The record-union., 1892-10-29


performed a mans entire labor at the
plOw and in the harvest field during the
summer months and attended the village
school in Harvard during the winter.
But he grew more and more restive of
his conditions and environment. And so
he iran away to the war''-not once only,
but three times, before he succeeded in
convincing his parents that though they
had made deed to him of the Blackman
farm, on condition that he remain at
home until the close of the war, his rest
less spirit would brook no further home
restraint.
Hundreds of our older citizens will re-
call these at the time locally noted esca-
pades. The first was shared by young
Wakenlan, Herbert L. Benjamin and
Frank f. Axtell, who are still living and
well-knOwn. One Sunday in June of
1865, While Elder Denning was preaching
one of his capitally somnolent sermons,
these three boys, according 70 a precon-
certed plan, stole out of church, for which
they were, by favor and fee-free, the
regular bell-ringers, and set out on foot
for the war" To these boys "the war;
was anywhere Oft south, Chicago way.
They walked all day, and crawled into
roadside strawstack for the night. By IL
oelock OF the next forenoon they tad
reached Crystal Lake junction, and, foot
sore ana weary, We're partaking OF crack
ers, cheese and herring in a grocery store,
where L. i. Wakeman captured the run
aWays. They were brought back on lhe
Chicago noon train to Harvard, where
large and enthusiastic depot committed
awaited them; promptly given their din
ners and birching by their parents, ana
got back to school by | O'Clock, where
they were exhibited 10 their OPEN
mouthed school companions by Professor
klngman, the master, with Iine sc0Tn
and mock heroics as three distinguished
heroes just arrived from the scat OF war"
The next attempt 10 reach the field OF
glory was made by Frank AXtell, Y. G.
Lewis, son OF the Harvard miller Of that
day, ana the irrepressible " akeman boy.
On the ensuing election day, in early No.
Vember, while young Wakeman's S father,
candidate for the State Assembly, was
occupied at the various county polling
places, they boarded a Chicago bound
freight train about noon; arrived in Chi
cago early III the evening; went to the
| sherman House, like gentlemen, for sup
per, and on passing out OF the hotel to see
The evening sights of the city, were ac-
costed by a bland and genial policeman,
who, on the preteXt OF showing them the
way to "a fine place of amusement" led
the unsOphlsticated country lads into the
SergeanPs Office OF the old Armory,
where they We're Immediately clapped III
cell. At 10 O'Clock the same night, Mr..
AXtell, who had followed on the evening
express, i'll company with the Chicago re-
pOrers, found the lads deiianly singing
patriotic war songs. They vowed they
never Wonld return. Entreaty and eX-
postulation were in vain. Finally Mr..
AXtell disappeared for Il few moments
and returned with an officer who hand
cutted each OF the boys. Then he quietly
told them that he would give them ten
minutes to determine whether they would
return home like gentlemen or like
Lotto
| hOnOrs OF war, and were released on
parole, to return of their own free will
the next day. The Chicago Tri6Uae con-
tanned an extended humorous account Of
the boys adventure, and hundreds upon
hundreds were gathered to receive them
with cheers on their arrival home.
Young Wakeman's final and success
full attempt to become soldier was made
| during the following winter. Demure
and apparently contented conduct had
| thrown watchers, whom the parents had
/ interested in the matter at the Harvard
/ depot and at various other railway sta
| tions, off their guard. On Il irightfully
/ stormy winter day, while his father was
occupied in some exciting legal contest,
certain to last long into the night the
| boy found his companions and begged
! them to make with him the third at
/ tempt at escape. Young AXtell and Ben
jamln declined, but pledged secrecy as To
! his own movements. Y. G. Lewis, who
was some years his senior, accompanied
! him. The regular evening express to
Chicago, after giving its passengers OPP
portunity to dine at Ayers Hotel,
usually pulled out Of the station TO take
on wood at the yards. Here, just before
final departure was made, the lads sprang
aboard the express train, and in three
/ hours time were in Chicago. This time.
protiting by experience, they sought an
! nltSct1rn ffnru1Gn hnfal BnTar BffrnA5S ~
Washington" near Randolph-street
bridge, and before 10 O'clock the next
morning were enlisted as recruits for
Battery d, First Illinois Light Artillery.
Y. {. Lewis passed muster readily, but
the Wakeman boy was such a mite OF a
fellow that he was refused at several re-
cruiting booths in the old Courthouse
square. He was finally passed. however,
and mo questions asked" on payment
of S25 to discreet and patriotic muster
ing officer.
Il found the little goose" his father
many times subsequently said with a
mist of pride, sadness and merriment in
his eyes, 'clad in uniform big enough
for myself. The stiff artillery Jacket col
lar reached to the top of his head, tipping
his kossuth hat completely over his face,
! while its bottom fell to his heels, and the
sleeves We're turned back to the elbows.
The trousers were large enough for four
boys of his size, and the bottoms were
pinned back above the knees. IN this
grotesque outfit he was squatting in
front of a snudge of a fire, vainly en-
deavoring to toast a bit Of raw pork Tor
his dinner. / saw he had a decent uni
form, told him TO go it, this time, and
came back home feeling as though | had
lost about all l had on earth.'
What a brave and devoted soldier the
young lad made is then told in a letter
from Major e. II. Cooper, Captain Bat
terry d, First Illinois Light Artillery, in
which company Wakeman served with
distinction until the close of the war.
Then follows long account of his strug-
giles as publisher and writer.I
Three POEMS "Auf Wiedersehen. ,,
'Becalmed" and SIN Port" written by
Wakeman during voyage to Cuba: the
first, as the shores of his native land were
disappearing, can never fade from Ameri-
can literature. Here is
AUF WIEDERsEHEN
The sun sweeps down behind the hills
As ii the tired world scOrning;
Worn Labor signs and counts its ills
Increased, despite all hopes and wills,
" hile Nights dread pail enfolds and chiIls;
But, all, beyond those dnrk'ning mills
Remember IL is morning.
The land fades quickly out Of sight,
thread of purple craven
Upon the bosom OF the night,
And boundless waters in their might
Oppose and mock our good ships hight;
But far, OH, far beyond our sight
There smiles waiting heaven.
o hearts hope on the sun may hide
Lands fade; but falter never.
The morning comes whateer betide:
The haven waits though wild the tide;
Labor and Love at last shall glide
Safe 10 their SOuls-reSi. there tn bjdn
In sWeet-won peace forever.