St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-02-10
She Admired
Bravery
By F. A. Mitchell

1t was in the late autumn. Edith
and / were walking in the woods kick
ing up the dead leaves, for there were
only a few left on the trees. We were
both young. / twenty-five, Edith eight
cen. l was sweet on Edith, and when
a man of that age is sweet on girl
the first idea that enters his head is
that she can only love heroic per-
sonage who combines every manly at
tribute. When a man of forty gets
sweet on a woman he fears that she
won't consider that he has money
enough to make it worth her while to
marry him.
While Edith and l were walking
along to the pleasant sound of the
kicked leaves l was thinking about
how many virtues l must possess to
win her. 1t was in wartime. and l
naturally supposed that military glory
would count for good deal.
Were getting quite a number of
instances of bravery from this war I'm
Europe" remarked.
yes" she replied, they're splendid
Just think of a young earl not yet
thirty years old, with the life of no
bleman before him, giving his life for
his country"
would you like to be the widow Of
such a MANI"
81 would grieve for him. but would
glory in having had such husband"
This was not encouraging for me, a
man of peace. 1t was some time be-
fore l tried to find out any more of
those traits | did not possess. the alb
sence of which would induce Edith to
turn me down.
81 read an account some time ago."
1 said, ''of Belgian soldier who was
placed in front of a company Of Ger
mans who were attacking his country
men. Seeing him, the Belgians low
cred their rifles. 'Firer he cried. 'For
heavens sake, fire. A volIey swept
the Belgian and the Germans away to-
gether.'
what noble sacrificev' exclaimed
Edith ferventIy.
"DO you suppose" l said. "that If
you had been that Belgian's wife and
a witness of the scene and his country
men had looked to you to approve his
order to fire you could have made the
sacrifice yourself?"
This was n poser. Edith made no
reply for quite awhile; then she said
that she would have preferred to COM
promise by having them fire on her. 1
was not disposed to let her out in this
way and persisted in having a direct
answer. whereupOn she said that she
was afraid the test would be too much
for her. She might be able to make
the sacrifice and she might not. OF
one thing she was certain. Her heart
would be buried with that noble Bel
gian.
1t was apparent to me that to win
Edith must do something heroic.
do you know | said. ST have con-
cluded that this war is a struggle be-
tween reaction and progress. I con-
slider it the duty of America to join in
it on the side of progress"
$50 do l." was the prompt reply.
What is true of nation is true of
one of it's individual citizens"
"What do you mean?"
THAT it is my duty to fight for the |
worlds progress. I'm going abroad to
enlist
Edith looked grave.
Don't you think it my duty?"
mo: don't"
"Why not? Haven't you agreed with |
ne that it is our duty as a nation to |
fight on the side of progress. and what |
Is the duty of a nation is the duty of |
It's individual citizens?''
YES; | suppose so. But 1 think it |
would be very foolish for you to go
Ill the way over there toto get your
elf Shot
The idea of my making myself food
or powder evidently troubled her.
II sail next week"
There was no comment on this for
while. Presently Edith asked me in
faltering voice why l had said moth
ng of this before. 1 was some time
raining my answer. When it came
poke in a choked voice:
Because l dread a parting"
with whom?" She kept her eyes
ent on the ground.
you | faltered.
1 went on to tell her that l loved her,
nd she confessed that my love was
eturned.
How hard for us to part" 1 said.
on the eve of our betrothalr'
1--WE will not part" she said firmly.
''My duty calls
"What duty?"
ITO progress. civilization. the cause
{ freedom"
LET it call