The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-12-26

Saltwater. Minnesota lhHl
wife and three children down to him. He was un-
able longer to support them. His wife had secured
position as boOkkeeper at moderate salary and
was practically supporting the family. Being in
that state of detection that is always the aftereect
of a prolonged debauch, he experienced feeling
that the sooner he removed his loathsome presence
from his family the better it would be for them.
He left For one year ne lead an existence that
was little better than that of tramp. He had a.
good education and ability but all his earnings went
to satisfy his alcoholic appetite, so that after time
his very appearance, in some instances barred him
from securing the most menial labor.
The United States declared war against Ger
many. Large posters appeared on fences and on
the sides of old buildings and barns calling for vol
unteers. In one of his near-sober moments Henry
Andrews paused to read of these: To yoA
down-and-outers, join the Army and not only help
your country, but become m'am'' was one sentence
that struck him with peculiar significance for to all
intents it applied to himself He walked on, but the
phrase, become man, persisted in recurring be-
fore his mind. Why not become man againa
Here the opportunity reaching out its hands to
help if he desired to avail himself of it. With the
assistance of the Army discipline and little exer-
else of his own will he might be able to put the
whiskey demon behind him forever, and lift his
head again among his feowmen and bring tears
of JOY and gadness to the sad eyes of his loving
wife.
He enlisted and was one of the first to be sent
across to England, and then to France. His was
of the very first regiments of the American
Expeditonary forces to be sent to the front. But
not one of the many engagements with the enemy
were as grueing and racked him cruelty as his
fight with himself against the whiskey demon. But
he wont Jumping into the thickest of the great
conflict with the Huns whenever the opportunity
offered and committing acts of almost unbelievable
daring and recklessness he would forget his craving
appetite and by degrees, with hercuean exercise
of his will, he weaned himself from his former alco
holic desire.
On account of his superior education and his
dgent application to military duties, together with
several acts of real bravery to his credit he ad
vanced rapidly and finally became commissioned
officer with the rank of second lieutenant
During his time in the Army until he became
second lieutenant he had encouraged no close friend
ships. He was companionable but gave no conf
dences nor invited any. One day, however, after
he received his commission, several new arrivals
from America we're transferred to his regiment, and
in one private he recognized his wifes brother. Ed
Shannon. Since he had left his wife and children
be had heard nothing of them. After he left he
made resolution and firmly adhered to it that
they should hear from him till he sure of
himself. But now there no uncertainty as to
his future thanks to the bene6cent effect of the
United States Army training; and at the sight of his
brother-in-law he suddenly experienced feeling of
utter loneliness and intense longing to hear of
his family. He sought out Ed. Shannon who was
very much surprised to see him.
Ed. told him. But she is bearing up against it
like the brave woman she is. And let me tell you,
old man, she thinks of you all the time When she
sees your come back to manhood, her cup of hap
piness will be filled to overfowing.''
The war came to a sudden conclusion, and his
regiment, having been over there from the time of
Americas entry into it, one of the first to be
sent home.
All of this passed in retrospect before Henry
Andrews as he leaned over the rail on board the
homeward bound Marania awaiting anxiously the
reply from the British Admiralty. He had no fear
from what his brolherin-law had told him, as to the
manner of his reception from Edith And his
three children: the youngest little girl, was just
a year old when he left she would now be
three; the second, boy, would be SIX and s.
the eldest girl, would be eight. What SIC. 3
Christmas homecoming would be his-and S@# y
theirs! One that he and his family could ss,
look back upon with fond recoections so SN
long as smemory would ~ ~ n n * .
last. \ ;MA
Bringing his s1e1s9s5G ~
thoughts back to the u
Marania, Andrews OBJ L1cA VI
served that the time y
ILL., L. z