Red River prospector. (Red River, Taos County, N.M.) 1900-190?, 1905-07-13


there you are! I'm ready to be your
substitute II you'll take me-"
Nat threw his arm across Gilbert's
shoulder and looked away. II ever
two unselish souls stood face to face
1t was then, when each measured the
devotion of the other.
TITS too much, Gil--it's like an an
gel coming right down from heaven"
Nat said, at length.
Angel it is then" and Gilbert
laughed happily. 81 told you this rock
was near the good place; and when
o come out here just remember me
Way down South in Dixie, and
For the first time Gilbert's voice
faltered. He grasped Mats hand, then
drew himself away. and started down
the hill whistling Yankee Doodle"
Nat flung himself upon the rock,
and lay there under the solemn sky
thinking such thoughts as made men
Of boys in those perilous days.
AS Nat had predicted, the little vii
lage was greatly excited over the
story of his Substitute" for Gilbert
was a general favorite. Men said he
was a plumb fool" to give up an Of
ficer's place; and some there were
who tried to draw from Nat the par
t%iculars" for which their souls hun
gered. But even Uncle Oliver was
bafled. ut beats me-" he said.
"D'you remember that old image they
called a sphinx in Bible times? Mats
just so close. He claims it's pure
goodness on Gil's part. Well, now,
of course there's pecooniary gain
somewhere" But Uncle divers eyes
were not keen enough to see the self
denial and tenderness which sprang
up beside the rough paths of war, as
violets spring close to the plowshare's
cruel furrow.
But Nat and his father and wise
eyed little sister and Gilbert's father
and mother understood; and their
daily lives were richer because of him
who was a substitute for loves sake.
The long. bright summer passed
slowly, filed with excitement and
%foreboding. Every night Nat visited
the fiat rock, this altar Of patriotism,
and with his face toward the good
place" prayed for the boy in blue who
stood for him on Southern battlehelds.
And n day a new inspiration came
to him. Gilbert's mother sent for him
and after an hours tender interview
he left the house bearing an armful
of books. isis" inquired about them,
lifting the covers respectfully, and
Nat said, Mrs. Ames has given me
some of CHS books. If he takes my
place, I must take his, fairs l can"
From that day Substitute" was a two
sided word.
Gilbert had led the village choir,
now a mere wreck with only one man.
whose voice was cracked by age. Nat
had a fine voice, but natural ~difidence
had kept him from using it. Now, a
singing book became his companion
and he "practiced" in a feld-good.
honest drill in reading music until
he could venture to carry the tenor
alone. Gilbert had expected to 90 to
college that year. Nat began to
study slowly and laboriously, but with
the ~unwavering perseverance which
tunnels mountains.
He became careful in speech. and
manners, too; and isis" keenly watch
ing her big brother, grew helpful and
womanly as she patterned after him.
So the fall and early winter passed;
but before the snowdrifts had melted
from hilltop or valley, the long list of
killed and wounded" held the name
of Gilbert Ames, private, died in field
hospital"
Can those who remember even
family the coming of such news hope
to describe it? 1t was as if the balls
from battlefields sped on and on until
each spent it's last force upon agon-
lied hearts in the North or South.
Father and mother were bowed in
grief, and for many days Nat lived
and moved like one stunned. Only the
death of his father in early springtime
aroused him. Then followed the sale
Of the farm, the adoption of isis" by
Mrs. Ames, and the going forth into
the wide world of Gilbert Ames' sub
stitute.
Years passed, and n Memorial day
members of the Grand Army from the
nearest large town came as usual to
honor the graves of their comrades in
Freehold Cemetery. Fifteen little
flags tuttered in the Bay breeze above
fifteen green mounds.
One man, accompanied by wife and
children, made his way at once to a
modest monument bearing the name.
Gilbert Ames." 1t was Nat Hollis
ter, who, dropping his cares and re-
sponsibilities, had come from a far
western city to stand once more be-
side the resting place Of his frssnd.
Stirred by emotions too deep for
words, he laid his tribute of fragrant
flowers.
Then came the veterans, two by
two, and with each delegation was a
little child laden with wreaths. When
all was ready there was a moment of
silence undisturbed by a football upon
the spring grass. Then the drum was
heard-once, twice, thrice. Every hat
was lifted, and at the same time each
little child laid a memorial wreath
upon a soldiers grave. The voice of