The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-04-15

He tells me that take the place that
my mother would have taken If she
had lived. Every day he depends on
me more and more. And so, Bob, I
can't give you my promise, knowing
what dad would say"
And / knew she wouldn't. So finally,
seeing how hopeless it all was, just
gave up. l asked the house to call me
in to the home Office and send out
Jenkins in my place. l made up my
mind to go back to New York and
work and work and work, and forget
Betty-as If I could! But said to
myself that I would forget her, know
ing all the while that was lying.
1t was April then. The leaves were
all out and the birds singing every.
where. The blooms of the dogwood,
that looked like big white stars, made
milky ways through the green woods
back Of the Shelby place.
We were at the big gate, and l was
telling Betty good-by for good and all.
Right there. at the eleventh hour.
and knowing how hopeless everything
was. ! tried to argue it all over again
with Betty. Her big gray eyes were
swimming and her lips quivered, but
she held her brave little head up
straight, like little soldier.
1T isn't any use, Bob" she said.
trying to smile at me through the
tears. Il reckon I'll have to stay
cut of the union as long as dad does"
She held out her hands to me. ]
was standing there. holding both Of
them in mine, neither one of us say
Ing word, when heard steps behind
me. l dropped Betty's hands. 1t was
the colonel. His face was redder than
l had ever seen it, his eyes were
blazing under his white eyebrows. He
walked so fast he was painting.
Mister Thornton" he said, looking
straight at me. may ask where you
were born?"
He took me by surprise. 1t was
little late for the colonel to begin
taking a personal interest in me.
"Connecticut-New Haven, Connec-
ticut," blurted out.
who fought in the war of the confed.
crate SECESSION" he said.
caught myself wondering whether
the colonel was thinking of reopening
hostilities and meant to begin by at.
lacking me. But l was about to get
off the firing-line, anyhow, and, be-
sides, I didn't feel in the humor right
then for playing Fort Sumter.
my father was an officer in a Mas
sachusetts regiment" l told him, land
had an uncle on Sherman's staff"
Sir he said, "allow me to shake
your hand"
He shook it. l looked out of the
corner of my eye at Betty. Her ex-
preston said palmer than words:
My poor father has suddenly gone
daft; please humor him."
"My child" said the colonel, turn
Ing to her, Il have glorious news for
you-news of your brother, Lieut..
mother, tire Prussians Are Coming"
John Breckenridge Shelby, U. S. A"
"Oh, dad!" cried Betty, and she
threw both her arms around his neck,
good news of Breck! But, daddy,
Brecks not lieutenant-he's only
corporal"
HE was a corporal, my dear-he
was a corporal said the colonel,
drawing himself up until he looked
two inches taller. He is now lieu
tenant. | have just received a tele-
hn nf
secretary of war, Mister Thornton. an.
nouncing that my son has been CON-
missioned in the field for highly meri-
torious service.
"It appears that there was an en-
gagement with savages in the island
of Samar. A detachment was led into
an ambush. The officers were shot at
the first volley from the jungle. The
men began falling back in disorder.
The company colors were captured by
one of the insurgents. My son re-
captured the colors and rallied the
men. He was wounded"
Wounded" cried out Betty. "Oh.
daddy"
"Not badly wounded, my child"
said the colonel, merely a flesh
wound But he turned rout into a
victory. In his telegram our secre-
tary of war congratulates me upon be-
ing the father of so gallant young
officer.
Mister Thornton" the colonel
went on, 81 objected to my sons en-
listment in the army Of the United
States. I had never accepted the re-
suit of the war between the states
as just and proper result. 1 had
thought l would never SO accept it.
am still loyal, sir, to the traditions of
the Cause, but the flag my son fights
for and sheds his blood for is my flag
now. / am about, sir, to drink toast
to the United States flag. If you will
Join me l will feel honored, sir"
Did l join him? II the colonel no.
ticed that I was holding Betty's hand
as the three of us walked up the
drive to the house he didn't say any
thing about it. have never seen
man so utterly happy. The news that
he had received of his son had trans
ported him decades and decades away
from the Lost Cause. He held the
telegram he had received from the
49,. or Wo chin IN hiS