Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-03-24
THE SOLDIERS PLEDGE

~ "'-' 'AS lail VI lou uuLAuB luuSe
troublOus times that tried mems souls and
broke women's hearts, that slip of a GIL
of about nine years stood on the platform
at the depot in one of the suburban towns
of Cleveland and watched the waiting
train with its coach loads of soldiers on
their way to TIE front The pale face Of
the wee woman was so full of admiration,
and SAD with pathetic longing in it as
well, that more than one boy in blue re-
marked it. Finally one, with laughing
impertinence, called cut: "Hello, little
maid, is your sweetheart off to the WARP"
''YOu are all my sweethesrts," answered
the child. Come in and say good bye to
me" said the soldier.
The child ran forward, and, clamberinp
up the steps, went iato the car. The SOL
der who bad sccosted the little maid Was
the counterpart of hundreds who went out
to battle IN those days, and who sleep the
last long sleep under the Southern stars;
full of vigO7 and life, little fast" per-
haps, but sweet and honorable at the core
As he talked with the child watched the
color come and 90, and caught the glance
of the big gray eyes darkened so early with
the shadow Of great sacrifice, be became
unusually interested.
She was h0pelessly plain mite the cnlv
redeeming thing about her being the big
luminous eyes and long glossy brai6s of
soft brown hair. The soldiers hand was
toying half unconsciously with one of these
plaits when he asked what she would he
willing to give a soldier who was going out
perhaps never to return. There was a renl
sincerity in the reply, Anything" Some
spirit of mischief must have entered the
man, for lifting the braid that lay shining
over his wrist, he asked, "Will you Give
me thi5?' The answer came very quickly,
'Yes." Taking from his pocket one OF
those housewives furnished the boys by
loving friends. he took out the scissors and
clipped off the braid close to her head,
while the men standing around them ex-
claimed at his wantonness and shaued
him in nc light manner When the hair
ley coilei on his knee, and the child was
looking smilngly up into his face, he
reached into his hsverssck, brought out a
bottle, and, taking off the metallic cap thst
answered for a cup as we'll he poured out
some of the liquor and raising it, criei
out, gayly, "Here's to my little sweet
heart;;" quick as q flash the slender fingers
clasped his wrist. and the shame and won
der that child face expressed will never
be forgotten by those around "Ohl
soldier, - and the sweet voice rang with .
passion of entreaty, please, please don't
do that" There was perfect silence over
the group in q moment. Something in the
slap of that little hand on his, and the
wistful pleading in the startled CLEAN of
the grey eyes lifted so pleadingly, touched
the COLDER and q strange expression grew
slowly in the handsome, s0ldierly face,
while the eager voice of the wee maiden
sounded clearly through rhe car, 81 gave
you just what you asked for; O, won', you
DO something for me?" A moments hest
tatiou, then he answered, Eyes
little woman, I will" / have won
dered many a time and oft in the wears
that lie between then and now, if any Of
those gathered there felt that a point was
reached in that mans lie when he should
choose, at the bidding OF a little child,
which path he would tresd. 'Tren. will
you sign the ptdge with map" A shout
vent up from the boys in blue 'She's
cot you Charlie, sign it, sign it" came
from all around. will you write one,
airlie," said Charlie, taking cut a blank
book, with portable inksJand and pen 10
the side. Carefully in big round letters
the child wrote the only pledge that oc-
cured to ner.
81 viii never drink anything that will
make me drunk rs long as live"
Seeming to think the latter clause made
it very strong the soldier took the psn,
and, in finn, scholarly hand, wrots
Charles D. underneath it the childish
IL written name of the little gil.
While sill this was transporting tall,
fne-lOOking soldier, bearing the rank OF
Colonel, had paced back and forth several
times and now pausing before the open
window called out: whats going on
in there, boys?" Come in and see,
7 Colonel Charlie has signed temperance
pledge" While the Colonel walked
through the car he heard the story from
half q dozen different voices. His han.
lay caressingly on the head of the little
girl, and a strange expression of almost
affection shown IN his face ss he read the
pledge Taking the pen he wrote in
witness" and beneath name that Is
written in the history Of this nation.
name loved and revered ss one Of our mar
tvred Presidents, James A. Garfield.
Taking the hand of the little child IN his
Own, he said Boys, this is the daughter
of Chaplain W, of the Seventh. HE'S
summoned to the front tomorrow,
and was anxiously looking for little
Nary q moment ago Charlie, l
know some one in Pennsylvania who will
be glad TO hear Of this y Every soldier
touched his cap at they walked through
The car, and the escort delivered httlo
Mary to her father and told the story Of
tic missing braid, while the Captain held
her close in his arms ard his lips pressed
her forehead more than once during the re-
cital Colonel Garfield closed his story by
eaying: He is a young man with a
bright future, his only fault being this
habit. and, az he IS honorable to nicely,
he will never break his word. You have
sown good seed, Chaplain"
with the remaining braid in his breast
pocket Chaplain " had been many
weary months at the front, and the con-
Aict still grew hotter and more bitter
During one Of those painfully depressing
times it was evident a traitor mad place
in our councils, for every important move
was made known to the enemy. General
Rosecraus issued the order that spies were
to be tried and shot without delay. EH-
element ran high and q spy had email
chance for his life. Chaplain W wac
summoned one morning to visit the
ous.d-house At the request Of prisoner
Tho had been brought in during the
NIGHT and condemned az spy at early
morning roll-csll. He had been discovered
sZulking around camp, and when taken
had asked to be reported at headquarter5
Immediately. Upon learning that General
Rosecrans was twenty miles away ne
.oAe Int orlIr