Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-09-01
DOWN ON A pIsHANrLED CANNON.

] SAT DOWN ON A DiskANTLED CANNON.
vations AZ myself TO cope with the
rougher aspects of life should fortune
ever desert me. Then and there ]
firmly resolved TO serve faithfully for
the term Of my enlistment
~ did more, Miss Sanford. swore
In the presence Of Almighty God and Of
the spirit Of my angel mother In
Heaven that as long as ] should live
not another drop Of Intoxicating liquor
should ever pass my lips"
The impulsive girl reached forward
and grasped his hand, the tears stream
ing down her cheeks She essayed TO
speak but could not, and dashing the
tears from his own eyes he continued:
with these resolutions firmly i'm.
planted In my mind ] returned TO the
barracks with q lighter heart. and
wrote q long letter to my aunt In
which called into requisition all my
powers of eloquence to convince her
that II was all for the best, and that
my moral salvation was the stake for
which was playing. ] consoled the
dear old woman rs best ] could, and
promised her that II God spared our
lives would return 70 her At the ex-
pirstion Of my term Of enlistment rs Q
man Of whom she could be proud. !
did not tell her Of my assumed name
nor Of my destination, for we'll knew
she would spend her entire fortune, II
necessary, 70 secure my release.
IL was sent 70 the west with other
recruits, and the experiences Of my two
years service have been but the same
rs those Of other cavalry soldiers at .
frontier post. have tried TO faithful
~ perform every duty assigned me. and
from the fact that ] have never 70
ceived Q reprimand from those In
authority ] am led 70 believe ] have
been good soldier.
That Ia my story. Miss Sanford.
You may now understand my motive
when repeat 10 you that under no
circumstances would have you mako
IN effort 70 secure my discharge"
Alice had listened 70 his recital with
the deepest interest, and at its conclu-
sion she again extended her hand and
said:
"Mr. Thornton. respect and honor
you. Your determination 10 do your
duty faithfully and 70 bury your In
clination 20 lead dissolute life In the
hardships and rigors Of service In the
army IL q noble one. pray God that
your future may shine out oil the more
resplendent from such . dark lAssk-
ground. There h, hope, no shadow
Of deceit In my nature. and ! frankly
tell ycu that believe you 70 be true,
honest and upright man whose heart
h swayed by the most noble impulses,
even though you may wear the garb Of
. private soldier. lam glad ] met you,
and shall highly prize your friend
ship and viii do all can 70 tighten the
dark hours of your service. You must
call upon me at my home and"
pardon the interruption, Miss san-
ford, but you have forgotten my station
In life In your sympathy Cor the unfor-
tuuate man. In your Kindness OF heart
you lose sight of the fact that Col. San
futo WOoiu ucNoH PefHhs = Ps'
der 70 enter his house, unless In the
line of military duty"
A shadow aitted over her bright
young face. and in . tender tone Of
voice me replied:
"Yes, ! had forgotten In contemplat-
ing the man my eyes were closed 70 his
station In life. What you say h but too
trss. Papa b uneinchingiy firm 10 his
ideas Of the impregnability Of the 90
ciAl barrier which separates the men In
The ranks from those IN oticial LIE.
Yet hope 70 80 yoa frequsntly when
you ne out slrstching. Z fssl = vsry
deep IntsFss, n goa. rs. ThoEston,
and DO trus, unglorlst hlpplns1
nay daws upon yoa 'an1 w. pslsh
With yoaul ths'elossof go.rae. -
God 1.nss - - IqD SNn-thB
Woriz- ~ ~urnlv FsssoaAsA 'sIbsV