Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-03-10
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n RESIDENT LINCOLN had just
issued a call for more troops, and
volunteers from every direction
responded with the unhesitating alac-
rlty Of true patriots. Some of the
States failed to furnish their full quota,
however, and Iowa was among the de-
%linquents. Then came the order for a
draft, and the name of Hon. James
Fisk Of D. headed the list of
the drafted. This was no particular
credit to his fellow townsmen, for in
spite of his title (Which, by the way,
was a tribute TO wealth only, a mcaner,
moro miscrly creature than James Fisk
never lived upon this earth.
He was just In the prime Of life, or
would have been had he been less self
ish, but little by little certain objec-
tionablc traits Of character had left
their imprint upon his c%ountenance
until he appeared prematurcly aged.
Hence the sobriquet Of "Old Jim Fisk"
which he was Familiarity called by
every mon, woman and ~child-exccpt-
ing on rare occasions when discretion
was considered the better part of valor.
The Hon. James Fisk was a banker,
a railroad magnate, and a real es-
tate man combined. In fact, he had
owned a large portion Of the town In its
early history, and he therefore consid-
ercd himself Of no small importance in
the financial world at least. Like many
another, lie loved his money first, him
self next and his country last, as well
as least; though 1t is sad that when
he u for United States Senator during
the previous campaign, he made some
thrilltngly patriotic speeches, and ap-
parently without the slightest COM
Function. In those days lie was called
'Old Sodom and Gomorrall," an appel
lation which he never quito outgrew.
James Fisk was not the type of a
man who could conscientiously sing
"America" or ''Ihe Star Spangled Ban
ncr," consequently he felt that per-
sonal insult had been directed to him
when the President had the audacity ,
place his name with the rest of the
common herd. Nevertheless, it was a
case of compulsion, and lie knew that
he must either hire Il substitute or go
into the army himself. The former
was not very easy to accomplish, as
the majority of the poor men had al
ready enlisted, and money, at such a
time. was no induccment to the rich
mon.
He was not in an especially am:able
mood, when at the close of IN unsuc-
ccssful day spent in search of a substl-
tute, he entered his Office to attend to
the afternoon mail. AS he read the
last letter a heavier scowl deepened
upon his forehead and lie exclaimed
harshly:
"The young %jackanapcs need not
think that he can fool with n hornet
and not get stung. Extend their time,
indeed! Why, the interest was due q
month ago! I'll forcclose the mortgage
to- morrow"
A new thought seemed to occur to
him, for the muscles of the stern mouth
relaxed; he smiled blandly, rubbed his
hands together caressingly, and said:
VIII tlShS yOu IL u 0iUlOuluC-il UOIu
diplomat. You're an honor to your
country, but more particularly to your
self. If you can only manage this thing
properly, you will be all right-yes, all
right"
AT the close of the foregoing so!iloluy
he filled out a telegraph blank as fol-
lows:
Horace w. Packard. Carson City.
Iowa-Havc found a way to help you
out. Come to D. on first train.
JAMES FISK"
The message was o dispatched,
and reached its destination just as Hor-
ace and his mother were sitting down
to their evening meal.
"Old Moneybags is getting awfully
considerate, all of a sudden; what do
you suppose is back of 1t, mother?"
asked the boy as he handed the telc-
gram to her.
Mrs. Packard gave a sigh which be-
lied her words, but she responded hope
fully, Il don't know, dear, but we will
trust that his heart has softcned q little
toward the widow and the fathcrless."
"Don't you think you can go with me,
mother? l believe Jones will give us
passes, so you can offer no objection on
that score; anyway, you need a change,
for you look pretty tired these days."
And thus 1t was settled that Mrs.
Packard was to spend the week with
IN old school friend, while her son at
tended to business matters.
Mr.. Packard had been one of the first
Of Iowa's sons to lay down his life for
his country. From the hour that his
father had marched away, Horace had
secretly cherished a desire to join the
army. He knew that his years were
against him; then, too, his mothers
heart was SO sore at the heavy blow
which had fallen on their home nest as
the result Of the war, that lie never
mentioned the subject, and Mrs. Pack
ard little dreamed Of the great struggle
that was going on in the mind of her
boy.
How his heart swelled with patriot
ism the next day as lie walked up Main