The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-03-08
A TRUE Story.

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humoredly The boys are gettin,
along wen with their plan, they said
for the town was q small one, wher,
everybody knew his neighb0r, and tool
a kindly interest IN him J; and the mill
tary company which s'the boys" wer,
going to form was a matter of publ,
pride and interest.
There were about thirty OF forty o
the young men They had most o
them been to school together at Johnt
academy, and were now clerks in tn,
town, statesmen, students Of law ol
medicine.
There was the heartiest good feeling
among them, therefore, when they met
to adopt their constitution and bylaws
They had been drilling all winter in pri
yate, and were to appear in public fol
the first time on Saturday, in their new
uniform. It was a gorgeous uniform
chosen from many different patterns
sent by the Eastern manufacture. 4
fairly blazed in crimson and gold.
They had kept it secret from every
one, even fathers, and mothers, and
sWeethearts, so that the grand display
on Saturday would break with more
effect upon the dazzled eyes of the towns
people.
Now, all this was before the war. The
military ardor which prevailed like an
epidemic IN the town did not mean pat
rietism or self-saerifce, but only a little
agreeable vanity, and a great deal Of
cordial good fellowship, fun and kindly
feeling.
Some more weighty sense Of the con
straints of honor, too, rested upon the
young fellows, with their swords and
glittering epaulettes; some increased
structure of obligation to bear themselves
as men, gallant and 'chivalrie in soul as
well as body. Many of the wise elders
Of the town, therefore, lent their help ts
the undertaking, and old Col. Stofrs, a
retired army officer, accepted the post Of
captain, and gave himself up zealously
to the work.
'sNo. 9, seems to me, superduous,
Captain" objected Ned Moore. 'sThe
company pledges itself to attend the
funerals Of all members, saving and
excepting such as may have suffered the
penalties of the law, or laid violent
hands on themselves. That seems tc
me more melodramatic than necessary
There are not likely to be any murders
or suicides in our company glaneins
around, with laugh, at his eompan.
ions.
'sThe rule is customary in such or.
ganizations, said the colonel, dryly.
The rule remained, therefore, in spite
of Ned's jokes, which caused a good deal
of laughing.
Ned was the youngest of the boys,
the merriest, most genial yeung fellow
in town Everybody knew his frank,
handsome face and curly hair. He was
book-keeper In one of the iron mills,
and, cut of his small salary, supported
his mother, But the money was small
matter, compared to the fun, and iellity,
and tumultuous affection which he
brought into the little widows life.
'sThe last years of my life, she used
TO say, shave all the beauty and bright
ness that were missed out of the others u
Ned ran down the stairs of the hall
When the meeting was over, singing
"Llly Dale" at the top of his voice.
He had clear tenor, which was the
delight of everybody who loved m,.s.,,
in the wide awake town.
"That's right, said Joe Wilson; s.iust
come up to the house, Ned; the girls
are at home, and we1l have little sing.
ing. You are in voice tonight. "
CAN right What do you say, Char.
leyf For Ned and Charley Hill seldom
spent an evening apart.
Bother the girls r muttered Charley
they're a bore. Their rattle-de- bang
pianos set my teeth on edge. Some Of
the fellows are going to have an oyster
supper down at Brice's, and promised
that we'd join them.
Ned hesitated. rs Jim Phillips tC
be thereT
*Yes. He asked the crowd"
There's sure to be liquor and squah
bling. I promised mother I'd keep Out
of mems parties this winter, particularly
where there were cards or drinking. ]
think we'd better go to Wilson's. y
"Oh, never mind Wilson, Come
along, Nedp
Ned laughed and nodded. ''Charley
has made an engagement for me, Joe
I'll come up tomorrow evening and sing
with the girls. I'll go round and tel
mother not to sit up for me, Charley
and will be after you in five minutes.
The boys went on. Nobody laughed
at Ned for running home to mother.
Not even Phillips Thought him in lead
ing traces. The l;lis were neither coars,
nor vulgar, as Mrs. Moore thought
They we're manly enough to appreciate
her manly hoy,
She followed him to the door. "Goot
night, my son. Ged bless your +, -
'sGeod night, mother. I'll be at hom'
by eleven, at the latest"
There could be no harm, she thought
in a party of intelligent, clear-minde'
boys, tired with the days work, meeting
to sharpen and strengthen their wits to
gether over well cooked supper.
Nor would there have been, perhaps
if the poor, foolish lads had not essayed
like some of their foolish elders, to tn
poison which makes them feel as god
and act as beasts.
81 say, Brice, let's have champagne,
cried Phillips, when the supper was over
Lets have the pop of the corks, jus
for tonight" For Phillips had mad
one or two journeys to New York, an