The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-01-29
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1.-THE PEACE TREATY.
BY LIZZIE M. ADO
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t@. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
There had been no love lost between
the BraddiganS and Golfers since Il
day long ago, when a bold Braddigan
lad had persuaded a fair lady of the
Cotter line TO go away with him to a
far country. Maybe that in itself
wouldn't have been SO bad, but he also
persuaded the two best horses in the
Gotter stables to go along with them,
n they had never returned.
Two families of the warning lines
still remained. and insult from either
family to the other was promptly
avenged. The Golfers, who lived in
the valley. near the foot of Crooked
Road mountain, were tall, well-built,
dark and handsome. The family in
cluded father. daughter and two strap
ping sons, and when in the valley it
was whispered that America might en-
ter the war there was much wild talk
and excitement at first, and then the
family settled quietly down to await
the outcome Of events.
Already they had decided to be
among the first to offer themselves for
service, and when the word came that
America could no longer, with honor
to herself, keep out of the war, the
boys, with all the optimism Of youth,
looked only on the bright side.
Soon came the day when they trod
the road which led to enlistment, to
training camp. to the crowded ship
which sailed on it's twisting way across
the sea under whose smiling face lay
so much danger. and finally to France,
Willie among the shadows of the stern
Old mountains, which in those days
were more used to smiles than frowns,
their father and sister waited for ews
of them, now hopefully. and then with
heavy hearts.
The Rradligans lived on the noun
tainside, and young Jack was square
.iawed. his hair was of a reddish tinge,
and his eyes were gray and clear.
From his home he saw the Golfers
as they passed so b%litlely along. and
suddenly and for the first time In his
IliV- Nv NllN" "IlSl ~ WIS " ue Eli
viOus.
They thought Of him as q Stacker,
he supposed. and sighed impatiently,
AS the weeks slipped by. his friends
all left the mountains. and it seemed
that he alone was left to do the uSual
routine work, and to solve his prob
lem. How was he to follow the others
while his mother and delicate sister
remained alone and nearly helpless?
Like lightning from a clear sky the
news came to them that he had beer
called to the colors. and With a SHOCK
OF surprise both women noted the
varying expressions which fitted Ovel
his face as lie learned that he haC
been drafted: and promptly decided
that whatever came of it he should no
he obliged to ask for exemption OF
their recount. But Jacks luck hat
turned. for the next day his mother
received an answer to Il letter which
she had written TO her brother a Ions
time ago. and he wrOte that he would
be glad tO rome to stay with them ant
I\IllN vi SiNVu ~ I'N'Sl'i'I q" S"'
in the small school near them. So il
due time Jack Braddigan followed thu
Golfers overseas. and it happened tina
he quickly got into the thick of thu
fight. The people of the mountain hat
chlckled as they said: "If Braddigal
and the Corters catch sight Of eacl
other thpre'll be Il fight on their Owr
ACCOUNT" but the truth is that thu
boys found war to be so wholly be
yond anything they could ever have
imagined, in it's horror and magnitude
that by comparison their strife. wrang
ling and bitter discOrd of the pas
seemed to appear as it would to al
onlooker-a needless and discomfort
ing affair.
Their views of life had brOadened
and when Jack, by means of bravery
endurance, and presence of mind hat
played a wonderful part in rescuint
the Golfers from the enemy he wa!
not surprised to note the grateful spir
it in which they accepted his service
and it was agreed upon that all griev
ences of the past should be forgotten
1t was some months after armistic'
had been declared that as dusk wal
coming in the valley, the Braddigan'
and the Golfers gathered at the cross
roads, and from their different stations
awaited the coming Of the boys. who al
they came sang softly of "the long
long trail"
Nellie Cotter rushed to them. so die
Kitty Braddigan, and both girls kissed
and were kissed impartially.
Then, as after a while the girls start
ed back in surprise, Tim Cotter cried
"Come, Dad, and meet the Braddigans
We've declared an armistice."
"What's an army stitch?" demanded
Mr.. Cotter peevishly.
Tim laughed lightly. "'Tis the stitci
folks patch up Quarrels with, I'm think