The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-06-30
Mistaken Patriotism.
Youths Companion.

Youths Companion.
A poor widow, who had been an in
valid Tor eleven years, was entirely de- y,
pendent upon her only son for support.
All the home they had was plain
house, 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 ho
brought her, was the reward Of her
lonely days.
One evening he came late.
The front door opened and shut soft
ly. His step Jagged on the stairs.
He fingered in the entry. The moth
er gave one glance at his face rs he
entered the room, and her own turned
white.
"Jack, after what you said this morn
ing, 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
0; me?" Her silence was enough.
Cali the other fellows are going urg-
ed the young man. II thought
ought to go"
'They are not situated as you are"
replied the invalid. family.
"But they will call me coward"
said the boy passionatcly.
That 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
excitement had caught her young
bread-winner, and made him a recruit.
Whether the decision of the 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 call for troops no
more than about five per cent OF the
able bodied men OF the country can be
accepted, ard of these there are at least
four classes always ineligible. Even
the terrible conscriptlon of 1863 cx-
empted all who were the sole dcpen-
dencc Of relatives at home. No only
son of dependent mother, no only son
of infirm parents, no only brother OF Or
phaned children; and no father OF a
motherless young family was required
to show his patriotism in any other way
than by fidelity to his domestic duty.
Posted over the reglmental bulletin
boards at Camp Townsend, New York,
is this notice:
"No person should volunteer whose
absence from home for two years wOr'd
bring misery and distress on a'iy 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 "S;rike for your
altars and your fires," but the son.
or brother, or father whose duty
calls him to stay by thcm1s doing
this, and doing it 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 defence
might oblige every man for his coun-
try's sake to leave his sick and helpless
ones. and "let the dead bury their
dead" But that time is not yet.
Meanwhile let it be known that the
millions unneeded in 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.
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