Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-10-26
Among the Veterans.

As>SNs III iAShS ll1lSS-11CIO1N
Anon the Veterans.
One day about forty years ago, out in
Kansas, when volunteers were being
called for, a tall, thin lad OF 16 left the
pillow in the middle of the field and
started for the barn back of the farm
house. He had worked all morning,
but his mind was not on his work, and
the burrows turned up were Irregular.
Its no USE" he muttcred as he APP
preached the barn. 81 can't stand it
longer. Father must let me go. If he
won't consent to it I will go without it,"
The lad was taken with il fit Of cough
ing as he approached the powerful man
who was cleaning the great hay loft.
The mar stopped in his work as the boy
came nearer.
Father, l just can't stand it any
longer" the boy said. I'm going to
war. The paper yesterday said they
We're calling for volunteers and they
need every one they cah get. I simply
can't rest or work or do anything while
feel this way. Now, don't say mo-
again, but tell me l can so. I'll take
care of myself and you can get along
here without me. Mother will let me
go if YOU will, l know"
"But, my boy" said the man, laying
his hand affectionately on the boys
shoulder. you couldn't stand it. l
would like nothing better than to have
my boy fight for his country, but you
must look to your health first. That
cough of yours worries rue, and it's that
alone which makes me hold you back.
Never let it be said that your father
prevented you from doing your duty
toward your country. Go, if you will
Well try to get along"
1t required no more for both father
and son to break down. There, in the
barn, they cried. the one from sorrow
and the other from joy.
No company was being organized in
that town, so Long Jim," as he was
called, was compelled to go to q neigh.
boring village, seven miles away. His
father offered to drive him there, but
the boy wanted to walk and experience
all the hardships. He arrived shortly
before noon and went directly to the
recruiting station. Many others were
being examined. and Jim's heart beat
fast as he stood in line awaiting his
turn. At last he was taken into q little
room where the examining physician
was. Up to then he had not coughed
once. His father was worrying unnec-
esarily, he thought.
Hardly had this passed from his mind
when he felt that tickling sensation in
his throat. The physician was looking
Mt him and was about to speak. Jim
cougled a little, and the medical man
turned suddenly. The boy restrained
the cough and stood erect. Poor Jim!
He choked, his eyes became swollen,
and with blood running from his nose
and mouth he fell to the floor uncon-
scious.
When Jim was revived he was lying
in his own bed and his mother and
father We're bending ovcr him.
Wouldn't they take me?" he asked
in Il pitiablc one.
Don't think about that" his mother
said. 1.-The doctor says you must keep
quiet"
jim stayed in bed six months and
then Went back to farming. His cough
remained, but it didn't grow worse. APP
parently he had forgotten all about
going to war, but he was deeply inter-
ested in the fighting and in anything
the county weekly had to say regarding
the regiment with which he might have
served.
When the var was ended and the
men came back Jim was continually
hanging around them. He had matured
wonderful during those four long years,
and because of his i'll luck and the in
terest he displayed he was made an
honorary member of the little post Or
ganized in that section of the country
at the time the G. A. II. was started.
Long Jim" was a guest of Chicago
in August. He came here with the vet
Grams and wore a uniform. He has seen
everything that has happened and has
camped at the same schoolhouse with
his comrades. He calls the post his
IOoS AAA Nto SAtAiA1lGu CNCIA LlllllS u
which the rest were entitled. But he
did not march in the parade. He is too
honest. He sat on the reviewing stand
dressed in full uniform. and when his
comrades went by he stood on his chair
and shouted. Then he explained to his
nearest visitor that those few men
were all that vert left in his old regi-
ment.
But why are you not out there
marching with them:" the man asked.
"Oh, l had an accident about forty
years ago which barred me-" was all
he said.-Chicago Post.
Never ask what you have no right to
know; never tell other people what they
have no right to know.-Theodore l..
Cuyler, d. ID.