The Portland daily press., 1899-09-13
ONE 70 SPARE.
The Drudge OF tho Family Be-
came a Hero, but Was brought
Home Wrapped In the Flag.


1t was in the early days of the war, in
the summer Of 1861, that Jack Hills en-.
listed 1t never would have happened,
his mother said. IL 1t had not been for
that foolish excursion. The excursion In
itself had not seemed foolish, and Mrs.
Hills had been one of the most enthu-
siastic of those preparing to celebrate
the finishing OF the new railroad from
Bradley Junction to the lake.
But there was recruiting Office at
Lake City. In front Of the door of this
office band was playing patriotic airs.
Above its roof the stars and stripes were
flying. And there Major Seely ha-
rangued the young men.
Jack Hills was II and month, but
he was tall and large and looked 20. So
he signed his name and was accepted. II
was possibility that his mother had
never imagined. OF Mrs Hills fous
sons Jack was her favorite. Simon, the
Oldest Of the family, was in business and
married. He was already making great
gains on his merchandise because of the
state of the country and the fears for the
future. He was buying as far as his
money and his credit would reach. He
would most assuredly not enlist.
Evan had recently been graduated
from a medical college. While he pared
his finger nails in strictly professional
manner, he talked loftily about going
into the field as surgeon IL Uncle Sam
needed him. But as common soldier
'No. thank you"
Next there was Joe. 1t was the gen.
eral opinion in the family and the neigh
borhood that Joe was good because he
lacked strength of character to be any
thing else. No one knew his deficiency
better than did his mother. He had al
ways been rhe stupid end Of the family.
No bright sayings Of Joe's childhood had
ever been recorded. When there was ex-
ira work to be done, Joe was kept out OF
school to do it. What does 1t matterf"
his mother would say. You're always
at the foot OF your classes"
So continually had Joe heard himself
deprecated through his childhood and
youth he grew to manhood fully under
standing that he was the blockhead OF
the family. Sometimes Joe thought he
might like something else than the farm,
but il he limited at the idea ever SO mild
ly there was a general laugh, and then
Joe turned scarlet and silent.
sons, was the darling of the house He
was the brightest OF the family, and.
though the other boys were creditable,
Jack would surely eclipse them when he
made a choice of a business or profession
for life. And now he had enlisted. 1t
was not to be endured any longer than
till such time as the work OF the foolish
boy could be undone
On the evening Of the day that Major
Seely had released Jack, Joe was COM
ing home from the Raynor farmhouse.
The Hills and the Raynor farms Joined.
Jennie Raynor met Joe in the shadow Of
hedge. or all the girls in the neigh
borhood Jennie was the only one who
was kind to Joe. The rest taking the
opinion of their elders for their own,
snubbed Joe on every occasion. On this
evening, after talking over Jack for some
time, Joe said
IF l should enlist, / don't believe
mother would try to get me off"
"Oh, yes" Jennie hesitated. She felt
that Joe spoke the truth. After pause
she continued, But you won't enlist,
Joe?"
Il don't know. I'd rather volunteer
than be drafted. don't like the idea Of
being driven out to be shot at"
DO you think the wars going to last
long?"
81 don't know II 1t does, I'm going"
ooh, joel" and Jennie's face was very
white.
Joe. watching her, felt his heart give a
great leap and then stand stin. Could Ii
be possible? He, the stupid of the fam
lily, the blockhead of the neighborhool,
and she, the prettiest, the brightest and
the best girl in the world!
There was a silence for a minute: then
Jennie said she must go home. Joe de-
tanned her by the very slightest touch on
her sleeve. Would you care, Jennie? II
go to the war or il stay at home, do
You care?"
..Yes. Joe, care very much" Jennie
answered. with flushing cheeks and
downcast eyes.
9TH be awful hard to go il you don't
want me to-" Joe said ehokingly. "But,
Jennie, you don't want me to stay at
home if it comes to be my duty to go?'
"0h, no, Joe; couldn't love a coward"
"Jennie"-
She lifted her eyes. Joe's face was
very near her own. The twilight was
deepening. Their lips met, and each felt
that this was their betrothal.
And so it came to pass that within less
than six months from the time of the
chance meeting in the shadow of the
hedge Joe Hills came home from Brad
ley looking very thoughtful After sup
per he said:
Il enlisted today, and I'm going into
camp the first of next week"
you've enlistedr Jack exclaimed.
What sort Of rot are you givin us?
They wouldn't take you"
well, they have taken me, anyway
Joe answered. 81 belong to Terry's cav
airy"
Joe, why have you done thisy' his IA.
Their asked.
For the same reason that other men
are doing the same thing. Besides, 1t
looks to me as IL family of five men
ought to produce at least one soldier"
YES, it does look that way" his moth
er said in hard, unnatural tone, "and
don't see how any of the rest could be
spared. Your fathers too old and Jacks
too young, and neither Simon nor Eben
could stand the life OF common soldier.
hope you'll keep your wits about you
and try to understand what's said TO Won