Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-24

Don't be dismal Jack"
New York, but Brainard. who hurried
back home to see his sick mother did
not reach the medical examiner as soon
as we. After Hamilton, Cloyne and
had been accepted and sworn into serv-
ice we spent a pleasant hour or two at
the regiments recruiting headquarters
chatting with the officer in charge
who was to be major Of one of the
regiments two new battalions. In the
course of time Brainard crept in, look
ing so dismal that ut once asked him
whether his mother was much worse.
THAT isn't the trouble" said he.
"The surgeon has rejected me. lie says
I'm under the regulation height and too
slight for service anyway"
Suddenly the whole world looked
dark to me. Brainard was my dearest
friend. and my cousin May was very
fond Of him. although Phil Hamilton
handsome. rich, stylish Phil-was one
of her most devoted admirers. The idea
of going to the war again, and for three
years. without Brainard being where
could see him every day was too dread
full to be thought of. My feelings must
have got into my face, for Brainard
put on a ghost of smile and said:
Don't be dismal, Jack, for now you'll
have the chance to do all the fighting
for both of u.s."
This ought to have comforted my
patriotic soul. but it didn't. l was SO
disloyal to my new vows as to de-
clare that if Brainard was not allowed
to enter the Thirty-eghth l wouldn't
go either. | would do all in my power
to raise men to defend the Union. but
afterward ] would run away, and
Brainard and | would go to some other
state and enlist together, where Char
leys smalness of stature might not be
against him.
But this resolution did not cheer
Brainard any, and he felt worse an
hour later when the three Of US who
had passed the mastering officer were
looking at one another in new cavalry
uniforms. while he was in civilians
dress. He felt still worse when we all
went back to Summerton and took sup
per together at our house, for my cous-
was very agreeable to Hamilton.
The next day. by special permission
Of the major, Hamilton. Cloyne and
opened recruiting office at Summer.
ton. BrainiGd attached himself to us
as n sort of civilian aid. He said If he
wasn't to be a soldier and fight there
was the more reason why he should
try to persuade other men to enlist.
! Immediately notified my 81 men that
the roll was ready for them to sign
Hamilton and Cloyne had previously
looked at my list and assured Inc that
they would not accept any Of these
men without specially credlting them
to me.
But somehow none of them made
haste to sign. Some had heard that
larger bounties were being offered in
other towns OF states, so they were 60
ing to look about carefully and do the
best they could for themselves; others
had themselves seen the cavalry major
and obtained promises of commissions
If they would raise men; still others
had heard that so many men were en-
listing from day to day that wages for
work at home were going to be much
better. Several had spent their final
pay from the Ninety ninth for drink
and been picked up, enlisted and mus
tered for other regiments before they
became sober.
Well. to make long story short, not
one of the u did ! ever secure for the
cavalry. Hamilton tried to comfort
me by crediting me with Cruise ard
Whyde, two of our militia comrades
who declared they would not have re-
enlisted had 1t not been for me; but, as
Cruse's parents refused TO sign the GER
tificate necessary in the case Of miNora
who enlisted, Cruise was released from
his promise Whyde went swimming
one day In water too deep for him and
was buried three days later with such
military honors as Summerton could
eXtemporiZe.
For the week after my re-enlistment
my heart was as heavy as II it had
been filed with bullets. No recruits;
no chance of commission worse than
all, no prospect Of having Brainard
with Inc during the three years to
come. l was too downhearted to no
tlce that Hamilton and Cloyne were
not In their usual spirits, but ONE day,
as the three Of US sat in the vacant
store in which we had our recruiting
oillce and stared gloolhily ut the rol
which was stlll blank except for ou
own names, Brainard came in, looked
at us and said abruptly:
"lf you fellows don't get your spirits
up In some way, you'll never find the
government any soldiers, and you won
be tit TO be soldiers yourselves"
The looks that were fixed upon him
quickly by three pairs Of angry eyes