Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-09-30
AS ever cracked a joke
Or ever a cracker broke.

AS ever Cracked joke
Or ever a cracker broke
Withal, the mans tongue never
alarmed any one save himself or those
who took pattern after him, though
he would delight in abusing coward
If ever such character came in his
way. Still he was a thoroughly,
dhOughtlesSly prOfane man.
But profanity was not q rarity in
an army camp. 1t is little curious
that with death staring the men in
she face almost every hour, the sol
dier became indifferent to that which
is denominated spiritual interests.
Yet, somehow or other, an idea had
obtained a place in the belief of
many Of the army that men who
S0nScientiously go to war for what
ahey deem is their cOuntry's right or
demand, will always be sure of saliva
tion beyond the grave. Their cOnSO-
aatiOn was that Justice and Mercy
both interceded for the brave who
fell in defense of their flag. Others
heEame utterly callouSed and indif-
1erent to the matter of soul and re-
figiOn. | knew one dear fellow, the
idol Of his household aG 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
Ipital He played cards, I grieve 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. I
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
srayer for your rest and your mem
'Ory, my dear friend! His grief-strick-
en father when over so years Of age,
led 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
after bidding goodbye to their loved
eopes, but they achieved immortal
h0nor for their leader and their COM
lmand.
Out Jess Coward was the most rest
less and the most impatient-if not
the most insubordinate-ma | ever
saw under drill. He rebelled az the
discipline of war, not at the war it.
self, for be was always ready for the
fight when that came on. There was
one trouble with many Of our high
spirited and self-willed young men
entering the armies-they could not
qYsietly, and at all times, properly
submit to the rigOrs of discipline.
THE idea of mastery, or authority, is
Tepugnant to the American youth
who believe in the idea Of democratic
equality. The commands of author
sty often came from men who we're
the social and intellectual interiors OF
Nnany in the ranks or in subordinate
positions. Jess Coward was one man
ssho would never acknowledge supe-
S,dority in any position, or in any fea-
lure, in any slOrtal man-save In the
commanding general of his army.
Jess would invariably yield absolute
and profound obeisance and obedi-
qence to him-and to him only.
In car camp Of instruction the
<irill-master was an old, warm, and
personal friend Of edwards. They
Eaad been raised together in country
Gown; and, while the drill-master had
achieved, or reached, the rank OF
NaJor, Coward could not forget OF