The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-02-22
SOLDIERS BUDGET
The Volunteer.

The mother would not be pacifed.
"Not you," she said; "not you. THE
only son of his mother, and she was
ADVERTISEMENTS that. War is not
for you"
"The country calls" argued the
young man. "Must consider myself
at such timer"
The girl who was 10 be his wife
spoke up.
"Yourselfl' she said. "Is it only
yourself?"
"You, too" he answered. III fight
for those l love when 1 fight for my
country"
"What do you know of the hell and
horror Of WARP" demanded his mother.
"War made your father an invalid for
life. Is not that enough for me to give
my country There are others who
should go-rich mems sons bred in lux
ury, who should meet hardship for once
in their lives-but you, with your mea-
ger pay, which barely provides for usl"
"My work is more than that" he
frowned.
eyes," she said, "you should make
it more; there will be your wife TO
provide for"
"If you love MICHIGAN the girl,
when she broke down, burying her face
in her hands.
eff you would only understand" he
pleaded. "You know how it is-our
countrymen murdered, the flag insulted,
men going to the front. Must stay
here grinding out daily existence in
work that gives me more food and shell
ter while those brave fellows stake
their lives for me?"
"And what will become of you,"
cried his mother, "if you should return
after the fighting is over? The position
you have is mean, but it is something
Will it be held for you till the war is
endedp l have seen war, and l know
what comes afterward-struggle, pow
erty, inability to earn daily bread"
81 love you," said the girl, but how
can you tell that may not forget you
for some one else, when you can 30
easily leave me?"
"If 1 thought" returned he, shat
you could be false to me"-
"Not that" she interrupted. "But
a woman giveth trust for trust; she can
not wholly obliterate herself when she
finds that she is held unworthy. For
am not held unworthy when you can
leave me against my wishes?"
His mother caught up the word. "a
worthy son does not forget his mother
in her hour of need. You are all 1
have"
He looked about him. He saw the
peace at home, the sun shining in at
the window, the peace outside OF Ii Id
and brook and wood; he heard the dis
tant low of cattle, the peaceful song of
mated birds. "Then," he sighed,
''you would rather 1 should be a
coward?"
"The brave man." said the girl, dry
ing her eyes, sis he who stands behind
the woman who loves him." She
smiled up at him. "Stay with us. You
are no less soldier in being our COM
mander." She placed her arms about
him, drawing him to her.
His mother came and stood beside
him. Stay with U.s." she echoed.
"Listenl"
Ii was new voice that spoke. The
words came from small, cramped
form crouching beside the stove in the
corner. 1t was the old grandmother.
More than fourscore years had bowed
her head. They had not thought that
she understood. Her blind eyes were
filmy. There was smile upon her
shriveled lips and one shaking hand
was raised above her head.
"Listenl"
From afar off came sound that was
other than that of lowing kline and song
of birds.
drum - drum - der.um, drum,
drump
The young man Strengthened.
The old grandmother rose to her feet
She swayed little and caught at the
wall. She CROPPED about the room to q
tall chest of drawers. From it she
took long, narrow package.
"My son." she said, with feeble
voice, "was shot in the war and died
from the effects of his wounds years
after. 1t was an honorable death
While he was fighting / picked lint
tore up all my linen to make it; then