The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-30
NE WANTS TO GO AGAIN
Old Soldier Seized With the
Desire to Fight Once More.
BUT CAN'T PASS MUSTER
His Son Anxious to Shoulder q Musket,
but the Mothers Appeals Win
Him Over to Her Side-The
Fever Is Raging.

The war fever" that is raging in
Montana is no respecter of persons.
but seizes young and old, the firm and
infirm in its ravages. Probably those
who suffer most are h "old boys"
who know what war means, from the
bitter experiences of h sixties. yet
would gladly again shoulder a musket
and feel deeply hur when the recruit
ing officers ask them to stand aside
to them. the war fever falls quickly
upon their children. who. from their
earliest hours. have been thrilled by
fathers stories. and have listened with
eager ears and admiring minds while
the veterans fought their battles over,
by the fireside in the house. or on Me-
mortal days. These tales of camp and
field have smouldered. till at the presi-
dents call the desire to emulate a
fathers deeds and bravery. no matter
where he fought. has burst into a flame
of patriotism.
An incident i'm point happened last
week in Butte, while Captain Stivers
was forming his troon of cavalry.
John welton. the 1~7-year-old son of
Lodge valley rancher. made the trip
from Deer Lodge, where he had been
working. to Butte to join the troop.
The news reached the home in the
valley and made excitement in the
family. The boys mother was deeply
grieved. for h felt that her boy was
too young to go a soldering, and with
earnest appeals to his father. she per-
suaded John, sr., to go to Butte n
rescue the boy. because she knew the
mastering officer would not take the lad
If his age was known. and said She:
Tell Johnny we cannot spare him
now: there are others who are older.
others who have no home ties. and who
are anxious to go. tell him. John, not
yet but after a while, IL necessary. he
may go. His mother will be the last
to say no when his country has need
of her boy"
SO Mr.. welton went to Butte saw
the mastering officer. but his boy had
heard of his coming and slipped home
again to max an apneal for parental
permission to enlist. Now Father John
was a soldier in 81 and with the I'd
Iowa cavalry saw service at Fort Dom
elson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and through
many battles of the war. In Butte he
was in the midst of the fray at the
armory. and like the old war horse
who shifts the battle from afar, he be-
came young again. He heard the ia
miliar buole calls and quick commands.
he saw the tents and smelt the ham
III NV lahs ~ ""' wv ibN
for him. and with flashing eyes he
pushed his way to the clerks desk and
signed the roll and then to the captain
marched for approval. He was duly
sized up and questioned, but finally
was rejected. kindly but firmly. John
isn't as young as he used to be, though
he feels that way: but time has added
flesh as well as years to him and the
officer said he vas too heavy to ride.
What" exclaimed the veteran, too
heavy! Why. I've a horse on my ranch
that will carry me as far as any man
in your company will rid i'm q day.
I amt forgot how to ride. captain. or
it amt the biggest man who rides the
heaviest"
True enough, John" replied the Off
GER, but there are younger men who
are lighter and are good riders. too. be-
side the troop is more than filed
So the veteran recruit swallowed his
indignation and a detected, disap-
pointed man returned to the valley
home, and yet declares that he will
convince the doctors and every one else
that he is able to ride. and able to he
a soldier. for the next cavalry regiment
hat leaves Montana. Meanwhile John.
jr., is laboring with the old folks, and
If father is too old and heavy he feels
at least he is not too young and is
physically fitted to join the army now
in the second call, but a loving mother
still hesitates and says:
Not vet. John"