The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-06-28

and asked to be sworn opening II h.
read: Born, yesterday to John and
Mary Carter. fine boy CongramIa
tlons, John" TO the board "The date
Is June fourth. 1897; the boy viii bC
twenty-one June third, 1918" With
out comment, he walked out,
Without further ado the board nd
ioumed congratulated Bert, and clos
cd the incident, but the secretary's an,
cry eyes held Bert. Without apparent
yolltion he walked up TO her and ask
cd if she wished 10 speak to him.
yes | do" exclaimed Mary, vehc'
mently. "How could you sit there
that way? Why didn't you get up and
say you'd 90, anyway
"Why, Miss Marvin, thought trial
wns trial. 1t would be queer for n
man to say: 'Oh, stop It, I'll confess
I'm guilty just to stop the fuss,
wouldn't it?"
'WcIl, ycs,' Mary admitted, but
| you needn't let II come to that. Why
do You suppose the Lord gave you all
that strength If not to defend your
country?"
ooh, why" stammered Bert, "I'll go
If you want me to-" But Mary had
walked away, her head in the air.
Bert was puzzled He had heard
little discussion OF the war. 70 him 1t
was Il matter Of age. He'd go when
called. What was the matter with the
girl? He'd go ask her.
Mary hesitated, then held out her
hand. 'T-mother says l was rude to
You today. Forgive me and I'll tell
you how l feel about It,"
So Bert received his first lesson in
patriotism from the lips Of pretty
girl, too much in earnest to remember
that she was pretty; that Bert was
handsome-or anything else except
that she wanted him to be a soldier.
Presently Mrs. Marvin came in and
Bert spent the happiest evening of his
life. When he arose to go ne asked
and obtained permission to come again.
Returning TO the Windsor, he saw
light in the Free Press office and went
up to thank the editor for his kind
ness. lie disclaimed any credit, say
ing that he was n friend of his family;
intimated that Bert was glad not to
90 To war.
"Why, no, Mr.. Pressman, I don't care
much either way. Thought I'd &c
when called; but I've made up my
mind to enlist. I'm not coward"
Eut the editor dismissed him with
curt nod, to Bert's chagrin.
His lessons in patriotism progressed
till the town wOnd cred if Bert would
stay in Hays or Mary go to the noun
tains. Bert was sure that life without
Mary was not worth living. But Mary
tearfully but firmly refused him, dear.
ly rs she knew she loved him; she
could not marry man younger than
herself-she was past twenty. Bert
did not tell her he had enlisted, but
said good-by and took the first train
back to camp. \ dreary journey, but
more than one Indifferent chap who
talked to Bert had his views changed
about his duty to his country.
His camp fellows met him eagerly /.
glad that he was back; they had miss. /
ed him; had some mail for him, too,
It was n belated letter from his
mother, telling him of sickness, dis. .
couragements and inability to get mail,
but the paragraph that held his at. .
tentiOn read: You are now of draft
age, my dearest son, because after you
were hurt and missed school, l gave
you the birthday of the baby that died,
so you'll not seem so behind in school
work. No one knows this, dearest,
but mother and you. Do as your heart
bids you"
Hearts all right, mother dear" he
kissing the letter. Then to
the camp:
"Well, fellows, l came back to tell
you the news. I'm engaged to the
prettiest girl in Ellis county, and have
enlisted in Uncle Sans army-in Col
want to stand in the way
of any Hays patriots-sO better be
good to BERTHE while you've got
chance"
OF course, the announcement of his
engagement was bit hasty, but Mary
it when told the particu-
lars.