Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-19
D0DGING TIE SERVICE.
E1pedicnces Rcsorted To-The Dea-
cons Combination.


Or. r. ]. Massey. in the Sunny South)
Notwithstanding the dark and trying
time through which the South passed
Immediately after the passage of the Sc
cession Of the respective States, some
very amusing things transpired. For
months there was great excitement as
TO who could go to the frontal least
nine tenths of the young men under the
first flush Of patriotism were impatient to
enlist and so at once. Each one wanted
to get there iiTist. Among the older the
feeling was just as ardent, but family re-
sponsihiiites and business complications
did not admit of such rapid enlstments
among them as with the younger men.
There were ONE, however, who, from
the very start We're equally as active and
busy in keeping out Of all military com
pany or anything like going to the front.
Tristan Shiuman in a negnboring town,
was of this type. If the reader will par
don the expression, he was even more
So Tristan attended a meeting one
night, at which there was plenty Of en-
thusiasm and several jugs of corn whis-
key. So, with patriotic speeches, to
which Tristan very attentively listened,
ana frequent swiSs at the jugs of corn,
Tristan felt all of his aversion to the
war and usual caution gently ooze away
and full-fiedged patriotism take their
place. Tristan thereupon, to the sur
prise and qualification Of his numerous
friends. enlisted, and was first and fore
most in urging the other boys to join
the band. \ company was made UP, of.
f1cers elected, and amid much enthusiasm
they were dismissed TO meet next day
at II A. NJ. for further business. Fur
ther business being understood by all
to mean to set ready at once, or as soon
as possible, and 10 await marching or
derS.
Next day all but Tristan and one other
who had allowed John Barleycorn to
get so much the upperhand of him that
he was still sleeping (llot the sleep of the
rigfteouS), but upon SOLDERING up, found
all of his patriotism gone and his for
lner anti-war feelings returned redoubled
in fourfold So Tristan then and there
declined 10 attend roll-call, and contin-
ued to decline. This was before strict
military rules We're being enforced. The
people had not gotten the good old CT
william or democratic usaGes out OF them
AT that time the delinquent was put
upon the conciliatory or persuasive re-
gime. then a la nlillitaire-it was before
the time of arrests, courtmartiais. wear
ing barrel coats, and totinG fence-rails
as punishment. Tristan was called upon
bv private and officer and urged to re-
turn 10 his company, but all TO no eff
feet. E
Finally, his captain, who, by the way,
was his neienbor and schoolmate, called
upon him and urged Tristan TO reconsld-
er, remain with the company, get ready,
and go with them to Richmond. To Iris
tan's saying Its too late now; l can't
get ready if / were to want to go; you
fellows have been fixing for the past ten
DAYS will now leave in six more;
can't possibly get ready" the captain told
him how much fun they would have, ana
offered TO hold the company back one
fulI week if he would but so. Tristan
would not hear 10 it, and still hcsitated.
The captain then appealed to his pride
and patriotism, that after having served
his country as a faithful citizen 1t would
be a source OF pleasure ever IN memory 10
recur to his noble act, besides 1t would
always be a stepping stone to promotlon
in after life. If ever he should. have po-
litical aspirations, this one GROWING act
would always aid him. 1T might be, who
knows? Tristan but this may be the
means Of sending you to Congress some
of these days. There is -, whose pros
poets were not half SO promising as yours
are now till after he went to the Mexican
war. got slightly wounded. proved him
self soldier, and came home covered al
over with glory. as yours are"
UNSELFISH AS TO HONORS.
"Stop, stop, right there, Captain; you
can have all the glory. you can have an
the honor; you can go to Congress as
often as you want to; I'll stay at home.
None Of your glory or Congress in nine
YOU can have them. What would 90
with all these if should after a While
come home. after a cannon ball hao
come along in one of the fights and taken
me right through the stomach? NO, SIR,
YOU can have all the glory. I'll stay al
home and keep sound stomach. ! want
NO cannon balls about my digestive ap-.