Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-01-03
Mtiseeuanrous. g
A True Story.

About fifteen years ago party of young
men had gathered in an upper room OF u
warehouse in Western town.
People going BY saw the lights. and
heard the cheering and shouts Of laughter.
and NODDED TO each other good-humoredly.
The boys are getting on well with their
plan" they said. for the town was small
one, where everybody knew hi, Deighbor,
and took a kindly interest in him; and the
military company which THE boys" were
going to form was mattsr OF public pride
and interest.
There were about thirty or forty of the
young men. They had most OF them been
At school together at Jchu's Academy, and
now were clerks in the town, statesmen,
students OF law or 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 private, and
were to appear in public for the first time
on Saturday. in their new uniform. II was
a gorgeous uniform, chosen from a dozen
different patterns sent by the Eastern man
ufacturer. IL fairly olaZed in crimson and
gold. They had kept it a secret from every
one. even fathers, and mothers, and sweet
hearts, so that the grand display on Satur,
day would break with more effect upon the
Now all this was before the war. The
military ardor which prevailed like an cpl
demic in the town did not mean patriotism
or self f-sacrifice. but only little agreeable
vanity. and great deal of cordial good fell
wship, fun and kindly feeling.
Some more weighiy sense of the con-
straints of honor. too, rested upon the
Young fellows with their swords and gilt
tering epaulets; some increased structure
of obligation to bear themselves as men.
gallant and cbivalric in soul as well as
body MANY Of the wise elders OF the town,
therefore. lent their help to the undertak-
ing. and old Col. Storrs, retired army
officer, accepted the post of captain. and
gave himself up zealously to the work.
The organization had been rather lax
until tonight, when the bylaws had been
definitely adopted.
Number seems TO me supernuous,
Captain" objected Ned Moore. ''The
company pledges itself to attend the funer-
ais OF al! members. saving aud lexcepting
such as may have suffered the penalty of
the law, or laid violent hands on them
selves. That appears TO me more melodrs-
matte than necessary. There are not likely
to be any suicides or murders among u.s."
glancing about, with laugh, to his COM
paBione.
1.-The rule il customary in such organi-
zatious." 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 young fellow in
town. Everybody knew his frank. hand
some face and curly hair. lie was book
keeper in one of the iron mills. and. out OF
his small salary. supported his mother.
But the money was small matter. CON-
pared to the fun, and jOllity. and tumulru-
ous affection which he brought into the
poor widows life. ''The last years of my
iife." she used TO say, shave 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"
= the ton of his voice He had . clear