The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1864-01-14
The Patriot BOY.
4. TRUE STORY.

One morning in May, 1851, knot OF
young men were standing at tho corner Of
the principal street in. little town not far
from Boston, excitcdly discussing the latest
news, for the lurid torch OF war had been
lighted at Fort Sumter, and the red glow
filed the land, putting . stop for the time
to all business whatever, until the first
volunteer armies had boon enlisted and sent
on to crush the rebellion. Among the rest,
not taking, but with eager eyes and ears
in all that as said, stood Albert
o. boy Of sixteen years. son Of the
wealthiest man in the place. " would en-
list this minute said Charley BIZ, "if
there was any one to look after nv dear old
mother. She is feeble now, and her little
property is not qn,te enough to keep her.
besides that she needs son at home to split
kindlng-wood, bring in coal and water,
start the Are md rub her lame ancle morn.
ings, and dropping his 'ice) read the Bi-
BILE to her evenings so how can I 60 =
though she tells me not to stay for her, but
70 where she is sure the Lord md my coun.
try reeds me more She's true patriot and
= Christian. my mother is-and I wish
could go-but how can ''
81 don't see how you can; Charlie" spoke
another young man, shut I wish you could,
for you and have been chums so long that
I'd be glad if We could be comrades
still"
81 want to CO." said an older man in the
group, grave, sad.looking man. 81 know
if my Mary was living she'd tell me to go al
once and serve my country, but how can
leave my motherless children p
Il thought their Aunt Emily took care
of thsm," remarked another
$50 she does. but shs could not afford
to do so for nothing. pay her two hun
dred dollars a year for their board and what
teaching she can give them until they can
90 to the public school If they we're old
enough, Jenny could teach, and Willie work
in . machine shop, and sotake care Of them
selves, but now they are too young for me
to leave
swell, I am going" said one.
"And l." said another.
And they talked on about the new compa-
ny. and who Of their townspeople we're to be
officers. and so on, until one Of them turn
ed around to the boy asking,
as it true, Albert, that your fathers
book keeper is going as ensign o. bp
IL don't know" replied Albert, che has
said nothing to me about it,"
"Yes. he is going" said one Of the men
81 went in the store not on hour since, and
he told me sn.n
So the talk went on, and Albert listened
awhile, but presently left them, and going
to his fathers house went to his own room.
where lie locked himself in; and, SITTING
down by the window, gazsd out upon th'
sky, apparently lost in anxious thought. A
last his face frightened an earnest, ardent
look came into his dark blue eyes he start
ed up and walked about the room excited
" then he knelt at the bedside and prayed
God to help him in his new enterprise, and
give him strength to carry it out.
Then leaving the room he went to his
fathers office. Mr.. G--was very much
occupied, and Albert waited as patiently a
he could till the visitor was gone, then wen
in.
Father" said he, "can you spare fiv.
minutes to talk with me :"
"Yes. my son, ten il you like"
"Is 1t true, father. that Mr.. J., you'
book keeper, has enlisted ?''
"Yes, Albert, ho is going "a ensign he
told me 20 this morning, and I have sen
money up to yonr mother not An hour inc
that she may buy the material for the regi
mental colors Your sisters will then hell
her make the flag, and all must be ready il
four days to present to the regiment befor
they leave."
This news was very interesting to Albert
but he did not comment ON it; his min'
was on another subject
HFather." he asked. ,'have you engaged
another book.keeper 2"
"No. have not. think must send t
Boston and advertise for one"
"Ob don't father Oh. how wish-oh
n 7 dared saw It |"
And Albert brake down. large tears il
his eve. which nothing but his boyisf
pride prevented from falliag. His fathe
looked at him in surprise, and said kindly
lEfE .,sf.f