The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-08-15
THE FORTUNES OF WAR.

/
THE FORTUNES OF WAR.
Warwick stood on the river bank
/ silently contemplating the sWllt-fun-
nings waters below and wondering IL
he had the nerve to make the leap,
Life had lost all it's charm for MN.
He could see nothing ahead but cola'
cheerless promise and he thanked
woman for tia sweet, tender, plue-
eyed little woman whom he had often
| in his day dreams pictured as MIS- VINE.
| 1t had never entered his head that
| she might refuse him. Blind TO ms
| own imperfectons, he did not imagine
that others might see them, and SO
when to his earnest pleading she had
replied: mo, Dick" it's quite impossi-
ble," it left him incapable of speech,
1t stunned him. He could hardly real
ize that the end of his dreams mad
come. He had so long thought OF her as
his own that her answer was start
ling revelation, and he staggered from
her presence with the terrors OF d1sap-
pointment staring him in the race.
He could not understand why she
would not accept him, faults, dlssipa-
ton and all, so unreasoning and selfish
is man when his affections are involved
And so selfish was Warwick that he
could see no sorrow in any other heart
than his own and he allowed his DIT
terness full swing as he wended his
way toward the river.
Yet when the cool breeze from the val
ley famed his cheek it brought some
reason back. 1t sobered him. 1t re-
awakened his conscience, and dimly he
became conscious of his moral delin-
uuenciee Then he remembered why.
Yes, she was right. For an instant he
admitted it, then his selfshness reas-
serted itself and he blamed her for the
encouragement she had given him
that hollow refuge sought by every
lover when refused for cause.
single glance at the river suhiced.
1t was cold and dark and gloomy. No,
he hadn't the nerve He was too cow
ardly to die. Besides the vision of his
sweet old mother lowered between him
and the water, and shivering he turned
and wandered toward the city. He
passed hundreds of people without see
ing them. And no one needed him. He
walked on and on, scarce Knowing
whittier he went until the sound of
great cheering attracted his attention,
He stood an interested spectator of an
inspiring scene.
They We're recruiting men for the war.
The intense patriotism was infectious.
The fever caught Warwick. For the
time his troubles We're forgotten. He
elbowed his way inside and was soon
under the hands and keen eyes of the
examining surgeon.
al" was the officers brisk verdict
after a hasty examination. Warwick
stood aside. Mechanically he raised his
hand and like man in dream swore
allegiance to the Stars and Stripes. He
was led into an inner room where he
Invested himselve of his civilian habili-
ments and assumed the dress of the
boys in blue
"Report in the morning at o'clock;
we may move at any moment ordered
the individual with three white stripes
on his arm; Warwick nodded and again
turned toward the street.
The crowd cheered him as he issued
from the door. They had seen him en-
ter and remembered his face and broad
shoulders. The compliment inspired
him. He woke up. He glanced up and
down his once placid front and was
startled as he caught the CLEAN of the
trappings of war His soul was cleo
trifed. He was no longer his own. He
belonged to Uncle Sam. He had sworn
away his liberty He thrilled to the
very finger tips when his ears drank in
the sound of the Gathering bayonet at
his side. The excitement of the hour
permeated his whole being, and he be-
came proudly conscious of the admirins
chances of the throngs. His eyes
lighted up, his step became brisker his
figure erect and solderly and almoet
before he knew it he stood on the
threshold of his boarding house.
The patient little landlady, who had
so often condoned his faults and pleaded
with him to cast aside his dssolute
habits, was surprised, but not sorry,
Warwick had not been an ideal boader.
His habits and idleness had often pro-
voked her to bitterness. She had re-
garded him almost as son and had
treated him as one. She could never
bear the thought of turning him away,
despite his growing obligations, but now
that he was going of his own will she
secretly rejoiced. She felt it might be
the beginning of new and better life
As he stood there awaiting her opinion
she felt a pang of sorrow. His uniform
was eloquent of his intentions. He was
bent now on the grim uncertainties and
conflicts of the battlefield |
A tear eplashed down her cheek as he |
turned and began packing away the
few worldly goods he could call his own. !
II may never need them again, Mrs |
sadly, meantime keep
them awhile for me- If / don't-come--
back-Why, do with them as you please.
They are valueless, anyway
you have no message to leave for |
any one?" she asked, significantly, as
he paused and looked about the room.
He shook his head.
"None,' he answered, thoughtfully |
and bitterly. 'She does not care. I'll |
write to mother tomorrow. She is the
only one who cares
She made a gesture of reproach.
Besides you" he added hurriedly.
She smiled little and stretched forth |
her hand
Let me hope you will return better
man--if you are spared" she said feel |
ngly. II feel every word I say. Moth