Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-09-22
more cash money to them ev'ry week
than Sam brinps in"

more cash money TO them ev'ry weeh
than Sam brings in"
After little further reflection Miss
Matilda suddenly appeared in her lit
tie garden with a corner of her apron
thrown over her head and her crisp
calico skirts gathered up in her hand
How you getting along. sam?" she
asked.
"Well. It digs kind O. hard" said
Sam, in his usual tone of whining
complaint.
II don't know why 1t should with SO
much rain as we've had to soften up
the ground. Set down on that bench
and rest spell. while / talk to you"
Sam obeyed willingly enough. and
Miss Matilda sat Down beside him.
SAM" she said abruptly, why don't
you volunteer"
"Huh?"
"Why don't you show the people Of
Kent that at least one man In the
town has a little patriotism. and go
and fight for your country?"
Sam grinned. Then he said: 81 got
my family TO sport"
We'll. you don't half do IT," said
Miss Matilda, bluntly. sYour wife
takes in washing and maybe she'd be
willing to take in more if you went to
war"
mo. she wouldn't. She hates to
wash even her own things. ] got to
stay TO home an sport my family"
would you go If you were sure that
your family would be well provided for
during your absence?"
81 might be absent forever II one O.
them Spanishers got good dig at me-"
well, you woHld have died in the
service of your country, and then there
would be the pension for your wife and
children"
"That wouldn't 10 me no good. But
then" he added, after a moments re-
Election, ''mebbe could manage to git
disabled just enough TO draw a good
big pension my own self"
Sam Dawson. I'm ashamed of you'll"
"Why?"
"For not having any more real pa
triotism than that. If were man and
went TO war / wouldn't accept PEN
sion II got all my legs and arms shot
off. ] couldn't feel that I'd given them
TO my country il took pay for them.
But, truly, Sam. ] do wish our town
could have at least one volunteer in the
war. II you'll come out like man and
go, Sam. I'll be responsible for the sup
port OF your family while you're gone"
The man looked up with real interest
in his flabby. ford face.
you're such big strong fellow,
Sam. and such a sure shot with gun
you ought TO make good soldier. I'd
go II could. but as ] can't I'd like TO
send you as my substitute, and. as
say, I'll see TO II that your wife and
children are provided for while you
are gone. You think the matter over.
and let me know tomorrow"
The next issue Of the Kent Clarion
contained the following notice:
1--WE are pleased to announce that our
fellow citizen. Mr.. Samuel X. Dawson,
has decided 10 respond TO Uncle Sans
latest call for volunteers. This will
give our town at least one soldier boy |
at the 'front.' Hurrah for Saml"
The notice gave Miss Matilda great
pleasure. She made Sam the incest |
comfort bag Of all. Her enthusiasm
ran high when she saw Sam on board |
the train. bound for the recruiting Of |
flee in B., so miles distant.
"You must write and let me know |
what regiment you are put in and all |
about it. And II you should be in
battle you must write a full account of |
II for the Clarion. / hope that you'll |
distinguish yourself so that the whole
town will turn out 70 meet you when
you come home"
Two days later the following brief
communication from her substitute
came TO Miss Matilda on a postal:
"Gott hear awl rite. Hav not been
assined to amy Rigimint yit by the
offs. Anvil well. may sale
for Kuba befor git time TO rite agin.
II so. will rite from there"
Dear mel" said Miss Gwynne, on
receipt of this information. "He will
have TO brush up on his spelling be-
fore he goes TO sending letters TO the
Clarion. But I guess that there is
many good soldier who cannot spell"
Days and weeks passed without
bringing any word from the substi-
tute.
"But that is not to be wondered at,
irregular as the mails are now between
here and Cuba Miss Gwynne said to
Mrs. Dawson. who said that Sam never
was no hand TO write letters. nohow."
Miss Gwynne gave Mrs. Dawson five
dollars a week for her support and the
support of her two children. As this
was about three dollars a week more
than Sam had ever brought in. Mrs.
Dawson confided 20 her most intimate
friends that she hoped that the war
would be long.
Afiluent as she now was, Mrs. Daw-
son added a long desired green plush
album and lace curtains 10 her possess