San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-09
THE SOLDIERS PRAYER.

about 9 years stood on the platform at the
depot in one of the suburban towns of Cleve
land and watched the waiting train with its
coachload of soldiers on their way to the
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 remarked it. Finally one
with laughing impertinence, called out
Hello, little maid, is your sweetheart off to
the war;" "You are all my sweethearts,'
answered the child. Come in and say good
by to u.s."
The child ran forward, and, clambering uI
the steps, went into the car The soldier
who had accosted 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
vigor and life, a little fast" perhaps, but
| sweet and honorable at the core. AS he
| talked with the child, watched the color
come and go, and caught the glance of the
big grey eyes darkeued SO early with the
shadow of a great sacrifice, he became I'M
usually interested.
She was hopelessly plain mite, the only
redceming thing about her being the big,
luminous eyes and long glossy braids of soft,
brown hair The soldiers hand was toying
half unconsciousy with one of these plaits
when he asked what she would be willing to
give a soldier who was going out perhaps
never to return. There was real 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 this
The answer came very quickly: Eyes"
Taking from his pocket one of those house
IL l.
he took out the scissors and clipped off the
braid close to her head, while the men stand
ing around them exclaimed ut his wantonneSs
and shamed him in no light manner. When
the hair lay cooled on his knee and the child
was looking smilingly up into his face, he
reached into his haverSack, brought out a
bottle, and, taking off the metal cap that
answered for cup as well, he poured out
some of the liquor, and raising it, cried out,
gayly: Here's to my little sweetheart"
Quick as flash the slender fingers clasped
his wrist, and the shame and wonder that
child face expressed will never be forgotten
by those around. "Oh! soldier" and the
sweet voice rang with passion of entreaty,
please, please don't do that"
There was perfect silence over the group in
a moment. Something in the slap of that
the startled CLEAN of the gray eyes lifted so
earnestly, touched the soldier, and strange
expression grew slowly in the handsome sol
dierly face, while the eager voice of the wee
maiden sounded clearly through the car: II
gave you just what you asked for; o, won't
you Go something for mea" A moments hes,
itation, then he answered.: Eyes, little woman
Twill" have wondered many time and
h. tLo% l,o -, thr,, "A
now if any of those gathered there felt that
point was reached in that mans life when
be should choose, at the bidding Of little
child. which path he would tread. Then
will you sign the pledge with met" A shout
went up from the boys in blue. "Shes got
you, Charlie; sign it, sign it." came from all
around. Will you write one, girGel" said
Charlie, taking out blank book with port
able inkstand and pen in the side Carefully.
in big round letters, the child wrote the only
pledge that occurred to her.
Il will never drink anything that vii.
mako me drunk as long as live"
Seeming TO think the latter clause made
it very strong the soldier took the pen, and,
in a firm, scholarly hand, wrote Charles
D" underneath the childishly written
name of the little girl.
looking soldier, bearing the rank of colonel,
had paced back and forth several times, and
now pausing before the open window, called
OF What's going on in there, bOys2"
Come in and see, colonel Charlie has
signed a temperance pledge" While the
colonel walked through the car he heard the
story from half a dozen different voices
His hand lay caressingly on the head of the
10 CyIr and n T,f o1,
affection shone in his face as he read the
pledge. Taking the pen he wrote 'sin wit.
ulsS," ard beneath name that is written in
the history of this nation-a named loved
and revered as the one of our martyred presi-
dent, James A. Garfield
Taking the hand of the child in his own, he
said: Boys, this is the daughter of Chaplain
W, of the Seventh. He is summoned to
the front tomorrow, and was anxiously
looking for little Mary moment ago Char
lie, know some one in Pennsylvania who
will be glad to hear of this" Every soldier
touched his cap as they walked through the
car, and the escort delivered little Mary to
her father and told the story of the missing
braid, while the chaplain held her close in his
arms and his lips pressed her forehead more
| than once during the recital. Col Garfield
closed his story by saying: HE is a young
man witha bright future, his only fault being
this habit, and, as he is honorable to a nicely,
he will never break his word. You have
sown good seed. chaplain"
With the remaining braid in his breast
pocket Chaplain W had been many
weary months at the front, and the conflict
still grow hotter and more bitter. During
one of those painfully depressing times it was
evident a traitor had place in our councils,