The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-02-22
A SOLDIER

Il want to join the army" said the
young man. He was pale and his
eyes shone defantly as he looked
from one to another Of the soldiers
who loitered about the recruiting sta
ton.
We'll, you have come to the light
place" said the oficer in charge
Most recruits are either farmer
boys who have heard and read Of the
glories Of war or need. and desperate
ne'er to do wells who join the army
because they cannot get job. But
this young man was different as the
officer saw at glance.
Whats the matter?" asked the Of
flcer in charge, as he took out an ap.
plication blank Have you been get
ting into some kind of scrape, or did
you have a row with your old man2"
THAT is none Of your business"
said the youth. haughtily. @confne
yourself to the regular questions,
please"
20, certainly" said the recruiting Of
ficer, impressed a little by the young
mans imperious manner He regis
tered a mental vow. however, that he
would make the recruit sing different
tune once he safely was in the clutches
Of the military regulations. It Is not
hard to subdue the refractory soldier
when he has put on q uniform.
First, I would like to ask few
questions" said the recruit.
Fire away"
This was oyerturnlng cherished In
stitutions.
"The recruit is supposed to answer
questions and not ask them" said the
officer. with dignity.
Il know--I know" said the young
man. "T'll answer your questions all
right II decide to enlIst-and that Is
what came here for. But ! suppose
have a right first to make some in
quiries in regard to the services'
rs there any chance for active
service at presents"
Who knows?" The recruiting Of.
acer shrugged his shoulders. There's
something doing In the Philippines
nov and then. The Utes are getting
busy in the northwest. Cuba, too, Is
not without possibilities.
Il would like to plunge into the fore
front OF battle, said the young man
who wanted to be soldier. Il desire
20 20 where shot and she'll are falling"
You'll get over that after awhile,
said the recruiting officer. That
sounds nice to the young man who IS
anxious to cover himself with glory.
but have learned b. experience that
shot and she'll are unpleasant when
they begin to fan in your neighbor-
hood
AS the oticer spoRe there was a
slight commotIon at the door, and a
beautiful woman approached. AS the
young man caught q feeting glimpse
Of the young woman q faint smile
calAe to his face.
send me to the front, he cried.
striking a tragic attitude before the
officer. Let me lead the forlorn hope.
Let me carry my couHtry's starry ban
ner up the battle swept heights II |
am moved down By the deadly. hiss
ing BALI"
He paused. overcome b. his oEa
emotions.
The young woman gaxed At him FOR
an instant with horror stricken eyes.
-JEmmlel" she cried. %. Jlmmiel"
The young mau turned 81 r
proachful eye toward her.
Unheeding the soldiers who ioungC3
about. the lovef- creature ran up %
the recruit and thrsS her arms about
his neck.
20. viii marry y0n. Jimmie, I
promise Il. Do not Join the srmy
she cried. @Tou are 50 brave and
desperate Know you win be killed.
Do not leave me. Jimmie
The young man who wanted 70 be
solder gazed with tenderness at the
top OF her head.
For you. he said. s0iemnly. "for
/ yon viii give up my dream Of glory.
THAT IL 80 good oi yoa Jimmie.
she murmured 4 hate to drag ny
gallant boy away from his duty. but
you are SO reckless know ron would
be killed
She was overcome again with emo
ton at the idea. and the recruit
stroked her hair tendeFiy. tin she be-
came more quiet.
4 have decided not to Join the
army. after ALL said fha Young man.
mastering up ali bis dignity. as be
gaxed at the recruiting offcer.
re slipped tAe yoang woman's hand
lhsoueA Ais arm ana tur1ea toward
the door. marching proudly past the
soldiers who we're g.theFed about.
Together they left the recruiting
zlation.
Il wish something like that might
have happened 70 me when I came to
enlist said the recruiting oEacer, a.
Ne returned the unused Application
! blank tS the top drawer q his desk
= --Chleago Tribune
Needed a peoderixsr.