Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-10-16
hearted a fellow
As ever cracked a joke
Or over q cracker broke


Or ever cracker broke.
Withal, the mans tongue never
harmed any one save himself or those
who took pattern after him, though
he would delight in abusing coward,
il ever such a character came in his
way. Still he was a thoroughly,
thougitlessly profane man.
But profanity was not Il rarity in
an army camp. 1t is little curious
that with death staring the men in
the face almost every hour, the SOL
der became Indifferent to that which
is denominated spiritual interests.
Yet, somehow Or other, an idea had
obtained place in The belief OF
many of the army that men who
conscientiously go to war for what
they deem is their country's right or
demand, will always be sure of saliva
ton beyond the grave. Their conso-
lation was that Justice and Mercy
both interceded for the brave who
fell in defense OF their flag. Others
became utterly calloused and indif-
ferent to the matter of soul and re-
liginn. knew one dear fellow, the
! idol OF his household at home, and
/! the pet and pride Of messmates and
comrades in camp-a bright and
/ promising young man whose passion
and whose sin lay almost wholly in
cards, in gaming. Before he had
been out year the poor boy sickened
and became an utter and hopeless
/ wreck in his tent-thence to the hos
pital. He played cards, I grieye to
say, even on his dying bed. The rul-
ing passion became strong even in his
death. In the last hour he said:
''Prop me up, boys, in my bed.
want to play one more game before ]
go. Who will play with me?"
His comrades-not believing the
end was so near-bolstered him up as
best they could; but in a short while
the dear fellow was gone forever
ere the game was ended. Here's a
prayer for your rest and your mem.
DRY, my dear friend! His grief-strick,
en- father when over 50 years of age,
led a fine company OF my old country
men out to the front under famous
general. He took his sons place in
the army. But half his men never
again crossed the Threshold Of home
after bidding goodbye to their loved
ones, but they achieved immorta!
honor for their leader and their com.
mand.
But Jess Coward was the most rest
less and the most impatient-if not
the most nsubordinate-man [ evel
saw under drill He rebelled at the
discipline of war, not at the war it
self, for he was always ready for The
fight when that came on. There was
one trouble with many of our high
spirited and self-willed young mer
entering the armies-they could moi
quietly, and at all times, properly
submit to the rigors OF discipline
The idea OF mastery, OF authority, il
repugnant to the American youth
who believe in the idea of democratic
equality. The commands of author
ity often came from men who were
the social and intellectual interiors O
many in the ranks or in subordinat.
positions. Jess Coward was one mar
who would never acknowledge supe
riority in any position, or in any fea
ture in any mortal man-save in tn
commanding general Of his army
Jess would invariably yield absolute
and profound obeisance and Obedi
ence to him-and to him only.
In our camp Of instruction tn
drill-master was an old, warm, AM
personal friend Of edwards. The
had Seen raised together in countr
town; and, while the drill-master ha
achieved, or reached, the rank 0
Major, Coward could NOT forget @