The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-12-06
ONE TO SPARE.
The Drudge of the . amlly Be-
came Hero, but Was Brought
Home Wrapped In the Flag.
AAAAAAAaAaAase0e.eaAAA

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, if it 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-
slastlc of those preparing to celebrate
the finishing Of the new railroad from
Bradley junction to the lake.
But there was Il recruiting office ut
Lake City. In front of the door of thi,
office a band was playing patriotic airs.
Above its roof the stars and stripes were
flying. And there Major Sccly ha-
rangued the young men.
Jack Hills was II and a month, but
he was tall and large and looked -. So
he signed his name and WAS accepted. 1t
was Il possibility that his mother had
never imagined. or Mrs. Hills four
SONS Jack was her favoritc. 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 Il medical college. While he pared
his finger nails in Il strictly professional
manner, he talked loftily about going
into the field as Il surgeon if Uncle sam
needed him. But as a common soldier
mo, 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 he any
thing else. No one knew his deficiency
better than did his mother. He had al.
ways been The stupid end of the family.
No bright sayings of .Ioe'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 il matter?"
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 if he limited at the idea ever so mihi-
ly there was 4 general laugh, and then
Joe turned scarlet and silent
Jack, the Youngest of the quartet of
sons, was the darling of the house. He
was the brightest of the family, and.
tbourh the other bovs wore croditahIe
Jack would surely eclipse them when he
made a choice Of a business or profession
for life And now he had enlisted II
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 lack. Toe was com
ing home from the Ravnor farmhouse.
The Hills and the Raynor farms Joined
Jennie Raynor met Joe in the shadow Of
a hedge. OF all the girls in the neiga-
borhood Jennie was the only one who
was kind to Joe. The rest. taking the
opinion of their elders for their own.
snubbcd Joe on every occasion. On This
evening. after talking over Jack for some
time Joe said.
If | should enlist. don't believe
mother would try to get me off,"
"Oh, yes" Jennie hcsitatrd She felr
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 tba idno of
being driven out to he shot at"
"Do YOU think the wars going to Inst
long,
Il don't know. If it does. I'm going"
"Oh. Joew and Jennie's face was very
white
Joe, watching her, felt his heart give q
great lean and then stand stiu Conld If
be possible? He, the stupid of the fam
lily, the blockhead of the neighborhoo}.
and She. the prettiest. the brightest ami
the best girl in the world!
There was a silence for n minute. then
Jennie said She must 20 home. Toe do
tanned her by the very slightest touch on
her sleeve. '.Would Won care Jennia2 II
l go to the war or if stay at home. do
you care?'
yes, Joe, care very much" Jennie
answered, with flushing checks and
downcast eyes.
"It'll be awful hard to 90 if you don't
want me to-" Joe said chokingly. But.
Jennie, you don't want me TO stay at
home if it comes to be my duty TO go?"
'Oh. 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 1t came to pass that within less
thah SIX months from the time of the
chance meeting in the shadow of the
hedge Joe Hills came home from Brad
icy looking very thoughtful After sup
en'lSteu to-day ana m gong INTO