Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 115, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1919 — ONE POINT IN HIS FAVOR [ARTICLE]

ONE POINT IN HIS FAVOR

Gentle Aunt Constrained to Admit That Her Soldier Nephew Had "Thorouphneea.* There are always pacifists. An unrighteous war is sure to Increase their numbers; a righteous war changes the opinions of many and commands the sympathy of others tn spite of themselves. Aunt Peace, who has brought up • family of motherless nieces and nephews, is a Quakeress. She is a woman of gentle authority, and the children were good and docile, not difficult to train in the way they should go, with one exception. Dick, the youngest boy, was a charming but careless and adventurous youngster; his head was always full of so many plans and ideas that it was hard to keep him at any one thing long enough to finish it. His lack of concentration and orderliness seriously perturbed Aunt Peace, who feared they indicated a fundamental ' defect of character. Dick was eighteen when the war broke aut, and his father permitted him to enlist. Of course poor Aunt Peace was deeply distressed, _ but, having once fully and frankly expressed her mind, she maintained a discreet silence afterward, and took to reading the papers and poring over maps. She freely expressed her pity for sufferers of any and all nations, but It was understood that she repudiated warfare as strongly as ever. Then came news that Dick in the performance of a ‘'gallant exploit had been severely wounded. Later, a comrade, invalided home, visited the family and related tlje details. They involved hard fighting; Dick had personally slain two of the enemy and brought ln several prisoners besides. Suddenly it was observed that there were- pink spots In Aunt Peace’s cheeks and that her eyes were shining like stars. “Auntie,” cried one of Dick’s sisters, laughing. “I do believe you’re just as pleased and as proud of Dick as any of us, no matter what you go v P* Bl* J • Aunt Peace looked startled; then she replied with dignity: "I have not said anything, Elizabeth; but I do not conceal that I am pleased. Thee knows I cannot condone combat, but I am sincerely rejoiced in spirit to learn that Richard has at last shown that he has profited by my training. There have been many times when I own I have been unjust to the dear lad. I feared he did not have it in him to acquire the habit of thoroughness. But from what this gentleman has told us Richard seems at last to have become unquestionably thorough !”• —Youth’s Companion.