The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-04-28

''Arc you so sure our side tcW be vic
torious, Herbcrt?"
''IIello, Fred, none of that, unless
you want to quarrel with me-" sharply
replied Leslie. and the boys parted for
the time.
Herbert Leslie and Fred Ainslie had
friends, and although of widely differ
ent dispositions this fact drew them,
perhaps, only closer together.
The former, a bold, fearless fellow,
generous to fault and an ideal type of
American youth, was now studying law
in the Office of Sharp 81 Pierson, while the
latter, Of timid, hesitating nature and
little inclined to face responsibility or
danger, found congenial employment
behind the counter of large dry goods
store.
The conversation above recorded was
but the first of many of like nature
held between the young men during the
next ten days, and the matter ended by
Fred catching the contagion of his
friends ardent patriotism and agreeing
to stand by him through thick and thin.
So it happened that, one morning in
|
cruiting office on Water street, New
York, and enlisted as volunteers at
large for the whole period of the war.
Having stipulated not to be enrolled
until evening, they then strolled off up
town tn make preparations for their
new life and bid farewell to friends.
AS they went along broadway, Leslie
mn>ingiy said: "Do you know, Fred,
what has become of our old classmatc,
Sydney Temple, of Charleston? a splcn-
did fellow he was. Do you remember
how he licked that big bully, Tom
White, the day OF our great match
with the Ncptunc?"
"Well, I should think sol Tom was too
old and heavy for any of us and was
running the whole game to suit himself,
and when sgd said he was wrong in
ruling point against him lac called the
fiery sontheIncr a liar. sgd knocked
him heels over head quicker than light
ming and then beltcd him till he roared
for mercy.
~ won't forget Sydney Temple in a
hurry, but don't know where he is now
lie was taking course at bellevue,
and met him near Trinity few weeks
ago. lie said then that he couldn't
stand the pressure up here and was go
ing to get home somehow. I'll bet that
hes joined the confederate army, for
yon know he was always rcd-hot
seccsh."
Likely enough, Fred but il he has l
hope we'll never chance to come across
him on the battlefield. FL awfully hate
to shoot at him or have hun shoot at
me-
These were the days when millions
fought and countless thousands fell, and
from north, east an, west the loyal citi
zens of our lcathlcSs republic were raj
| lying To the support of the old flag in
cvcr-incrcasing numbers, while the
chivalruus sons of the south poured out
! their blood like water for what they
doubtless deemed the more righteous
cause.
| Forty eight hours after cnlsting, our
| young friends were sent to the front
| and finally found themselves members
of the same company in an infantry
regiment forming part of Gen. Scy-
mours division of the army of the roto-
mac.
| Here they put in two weeks of that
borne by Herbert with cheerful forti-
tudc, hit 10y Fred in n far different
! spirit. Indeed he had already repeated
of his short lived ar,lor and continually
dcplorcl the ''infatuation" which had
led him to exchange his remnncrativc
clcrkship for the hardships of q soldiers
life at thirteen dollars Il month
One evening. when harassel by fa-
tiguc, his complaints became so vcxa-
tious that Her bert lost all patience with
him and Mt last exclaimed: ''Whv,
Fred, how long do you suppose our
glorious union would exist if all the
brave mon now in arms for the cause
were fighting only for pay?"
Cause be hanged" pctulantly re-
piled Ainslie, what difference will il
make to me how it goes, if I'm shot full
of holes and buried i'll this NiiEinia
mud? 1t just disSusts me to thiulA u.
the crazy move I've made; and here's
letter from home to say that my fool
sister, Miriam, is coming right ont To
the front as IL nurse. It's enough To
drive II fellow wildl was nevc, made
for lighting, anyway, and I'll get out of
it somehow"
Young Leslie had never seen any Of
his friends relatives. who resided in
Philadelphia, but now he rather holly
answered.; "Wrll Fred, if the mobile
example of Your sister blessings on
her! -,locs not shame you into better
thoughts, nothing that can say viii.
Int you're tired and cross now and viii
he all right in the morning. Cen ti,nui
will probably give ils II little lighting