The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-03-07
THE

THE VOLUNTEER.
The mother would not be pacifed.
mot you, she said; mot you. The
only son of his mother, and she was a
widow'-remember that War is not
for you"
1.-THE country calls" argued the
young man. Must l consider myself at
such a timer"
The girl who was to be his wife
spoke up.
YOURSELF she said. sis it only
YOURSELF"
"You, too, " he answered. II fight
for those l love when I fight for my
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 go-rich mems sons bred in lux
nry, who should meet hardship for once
in their lives-but you, 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"
"If 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? | have seen war, and l know
what comes Observation-Disclosures, pow
erty, inability to earn daily bread"
II love you" said the girl, 'but how
can you tell that l may not forget you
" 6OI1O OnC OA6O1 WAOA JOu CdA 81
easily leave me?"
"If l thought" returned he, THAT
you could be false to mel
mot 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 l not held unworthy when you can
Loo NO onos,oe% ~, ruseboooyg
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
and brook and wood; he heard the dis
tant low of cattle, the peaceful song of
mated birds. "Then," he sighed, "you
would rather l should be a ooward?"
1.-THE brave man, said the girl, dry
ing her eyes, sis 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, draw
ing him to her.
His mother came and stood beside
him. "Stay with US, she echoed.
"Listenl"
1t was a new voice that spoke. The
words came from a small, cramped
form crouohing beside the stove in the
corner. 1t was the old grandmother.
More than fourscore years had bowed
her head. They had not thought that
she understood. Her blind eyes were
filmy. There was a smile upon her
shriveled lips and one shaking hand was
raised above her head.
"ListenI r.
From afar off came a sound that was
other than that of lowing kline and song
of birds.
Drum drum - der-um, drum.
DRUM"
The young man Strengthened.
The old grandmother rose to her feet.
She swayed a 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." She said, with feeble
voice, was shot in war and died from
the effects of his wounds years after. It
was an honorable death. While he was
fighting | picked lint | tore up all my
linen to make it; then l went to the
front and nursed the wounded. My hus-
band was a midshipmate in 1912. A
~cutlass severed the sinews Of his arm.
l was a girl when | met him, and his
helpless arm made me love him. Lis
tent
Drum - drum = der-um, drum,
druml'' The sound was a little nearer.
my grandfather, quavered the old
grandmother, twas at Valley Forge. He
was made prisoner. 1t was winter. His
mother went to see him, carrying a bas-
ket of food. The journey was many
miles. Son times a farmer let her ride
a way in his cart. The rest of the way
she walked through the When
che reached the prison, the guards took
her basket from her and divided the
contents. They would not let her see
her son. She ran past the soldiers up to
the prison door. Child, she called,
kiss the keyhole on your sidel I will
kiss it on mine. Bear upl Be bravel
God bless you'll Your mother prays for
you and thinks of you with a smile Oh
her lips and not a tear in her eye.
AS she spoke the old woman tore the
wrappings from the package she held
and disclosed a dim blade. "It was my
grandfather 'sl'' she thrilled.
"Drum - drum - der-um, drum,
drumI" came the sound and nearer yet.
"Drum-drum-der-um, drum, DRUM
"Mother p gasped the young man.
The old grandmother stood in the
middle of the room almost erect. A
tinge of color was in her cheek and made
her seem almost young. She held out
the sword.
"Your country, " she said, land your
Godr'
''The God of peaceI'' the young girl
whispered.
"The God of honorable WARP cried
the old grandmother. The young man
turned to the girl.
my sonl" His mother spoke. Her
eyes were kindled. 81, too, can nurse
the wounded"
"And / can at least pick lint" the
girl said.
The old grandmother turned her
sightless eyes toward them. "There
must be nc towards in my family, she
said. "Love knows no c%owardioe; affec-