Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-18

ers and footmen, who wish with all their
hearts it was their turn to go-that
they. too, belonged TO the First battalion.
In moment the line is formed; the car
bines snap into the barred left hands as
arms are presented; Berrien leaves the
colonel's side and takes post in front
of the center, touches his cap in ac-
knowledgment of the salute and whips
out his own battle worn blade. No
speech making here. Right forward,
fours right rings the order, and then,
arms at right shoulder, band and trum-
peters leading, Berriens 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-
~. 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 ceasing whisper OF that
still, small voice, 'sWhat-what will be
their fate if ! am takens" 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 to his helpless little ones.
All. it is one4thing to go forth to fight
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 i a thing far different to be
torn from loving arms and the smiles
and sunshine in the little faces. the pratt.
Ting and kisses Of baby lips, TO face
gear after year q savage 10, knowing
full well that, defeated. only death can
be the soldiers fortune; that. victorious
the only reward viii be permission tc
sink back to the station whence one
came. 1t is the conquered Indian whc
rides in triumph to the nations capital
and learns how great and good g thing
it is TO take the warpath every othel
year. 1t is all well enough for the young
officers. the young TROOPERS. to laugh ans
cheer. Il is the husband and father
among the seniors, the old campaignei
in the rank and file-men who have beer
through many and many a bloody fgh
within some twenty years OF nationa
peace and prosnerity-men who hav'
seen dozens, hundreds of their cherished
comrades slaughtered in battle with tn
Sioux-it is they who see the other sid
Of the picture, and ask: ITO what pur
pose: To what endF7
Outbreak has followed outbreak. cam
paign has followed campaign, eacl
! marked by bitter losses in many a regi