The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-12-06

ouaintance, giving him pressing invitation
to come again, and promising to take the best
care of his noble dog.
i He had reached the heart of the city, and
was hurrying along one of the streets leading
to the river, when his attention was arrested
by the sound of drum and fife and crowd
in front of a vacant store. 1t was recruiting
office for the war had Just commenced the
previous spring, Dandy stopped and listened
Il moment; the stirring martial music sent the
cood tingliug through his veins, and the sight
of the old flag, hanging just inside the door,
made HIM feel as he had never felt before, As
he stood there watching the crowd and listen
ing to the music, he thought to himself; Dan
dy Bill, why do you hesitate about gong Tor
ward and cnlising rs IA soldier in the service
of your country You think more of the girl
whose life you saved than you dare confess, and
in years to come you may win her, if you
prove yourself worthy of her love. Which do
YOU prefer, to remain "A driver, or risk your
life As a soldier with chance for honor and
promouong" He answered the question of
his own asking by stepping into the Office and
putting bis namc-Wiliam Muriock-upon
the enlistment roll. As he finished writing
his name voice at his elbow said;
"Anybody what can write their cOgnomon
rs slick ~ that hadn't ought to DE a drive on
the Canal,'
Dandy turned sharp about and stood face to
face with Sandy RYAN. Not dcigning to notice
the remark, Bill turned and was about to leave
the room, when Sandy again spoke:
Look here Dandy Bill, you whipped me
not mOre'n three days ago, an the reason you
done it was cause you are better man than
| | bean when a mans bcttcr'n Sandy Ryan
in square fight he knowlcdgcs it every time.
| skipped over here to list; want to bleed
| for the old tlag-I'm tired of canalin, am.
! What dye say, will We forglt the past an be
| friends an go to war together? If It's go,
stick out yer fender for IA grip!'
| Bill stuck out his hand, saying, SANDY,
you're a trump. Stick your name on the roll,
and we'll fight together"
and then learning that the company in which
they had enlisted would leave in two days
they both left the office
The next morning Bill dropped a note to
Mrs Lennoy, stating that he had enlisted, and
would leave on the morrow, and bidding her
and Belle farewell as he had so much to at
tend to he could not possibly see them.
The next day, as the soldiers were waiting at
the depot for the train to pull out, and bidding
farewell to the loved ones they were about to
leave, Belle LennOX made her way through
the crowd to where Dandy was stgnding-and
he looked torsakcn enough, for no one seemed
to care for him.
"Good.bye Bill" said Belle Il wanted to
bid YOU goodbye so uuCh, hut Was afraid
was too latc'
Dandv's lace Frightened up rs he replied
Miss Belle, thank You ever SO much for tax
ing such an interest in me, for | thought | had
been forgotten indeed 1t made me feel sad to
see the men bidding farewell TO their mothers
and sisters and wives and sweethearts; it
made me feel as though | was completely de
serted, for | have neither father or mother,
brother or sister"
"llow glad am that | camG!n exclaimed
Belle. Oct me be your sister; | have mol
brother, and, oh, will he ever so proud of a
soldier brother and will write to you, and
do everything to make your soldier life hap
pyn'
All, Belle my little grl, those words make
me feel like a new man, and will be a good, |
true soldier for my little sisters sake"
just then "All aboardm came from the con
ductor. Dandy seized his new-iound sister in
his arms, gave her hcrty kiss, boarded the
train, and they were gone.
* i Il
Nearly five years had passed, when Belle
LcnnoX again stood at the depot. THIS time
she did not come to bid farewell to any one
she was awaiting the return of Ter soldier, as
she called him now. He went away as merely
DANDY Bill, he returns as Major Murdoch
having won the name IN many hard.toughtI
battle. He babe goodbye TO Il brighteyed girl
Of titteen-a handsome young lady of twenty
Is waiting to greer his return
The train arrives at last, and happy meet
ing it is between Major Murdoch and Belle
LennoX, and rs she gazes at the tall, broad
iine-lookIng soldier, a feeling of
infinite pride comes over her.
Sandy Ryan's old mother was also at the
iepot and as she caught glimpse OF her son,
Ihe threw herself into his arms crying: con, II
Con-, God be praised you're back agalnm
Yes, mother, an I'm Orderly Sergeant Cor
lelus Ryan, at yer service with enough
limo to buy Il farm ont West, which I'll do" |,
Belle had the carriage in waiting, and when
hey arrived at the handsome home of Mrs. :
LcnnoX, they were met at the gate by the old t
ady and Patsey, the latter, when he heard his
masters voice, boundingout to meet him, and
Icting exceedingly puppyish in his Old age.
That evening, as they sat in the parlor listen
ng to the Majors stories of the war, he told
hem, among other things, that Bellies uncle
Richard had been killed at the battle of -
while leading the charge of a regiment of rcb- r
i cavalry.
The MAJOR made a short stag in the city, II
md then took trip to the West where he
vas soon engaged in thriving business. The !
leNt summer he returned 10 the city =
nd while there a brilliant wedding was celc- Z
'rated at the LennOX mansion, and when he 9
ctunCd TO his western home Belle was his ii
ride. In thetall following, Mrs Lennox and +
'atsey followed them, the old lady, at their II
arrest request conserving to spend the rest Of 81
cr days with them in their happy home r