Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-11-13
The PATRIOTIC Boy.
A TRUE STORY OF 1861.

from Boston, eNc.tadly discussing the latest
news, for the torch of war had been lighted
at Fort Sumter, and the red glow filled the
land, putting stop for n time to all bust
ness Wha,eNer; till the first volunteer ar
mics had been enlisted and sent out to
crush the L, bellion. Among the rest, not
talking, but with eager eyes and ears drink
ing III all that was said, stood Albert o., a
boy ct sixteen years, son of the wealthiest
man in the place.
Il would enlist this minute" said Char
ley b., If there was any one to look after
my dear Cd mother. She is so feeble now,
and her little property is not quite enough
to keep her, SO how can ] go?"
81 don't see low you can, Charley"
spoke another Young man; "but l wish you
could, for you and have been chums SO
long that ! would be glad if we could be
comrades still"
81 want to 90, said an older man in the
group-a grave, sld-looking man; Il know
if my Mary was living she'd tell me to go
at once and serve my country; but how can
leave my motherless children?"
81 thought their aunt Emily took care of
them," remarked another.
$50 she does, but she could not afford to
do so for nothing. 1 pay her 5000 year
for their board and what teaching she can
give them till they can go to the public
school. If they were old enough Jenny
could teach and Willie could work in u
machine shop, and so take care of them
selves; but now they are too young for me
to leave"
| And l." said another.
Aud they talked about the new company,
and who of their towns people were to be
| officers and so on till one of them turned
| to the bow asking:
as it true. Albert, that your fathers
book-keeper is goirg as ensign?"
81 don't know" replied ALERT, she has
said nothing 10 me about it,"
"Yes, he is going" said one of the men.
II went to the store not IA hour since and
he told me So"
| 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 he locked himself in; and sitting
| down by the window, gazed out upon the
| sky, apparently lost in anxious thought At
| last his face hriehtened; an earnest, ardent
look came into his dark blue eyes: he
stated up and walked around the room ex-
citedly.
Then leaving his room he went to his
fathers Office. Mr.. O. was very much oc-
| cupied, and Albert waited as patiently as
he could till the visitor was gone, then
went in.
"Father," said he, "can you spare five
minutes to talk with me?'
"Yes, my son, ten if you like"
rs it ue, father, that Mr.. j., your book
keeper, has enlist4d?"
yes, Albert, he is going as ensign; he
told me SO this morning, and have sent
money up to your mother not an hour ago,
that she may buy the material for the reg
mental Colors. Your sisters will help her
make the flag, and all must be ready in four
days to present to the regiment before they
leave"
This news was very interesting to Albert,
but he did not comment on it; his mind
was full of another subject.
Father" he asked; have you engaged
another book keeper"
NO, have not. I think must send TO
Boston and advertise for one"
"Oh, don't, father! Oh, how I wish
oh, if dare to say it,"
His father looked at him in surprise, and
said kindly:
"You surely know, my son, that you may
dare say anything to me-"
80, father" the boy exca med impetu-
ously, you know how much | wish to serve
my county? And you said l was not old
enough to go to war, but might prove N.Y.
self better patriot by staying at home
and now here Is chance to do something;
and, father, do not refuse to let me, for ii
you do | shall break my Lear.."
"AIy dear Alb 1T, you know I never re-
fuse you anything reasonable"
81 know it, father, but this %, | know
Just what you will say! But can't help
it! Father, this morning | heard some OF
the men talking, and there were two who
wanted to enlist and would, but one had
an infrm old mother to look after, and thI
other had two little children-motheres
children-and so they could not either Of
them 60, though they wanted to SO much.
And so you want me to provide for tho
| old mother and two little children? Well,
I'll try to do it-but--"
No, no, father, not that; l / now YOU
have quite enough on your hands as it is
so many to help-but, father, WANT 10 take
| care of them myself"
you take care of them!" said the father,
, in establishment.
Yes, fatLer, if you'll only let me DO
bookkeepar in Mr.. Us place. You know
he has be n teaching me la ely, and before
he goes he can show me Just how the books
Standard if | should require any looking
over, why, father, I'll work for half price
You pay him one hundred dollars month,
| and If you II pay me fifty, it will be quite
enough for all want, then"
But, Albert, interrupted his father, "wait
a moment-Gon't get excited over it, but
give Inc a little time to consider! You wisl
o be my ookkeeperf'
"Yes, father"
"But in that case You need 10 be here in
| the Office all day, every day-from eli ht in
the morning till six in the evening
"Yes, father, l know it"
"Have you thought how arduous and Sc
we're a life that will be for your"
"Yes, father, l have thought it all over,
! and am not afraid. Just try me and you'll
| see how I'll stick to business"
But then your studies, my son. Have
you given up your plan of going to college:
| And must / relinqu;sh my hope of seeing
my son one of our ablest lawyers and poll
| ticans before | die? Must this be given
up"
NO, father, not yet. have thought il
all over in my own room this morning
and though week since it would have
almost broken my heart to have met with
any delay in my studies, yet now think
can wait year longer before going to
college; and by studying evenings l will
not lose anything now know"
"But il the war should no. be ended in q
year-if it should last till you are too old
to go to college--or ii these men should
never come back-should be killed-theu
you would have their families to provide
for all their lives. Would you not then
regret what you had done?"
The boys face grew very pale. He sal