The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-01-23
COLUMBUS
BY GRACE &. oLlN
MISUNDERSTANDING

0oo'00H0oo0do6oG'e00dNdodeoN
@ 1891. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
or course his name wasn't "Colul1
bus al all II was Antonio Cor Tony,
II you llkc) Morclo. But as he was
born in famed Genoa. aud because
A3ughboys have 4 happy knack Of
clubbing" their comrades, Antonio Cor
Tony If you prefer was dubbed Co
umbus.
Not that Tony minded In the least
IN fact he rather enjoyed 1t.
When the war clouds had hung
tnreatcnInsIy over Europe Tony had
lold his mother and fathcr:
60 my parents, quick before the
land is red with blood. Go to America,
The beautiful she IS young and
strong, Oh! SO strong. The enemy wiz
neyer reach her shores"
And they had gone, tenrfully, reluc.
tanuy
OFTEN in their meager little rooms
on crowded side street 10 the heart
OF a great American city the parents
thought Of the lad.
He had never forgotten 10 write. Al.
ways his letters were bright and
CHEEKY lie had gone over the border
lie told them, and joined the Ameri-
cans In France, and they called him
Columbus"
How The old folks had shaken their
heads and laughed az this. Then came
reports Of battles-terrible battles
the M0rne, Argonne, and thea--silenco
To the TWO old people, strangers Do
strange land, the suspense had been
horrible And then at last. after many
days, the longed.for news came.
lie had been wounded, badly wound
ed but now all was wen again
But The war was ended and be d.l
not come. The money cane regularly
twas truc, enough 10 pay for humble
shelter aud bread, but DO word MS to
when their Tony would come 10 lacm
He writes he is doing 50 well" his
mother would say. but he does not
mention we shall see him. she would
nuIsh, tremuousIy
Two hours more, precisely" SAID
Mr.. James Brown, with enthusiasm,
and wc shall be en route for The good
cd Z s. A. and home
You've said il. jim the T. s. A..
md home" answered his companion.
Mr. Thomas Adams.
Gee, ms great isn't IL. Jim. 10 be
able to 20 home when O fellow wants
Va"
Tommy" said Mr. James Brown
With grin. cant YOU forge ire
trenches and bombs. and war. and hor.
rio things Ike that? Don't you know
dat We arc really at peacei Aud
what's more. We shall steam up tue
Anrbor on Columbus day q hitting day
for two such red-biooded patriots TO
be returning"
BY George, Tom. 70 BE- serious a
minute speaking u Columbus da|
makes ne think Of Columbus WHO
went through the hell of Argoune with
as Columbus. the bashful young hero.
who but for his bravery would have
lost you q friend q The person Of one
James Brown
Ard whether or not It's fancy or
real. that fellow down there leading tae
ship has mighty familiar look Tom
}m going 30 take 4 chance" Mr
james Brown leaned over the rain and
called
Columbus"
The thin. brown arms dropped the
heavy box.
"Columbus"
Hello, jim !" came the anwscf.
Two hours later the great ship sailed
maJest.cally on her way On board two
excited young men talked 10 a stN
more excited third young man.
Columbus" said Mr. James Brown
steluly I'm ashamed of YOU Didn't
! tell you to keep In touch with mef
Didn't ! tell you | owed you q debt l
could never repay, anl how did you
obey inst,ucuonS;'
YES, how did you obey Instructions,
Columbus:' reiterated Mt Thomas
Adams
The third Young man moi9tened his
dry lips.
Il shouldn, have let you do tails,
jun he said pay my nassage over
and everything lol ee my arm
wasn't quite strong YET and l could
only work huff a wock
u never meant the old folks Should
know. | could gel them some money
somehow. But 10 go to them-oh, how
have loused to. .tmCuca, the beau.
uul | never thought | should see
lie broke off abruptly, a catch in his
voice.
The eyes Of MIR, James Brown and
MIR Thomas Adams met in under
standing
Columbus" said Mr. James Brown,
solemnly, u need chap like YOU in
my Office. You have education. my lad,
and you can be depended on. And as
J for the old folks ! couldn't think OF
them living In the city. | know the
dearest little white cottage oil covered
over with roses, and It's lust spelling
for some nice folks 70 live IN H.
~ was mine, Columbus, but IFS
yours now; goes with the salary
y few DAYS later as the little tug in
hlgl, triumph pulled the great ship past
I'M SMlnn M lhnrIu IMn NnMnn mnn