The Lamar register., 1902-07-09
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5 A BOND OF HONOR :
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The Red Cross flag. beneath the
Stars and Stripes, fioated over the
tent at the door of -hich David Hall.
the young hospital steward, stood,
sealing letter. He was keeping an
eye on the orderly who was coming
for the mail. but he glanced again at
the address and read it. half aloud:
Mrs. Caroline Tracy.
Swift Falls.
Vermont"
The older man lying on the cot
within the tent watched the tall lad
with some amazement.
Sweetheart" he asked. with sig
niacant smile.
NO" replied Dave; 81 haven't any
sweetheart, Styles"
The elder mans glance met the
clear, smiling eyes of the lad.
"Mother?" The query was more
subdued.
Dave Halls lips frightened. and he
turned away.
~ haven't any mother-now," he
said; and then suddenly resuming his
wonted cheerfulness. he sank into his
seat beside the patient. THAT letter
and the others you've seen me mail
went to the dear old lady to whom
I'm indebted for my start in life. She
hasn't anybody but me in the world;
she had a son once. but something
vague and untraceable ended his his
tory years ago. I've used to do
what we could for her, when she was
poor; then an old uncle or cousin
died and left her his estate. and since
then she's been entirely devoted to
me. She is paying all my college ex-
penses. and says that she will leave
me her little fortune when"
Good for you'll" said the man on
the cot 81 don't doubt that you de-
serve 1t, though; you've been trump
to stay by me as you have done. How
long have you been at college?"
Just a year."
"How old are you?"
Eighteen" was the reply.
Twenty years younger than am"
said the man, in musing tone. Then,
with renewed interest, he asked:
"Say. lad. what brought you here, any
how?"
1.-THE burst of the war bombshell, of
course; the same thing that set you
jumping, no doubt. couldn't miss 1t,
and when Doctor Moore of our college
was appointed army surgeon. he sug-
gested that l come along in the Hos
pital Corps and help him patch up
damaged Americans. l think It's bet
ter work for me than making war on
the Filipinos would be. 1t has given
me valuable experience that 1 never
would have acquired otherwise"
The man watched him with narrow
ing eyes.
you're made of fine stun. old
chap" he said; but how does the old
lady like letting You go?"
"Oh, of course. she's lonely" re-
piled Dave. "She hasn't any one but
me, you know. One of her proudest
wife. so she didn't protest too much
against my plan. But here. I'm let
ting you talk too much. What do you
suppose the surgeon will say If he
finds me talking at this length to
you?"
Never mind. my boy: I'll settle
with him. Maybe it won't make
much difference, anyhow. heard
him talking outside the tent last
evenlng-his voice isn't as gentle as
yours-and he was saying that man
who had led such life as my condi-
ton indicated. couldn't stand much of
a show to get well under the circum-
stances. There, now, lad" as Dave
,,,t io xyord ~ nrofout trv
to alter the case. He's right, of
course"
"Oh. not of course. Styles!" said
Dave. walton and his battalion will
be along here any time now, and then
we can move all the sick to the city.
You may be as well as ever after you
go home"
Homer" The man fingered over
the word. 81 haven't been home for
fifteen years. but If live l will go
back again. It's poor little cottage,
and thought it too small to hold me,
once. l left my mother there alone,
and drifted west. I followed every
wild thing that came my way. and
that sort of life doesn't tend to ele-
vate a man. Then came the war, and
remembering that my father had been
a soldier, enlisted and resolved to
pick myself up out of the mire. But
here l am, done for, and I haven't
fired a single shot!"
Dave tried to put in a soothing
word for the mans eyes had grown
strangely bright with excitement.
Your opportunity may come.
Styles" he said, but the man inter-
rupted him.
"I think the surgeon was about
right, sonny. Talking does seem to
tire me. Say, Dave, IL it's not too
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