Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-10-04
! sAT Down ON A DlsMAarLED CANNON.

vations ~ myself to cope vita the
souyher aspects Of life should fortune
evsr desert mo, Then and there |
firmly resolved to serve faithfully FOR
tho torn Of my enlistment,
u did more, Miss Sanford. | swore
In the presence Of Almighty God und Of
the spirit Of my angel mother IN
Heaven that NJ long us | should live
not another drop Of Intoxicating liquor
should ever pnss my lips
Tho lmpulslve girl reached forward
and grasped his hand, the tears stream
Ing down her cheeks, She cssayed TO
speak but could not, md dashing the
toars from his own eyes he continues,
with these resolutions firmly I'M
planted In my mind returned to the
barracks with q lighter heart, and
wrote . long letter to my aunt in
which called into requisition oil my
powers Of eloquence to convince her
that II was NIL for the best, md that
my moral salvation was the stake for
which was playing, l consolcd the
dear old woman as best could, and
promised her that II God spared our
lives ! would return TO her ut the OK
piration Of my term Of enlistment as n
man Of whom she could be proud.
did not tell her Of my assumed name
nor Of my destination, for well knew
she would spend her entire fortune, II
necessary, TO secure my release.
u was sent TO the west with other
recruits, and the experiences Of my two
years ssrvlce have been but the same
% those Of other cavalry soldiers at a
frontier post have tried to faithful.
y perform every duty assigned me, md
from the fact that | have never re-
eeived = reprimand from those In
authority am led to believe have
been good soldier.
~rhat s my story, Miss Sanford
You may now understand my motive
when repeat to you that under no
circumstances would ! have you make
IN siort 10 secure my discharge"
Alice had listened to his recital with
The deepest interest, and at Its conclu-
siop she again extended her hand and
sa!d.
Mr., Thornton, respect and honor
you Your determination to do your
DUTY faithfully and to bury your In
clinAtion 70 lead a absolute life in tho
hardships md rigors Of service in the
Army Is noble one. pray God that
your future may shine out all the more
fesplsndent from such dark back
ground, There Is, | hope, no shadow
OF deceit In my nature, and frankly
TELL you that ! believe you TO be true,
honest and upright man whose heart
u swsyed by the most noble Impulses,
even though you may wear the garb Of
Aphvate soldier. lam glad met you,
ana shall highly prize your friend.
chip and will do all | can to tighten the
dark hours Of your service. You must
call upon me at my home and
pardon the interruption, Miss San.
3ord, but you have forgotten my station
N life In your sympathy for the unfor-
tunate man. In your kindness Of heart
You lose sight Of the fact that Col. San.
lord would never permit private SOL
pier to enter his house, unless in the
Line Of military duty"
A shadow fitted over her bright
young face, and in tender tone of
voice she replied;
YES, ! had forgotten. In contemplate
Ing the man my eyes were closed to his
station In life. What you say Is but too
true. Papa is unfllnchingly firm in his
ideas Of the impregnability Of the So
cial barrier which separates the men in
The ranks from those In official life.
Xet ! hope TO see you frequently when
You are out sketching. | feel very
deep interest in you, Mr. Thornton,
md ] do trust unclouded happiness
may dawn upon you and ever remain
NatAsou at The cloas oS your army lie"