The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-07
KATE,S SOLDIER,
From Harpers Weekly.


"If were only mani"
Kate Barclays eyes flashed with a
splendid resOlve-a fine blaze of courage.
If you were, would you not do just the
same as now-sit still and wish something
else ?'
why do You judge me so unkindly,
Major Ross?'
The lips began to pout now, a little tenn
per to blend with the courage in the fine
eyes.
because you dc not do what you can
now. Ii you were not my cousin, l sup
pose | should not speak to you so plainly
AS tits, it vexes me when hear you wish
ing, morning, noon and night, to be and
do the impossible and yet never trying to
do what is ready to your hand. Do you
think there is no better use for the money
you are wasting SO carelessly in silks and
laces? How much was Madame Ferarra S
bill last quarter?''
Money won't fight, and Government
pays the soldiers-better, l heard you say
so yesterday, than any army is paid in Eu-
rope
g Yet, by giving little more than Go
vernment gives, think you could hire
some one who could not go otherwise, to
fight for you"
"A man whom little more money
would induce! a man who would go for
money, and would not go without it :?
Why, such cowardly soul would get
drummed out of the ranks after the first
battle.''
Major Ross smiled, calm meaning
smile-such as always provoked his cousin
for it seemed to her like an assertion of
superiority.
''You just look at one side of your
question, Kate, and thenjump at your con-
clusiOn. | know a man who told me yes
terday he would go to war if he could at
ford it; a man who is neither cold nor
cowardly. lie has sister, girl of fifteen.
The two are orphans, and his mothers dy-
ing breath gave her to his care. They
were well born. but they had fallen into
poverty, and he resolved that his sister
should have the education OF a lady. She
is at school now. II he had the means to
leave her provided for he would enlist but
what il he should die, and that poor, pretty,
undisciplned child should be left alone in
the wide world. with no means Of support,
no protector, no friend? Could he an
swer it 70 his mother when he had met her
III the country which souls people 2"
Kate had listened with breathless atten-
ton.
- Would he fight well 2" She asked, mus
ingly.
No man better There is not drop
OF coward blood in his veins. He is the
very one would choose to have stand be-
side me in the front OF tie fray"
''If lie were sure his sister would be
provided for in the event of hi, death YOU
think he would 90 :"
80 know it. His heart is in the fight
now. If he were sure that she could be
secured from future privation. or friend
lessness, his name would be enrolled to-
morrow
Kate's face glowed with eager resolve
.:He shlW be sure. cannot give my
life for my country. ought not to shrink
from giving every thing else. That girl is
an orphan like me. She shall be my sis
ter | will undertake her expense while
her brother is away, and, if he dies, she
shall share dollar for dollar with me all
that possess.
Major Ross looked at his young cousin
almost reverentially. He was just begin
ming to see below the happy careless sur
face of her nature. But he made no com
ment On her resolve.
''Wait here" he said, simply, :" will
bring you your soldier"
In half an hour he returned. He brought
with him man, tall, athletic, strong, with
a face brave and masterful rather than
handsome
Miss Barclay, this is Mr.. Keene-Rich-
ard Keene.''
So much of introduction performed,
Major Ross went out and left Kate to make
her bargain.
Mr.. Keene was thoroughly bell-bred. In
the peculiar circumstances in which he
was placed-sorely trying they would have