Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-06-18

hsteu ana sworn III. 'fhey were the 70
worst characters of Summerton. and
the natives reioiccd to learn that they
were to 20 where they might be effect
lively Killed. ! had my doubts as to
their value 10 the Union cause, al
though Cloyne said they would be rs
useful as better men in the work of
stopping bullets and that barroom
ioafer often fought better than an &c.
complished gentleman.
As for Hamilton, Cloyne and me, we
got less than a dozen men between us
In the three weeks In which we worked
at Summerton and its vicinity. Anoth-
err personal Encouragement slowly
worked its way after each trip that
any of us made to headquarters in the
city. We found ut the majors office
from time to time about % quite fine
fellows. all OF whom were trying TO get
recruits. all hoping or expecting to be
made officers, yet the entire number of
commissions. including the majors
own. could be but IL to the battalion.
How were the conflicting claims TO be
adjusted and by whom? asked Cloyne
this question. and he replied sadly:
'Therell be no claims to adjust un-
less the other claimants are getting
more recruits than we.'
1t seemed he was right. If Hamll.
toms wild offer could not bring men to
our Office, how We're poorer men to SO.
cure recruits? Yet Mick McTwyny--
ali, there was 4 mysterious. provoking,
enraging. atfrighting puzzle!
When 4 hadn't my own disappoint.
ments in mind. couldn't help worry.
ing over affairs at home. My father
and mother grew more and more silent
Little Ned complained that there was
no one TO play with him, and my cous-
in May was becoming more deeply in
terested in Hamilton and Btainard.
Which she liked best could not dis
cover-probably because May herself
did not know. She wasn't old enough
to know. She treated Brainard as a
schoolboy friend aud Hamilton as an
adult and gentleman. She was right in
both cases. but couldn't help see
Ing that both of my comrades were
very fond of her, and feared that
when the time for parting came one of
them would have to suffer greatly.
Which would 1t be? | could not for
the life of me tell for which would
feel worst should he be the least ia.
vored.
One day word came by mail that the
major would like to see all of us ut
headquarters the next day about noon
If entirely convenient to us.
"'rhat looks as If we were to have
commissions in spite of our small sue
cess at recruiting" said Hamilton.
Officers aren't in the habit of saying
entirely convenient to pr!yates when
they've any orders to give. Between
ourselves, I've been asking my father
to use u little family and political in
tluence with the governor to get us
commissions, either in our own regi-
ment or elsewhere, and this may be the
outcome OF it,
More power to his elbow them" said
Cloyne, ''if 1t isn't"
Somehow we all were more hopeful
for the remainder of the day, and l
would have felt entirely cheerful were
1t not for the thought that whether
officer or private should still be de-
prived of Brainard's companionship for
three years.
Suddenly there came to my mind a
plan which was irregular and shock
i.,t do, n p,,l
in an instant. The medical examiner
had to see daily hundreds of different
recruits of all ages, sizes and differ
ences of appearance. His memory GER
tainly could not recall Brainard's ap-
pearance were he again to see his
name. Suppose were to enroll Brain
ard again, take him to headquarters,
have his name put on the days list of
recruits TO 30 before the surgeon and
then, before that functlonary were
reached. substitute myself for Brainard
in the squad. answer to his name when
the surgeon called for him and be ex.
amincd III his stead? Then Brainnrd
could go on with the new squad, none
OF whom would know us apart, to the
mastering officer and be sworn In.
The plan looked decetful enough to
appear about as bad as treason, but
was equal to any wildness for the sake
of having my old chum in the army
with me. did not tell Bralnard the
whole of 1t, but asked him to let me
enroll him again and see If the surgeon
might not find him a little taller and
stouter than before. The poor fellow
was willing. but he had not much hope.
Bralnard and hurried to headuuar.
tiers very early the next morning.
had heard that the old sergeant who
always was on duty there would do
anything for 50. SO took him aside.
told him of my plan and offered him
$40 bill to help me through was
about to explain further how good
soldier Btainard had been and how
much more useful would be to my
country If could have my old friend
with me, but the veteran scoundrel cut
me short with:
"That'll do. The $40 is explanation
enough"
Then he made out the days list,
which didn't take long. us there were
only three recruits besides Charley. He
explained to me that with Brainard's
name on the list he was giving my
height. age and particulars of personal
appearance. Then lie told me to hurry
myself into civilians dress. had not
such clothing in town, but from some
cast off conts and trousers at head
= : i'll