Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-03-07
~, and would start for the far western

~, and would start for the far western
frontier on the following morning.
After dooning Dry uniform walked
Own TO. the waters edge and sat down
on a dismantled cannon to reflect on
my mad action. My brain seemed to
have shaken of the grip of the liquor
which had been the cause of placing me
in such distressing position, and 1
thank God that was able to take a
philosophic view of the matter. Ere 1
left the spot began to look upon my
enlistment as blessing. / reasoned
that had I continued to pursue the
downward course into which 1 had
fallen would sink lower and lower
and one day fill a drunkard's grave.
In the United States service 1 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. swore
in the presence of Almighty God and of
the spirit of my angel mother in
Heaven that as long as I 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 a lighter heart, and
wrote a long letter to my aunt in
which called into requisition all my
that it was all for the best, and that
my moral salvation was the stake for
which / was playing. I consoled the
dear old woman as best 1 could, and
promised her that if God spared our
lives would return to her at the ex-
piration of my term of enlistment as a
man of whom she could be proud. 1
did not tell her of my assumed name
nor of my destination, for 1 well knew
she would spend her entire fortune, if
necessary, to secure my release.
Il 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 at a
frontier post. have tried to faithful
ly perform every duty assigned me. and
from the fact that l have never re-
ceived a reprimand from those in
authority 1 am led to believe I have
| been 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 conc1u-
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 a 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 a dark back
ground. There is, hope, no shadow
of deceit in my nature, and I 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 met you,
and 1 shall highly prize your friend
ship and wiSrio all cap 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 private sol
dier to enter his house, unless in the
line of military duty"
| A shadow fitted over her bright
voice she replied
Yes, 1 had ion, aotten. In contemplat'
ing the man my eyes were closed to hi:
station in life. What you say is but toe
true Papa is unfinchingly firm in his
ideas of the impregnability of the so
cial barrier which separates the men in
| the ranks from those in official life
Yet he .,e to see you frequently when
you are out ssetching. I feel a very
deep interest in you, Mr.. Thornton
and 1 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 cheering re