The San Francisco call., 1898-05-15

prepared to endure hardships.
 MT. Toberman says that I can enter even if I am under IS with parents consent. I am IS years old now and I have the size and constitution of a boy of 19 The boys are most all IS or 19 years old. l suppose you will hate to let me go, but when you think why I am going and who 1 am going for you will let me go.
 Claire Umsted asked his father and he said ''Yes. I am glad to see you want to go,'' or something to that effect, I will have everything furnished by the Government, in- cluding all the hardtack, pork, bacon, beans and coffee that I want. I will get s13 per month. I would great deal rather be in the cavalry thar, in the infantry. be- to MT. H. J. Toberman, 6I5 South Pearl street. and get particulars.
 l want an answer immediately, if may be called out very soon, and I want to be with them and help represent the Los Angeles High School. I do hope you will let me go. I have made this solemn prom ise before God and signed the pledge that I will never drink drop of liquor. I intend to live up to that promise in the future as I have in the past. I will not forget my Bible.
 Last night I went down to River station to see the First Regiment of United States troops. They didn't get in till Il and I didn't get home t.. half-past F on account of took them 26 hours to come from San Francisco. There were three trains of them of about twenty cars each. The band played all the patriotic songs and played them well, too.
 Hoping that you will consent to my enlisting in such good company and in such good cause, I remain.
 "s P. s.pREMEMBER eiHsS THE iiAfSi MAINE. and excuse poor writing, because l have had two examinations this afternoon and have written good deal.
 I will earn as much money there as In the city and will send money home.
 Here Is the letter from the other lac 0 his mother. He is an apprentice or oard the Petrel, that same little gun. oat that did such heroic service in the ate great naval battle at Manila The atter was written when the vessel lay t Hongkong, while rumors of ap- reaching war were in the air and be. ore Admiral Dewey sailed south te arry out the order, Find and take ol estroy the Spanish fleet"
 HONGKONG, April 8, 1898.
 Dear Mother: "Rumors of war and rumors of war That Is the way things are on board the Petrel. We are as well prepared as we can be and could go to sea at q minutes notice. The com modore is anxtously awaiting the outcome of affairs in the United States. Our fleet is daily expected to be re-enforced by the Baltimore and maybe the Oregon.
 The Reuter- telegrams are about as reliable as the =. We raised a nice subscription for the Maine relief fund.- don't know how much, but I think $500 would not miss it far.
 England, Japan and Russia are having quite a bit of trouble in the Far East. Russia wants the whole province of Manchuria.
 It was reported that a Japanese cruiser fired on a Russian ship in Talien Wan Bay. A Russian man of-war sent a boat over to find out the reason, which was given them, and both captains agreed not to commence hostilitieS until the CZar and Mikado were notified. The news was suppressed as much as possible. I see Old Krauth. It Is very disagreeable and unhandy to