The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-10
Mistaken Patriotism.


A poor widow, who had been an In
valid for eleven years, was entirely de-
pendent upon her only son for support.
All the home they had was a plain
clearinghouse, but the son was kind
and attentive, and every night he hur-
ried from his work to the little room
where she waited for him, and his sure
return, with the little comforts he
brought her, was the reward of her
lonely days.
One evening he came late.
The front door opened and shut
softly. His step Jagged on the stairs.
He fingered in the entry. The mother
gave one glance at his face as he en-
tered the room, and her own turned
white.
Jack, after what you said this morn
ing, l think you have enlisted! she
said.
He made no answer, but covered his
face with his hands.
The sick woman turned and leaned
against the wall. She did not reply.
She did not say, who will take care
of me?' Her silence was enough.
"All the other fellows are going"
urged the young man. 81 thought 1
ought to co."
"They are not situated as you are"
replied the invalid, family.
But they will call me coward"
said the boy, passionateIy.
The same night he was examined and
passed by the regimental surgeon. The
next day the dependent mother was
alone-the great wave of the war ex-
element had caught her young bread
winner, and made him a recruit.
Whether the decision of this mis-
guided boy placed his freedom beyond
recall we do not know; but we do know
that by his act he sacrificed more than
he had any right to sacrifice, Under
the present cali for troops no more
than per cent of the able-bodied men
of the country can be accepted, and Of
these there are at least four classes al
ways ineligible. Even the terrible
,eonsCription of 1863 exempted all who
were the sole dependence of relatives at
home. No only son of a dependent
mother, no only son of infirm parents
no only brother of orphaned children
and no father of a motherless young
family was required to show his patri-
otism in any other way than by fidel-
tty to his domestic duty.
Posted over the regimental bulletin
boards at Camp Townsend, New York.
is this notice:
mo person should volunteer whose
absence from home for two years
would bring misery and distress on any
one dependent upon him"
And the examining surgeons are ex-
pected to question every would-be re-
cruit in regard to this particular. Such
consideration may not have force at all
recruiting stations; but no foolish
dread of being called Coward"
should make it necessary for any young
man to be so questioned.
1t is patriotic to Strike for your al
tars and your fires" but the son, or
brother, or father whose duty calls him
to stay by them is doing this, and doing
1t as nobly as one who volunteers for
the war because "all the other fellows
are going.
1t is conceivable that the sudden and
swift demands of public defense might
oblige every man for his country's sake
to leave his sick and helpless ones, and
'let the dead bury the dead" But that
time is not yet. Meanwhile let it be
known that the millions unneeded n
the field who stay to discharge the
sacred ministries of home, and ply the
industries never so necessary as In
time of war, are in every sense as truly
patriots as the fighters in the ranks
Youths Companion.