The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-10-29
SERGEANT SINGLETON,
by REBA GREGORY PRELAr.

"Guide me, oh, Thou great Jehovah, I"
sang the powerful chorus of boys as
mother played the sweet old tune upon
the organ.
1t was an impressive and pathetic
group, for soldiers filled the lower part
of the park, and the sound of military
music came every now and then to break
the harmony of the hymn.
Nothing could have daunted those
fresh voices, just as nothing could have
daunted their brave little hearts. They
sang, as they were going to fight by and
by, with courage and persistence.
Wilton, the eldest, would have a grand
bass some time, and even now the lower
notes were splendid, when they "got
there" Rupert, the second, sang with
a high, clear tenor, such as used to
make the masses splendid in the old
cathedrals at Rome.
The little boys supplied rippling
treble, and the mothers tender alto
made the chords complete.
She did not look like Spartan moth.
or, but she was trying, and not vainly,
to act the part.
Her two eldest were going to join il
that terrible struggle, which bore Sc
many boys away, to act the part of men
while still in the morning of life. The
father was absent with sabre
at his side and epaulettes on his should
ers.
All that loving and pious rearing could
do had been done for them; her active
work must be over for time; she coulo
only watch and pray!
Welton looked grown and stately il
his uniform, for he was the kind of fel
low to carry off prescribed dress o
any sort with dignity.
Once committed to anything, he re
garded himself as the exponent OF tn
whole, and tried TO reflect credit upon it
Rupert looked so young and slim anC
handsome that she could hardly see hin
through her tears, but he made a'grea
effort to keep his own eyes dry.
They were wonderful eyes, of tho blu
one sees in the sky when the sun is yer.
warm and there are no,clouds about.
The clarion sounded the signal of war
The soldiers werewaiting for her darling
at the second gate.
''Ohl for last inspiration" was he
agonizing thought. Some one tinalmes
sage of love, that should remain wit,
them through all that terrible campaign
Like flash Of answer It came to hel
She stood for q moment almost trans
figured IN the girlish beauty, which ina
ternity had been powerless to' change.
"PIomise me, my sons" she cried
''that every day when the twilight come
no matter where youRre, you will sin
one verse of this hymn: 'Guide me, Oh
Thou great jehovah He will guid
you, if you believe and'trusttin Him"
They promised her, and the battI
cloud that swept the land bore theI
from her sheltering arms.
The last thing they saw was her sler
der figure standing upon the porticC
with a smile upon her beautiful fac
which nearly cost her hearts blood.
; That night thoy marched out.of Mar.
land.
TWO years later uark younSInlAn,
uniform that would have been tattere
but for repeated and skillful darninl
stood before his commandingIofficer.
= "Well, Sergeant Singleton, what Z
you want9" said the veteran kindly, f,
the non commissioned ofiicertwas a gre
| fayorite.
AZ want leave for two days, Majo
and no questions asked. want to G
back my brother, who was taken prison
in the last slSirmish. The enemy's cam
you know, is only twenty miles fro
! here"
"Do you wish to be taken and hur
for a spy2" was the officers stern answe
swell, sir, must run my chance
as many another fellow has Done. can
leave Rupert without making an etfo
TO save him, and have a scheme whiC
is sure to work"
Wilton Singleton was only ninetee
but his pluck and brains had gained +
him great deal of respect. He was
natural soldier, alert, cautious and, abo
all. accomplishing.