The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-23

her easement.
With hurrying footsteps she sought
her boys chamber. hoping against hope
that in the lone hours of the night he
had changed lis mind and was not
| after all going to leave her.
One peep into the bright little bedroom
| and the fearful truth burst upon her.
Her 10y was gone.
| There was the chamber she had taken
such pleasurablc trouble over-evcry
! little nick-nack in its place. except a
cabinet portrait of herself. which was
| taken from its frame-thc snowy coun-
| terpane nnrnmpled. and on the bureau
letter simply addressed ITO Mother"
! All, how her heart beat as she tore the
envelope open and read the contents.
/ Could woman want more loving words
| or dearer comfort than those precious
| lines contained. Even her hopeless
| spirit rose as she read and re-rcad the
/ sweet message-nay. she even shared
his anticipation of a happy. though per-
| haps distant reunion. The pang of
parting was over. and from that hour
| she was another woman. Why. even a
smile played upon her lips as she
pcrused the oft-repeatcd iniunctions to
be kind to Grace Brentwood in his alb
sence--as if she could be any thing but
kind to the sweet girl.
1t was not remarkable. then. when
an hour or two later that young lady
tripped from the parsons house down
| the shady lane to make her peace with
| the widow. that She found herself re-
ceived with open arms, even before she
could utter her tremulous plea for recon-
cilation. for the poor child's patriotism
/ had been put to fearful strain during
| the hours of darkness, and with the
dawn she had arrived at the conclusion
| that She could not give Frank to her
country after all; though all the while
she knew she was weak and selfish. So
she was half-glad when she learned
that the temptation of wooing him from
his duty was taken away.
And while these two tender women
were mingling their tears and giving
each other consolation. Frank Besant,
| in company with James Lawson and
two young farmers from the neighbor-
hood. was hieing away as fast as q
local freight train would carry him to
Columbus.
Three of the little party were miser-
able enough. for there had been home
wrenchings, which had played havoc
with the emotions of the honest lads,
but Mr.. Lawson was in exuberant
spirits. as he had thirty dollars and a
bottle of whisky in his pocket. and
was cutting adrift from many un-
pleasant "reminiscences. As for paying
his debts--such a piece of extravagant
folly had never entered into his head,
and he grinned to think of Miss Ruth's
innocence in supposing him capable of
such IA waste of money. The caboose
was full of countrywide going to
market. and. if you had asked the
rosy-cheekcd farmers daughters which
they thought the bravcst of the little
band of raw-rccruits. they would have
unhesitatingly given him the palm.
Not SO the officer in command of the
military depot at Camp Chase. near
Columbus. who was 50 extensively per-
sonal and rude in his remarks to him.
that he was disguised with soldering
before he had even donned his uniform
Thirty days of severe drill and dis
cipline did not tend to improve James
Lawson's appreciation Of military
career. nor did frequent confinement in
the guard-house and extra fatigue duty
| lend a roster hue to his surroundings.
| Not that he had not his own circle of
bosom friends and sympathizers. jolly
good fellows like himself. who scorned
hard work and frctted under the igno-
bic strains of military discipline.
Nor was Frank Besants path entirely
,trewn with flowers. The contrast be-
tween the quiet home at Meltonburg
and the rough and tumble barrack life
was severe strain upon him. but his
| keen sense Of duty and innate courage
carried him through the worst of it. lie
had come from IA different home than
any of his companions: for the Widow
| Besant was well-to-do in the world,
having been left twenty thousand dol
lars and the homestead by her husband,
physician in large practice. and. being
a woman of broad accomplishments and
exquisite taste. shehad brought her
boy upin an atmosphere of refinement
| his present comrades had never enjoyed.
This to a degree separated him for a
time from congenial companionship,
and even lead to a decided unpopularity
SO that when the company elected Of
ficcrs his name was never even offered
for consideration.
Never mind, old chap: they don't
know how to appreciate merit. but Wei
show them when we get to the front,
who's Who Lawson said, familiarly
slapping him on the shoulder. piece
Of sympathy which the poor lad did no,
very heartily enjoy.
Then he got into trouble with the
drill sergeant. an Engli,hman. who had
been drafted from the regular army
to teach the new recruits the noble art
of war, and who, having spent his early
days in humble submission to his pas
tors and masters" loved, now that he
was clothed with little authority. tc
tyrannize over one better bred than
himself, especially when the object OF
his aniInadversion obstinately refused
to observe the details of militar,
etiquette in remembering that the,
kept very fair whisky at the canteen an,
that scrgeant's throat was naturally
dry.
Thus it fell out one day when Ser
geant Briggs was more than ordinaril,
abusive, that Franks patience nearl,
gave way.
Knees and heels together and heat
up, you long-legged counter-skipper.
| the sergeant yelled, giving the youn,
soldier thrust in the side that nearl,
took his breath away.
r Frank bit his lips and did his best t
keep his temper.
Don't look at me like that. SIR tn
t petty tyrant roared, or III trot 20
out to the guard-house. Now, stant
n attention. if you've brains enough i
yoAr thick head to know what mean.
s. Franks blood was boiling, but he iii
= his best to be obedient.
n Fall out of the ranks was the ne,
in 10. -