Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-01-07
A True Story.

room of a warehouse in Western town.
People going by saw the lights. and
heard the cheering and shouts of laugh
ter, and nodded to each other good-hu-
moredly. ''The boys are getting on
well with their plan.' they said. for the
town was small one. where everybody
knew his neighbor, and took a kindly
interest in him; and the military COM
pany which ..the boys" were going to
form matter of public pride and in
terest.
There were about thirty or forty of
the young men. They had most of them
been at school together at st. Johns
Academy, and now were clerks in the
town, salesman, student of law or med
icine.
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
winter in private, and were to appear
In public for the first time on Saturday,
in their new uniform. 1t was gorgeous
uniform, chosen from dozen different
patterns sent by the Eastern manufac-
turer. 1t fairly blazed in crimson and
gold. They had kept secret from
every one, even fathers, and mothers,
and sweethearts, SO that grand display
on Saturday would break with more ef-
feet 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
patriotism Of self-sacrefce, but only
little agreeable vanity, and great deal
of cordial good fellowship, fun and kind
ly feeling.
Some more weighty sense of the con-
straints of honor, too, rested upon the
young fellows. with their swords and
glittering epaulets; some increased
structure of obligation to bear themselves
as men, gallant and chivalric in souls as
well as body. Many of the wise elders
of the town, therefore, lent their help to
the undertaking. and old Col Storrs.
retired army officer. accepted the post
of captain. and gave himself up jealous
ly to the work.
The organization had been rather lax
until tonight. when the bylaws had
been uennIteiy auoPUeu.
Number seems to me superhuous,
Captain" objected Ned Moore. 'The
company pledges itself to attend the
funeral of all member, saving and ex-
cepting such as may have suffered the
penalty of the law, or laid violent hands
on themselves. That appears to me
more melodramatic than necessary.
There are not likely to be any suicides
or murders among us" glancing about,
with laugh, to his companions.
1.-The rule is customary in such or
ganization," said the colonel, dryly.
The rule remained, therefore, in spite
of Ned's jokes, which caused good
deal of laughter.
Ned was the youngest of the boys.
the merriest, most genial young fellow
in town. Everybody knew his frank,
handsome face and curly hair. He was
book-keeper in one of the iron mills,
and, out of his small salary, supported
his mother. But the money was small
matter, compared to the fun, and jollity.
and tumultous affection which he brought
into the poor widows life. "The last
years of my life,' she used to say.
"have all the warmth and brightness
that were missed out of the others
Ned ran down the stairs of the hall
when the meeting was over. singing
Lilly Dale" at the top of his voice
He had clear tenor, which was the de.
light of everybody who loved music. in
the town.
That's right!'' said Joe Wilson
come up to the house, Ned; the girls
are at home. and we'll have a little
singing. You are in voice to night"
"All right What do you say Char
ley?" For Ned and Charley Hill sci
dom spent an evening apart.
Bother the girls p muttered Char
ley; they're bore. Their rattle-de
bang pianos set my teeth on edge
Some of the fellows are going to hav,
an oyster supper down at Brice's, and
promised that we'd join them"
Ned hesitated. 'Is Phillips to b
!, there ?"
Yes. "He asked the crowd
, There's sure to be liquor and squad
bling. | promised mother Id kee
out of mems parties this winter. partic
/: ularly where there were cards or drink
! ing. We'd better go to Wilson's"
a 20. never mind Wilson! Com
r along ?"
Ned laughed and nodded. "Charle
I has made an engagement for me. Joe
I'll come up to morrow evening, an
o sing with the girls. I'll 60 round an
a tell mother not to sit up for me. Char
s ler, and will be after you in FIVE mil
. utes.
: The boys went on. Nobody laughe