The true northerner., 1886-11-04
The PATRIOTIC Boy.
A TRUE STORY OF 1861.


young men were standing at the corner OF
the principal street in a little town not far
from Boston, excltedly discussing the latest
news, for the torch of war had been lighted
at Fort Sumter, and the red glow filled the
land, putting IA stop for time to all busl-
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.,
boy of sixteen years, son of the wealthiest
man in the place.
Il would enlist this minute" said Char
ley b., eff 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?"
Il don't see how you can, Charley"
spoke another young man; "but / wish you
could, for you and l have been chums so
long that l would be glad if We could be
comrades still.
Il want to 60, ",said an older man in the
group grave, sad 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?"
IL thought their aunt Emily took care of
them," remarked another.
$50 she does, but she could not afford to
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 so 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 so on till one of them turned
to the boy, asking:
ais it true. Albert, that your fathers
book keeper is going as ensign"
al don't know" replied Albert, she has
said nothing TO me about it."
"Yes, he is going," 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
30 his fathers house went to his own room,
where he locked himself IN; and sitting
down by the window, gazed ont upon the
sky, apparently lost in anxious thought. At
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
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"
"is it true, father. that Mr.. j., your book
keeper, has enlisted?"
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 regi-
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. think must send 10
Boston and advertise for one"
"Oh. don't, father! Oh, how 1 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-"
20, father" the boy exclaimed impetu-
ously, "you know how much l wish 10 serve
my county? And you said l was not old
enough to go to war, but might prove my
self better patriot by staying at home
and now here IS n chance to do something;
and, father, do not refuse to let me, for if
you do | shall break my heart"
"My dear Albert, you know / never re-
fuse you anything reasonable"
81 know il, father, but this-O, / know
just what you will say! But l 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
e. Z IL. - l q. 4
other had two little children-motherles
children and so they could not either OF
them go, though they wanted to SO much"
And so you want me to provide for the
old mother and two little children? Well,
I'll try to do it-but-'
"No, no, father, not that; l know you
have quite enough on your hands as it is
30 many to help-but, father, Iwant TO take
care of them myself"
"You take care of themp said the father
in astonishment.
"Yes, father, if you'll only let me be
ibookkeeper in Mr.. J.s place. You know
ne has been teaching me lately, and before
he goes he can show me just how the books
stand--and 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 l want, then"
"But, Albert. interrupted his father, wait
a moment-don't get excited over it, but
give me little time to consider! You wish
to be my bookkeeper?"
~Yes, father"
"But in that case you need to be here in
the office all day, every day-from eight in
the morning till six in the evening"
"Yes, father, know it"
Have you thought how arduous and Sc
we're life that will be for your"
Yes, father, ] 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
ticians before / die? Must this be given
up2"
ANo, father, not yet. have thought it
ell over in my own room this morning;