The National tribune., 1890-11-20

The Presidents recent call for almost half
million more men FOR the army had reused the
enthusiasm Of the Nation 10 a very high pitch,
aud recruiting new companies was being con-
Quoted with unbOundcd success Patriotism
was the only emotion tolerated, and, excepting
the one unbending passion for her who was
now has wife, that kept him chan-bouud, had
completely surcharged Walter. What now was
to prevent him from giving foil sway 10 has
emotions2 Scores OF his friends and acquaint-
Gnces had already enlisted, and were urging
him 10 join their company. He knew the act he
contemplated WAS unmanly, cowardly; virtu-
ally deserving a bride Of a months duration,
but his faculties were blunted and In such
chaotic condition, that he could not reason as
he ought.
There was bitterness I'm his soul for his rela-
lives and 10 make matters still more c0mpli-
Gated his niatuation for his wife was waning.
Reaction had taken hold of him with its grind
ing power, aud he was already hurting male
dictions upon the one rash act that had so
completely changed his career. His wife was
extremely pretty, but her ignorance was pro-
found. As he had permitted his vivid magma
ton 10 picture everything in beautiful, glow
ing tints before his marriage, so now all was
caricatured i'm most sOmber hues. Every line
Of argument evolved from his tired brain ended
with enlistment
Why prolonR the struggle2 Entering the
recruiting office patronized by his friends he
secured from the officer in charge promise for
a weeks leave OF Absence and then, without
tremor, wrote his name TO the musterrol,
which was promising fame or death, or both,
70 all who signed.
Walter now sought his wife feeling that the
Rubicon had been crossed aud the worst was
over. He was severed from his mother for
ever; he knew absolutely nothing about max
ing q living by honest toll; he bad money in
L.. 4. a..
would suffer by his desertion. But was he, TOO,
not suffering; and after all was she in any
worse condition than before she married himl
Give him credit for pure patriotism that was
in all our hearts those days and forgive him
this last act.
Il did not take long TO tell his wife all that
had trauspircd within the past few hours and
she, let il be said, accepted the situation with
q quiet dignity that surprised her husband.
" j didn't expect nothing else from them"
she said, "and i oughtu't expect much else
from you. don't want 10 complain, for that
won't do no good. ID might be worse"
f" j am glad you take the matter so philO-
sOphically Molly dear" said Walter peeyishly,
feeling provoked Rt her apparent callousness,
SELFISH man
"Oh, you needn't put on airs, Walter! II
hurts, SO it does; but ! know you'll make a
brave, good s0dIer-maybe an Ofiicer-and III
try 70 be brave, too and do my duty by you.
Still, it's hard, and no knowing how it's all
going to end. i suppose i can take care Of my
self now as well as ] ever could, only"-
g DO not make the matter worse than il
really u.s. sweetheart" said Walter, while be
INDUCED in many little loving caresses. Let
the future be what ID may in her presence he
was her lover still, aud he made no effort Ia
conceal his feelings.
81 have gathered up what little money ]
could" he continued, some s., 000-nOt much,
j confess but -
1.-TWO thousand dollars" CALCULATED the
wife in surprise. Not much! Why, / think
that's an awful lot Of money, Walter"
Yes" be replied quietly, " for some people;
but not much aE i have been reared. How
! ever il is all yours; j shall not need a dollar
/ after reaching my company Aud now, pet,
\ for little planning ] propose we 20 10 tho
/ Ohio River; IL wall be near the base of opera
u tluns-yOu see ] am getting military already
and know where there is a charming little
village hid among those great, go0d-natured
l hills, where we may buy you a nice little cot.
tage Tor, say, 800, aud put the balance in the
/ bauk ~ help support YOU in my absence. How
/ do you like my plany"
." ] reckon there's no use trying 10 keep you
from enlistingy" Mary asked, pleadiurly
while her great limpd eyes grew bruy des
/ pite her efforts TO remain firm
Too late i have already enlisted" replied
I Walter soberly.
What could the young wife do but acquiescC
20 whatsoever her husband might dictatc2 So
together they went 20 Kir0n the village
/ Walter had IA mind, where they purchased
neat cottage situated well mp on sunny hill
\ side. where IL commanded an excellent view
! Of the beautiful, the ever compaHiOnRble riycl
/ that kept rolling on M peaceful tune, just n
though there were no wars or cruel mothers
in-law.
After paying for the property Walter de
posted what remained OF the money 10 hi
Mifes credit, secured an aged cU0red woman
whom he had before known for her companion
aud help after which be Was ready 10 take hi
departure.
Always remember, Mary" he said. Will,
be held her in his arms before turning TO 70
"you are my wife, your husband; neither o
~ may prove 10 the other what was anticipated
but shall be true 70 my VOWS, and / have M
fear Tor you. GOOd-by, sweetheart!
Once only he looked back 10 see lie deserted
wife sitting on the STEP her face in her hands
moaning convulsiyeiy. She was not demon
strativoi but her whole aspect denoted Gn in
ternal suffering that was agonizing 10 loOl
upon.
In less than a month from the time OF leav
ing has wife al Kirton Walter Guilfout wit
bis regiment WAS absorbed into the Army 0
the Potomac, that superb army which con
I
enemy that Was almost iuyincble. Whethe
IL was his unfortunate alliance, has patriotism
his destiny, or all combined that made him
soldier, he was good one. he was brave 10
point Of recklessness, mental condition
brought about perhaps, by bis unhappy Do
me lie Affairs but his companions in arms, IN
different as 20 causes, admired bis courage am
were satisfied 10 follow II be led in their man,
fierce encounters IL mattcrcd not to then
whether bis noble fighting qualities were froI
longing for brilliant death OF an ambitiO
for gaudy shOuder-straps.
Al least once a month he wrote 20 his VIII,
occasionally to his younger sister. Reptile
came 10 him AZ regularly rs could be expects
by soldiers IN campaign, those from his VIII
bong !udltcd by a young school teacher whoI
Mrs, 6ul.iout had taken 70 board with lac
partly Tor this very purpose. As months al
even years rolled round, Walter would occa
ElOnRlly grow animated over letter from hi
wife that displayed q different chirograph
from the last. " She has captured q ne,
school maam," he would comment. "Wonde
how interesting this one will prOVs2D
With all his recklessncss. tie gods Of wa
chose 70 preserve him for other fields Tie wa
severely wounded at Antctam,. but fell int
tie hands Of good samartans aud was on Oh
high road to recovery ere his relatives heard
the disaster. Once prisoner, be escaped bcf0I
the lanRs Of prison diet had time 20 strik
him down, There was no hardship that woul
cause complaint, no duty, however severe thi
be ever sAirEed. IN the beginning he was
, private, at Appomattox be was at the head
as brave d regiment as ever met an enem,
J their Colonel. There was scarcely 200 souls
them left, but everyone WAS battle -marle'
and love ior the commander was universal.