Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-24

rea son rs we were
brought face to face with It proved de-
pressing. First, It became evident that
all Of our fellow townsmen who really
wanted to go to the war had already
enlisted. Again, offers Of bounties had
increased so rapidly that men who
looked at soldering as n mere matter
of hire and pay were waiting for high
er offers to come.
Besides, the old patriotic enthusiasm
which had caused men to enlist at the
first notice of a new call for volun-
teers had entirely disappeared, perhaps
because an end had been put to the ear
~ impression that the war would be
only q sort of picnic. ending in the
speedy suppression of southern NAL
contents. Worse still, increasing taxa
ton was causing a number of the ear
lier hot blooded patriots to become
very cool and conservative and wonder
whether the north hadn't perhaps been
too hasty and whether the disagree
ment might not better be settled by
words than bullets.
Yet none Of these depressing influ.
ences seemed to affect the class Of men
among whom Mick McTwyny was
working. for Mick's list had crept along
until he had a full dozen Of men en-.
listed and sworn in. They were the II
worst characters Of Summerton, and
the natives rejoiced to learn that they
were to go where they might be effect.
I &c,
their value to the Union cause, al.
though Cloyne said they would he as
useful as better men in the work OF
stopping bullets and that barroom
loafer 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 it's vicinity. Anoth-
err personal discouragemcnt slowly
worked its way after each trip that
any of us made to headquarters in the
city. We found at 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 maior's
own, could be but Is to the battalion.
How were the conflicting claims to be
adjusted and by whom? l asked Cloyne
this question, and he replied sadly:
"There'll be no claims to adjust I'M
less the other claimants are getting
more recruits than We"
1t seemed he was right. II Hamil-
tons wild offer could not bring men to
our office, how were poorer men to Sc
cure recruits? Yet Mick McTwyny--
ah. there was mysterious provoking,
engaging, affrighting puzzle!
When hadn't my own disappoint-
ments in mind. l 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
torested in Hamilton and Brainard.
Which she liked best | could not dis
cover-probably because May herself
did not know. She wasn't old enough
to know. She treated Bralnard as a
schoolboy friend and 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 it 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 at
headquarters the next day about noon
If entirely convenient to us.
THAT looks as If we We're to have
commissions in spite Of our small sue
cess at recruiting" said Hamilton.
"Officers aren't in the habit of saying
they've any orders to give. Between
ourselves, I've been asking my father
to use little family and political in
fiucnce 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 then" said
Cloyne, ''if it isn't"
Somehow we all were more hopeful
for tie 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 n
plan which was irregular and shock
ing, yet which made me wildly gleeful
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-
pearancc were he again to see his
name. Suppose were to enroll Brain
ard again. take him to headquarters,
recruits TO go before the surgeon and
then, before that functionary were
reached, substitute myself for Brainard
In the squad, answer to his name when
the surgeon called for him and be ex-
amined in his stead? Then Brainard
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 deceitful 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
I