Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-05-27
THE VOLUNTEER.

LIZ IIh.
The mother would not be pacified.
"Not you," she said; mot you. The
only son Of his mother, and she was a
widow'-remember that. War is not
for you"
"The country calls" argued the
young man. "Must I consider myself at
such a timer"
The girl who was to be his wife
spoke up.
"Yourselfp' she said. "Is it only
YOURSELF"
"You, too" he answered. IT fight
for those I love when I fight for my
country"
"What do you know Of the hell and
horror of war;" 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 go-rioh mems sons bred in lux
ury, who should meet hardship for once
in their lives-but yon, with your mea-
ger pay, which barely provides for us!'
my work is more than that" he
frowned.
eyes" she said, "you should make
it more; there will be your wife to pro-
vide for"
eff you love me- began the girl,
when she broke down, burying her face
in her hands.
eff you would only understand, he
pleaded. "You know how it is-our
countrymen murdered, the flag insult
ed, men going to the front. Must !
stay here grinding out a 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? I have seen war, and I know
what comes Observation-Disclosures, pow
erty, inability to earn daily bread"
II love you," said the girl, "but how
can you tell that I 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 a
woman gives trust for trust; she can
not wholly obliterate herself when she
finds that she is held unworthy. For
am I not held unworthy when you can
leave me against my wishes?"
His mother caught up the word. "a
worthy son does not forget his mother
in her hour of need. You are all I
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; he heard the dis
tant low of cattle, the peaceful song Of
mated birds. "Then," he sighed, "you
would rather I should be a ooward?"
1.-THE brave man., said the girl, dry
ing her eyes, sis he who stands behind
the woman who love- 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, draw
ing him to her.
His mother came and stood beeide
him. "Stay with us," she echoed.
Listen |"
II was a new voice that spoke. The
words came from a small, oramped
form crouohing beside the stove in the
corner. It was the old grandmother.
More than fourscore years had bowed
hei head. They had not thought that
she understood. Her blind eyes were
hlmy. There was q smile upon her
shriveled lips and n shaking hand was
raised above her head.
"Listen -
From afar of came a sound that waa
other than that Of lowing kline and song
Of birds.
"Drum - drum ~ der.um, drum,
druml"
The young man Strengthened.
The old grandmother rose to her feet.
She swayed q little and caught at the
wall. She CROPPED about the room to a
tall chest Of drawers. From it she took
a long, narrow package.
my son." shI said, with feeble
voice, Twas shot in war and died from
the effects Of his wounds years after. II
was an honorable death. While he was
fighting I picked lint. / tore up all my
linen to make IL; then / went to the
front and nursed the wounded. My hus-
band was . midshipmate In 1912. A
cutlass severed the sinews Of his arm.
Twas a girl when ! met him, and his
helpless arm made me love him. Lis
tent"
"Drum ~ drum IVY der-um, drum,
druml" The sound was q little nearer.
my grandfather. quavered the old
grandmother, twas at Valley Forge. He
was made prisoner. Il was winter. His
mother went TO see him, carrying . bas-
ket OF food. The journey was many
miles. Sometimes = farmer let her ride
! way In his cart. The rest Of the way
nha ,palkad thrhuah tha an0W. Whau