Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-09
She Admired
Bravery
By F. A. Mitchell


cen was sweet on Edith. and when
man of that age is sweet on g,rl
the first idea that enters his head Is
that she can only love a heroic per
sonage who combines every manly at.
tribute When man of forty gets
sweet OH 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 | were walking
along to the pleasant sound of the
kicked leaves | was thinking about
how many virtues l must possess to
win her. 1t was in wartime, and |
naturally supposed that military glory
would count for good deal.
Were getting quite a number of
Instances of bravery from this war in
Europe" | remarked
YES" she replied, they're splendid
Just think of young earl not yet
thirty years old. with the life of a no
bleman before him. giving his life for
his country"
would you like to be the widow OF
such a MANI"
Il would grieve for him, but would
glory in having had such husband
This was not encouraging for me.
man Of peace. 1t was some time be-
fore | 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"
| said, "of a Belgian soldier who was
placed in front of company of Ger
mans who were attacking his country
men. Seeing him. the Belgians low
cred their rifles. Fire! he cried Fol
heavens sake. fire. volley swept
the Belgian and the Germans away to
gether."
What Il noble sacritice" exclaimed
Edith fervently
do you suppose" said, that II
you had been that Belgian's wife and
witness of the scene and his country.
order to fire you could have made the
sacrifice yoursef?"
This was a 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 |
was not disposed to let her out in this
way and persisted in having 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. or
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 I said. 81 have con-
Guided 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 its 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?"
"No; / don't"
why not? Haven't you agreed with
Inc that it is our duty as nation to
fight on the side of progress, and what
is the duty of Il nation is the duty OF
its individual ctizensY
Eyes; | suppose so But think 1t
would be very foolish for you to go
all the way over there toto get your.
self shot"
looked down sidewise at Edith
The idea of my making myself food
for powder evidently troubled her.
81 sail next week"
There was no comment on this for
awhile. Presently Edith asked me in
faltering voice why had said moth
ing Of this before. | was some time
: framing my answer When it came
spoke in a choked voice:
Because | dread parting"
with whom?" She kept her eyes
bent on the ground.
you" | fatered.
| went on to tell her that loved her,
and she confessed that my love was
returned.
How hard for us to part" said
ION the eve of our betrothalw
! 1--WE will not part" she said firmly.
"My duty calls"
"What duty?"
ITO progress, civilization, the cause
Of freedom"
"Let it call"
81 might have an opportunity to die
one Of those noble deaths we have been
talking about"
you'll do no such thing. You'll stay
at home"
"But think how proud you will be OF
your soldier lover"
II don't want a soldier lover"
"Must go unsupported by the
knowledge that you are willing to sac
rifice"-
; you'll not go at all"
We were sitting on low horizontal
limb of tree. Edith threw her arms
around me TO hold me from going tC
fight for an idea which had no idea
Of fighting for. gave in Mt last and
consented to remain Mt home.
After we were married one night we
: heard burglars below. My wife in or
der to prevent my going down to at
tack them locked the door and threw
che key cut from the window
| REVENGE,