choir in a country
church or teach children how to reat
setting himself up to pass judgment OF
the heroism of a strong, brave map!
That's the argument Of the stay a,
homes" l replied strongly. Men VIII
60 forth in defense Of their country
don't stop. to moralize."
There was nothing pleasing in THU
dialogue, and. having failed in my
quest, I arose and went on my way
On reaching the gate l met IN elderl!
lady aud q young girl coming in
They looked as il they belonged in thu
place. and l spoke to them. apologiz
ing for being there.
II came in to ask the way to NJ"
said. IA young man on the porch kind
ly gave it to me-"
The elderly lady looked frightened
Did he talk much?" she asked.
4 Not very much." l replied. "Wh.
do you ask?"
HE has a dangerous wound In hi
chest that doesn't seem to heal. TIL
doctor has forbidden his talking"
"WOund? What wound?"
"A wound he received In the Spanisl
war"
1 stood gasping.
do you mean to tell me-. l aske:
at last, that the young man on tn
pOCCu IL SNptd1A OOu01U 0lcWSlINs VIII
distinguished himself in the Spanish
American WARP"
~ d." said the elderly woman in
tone 80 proud that l knew she was hi
mother.
mot captain" said the girl-..pro
NOTED for gallant and m%erit0ri0us con
duct and oil that to be major"
I saw III her a likeness to the younI
man and judged she was his sister.
stood looking at the two women. think
ing of my speeches to the young ma
on the porch.
whats wrong?" queried. the girl.
Wrong? Wrong enough" blurted
II have been quarreling with him be
cause he decried military heroism.
never dreamed
Here l halted. 1 didn't wish to &c
any deeper into the mire.
II don't know" said the young gir
irritated. why everybody thinks tina
only the great big men can be heroei
Donald isn't 80 small. He's i've fee
1--we In his stockings."
The next day Miss Stewart brough