Page:The American Magazine volume LXIV.djvu/526

508 In no sense are the articles controversial. They will deal entirely with facts open to any student who will take the trouble to unravel them. What we have done on the tariff — why we have done it, and what the results have been, is the subject matter of the articles. We believe we are not wrong in our conviction that the time for shirking the tariff question — from diverting attention from it by threats of panic and depression — is passing. The country is strong enough morally, intellec- tually and financially to PTamiti^ thought- fully the whole case, to make up its mind what is good and what is bad in the ^rstem now fixed on us and then with due care but with due firmness to correct the bad. Whatever will contribute to this end is worth publisning. We believe Miss Tar- bed's amcies are sucn a contribution.

"THE GLORY OF WAR"

BY ALFRED DAMON RUNYON

"What makes th' soldier man desert?" th' Colonel ast his nurse ; (Th' same it was a He-Male who was mindin' o' th' kid); "Th' war department tells me that it's daily gettin' worse — " My dog rob friend, I wisht that you woidd find out why it's did. "When you get through a-swabbin' down th' missus' kitchen floor, "An* emptyin' out th' kitchen slops an' answerin' o' th' dooi " I wisht you'd kindly ascertain why men won't stay to war — " 'Cause it's worryin' th' noble war department."

LefU Siep! LefU Step! Why do men desert? Thirteen casers every month, pants an* hat an* shirt; Workin* hours easy; only ten an* twent* an* thirt* — Say I What makes th* soldiers quit th* army ?

"You don't presume," th' Colonel said, "they're wantin' o' more pay? ("An' don't forget to give that lawn another healthy roll); "Oh, that would be ingratitood; we feed 'em thrice a day — ("An', by th' by, please carry in a ton or two o' coal). "Now after you have finished o' your little household chore, " You might dig up that garden, plant a peck o' seed or more; " An' then I wisht you'd ascertain why men won't stay to war — " 'Cause it's worryin' th' noble war department."