The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-02-03
JOHN MESSMER.

44N
John Messmer was the son as well
grandfather had served in the Revolu-
tionary War; his father was captain
in the regular army, and hoped to see
his son in the same profession. But
John had never been a studious boy,
and always declared that he would
never go to West Point.
Il do not doubt it, John said the
captain one day. "A certain amount Of
intelligence is required to pass the
preliminary examination"
Captain Messmer could be sarcastic
on occasions, and this was one.
Frank, dear!" mildly expostulated
his wife.
Perhaps fathers right, mother"
said the sturdy boy. Il never could
bear study; hate books, except books
about mathematics"
THAT makes it so much the worse, .
said his father. "You have an apti-
tude for the very studies which would
serve you best in the profession |
should like you to choose. But, then,
here you are, allowing every clodhop-
per to get ahead of you at school. The
result would be the same should you
get an appointment However, sol
diers' boys somehow stand the worst
chance for even that"
John, why don't you say just now
what you do want?' asked his sister
and chum, who was two years older
and so, perhaps, two years wiser than
himself.
Il may as well, l suppose" her
brother rejoined. 81 know you are pre-.
pared for it, Jennie; but father and
mother will be just heartbroken OF
course. There is something I've al
ways wanted"
What is it" inquired his father, re.
garding him attentively.
81 do want to be a soldier-I've al
ways wanted to; but my ambition is
to go in as an enlisted man, and rise
from the ranks to be somebody"
20, john" pleaded his mother.
How long have you had this in
mind?" said the captain.
-Four or five years at least; and
Jennie thinks just as I do about it.;
don't you, Jennie?"
Pretty much as you do, john said
his sister. Il believe you will really
make something OF yourself i'll that
way. He's not lazy, father she con
tinued, turning to the captain.
"In a manner, no. said her father.
'And he has been about post all his
life. He knows what being an enlist
ed man means"
But, Frank said Mrs. Messmer,
think of the hardships, the long wait
ing for promotion, the loss of-of-''
Social caste?" queried her husband,
again slightly sarcastic. We'll, look
at H and T and b! they
have all risen from the ranks"
Lots of fellows do it nowadays
said the boy. OF course l shouldn't
stay here, you know
1t need not be said no son of an
army officer who chooses to enlist is
| attached to the cor. ) under his
fathers command.
Captain Messmer did not oppose the
proposition, and three months later
John Messmer entered the United
| States army as common soldier
From the first he gave entire satisfac
| ton. He had always been a good boy;
and, being naturally very refined, by
his gentlemanly manners and soldier
| ly bearing he made favorable i'm
preston on his comrades.
Captain Messmer was not Catholic
but his wife and children were al
faithful members of the Church. One
daughter had recently entered the
| Order OF the Sacred Heart, where she
had been educated a son was the pro
| lessor of mathematics in an eastern
Catholic College. John had never
been considered a pious boy, but he
would as soon have thought of laying
aside his Uniform as his Scapular;
and he always carried little Rosary
in his pocket, seldom failing to say
oe sASesoI OllC uSCcuO CfCAy uny.
After her boys departure, Mrs
| Messmer gradually grew reconciled to
| his choice; although she looked for
ward little sadly to the years which
| must elapse before his conduct and
qualifications entirely satisfactory, he
could become commissioned officer
They were speaking of this one day,
when Mrs. Messmer said:
There are SO many things, Jennie
Fancy hop at the post, for instance,
and some of the girls there we all
know, and John not being allowed
even to put his foot inside the door,
THE girls will admire him so much
the more said the brave and loyal
sister. Besides he will have all the
more time to study. And now that he
knows he must study, why he will,