Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-11-04
The PATRIOTIC Boy.
A TRUE STORY OF 1861.

One morning in May, 1861, a knot oi
young men were standing at the corner OF
the principal street in q little town not fan
from Boston, excitedly discussing the latest
news, for the torch of war had been lighted
at Fort Sumter, and the red glow filed the
land, putting a stop for time to all bust
ness whatever; till the first volunteer ar
mics had been enlisted and sent out to
crush the rebellion. Among the rest, not
talking, but with eager eyes and ears drink
ing in all that was said, stood Albert o., O
boy of 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 old mother. She is so feeble now,
and her little property is not quite enough
to keep her, so how can go?"
II don't see how you can, Charley,
spoke another young man; "but wish you
could, for you and have been chums SC
long that would be glad if we could be
comrades STILL"
Il want to go" said an older man in the
group grave, sad-looking man; II know
If my Mary was living she'd tell me to go
at once and serve my country; but how can
leave my motherless childrenp"
IL thought their aunt Emily took care of
them," remarked another.
do so for nothing. 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 q
machine shop, and 80 take care of them
selves; but now they are too young for me
to leave"
"And l." said another.
And they talked about the new company,
and who OF their towns people were to be
officers and 30 on till one Of them turned
to the boy, asking:
as it true, Albert, that your fathers
book keeper Is going as ensign?"
81 don't know" replied Albert, ~he has
-"iA Yes, 'f he e Going, ing sat said one Of the men.
IL went to the store not an 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. Al
last his face Frightened; an earnest, ardent
look came into his dark blue eyes; he
started up and walked around the room ex-
citedly.
Then leaving his room he went to his
IaLn6f h OI0Ce. MI. VI Wub very IuuCu OC-
cupied, and Albert waited as patiently as
he could till the visitor was gone, ther
went in.
"Father," said he, "can you spare FIVE
minutes to talk with me?"
"Yes, my son, ten if you like"
as it true, father, that Mr.. j., your book.
keeper, has enlisted2"
Yes, Albert, he is going as ensign; ht
told me so this morning, and have sen
money up TO your mother not an hour ago
that she may buy the material for the regi
mental colors. Your sisters will help hel
make the flag, and oil must be ready in foul
days to present to the regiment before theI
leave"
This news was very interesting TO Albert
but he did not comment on it; his minC
was full Of another subject.
Father" he asked; "have you engaged
another book-keeperp"
"No, / have not. / think must send I,
Boston and advertise for one."
"Oh, don't, fatherl Oh, how I wish
oh, if dare TO say itl"
His father looked at him in surprise, anC
said kindly:
"You surely know, my son, that you ma,
dare say anything to me-"
20, father" the boy exclaimed impetu
ously, "you know how much 1 wish to serv
my county? And you said 1 was not ol'
enough to 90 to war, but might prove my
self better patriot by staying at home
and now here is chance to do something
and, father, do not refuse to let me, for /
you do / shall break my heart"
my dear Albert. you know never re
fuse you anything reasonable"
IL know il, father, but this-O, know
Just what you will sayl But can't he'll
| "a Lso n -
the men talking, and there we're two VIII
wanted to enlist and would, but One ha
an infrm old mother to look after, and tn
other had two little children-motherle
children-and so they could not either o
them go, though they wanted to so much.
And so you want me to provide for tn
old mother and two little childrenf Well
I'll try TO do it-but-"
"No, no, father, not that; / know 70
have quite enough on your hands as it is
30 many to help--but, father, Iwant totak
care of them myself
"You take care Of theml" said the father
in astonishment.
"Yes, father, If you'll only let me b
bookkeeper in Mr.. J.'s place. You kno'
he has been teaching me lately, and befor
he goes he can show me just how the book
Standard If should require any lookin
over, why, father, Ill work for half pric,
You pay him one hundred dollars a month
and IL you'll pay me fifty, it will be quit
enough for all want, then"
"But, Albert, interrupted his father, "wa
q moment-dont get excited over IL, br
give me little time to consideri You wis
to be my bookkeeper?"
ayes, father"
"But in that case you need TO be here |
the Office all day, every day-from eight /
the morning till six in the evening"
"Yes, father, l know it,"
HHave You thought how arduous and &C
we're life that will be for your"
"Yes, father, / have thought IL all owe
and am not afraid. just try me and you
see how Ill stick to business"
"But then your studies, my son. Hay
you given up your plan of going to college
And must relinquish my hope of seein
my son one Of our ablest lawyers and pol
: ticians before I dieP Must this be give
: up2"
/ n-1l