The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-05-27
Marks
Substitute
A Memorial Day Sketch

t.
There, I've blurted it out in the
worst way after all this last hour spent
in thinking how could break it the
easiest
"But 1t will kill me. Mark. What
shall do? What can / do? l can't
stand it. and won't let you 60. They
may shoot you here first"
There, there, Kittie, dear! You do
not know what you are saying. You
must try to be patient and submis-
sive. There'll be some way provided,
though don't see how I can save you
Just now In the beginning Of winter"
Poor Kit wept until completely ex-
hausted, entirely deaf to her husbands
weak attempts at consolation.
1t was a sad home, but not the only
one In the land that dread November
of 1863.
The fatal draft" put out the light
forever on many a hearthstone.
$50 yer drafted. be We, NeilT re-
marked the postmaster at The Forks.
eying the stalwart young man address
ed with look which plainly said, "And
I'm glad Of it."
II s'pose l am."
Comp
"No, sir! When Neil weidman gets
ready to work for Uncle Sam, he'll let
him know by enlistin'. Until then he'd
have his majesty know he amt ago
in"
Not very patrioticw sneered a by
stander. "Now. I'd "a been thar long
ago If 1t hadn't "a beea fer this here
game leg O mine"
"Small loss to the country" growled
Neil.
"S'pose Mark'll not go neitherr in
terposed the postmaster.
Mark
Neil turned q face suddenly grown
eager and white.
HE amt on the draftT
"But he be-"
Eyes, and told me he'd have to CO."
added the bystander.
Without another word the young man
turned on his heel, involuntarily loosen
ing the scarf about his neck that he
might breathe more easily. Swiftly be
passed out into the dull November day,
looking neither to right nor left.
On, ON he walked, like a man in a ter
rible hurry, until three miles lay be.
tween himself and the garrulous little
group at The Forks. He was turning
in at his own gateway. but, changing
his mind, he passed on, still at the high
rate of speed.
Two more miles were paced OF In this
mad fashion; then he wheeled about
and faced toward home again.
When once more he found himself
there, he felt weak and spent. Slowly
then he passed in and up the rude
stairs into the little loft denominated
"Neirs room"
whats up nowt" his sister remark
ed. "Ain't that draft business all set
tledf"
81 Spose it's all right; he sent on ths
money" returned her husband, who
had vainly tried to enlist. but had beer
rejected on account of deafness.
Il bet II | was him I'd enlist first
chance now and get my money back,
he continued.
Everybody amt so fond of a dollar
nor SO itchen fer fight as you be-" re
sponded his wife in the shrill treble she
always used in addressing him.
Il amt no coward; none Of the Nose
lys be-" he retorted.
Neither be the Weidmans, Dicl
| Mosely, but they've got sense enough t.
look out fer number one. They ain
dirt poor"
Neil, lying at full length on his coucl
in the loft, smiled grimly ut their alter
| cation.
"Dick amt fit to manage here. but
don't care" he muttered; then. turnin,
| his face to the wall. he slept through
sheer mental and physical fatigue.
| When he awoke, it was growing
dusk, and Mollie was calling to know
If he were sick or why he did not g
out to attend to his part of the chores
as usual.
No sooner was breakfast over th'
following morning than he buttone'
his coat about him and started off.
"Some way Neil acts awful queer,
shrieked Mollie to her husband.
Does hep
"Does he" she muttered, turning
away in disgust. How stupid me-
are. anyway. Mark amt. though. AM
Neil didn't use to be-"
1t had been a terrible night at Mar
Weidman's.
Kits mother had been summoned
but vainly she tried to think OF some
thing comforting to say. The Outloo
was dark.
Kit might-in fact would have to-
stay there in their little cabin HON
with her little ones. There was n
room for her at her fathers. for a
ready a widowed daughter had com
back there with four children.
A younger brother would have
come and stay with her. 1t was th
only way.
| She might go and stay at MOllie's
: only, there was Neil.
1t was about 10 O'Clock when Ne
: Weidman raped at his brothers doc
Marks face showed something {
what he was suffering when he opene
1t.
, Neil! Come in
/ Cant. I'm in a hurry. I was on Il
| draft, but had the cash all ready. I