Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-03-20
A Soldier' S
Idyl
By JESSE ETHEL sHERwTN
Copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper unioaI


Every mother was In tears, ever sis
ter looked sad. Only the thonghtless
sweethearts and those who had no rel
alive going TO the front seemed fndif-
ferent to the occasion.
II was pathetic picture, for all fhe
brave or mock-buoyant bearing of the
boys In khaki. In the minds of all
was the sorrowfnl knowledge that
many among the odd FIVE hundred re-
eruits leaving the training camp for an
eastern shipping point. were viewing
friends and home for the last time.
As to the soldiers. every man was
erect. bright-eyed. laughing, joking and
singing. One fair-haired fellow
seemed to be the prime favorite of the
group with whom he marched.
"All got your troubles, fellowsl'' he
jollied. Free from care I--tra-ia-lal
moi living relative In the world, so
no weepers, and II / get IL on some
lone hill. why, no mournersF
There was tug at his arm as he
ranged up with the others on the depot
platform TO await the backing In of
the train. He turned, Off came his
hat. gratified lush creased his face.
"If you please. Mr.. Wilbur" spoke
shy. lovely, dimpled girl, scarcely his
own age. Gould mamma say good-by
to you?"
Roy Wilbur had said he had no rel
atives or friends In particular. He rec
Ognized his mistake. Was not Eva
Burt here at his side? And her moth
or had sent for him! And because he
had been poor aud obscure he had
never dared TO raise his eyes with the
fervor he inwardIy experienced, but
now n sudden hope inspired him.
you have neglected us of late. Mr..
Wilbur spoke Mrs. Burt. but her
tones were induigent. almost caresslng.
No one could resist the appeal of that
boyish. Ingenious face and the pathos
Of his environment.
Trimming cnmp-gettlng ready to
leave" and like fragments of explana--
ton tided Roy through confused
apology.
ave SHAH think of you wearing this
In the trenches" continued Mrs. Burt.
handing Roy parcel containing a
sweater. Homemade. and especial
ly for you. aud Eva"
The young girl fiuttered like timid
bird. 1T is only little comfort kit,
Mr.. Wilbur she said.
Their eyes met as he accepted the
into tears and hid her face against her
arm.
Poor boy ~ said Mrs. Burt, herself
deeply affected. and her hand rested
upon the uncovered head with gen.
tleness of blessing. Il know you
win make US ali proud of you"
A quick order came from an officer,
and. waving his hand In adieu. Roy
FASTENED back into the ranks. a new
Ideal come INTO his hfe at that mo-
ment.
"Strike her upi" haIfed comrade.
and the unslung ukeleis twanged out a
melody he could now Inspire with gen.
ulne appropriation aud fervor, THE
Girl / Left Behind Me-"
AT the open window of the passen-
ger coach he was going over the
sprightly air to the accompaniment of
the voices OF his comrades, when the
train started up. In the near distance
Mrs Burt vas waving her handker-
chief In adieM Eva, standing just be-
hind her, kissed her hand to him. He
thrilled. He. was mo- hunger friendless
nor lonely.
You're putting thu right punch into
that song" enthused n fellow soldier,
and every note brought new life and
courage to- dashing.. reckless. single
hearted Roy Wilbur
In the trenches the whimsical little
instrument did its cheering duty, and
its lovable- owner was the soul of that
jollity which makes hardship endur-
able. One night Roy was returning.
from a visit to near camp. when a
portion IF the bolgade to which her
belonged swept bT him. bent on CAP
turing a nedoubt somewhat ahead. As
he drew aside to- bet them pass she'll
burst diaectiy over his head. lie was
thrown prostrats. with a dozen ugy
wounds.
Roy hy thene awaiting the coming
of an ambulance following the troop.
He was faint. m pain and dangerously
hurt. but he unsiung the ukelele with
which he had been entertaining the
camp he had visited Out upon the
clear air rang the notes of his favor
ite air, encouraging those On the
march, and they broke out INTO re-
sounding cheers.
Roy Wilbur was taken to the hospit-
al. TO collapse. Then there vas fever,
delirium. two months convalescenee.
and one fair, sunny morning the chief
surgeon pronounced him on the way
TO recovery.
where's my ukelele? want TO cele-
brater' were almost the first words
Roy spoke, all his old sprightiiness
coming back to him.