Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-05-09
The SdIaisf's Prayer.

troublesome times that tried men 8
souls and broke women's hearts, that
a slip of girl of about nine years
stood on the platform al the depot in
one of the suburban towns of Cleve-
land and watched the waiting train
with its coach load Of soldiers on their
way TO the front. The pale face of
the wee woman was 80 full of admira-
tion. and sad with a 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 WARP You are all my
sweethearts, answered the chlld.
Come in and say good-by to u.s.
The child ran forward, and, clam
bering up the steps. went into the car.
The soldier who had accosted the lit.
tie maid was the counterpart of hun
dreds 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 sacrifice,
he became unusually interested.
She was hopelessly plain mite, the
only redeeming thing about her being
the big, luminous eyes and long, glossy
braids OF soft, brown hair. The sol:
dier's hand was toying half unconscious.
ly with one of these plaits when he
asked what she would be willing to
give soldier who was going out per-
haps never to return. There was 9
real sincerity in the reply: ANY
thing Some spirits 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: Yes.
Taking from his pocket one of those
house wives furnished the boys by
loving friends, he took out the scissors
and clipped off the braid close to hel
head, while the men standing around
them exclaimed at his wantonness and
shamed him in no light manner
When the hair lay coiled on his knee
and the child was looking smilingly
up into his face, he reached into his
haversack, brought cut a bottle, and,
taking off the metal cap that answered
for a cup as we'll, he poured out some
Of the liquor, and raising it, cried ou1
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
'Ohl soldier,' and the sweet voice rang
with a passion of entreaty, please
please don't do that /.
There was perfect silence over the
group in a moment. Something ir
the slap of that little hand on his, and
the wistful pleading in the startled
CLEAN in the gray eyes lifted so earn
estly, touched the soldier, and q
strange expression grew slowly in the
handsome, soldierly face, while the
eager voice of the wee maiden sound
ed clearly through the car; 4 gave
you just what you asked for; O, won't
you do something for me?' A .mom-
ents hesitation, then he answered
Yes, little women, I will l have
wondered many time and oft in the
years that lie between then and now
if any of those gathered there felt that
a point was reached in that mans life
when he should choose, at the bidding
of little child, which path he would
tread. 'Then will you sign the pledge
with me?' "A shout went up from
the boys in blue. She's got you,
Charlie; sign it, sign it. came from
all around. will you write one, grille?
said Charlie, taking out blank book
with portable inkstand and pen in the
side. Carefully, in big round letters,
the child wrote the only pledge that
occurred to her.
Iwill never drink anything that
will make me drunk as long as l live.
Seeming to think the latter clause
made it very strong the soldier took
the pen. and, in firm, schorarly hand,
wrote Charles D. underneath the
childishly written name of the little
girl.
While al this was transporting, q tall,
fine 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, colonel. Charlie has signed
q temperance pledge. While the
colonel walked through the car he heard
the story from q dozen different voices.
His hand lay caressingly on the head
OF the little girl, and a, strange ex-
preston of almost affection shown in
his face rs be read the pledge. Taking
the pen he wrote lin Witness and
beneath name that is written in the
history of this nation-a named loved
and revered as the one of our mar
tyred president, James A. Garfield.