The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-09-12
CHAPTER xIv-continued.
~

Jack and Solomon called at General
Washington's headquarters.
General. Doctor Franklin told us
10 turn over the bosses and wagons to
you" said Solomon, "He didn't tell
us what TO do with ourselves cause
'twasnt Necessary an he knew 1t. We
want to enlist"
"For what term?v
"Till the British are licked"
you are the kind of men I need,
said Washington. IL shall put you on
scout duty. Mr.. Irons viii go into my
regiment of sharpshooters with the
rank of captain. You have told me of
his training In Philadelphia"
SO the two friends were enlisted
and began service In the army of
Washington.
A letter from Jack TO his mother
dated July 25, 1875, is full of the camp
color:
General Charles Lee is In command
of my regiment" he writes. Gle is a
rough, slovenly old dog of man who
seems to bark at us on the training
ground. He has two or three hunting
dogs that live with him In his tent and
also a rare gift of profanity which Is
with him everywhere-save at head
quarters.
'Today saw these notices posted in
camp:
"Punctual attendance on divine
service is required of all not on actual
duty
"'No burning Of the pope allowed
4 "'Fifteen stripes for denying duty
Ten for getting drunk
Thirty-nine for stealing and de-
sertlon
"Rogues are put in terror, lazy men
are energized. The quarters are kept
clean, the food Is well cooked and in
plentiful supply, but the British over
in town are said to be getting hungry"
Early In August q London letter
was forwarded to Jack from Philadel-
phia. He was filed with new hope
as ne read these lines:
Dearest Jack: / am sailing for
Boston on one of the next troop ships
to join my father. SO when the war
ends-God grant 1t may be soon-you
will not have far to go to find me.
Perhaps by Christmas time we may
be together. Let us both pray for
that. Meanwhile, | shall be happier
for being nearer you and for doing
what / can to heal the wounds made
by this wretcied war. l am going to
be a nurse in a hospital. You see the
truth Is that since / met you, l like
all men better, and / shall love to be
trying to relieve their sufferlngs. :"
1t was a long letter but above is as
much of II as can claim admission TO
these pages.
"Wno but she could write such a
letter." Jack asked himself, and then
he held II to his lips a moment. 1t
thrilled him to think that even then
she was probably in Boston. In the
tent where he and Solomon lived when
they were both in camp, he found the
scout. The night before Solomon had
slept out. Now he had built small
fire In front of the tent and lain down
on blanket, having delivered his re-
port at headquarters.
Margaret is in Boston," said Jack |
as soon as he entered. and then stand |
ing In the freight read the letter to |
his friend
THAR is real, genewine, likely |
GAL" said the scout.
Il wish there were some way of |
getting to her." the young man re-
marked
"Might as well think o. goin' to HI
an back ag'in," said Solomon. "Since
Bunker Hill the British are like a lot
o. hornets / run onto one of 'em to-
day. He fired at me an didn't nit a
thing the air an run like a scared
rabbit Could "a killed him easy but
kind O. enjoyed seem him run. He
were like chain lightnin' on a creased
D0le-you hear to me-"
'If the general will let me, I'm go
ing to try spy duty and see If l can
get into town and out again." he pro
posed.
'You keep out o. that business"
said Solomon 'They's too many that
know We oser in town. The two
Clarkes an their friends an Colonel
Hare an bis friends, an Cap Preston.
an hull passle. They know all
bout We. If you got snapped, they'd
-lau' We ag'in' a wall an put ye out o.
lie way quick. II would be pie for
the Clarkes. an the OF man Hare
wouldn't spill no tears over 1t. Cap.
.'reston couldn't save ye, that's sartin.
No, sir, l won't low 1t. Theys plenty
D. old cusses fer such work"
For time Jack abandoned the idea.
INT later. when Solomon failed TO re-
Urn from a scouting tour and re
lort reached camp that he was cap
,ired. the young man began to think
,, that rather romantic plan again.
He had grown a full beard his skin
vas tanned; his clothes we're worn
md torn and faded His father. who
,ad visited the camp bringing a sup
,iv Of clothes for his son. had failed.
IL FIRST to recognize him.
December had arrived. The general
as having his first great trial in
peping an army about him. Terms