The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-07-04
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Wbere Patriotism Leads.
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But sad to say l did not pass, for
stretch as 1 would I could not possibly
bring my height to FIVE feet four
inches. 1t was sad and detected
looking soldier that returned from the
recruiting Office that day, and to put
a proper finish to my misery the boys
made all kinds of sport of it.
But determination like mine was
not to be overcome so easy. If Uncle
Sam would not have me at $3.50 per
month, then he could have me for
nothing, for 1 had decided to follow
the 3rd to the end of the world. As
luck would have it. my brother had
two suits of State Militia uniforms and
presented one suit to me; and l (after
detatching some two or three inches
from the bottom of the trousers of the
suit) got into them and came forth in
all my glory. Notwithstanding the
many smiles that greeted me on every
hand-from the captain down to the
cook-I took my place in the guard
drill, and in time became fairly we'll
drilled soldier. But things could not
60 on this way for ever, as the war
was in full blast and every man was
needed at the front. So one day there
! came the order to break camp and pro-
ceed to Camp Alger, Falls Church, Va
And when the second section of three
trains started with Co. L aboard, yours
truly was right there.
After disembarking at Falls Church
we marched inland about four miles
and were soon under canvas. While
two days later the whole regiment was
mustered into the United States serv-
ice. The very next day the captain of
Co. L sent for me and politely but
firmly Informed me that as they were
now United States troops, he must in
force the orders more strictly, one OF
which is that citizens shall not be per.
mitted to loiter inside the guard lines
That being the case it was up to me to
move, so started looking for my citi
zen clothes. Look where I would
could not find them, and as could not
get out of camp without pass, went
to the captain and explained matters
but that gentleman informed me that al
was not soldier he could not give
me one. So l made up my mind tt
"run" the guard lines.
That night, just after taps, startet
and had gotten thru the first lines al
right, and proceeded about a mile whel
1 was brought to a full stop by the CT.
Of "haltl Who goes therep" Before
could answer 1 heard the man at th
other end of the gun cry: Corporal 0
the guard, post No. Z" and heard it re
l peated by the man on No. 6, and so OF
! down the line, while very soon afte
: I heard the corporal of the guard com
!: ing.
Now you may easily imagine my dit
gust when tell you that soon foun
myself in the guard house of the 9Th Obi
f Volunteers. However, when the off
4 Ger of the day came around I told hir
d my troubles and tried to get him to le
@ me go on my way, but he only smile
e and said nothing; altho I've MOTTO
Q he was wondering if there were an
J.. more at home like me. The nez
q morning l was escorted back to Co.
4 of the 3rd Missouri, where the boy
4 more than gave me the laugh.
8 That evening Colonel Groos sent #
}. me and informed me that the captai
+ of Co. L had laid my case before hin
n After giving me few words of goo
t. advice, he told me that Mrs. Groo
J. who was staying in Washington, We
o to drive out to camp next Sunday an
that 1 might remain in camp unit
y then and take the rig back to the cit
8. Sunday arrived at last and with it tt
70 colonel's wife. After receiving il
if structions and my pass, which was
ID be taken up by the officer Of the guar
on outpost duty, I left for Washin
Q, ton, d. G. Arriving there / delivers
le the rig to the owner and started down Il
/ street serene in the belief that n
e-j troubles were over. But here is whe
it, was fooled, for I had travelled on