The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-05-16
~, and would start for the FAR western

~, and would start for the far western
frontier on the following morning.
After donning my uniform I walked
down to the waters edge and sat down
on disrnantled cannon to reflect on
my mad action. My brain seemed TO
have shaken off the grip of the liquor
which had been the cause Of placing me
in such distressing position, and
thank God that was able TO take q
philosophic view Of the matter. Ere I
left the spot l began TO look upon my
enlistment as a blessing. I reasoned
that had ] continued to pursue the
downward course into which I had
fallen | would sink lower and lower
and ono day gil drunkard's grave.
In the United States service would
be under restraint and be far re-
moved from the temptations of great
city and from the companions who
were fast leading me toward utter
ruin. In the service I could reform.
and by contact with hardships and pri-
vations fit myself TO cope with the
rougher aspects Of lifo should fortune
ever desert me. Then and there
firmly resolved TO serve faithfully FOR
the term of my enlistment
II did more, Miss Sanford I swore
In the presence Of Almighty God and of
the spirit Of my angel mother in
Heaven that as long as l 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 tc the
barracks with n lighter heart, and
wrote a long letter TO my aunt in
which / called into requisition all my
powers of eloquence to convince her
that it was all for the best, and that
my moral salvation was the stake for
which | was playing. l consoled the
dear old woman as bes. / could, and
promised her that IL God spared our
lives would return to her at the ex-
piration of my term of enlistment as q
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, IL
necessary, to secure my release.
~ was sent to the west with other
recruits, and the experiences of my two
years service have been but the same
as those of other cavalry soldiers ut q
frontier post. / have tried to faithful
ly perform every duty assigned me. and
from the fact that / have never re-
ceived a reprimand from those in
authority l am led to believe have
been n good soldier.
THAT is my story, Miss Sanford.
You may now understand my motive
when | repeat to you that under no
circumstances would have you make
an effort to secure my discharge"
Alice had listened TO 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 determin alton to do your
duty faithfully and to bury your in
| clination to lead q dissolute life in the
] hardships and rigors of service in the
army is noble one. pray God that
| your future may shine out all the more
! resplendent from such dark back
ground. There is, hope, no shadow
| of deceit in my nature, and l frankly
tell you that believe you to be true,
honest and upright man whose heart
Is swayed by the most noble impulses,
even though you may wear the garb of
private soldier. lam glad l met you.
and l shall highly prize your friend
ship and will do all l can to 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 for the unfor-
tunate man. In your kindness of heart
you lose sight of the fact that Col. San
ford would never permit a private sol
dier to enter his house, unless in the
line OF military duty"
4 shadow fitted over her bright
young face, and in a 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 unhinchingly firm in his
ideas of the impregna oility of the so
cial barrier which separates the men in
the ranks from those in official life.
Yet hope to see you frequently when
you are'out sketching. l feel very
deep interest in you, Mr., Thornton,
and l do trust unclouded happiness
may dawn upon You and ever remain
with you at the close Of your army life" +"
God bless you for your cheering
words" he warmly responded. They
touch my heart with thrilling tender
ness, and the knowledge that possess
one friend above the ranks of the
rough soldiers will be G cheering re-