The Natchitoches enterprise., 1898-12-29
-@fHE VOLUNTEER.

The mother would not be paclt1ed.
mot you," she said; "not you. The
only son cf his mother, and she was a
widow '-remem ber that. War is not
fer you.
"The country calls" argued the
young man. "Must consider myself at
such time?'
The girl who was to be his wife
spoke up.
"Yourselfp' she said. SIS it only
yourseIf?"
"You, too" be answered. 81 fight
for those / love when 1 fight for my
country"
"What do you know of the hell and
horror Of war; demanded his mother.
'War made your father an invalid for
life. Is not that enough for me to give
my country? There are others who
should go-rich men S sons bred in lux
ury, who should meet hardship for once
in their lives-but you, with your mea-
ger pay, which barely provides for us"
"My work is more than that" he
frownod.
eyes" she said, "you should make
it more; there will be your wife to pro-
vide for"
eff you love me',- began the girl,
when she broke down, burying her face
in her hands.
eff you would only understand" he
pleaded "You know how it is-our
countrymen murdered, the flag insult
ed, men going to the front. Must l
stay here grinding out daily existence
in work that gives me mere food and
sheltsr while those braEe fellows stake
their lives for me?" -
"And what will become of you, !"
cried bis mother, eff you should return
after tie fighting is over? The position
you have is mean, but it is something,
Will it be held for you till the war is
ended? l have seen war, and / know
what comes fterward-struggle, pow
erty, inability to earn daily bread"
81 love you," said the girl, "but how
can you tell that may not forget you
for some one else, when you can so
easily leave me?"
"If l thought" returned he, "that
you could be false to me-
"Not that" she interrupted. "But
woman gives trust for trust; she can
not wholly obliterate herself when she
finds that she is held unworthy. For
am l not held unworthy when you can
leave me against my wishes?"
His mother caught up the word. "a
worthy son does not forget his mother
in her hour of need. You are all l
have"
He looked about him. He saw the
peace at home, the sun shining in at
the window, the peace outside Of field
and brook and wood; be heard the dis
tant low of cattle, the peaceful song Of
mated birds. "Then," he sighed, lyon
would rather should be coward?'
1.-THE brave man." said the girl, dry
ing her eyes, sis he who stands behind
the woman who loves him." She smiled
up at him. "Stay with us. You are no
less soldier in being our commander.
She placed her arms about him, draw
ing him to her.
His mother came and stood beside
him. "Stay with us, che echoed.
"Listenl'
1t was a new voice that spoke. The
words came from a small, cramped
form crouching beside the stove in the
corner. 1t was the old grandmother.
More than fourscore years had bowed
her head. They had not thought that
she understood. Her blind eyes were
flmy. There was a smile upon her
shriveled lips and one shaking hand was
raised above her head.
"Listeni''
From afar off came sound that was
oth1r than that of lowing kline and song
Of Birds.
'Drum - drum - der-um, drum,
drumr'
The young man Strengthened.
The old grandmother rose to her feet. !.
She swayed little and caught at the
wall She CROPPED about the room to
tall chest of drawers. From it she took
q long, narrow pae kage.
"My son." she said, with feeble
voice, twas shot in war and died from
the effects of his wounds years after. 1t
was an honorable death. While he WAS
fighting | picked lint. l tore up all my
linen to make it; then went to the
front and nursed the wounded. My hus-
band was midshipmate in 1919. A
cutlass severed the sinews of his arm.
was a girl when / met him, and his
helpless arm made me love him. Lis
ten |"
Drum - drum - der-um, drum,
==@r Ina sound was a. ntt,a -