Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-02-11
THE VOLUNTEER.

The mother would not be pacified,
MOT you, she said; mot you. The
only son of his mother, and she was q
wldow'-remember that. War ia NOT
! for you"
1.-THE country calls" argued the
young man. Must consider myself at
such timer"
The girl who was to be his wife
spoke up.
"Yourself!" she said. SIS it only
yourself?'
| "You, too, be answered. II fight
for those l love when I fight for NV
country "
"W hat 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 NE to give
my country? There are others who
| should go-rich men s sons bred in lux
ury, who should meet hardship for once
in their lives--but you, with your moa-
ger pay. which barely provides for US -
my work is more than that" he
| frowned.
yes" she said, "you should make
it more; there will be your wife to pro-
vide for"
IF you love me'- began the girl,
when she broke down, burying her face
in her hands.
'If yon would only understand" he
pleaded. "You know how it is-our
couutrymen murdered, the flag insult.
ed. men going to the front. Must l
stay here grinding out daily existence
in work that gives me mere food and
shelter 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
ended! l have seen war, and l know
what comes afterward-struggle, pov-
erty, inability to earn daily bread"
II love you" said the girl. "but how
can you tell that may not forget you
for some one else. when you can so
easily leave me!''
"If ! thought" returned he, THAT
you could be false to me-
"Not that" she interrupted "But
woman gives trust for trust; she can
not wholly obliterate herself when she
finds that she is held unworthy For
am l not held UNIV orthy when you can
leave me against my wishes?'
His mother caught up the word. "a
wortI y son does not forget his mother
in her hour of need You are all
have"
He looked about him. He saw the
peace at home, the sun shining in at
the window, the peace outside Of field
and brook and wood; be heard the dis
tant low Of cattle, the peaceful song CT
mated birds. "Then," be sighed. lyon
would rather should he coward!"
1.-The brave man, said the girl. dry
ing her eyes, "is he who stands behind
the woman " no loves him " She smiled
up at him. "Stay with us. You are no
less soldier in being our commander.
She placed her arms about him, draw.
ing him to hsr
His mother came and stood beside
him. 'otay with us. " she echoed.
"Listen!'
1t was new voice that spoke. The
words came from small, cramped
form crouching Leside the stove in the
'orner. 1t was the old grandm other.
More than tours ore years had bowed
aer head. They had not thought that
she understood. Her blind eyes were
ilmy There was smile upon her
lips and enc shaking hand was
.aised above her head.
Listen !"
From afar off came q sound that was
,ther than that of lowing kline and song
# birds.
Drum drum der-um, drum,
lrum"
The young man Strengthened.
The old grandmother rose to her feet
She swayed little and caught at the
vail she CROPPED about the room to
all chest of drawers. From it she took
long, narrow package.
"My son." she said with feeble
oice, twas shot III war and died from y
he effects of his wounds years after. 1t ,
vas an honorable death While be was
ghting picked lint. tore up all my
inen to make it; then | went to the =
ront and nursed the wounded My hus' 6
and was a midshipmate in 1919 A I
utlass severed the sinews of his arm.
was a girl when | met him, aud his s
eIpless arm made me love him. Lis q
5nn' t
Drum - drum - der-um, drum,
rum!' The sound was little nearer.
"My grandfather, quavered the old a
Twas at Valley Forge. He h
,as made prisoner. 1t was winter. His
,other went to see him, carrying bas- O
ct of food The journey was many t,
,iles Sometimes farmer let her ride v
way in his cart. The rest Of the way 8,
ne walked through the snow. When