Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-02-02
Saint Harg's Beacon
THE VOLUNTEER.

Ane motner wonld not DO pacl-
fed. Not you,' she said not you.
The only son OF his mother, and
she was widow-remember that.
War 10 not for you.'
'The country calls argued the
young man. Must consider N.Y.
self at such timer
The girl who was TO be his wife
spoke mp.
'Yourselfi' she said. sIs il only
yourself?'
'You, too be answered. Il fght
for those love when I fight for
NV 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 CO.
rich mems soma bred in luxury.
who should meet hardships for once
in their lives-but you, With yonr
meager pay, which barely provides
for as Z
my work 10 more than that he
frowned.
Yes she said. 'you should make
it more; there will be your wife to
provide for
III vou love me'-began the girl,
when she broke down, burying her
face in her hands.
IF you would only understand, >
he pleaded. You know how it is
Our .coGntrymen murdered, the
flag insulsed. men going to the
front. Must | stay here grinding
out q daily existence IN work tina,
gives me mere food and shelter
while those brave fellows stake
their lives for me p
And what will become of YOU, >
cried his mother, IF you should re
turn after the fighting IS over? The
position YOU have is mean, bat it 10
something. Will it be- held for you
till the wsr is ended? have seen
war, and know what comes after.
ward-struggle. poverty, inability
to earn daily bread
Il love you said the girl, .bu,
how can you tell that I may not
forget you fer 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
cannot wholly obliterate herself
when she rnds that she is held un.
worthy. For am | not held un.
worthy when you can leave me
against my wishes p
HIS mother caught up the word.
"A worthy 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. brook and wood he heard
the distant low of cattle. the peace
full song of mated birds. Then, >
ne sighed, you would rather 1
should be q coward -
THE brave man. said the girl.
drying her eyes, 'is he Who stands
behind the woman who loves him. ,
She smiled up at him. Stay with
us. You are no less a soldier in
being our commander. She placed
her arms about him, and drawing
him to her.
His mother came and stood be-
side him. Stay with u.s. she ech-
oed.
Listen p
1t was q new voice that spoke.
The words came from a small.
cramped form crouching beside the
stove in the corner. II was the old
grandmother. More than four
score years had bowed her head.
They had not thought that she
understood Her blind eyes we're
filmy. There was a smile uron Der
shriveled lips and one shaki ing hand
was RAISED above her head.
Listen I
From afar of came a sound that
was other than that Of loving kline
and song Of birds.
'prum drum der um. drum,
drum!'
Inc young man Strengthened.
The old grandmother rose 10 her
feet. She swayed a little and
caught at the wall.