Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-05-19
Marks Substitute.
0'M drafted. Kit"

III
q And with the exclamation pretty
Mrs. Weidman fell into her husband $
arms, shivering with terror.
"There. I've blurted it out in the worst
way, after all this last hour spent in
thinking how l could break it the east
est"
But it will kill me. Mark. What shall
l do: what can do? | can't stand it.
and ! won't let you go; they may shoot
you here first"
''There, there, Kitte dear. YOU do not
know what you are saying; you must try
and be patient and submissive. Therel
be some way provided, though l don't
see how l can save you just now in the
beginning of winter
Poor Kit wept until completely OK
hausted. entirely deaf to her husband
weak attempts at consolation.
1t was sad home but not the only
one in the land that dread November Of
1868.
The fatal draft" put out the light for
ever on many a hearthstone.
so yer drafted. be We, Neil?" remarked
the postmaster at The Forks, cycling the
stalwart young man addressed with a
look which plainly said. 'and I'm glad
of it,
81 s'pose l am"
"Gon'?"
mo. sir! When Neil Weidman gets
ready to work for Uncle Sam he'll let
him know by enlisting; until then he'd
have his Majesty know he amt a-goin'."
Not very patriotc!' sneered Il by
cto q n ~
if't hadn't a been fer this here game leg
O mine"
'Small loss to the country" growlcd
Neil.
"Spose Mark'n not go. neither?" inter
posed the postmaster.
Marx"
Neil turned face suddenly grown
eager and white.
''He amt on the draft?"
But he be-"
Yes. 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 he
passed out into the dull November day,
looking neither to right nor left
On. on he walked. like Il man in ter
rible hurry. until three miles lay between
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 off 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 dcnominated "Neils
ROOM"
What's up now" his sister remarked.
"Ain't that draft business all settIed?"
II s'pose it's all right: he sent on the
money" returned her husband. who had
vainly tried to enlist. but had been re-
jected on account of deafness
II bet if was him I'd enlist first
chance now nd get my money back" he
continued.
nor so itchen fer a fight as you be-" re-
sponded his wife, in the shrill treble she
always used in addressing him.
~ amt no coward. none of the Nose
lys be-" he retorted.
NeltncF III the w LICK Nose
Iy. but they've got sense enough to look
out fer number one. They amt dirt
poor"
Neil, lying at full length on his couch
in the loft. smiled grimly at their alter
cation.
Dick amt fit to manage here. but I
don't care" he muttered: then turning
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 go out to
attend to his part of the chores as
usual.
No sooner was breakfast over the fol
lowing morning than he buttoned his
coat about him and started Off.
"Some way. Neil acts awful queer"
shreked Mollie to her husband.
Docs he"
Does he?" she muttered. turning away
in disgust. "How stupid men are. any
way. Mark amt. though, and Neil didn't
use to be-
1t had been a terrible night at Mark
Wedman's.
Kits mother had been summoned, but