Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-10-17

sobbing little ones, crying because
mamma cries." yet little dreaming for
what cause, no thought of "What will
come to these should | never RETURN
daunt the spirit of the soldier. There
all voices are ringing with eagerness,
even exultation, as the men brace on
their woven cartridge belts and toss over
their brawny shoulders carbine sings
and the straps of canteen and haversack,
and then come streaming forth upon the
galleries muffied to the chin in the blue
cavalry overcoats.
Out on the parade the trumpeters are
gathered under the moist folds of the
flag, awaiting the signal to sound ''as-
sembly." and now the band comes
marching in through the morning mist
and the adjutant strides forth from the
Office door. Merrily. briskly the stirring
peal bursts from the bells of the brazen
trumpets Promptly the blue overcoats
leap into ranks. Sharply they face to
the left. and the stern voices of the SER
geants can be heard calling the rolls
the there, .shere,' of the men respond
ing in animation and hilarity sometimes
SO marked as to call forth a frown of re-
buke. The troop commanders and their
subalterns have FASTENED to their COM
pany grounds. The major has just
come forth from his dimly lighted hall
and is joined by the colonel at the gate,
and now. slowly. these two are pacing
out to the parade. On many of the ver-
andas dim feminine forms, mantled in
heavy shawl or cloak, have gathered in
the gloom. Some can be seen fitting
- ~, or
comfort and sympathy in the society of
a near peighbor equally bereaved.
Brewster ..rns one longing glance at
the porch OF the majors quarters. but
no one is there.
Again quick and spirited, as though de-
flying the elements, the trumpets peal the
adiutant's call: the band bursts into the
martial rhythm of lively quickstep, and
then the dripping, moisture laden morn
ing air rings with the words of command
as. in full ranks. the four troops come
swinging out upon the turf and all the
roadway around the parade fills up with
other light blue overcOats, those of troop
ers and foOtmen, who wish with all their
hearts it was their turn to go-that
they. too. belonged to the First battalion
In a moment the line is formed; the car
bines snap into the barred left hands as
arms are presented: Berrien leaves the
colonels side and takes post in front
of the center, touches his cap in ac-
acknowledgement of the salute and whips
out his own battle worn blade. No
speech making here. Right forward.
tours rightr' rings the order. and then.
arms at right shoulder. band and truln-
peters leading, Berrien's men. with
quick, elastic step. with swing and life
and iauntiness in every stride, march
square away across the parade. heading
for the road in front of Farquhar's quar-
tiers. The trumpets strike up their mer-
nv, lively peal. With one simultaneous
crash the carbines are brought to the
carry. and Berrien lowers his saber in
salute to the gray haired colonel, whose
eyes fill and who bares for the moment
his handsome head as he notes the spir-
tied bearing of the men.
And now the head of column has
reached the road and turns to the left,
and now the trumpets cease and the full
band bursts into martial song and all
along the row women are waving hand
kerchiefs wet with tears, even though
many are sobbing as though their hearts
would break. and little children are
perched on the gallery ratings. shouting
in shrill treble their gOOdby to papa,
who turns one brief glance, perhaps the
very last on earth. and big lump rises
in many husky throat and stern eyes
are dimmed with unwonted tears, and
God alone knows the secret thoughts
that go surging through the soldier
brain, the never ceasihg whisper of that
still, small voice. "What-what will be
their fate if | am takenY God alone
can hear, God alone can know the
humility, the piteous pleading in the
muttered prayer that floats to him on
high, ..Oh, guard and protect them, and
if it be thy will in thy good time restore
the father I, his helpless little ones.
All, it is one thing to go forth to tight
for an imperiled country, for an In
suited flag, to stake life and fortune
and hope to guard the beloved ones at
| the fireside, and to feel that one Is bat
| Ting for them, for their honor, peace
| and future prosperity.
| But it is a thing far different to be
torn from loving arms and the smiles
and sunshine in the little faces. the pratt
thing ard kisses Of baby lips, TO face
year after year savage foe, knowing
full well that, defeated, only death can
| be the soldiers fortune; that, victorious,
the only reward will be permission to
| stink back to the station whence one
came It is the conquered Indian who
rides in triumph to the nations capital
and learns how great and good thing
it is to take the warpath every other
year. 1t is all well enough for the young