The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-06-11

IL ne could speak TO you, Sir, sald ne,
saluting.
Certainly" I replied, "tell him to
come in"
Cameron entered, saluted, and
stood silent, looking i'll ut easc.
"Well, Cameron, what is it?" in
quired.
"Please, sir, wish to speak about
something private"
swell, what is it?" I asked again.
Cameron hesitated, and looking
Mt the color-sergeant, who looked
straight to his front.
knew it was not regular for an
officer to confer with private soldiers
without n non-commissioned officer
being present, but knew Cameron
might be trusted thoroughly. d.
rected the color-sergeant to wait in
the passage, and closing the door, l
asked Cameron to tell me his story.
The lad seemed in great distress and
hesitated great deal before he
spoke.
Its my brother. sir. He's Just
come in with the batch of recruits"
With some difficulty, he told me
his tale, which was to the following.
effect:
Private Cameron and n young
brother were the only children of an
old widow living in the north of Scot
land. The old woman could do little
to support herself, and was mainly
dependent upon the labor of one son
and such little help us Private Cam
eron could send her from savings of
his pay. Itseemed that some family
quarrel had taken place between the
widow and her youngest son, and
that the latter, in q moment of pique,
had enlisted, but had, when too late,
repented. He had been drafted to
the same regiment as his elder broth
err, whom he had acquainted with
these facts on his arrival in the bar
racks that day. Private Cameron
told me, with deep emotion, that
nothing could save his mother from
the workhouse ian idea which seem.
ed to fill him with shame and horror)
unless his brother could be bought
out the service and sent back home.
AS his brother had not been three
months enlisted, this could be effect
ed by a paymento of ten pounds but
such sum was far beyond the
means OF either brother. Cameron
in despair had come to me for help,
hardly daring, us he told me, to hope |
that could give it. He said he had |
been encouraged to seek my assist
ance by my constant kindness to
him.
II would pay it back to you, sir, l |
swear it to you," said the poor lad
earnestly. you can stop my pay
every week, sir. l want next to moth
ing. don't drink any, and can
easy get oil want to smoke and the |
like OF that. / will pay you back,
sir, indeed will"-
Well, to cut my story short, after
some reflection and not q little mis-
giving rs to whether in respect fdis-
cipline was doing right. agreed to
let him have the money. could
well afford it; / liked the mun and
had been touched by his story not a
little.
"You should begin to save up
your pay in the savings bank, Cam
eron," said I, as he thanked me
had not the least intention of re-
paying myself from his hard-earned
savings, and quite looked upon the
loan as gift, but l judged it better
not to say 80 expressly, lest the easy
of obtaining the money
might do harm, while thought it
q good opportunity of encouraging
frugal habits.
Cameron's gratitude was deep, and
l could not help feeling that his ex-
preston of it was sincere and heart
felt.
As he was leaving the room he
turned, looked me full in the face,
and said. "God bless you, sir, for
your kindness to mel shall not
forget it! / will repay you, sir, 30
help me God"
Twas struck by the singular ear
nestness of the man, and when he had
left the room said to myself, III
may have done right or wrong, but
lIluu is " Teul SOOu leuOW, uHu L
have got firm friend verify be-
ieve."
l arranged matters next day.
Cameron's brother was permitted to
cave for his home almost immedi-
ately. My part in the transaction
vas not suspected, and in few
weeks the matter passed out of my
mind. Cameron continued in his
steady conduct, and each month
observed that he was putting little
'um to his credit in the regimental
awnings bank. | never. however. al
uded to the occurrence again.
about three months afterwards
vent away on short leave. had
accepted a yachting Invitation from
IN acquaintance and spent very
pleasant three weeks cruising among
he channel islands.
returned to D. late one night.
md, leaving my heavier baggage at
! hotel in the town, started up to
he barracks with small handbag.
/ went slowly up the zigzag path.
through the postern gate, crossed
he first or outer ditch, and was
within few yards of the inner one