Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1881 — His Speech. [ARTICLE]

His Speech.

It was the birthday of old Col. Whale. He was a veteran of two wars and he had reached his 80tli year. The military company resolved to surprise and gratify him by. recognizing it. They marched down right in front of his house with a twelve-pounder, nd, loading her up, began to fire in good shape. They tliougl t it would send the warm blood flying through the Colonel’s veins to hear the familiar sound. It did. At the third shot the old veteran appeared at his door with the fire of battle gleaming in his eyes, his gray locks streaming in the wind, and his old musket in his hand. “ Give him a chance to smell the burning powder ! Fire the cannon! ” cried the commander of the company. The Colonel rushed down to the cannon and pushed the men away. He mounted it. “A speech ! A speech ! ” they cried. He motioned for silence, aud all was still. Then the veteran raised his voice : “ You devils,” he cried, “what do you mean by firing this cannon in this way ? You’ve broken every piece of glass and crockery in my house ! ” They took the cannon and marched away. —Boston Post.