The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-05-22

master allowed us to stand in the porch
and watch the soldiers as they halted
in the public square. Among them
we espied number of young men
from Godesberg, IL town near by our
village, After school was dismissed l
went to the barracks to look at the
soldiers again there was fascination
about them that pleased me. I was
greatly surprised to sec one of my
friends there. His name was Ernest
noted physician, / could not at first
comprehend it. Ernest laughed when
l asked him for an explanation of his
| presence.
"'Then you don't know why we arc
here?' he asked
Indeed L DON'T 1 replied.
"'How old are you, Jacob?' he in
quired, still laughing.
eel saw my nineteenth birthday
last May I replied.
"'Ah then we shall he comrades,
Jacob. The Kaiser requires just such
arms and legs as you possess
"'They are not going to make a
conscription?' gasped.
"'That's it, that's it; tomorrow
they'll set the wheel going. and there's
no buying off. Now, if you were
sickly, Jacob, or had a lame leg, you
would get of, but they'll hardly miss
such fine fello" as ycu ore. I know
what you &C thinking about, my
! boy; bat Maria must loan you to the
king. Perhaps you'll return an off,
cer. Is it not glorious anticipa-
! tionP" ~rzwsS- -
"iho words OF Uirich panied and
alarmed me. I didn't view matters in
the same light as he did. L had no
ambition to win military distinction,
and would sooner remain al Plitters-
dorf and look at Maria when she sang
in church.
.'The following day the words of
Ulrich were verified. Ny name was
among the first drawn. anI Maria
cried when she heard it. Three days
ufterward we were all assembled to be
marched away. A great number OF
our village people STOOD and gazed at
us with glistening eyes. One of thcm
told Maria not to grieve, that We
were brave men and were marching to
glory. If the fellow hada't walked
with a crutch, perhaps he would have
sang another tune. 1t is very easy to
offer consolation.
maria covered her face with her
hands aud cried, 'But they will never
rcturn.'
"My heart sunk within me when 1
heard her words. 1t was new idea
to me. L had only thought of fight
ing bravely, and then returning
covered with laurels. The few days
had been in the ranks familiarized me
10 the sound of warlike preparation.
/ could not help feeling sad when we
marched out Of our village. My
father fell into his chair and bowed
his head il sorrow; my mother wept,
and with many lamentations be-
moaned her only boy. Maria stood
and GaZed, but spoke not. Her face
was blanchcd to snowy pnleness. She
waved her hand to mo and then
turned away.
"Before the clover bloomed the fol-
lowing spring l was back again at Pitt
tersdorf. The campaign had been
short, and everywhere our arms had
triumphed. Poor Ulrich WAS killed
in the first battle he thirsted for dis
tinction only to find an early grave,
while ]. who never coveted military
glory, did not receive rs much as a
scratch.
"You may depend all my people
were glad to see me again and Maria
laughed and wept in turns. l had
some idea OF learning the wheelwright
business with Kurl Adler, who mar.
riel my sister; but there came ru.
NOR that the king was going to order
q new conscription. AS soon as l
heard il l went to Maria. She advised
me to go to America, and wnen | had
made money enough to send for her
aud she would come out and marry
me. Now. boys, you know why L am
here on the Cimarron.
"Well, but about the gai?" asked
Rivers. ''When will you be able TO
send for herr"
ave already done it, replied Jake
81 own snug piece OF land in Kansas
and rs soon rs Mar in arrives I'll take
to farming. ThereIl be log cabin
! on my place pretty soon after Maria
comes. The tact is, she ought to have
been In Independence month ago."
$40 no" shouted Rivers. that's
what's made you SO quiet
AS Rivers spoke, a horseman was
seen advancing through the twilight,
and pretty soon Bob Slater, who had
been TO Independence, rode into camp.
He had n pocketml OF letters for the
boys, and among them one for Dutch
Jake.
"I'll bet that Maria has just come"
cried old Pete Swayne.
tAnJ vou'l II win your hot - ropIiad
Jake. ''Boys, we part company to-
morrow. I've passed many happy
day among you, and you seem like
brothers. L nave request to make,