-- `` You see , Jim went last year , and got pretty well used up ; so I felt as if I 'd ought to take my turn now . Mother was a regular old hero about it and I dropped everything , and come off . Lucindy did n't think it was my duty ; and that made it awful hard , I tell you . '' `` Wives are less patriotic than mothers , '' I began ; but he would not hear Lucindy blamed , and said quickly , -- `` She ai n't my wife yet , but we calk ` lated to be married in a month or so ; and it was wus for her than for me , women lot so on not being disappointed . I could n't shirk , and here I be . When I git to work , I shall be all right : the first wrench is the tryin ' part . '' Here he straightened his broad shoulders , and turned his face toward the flags fluttering far in front , as if no backward look should betray the longing of his heart for mother , home , and wife . I liked that little glimpse of character ; and when Tom returned with empty hands , reporting that every stall was exhausted , I told him to find out what the man would like best , then run across the street and get it . `` I know without asking . Give us your purse , and I 'll make him as happy as a king , '' said the boy , laughing , as he looked up admiringly at our tall friend , who looked down on him with an elder-brotherly air pleasant to see . While Tom was gone , I found out Joe 's name and business , promised to write and tell his mother how finely the regiment went off , and was just expressing a hope that we might meet again , for I too was going to the war as nurse , when the order to `` Fall in ! '' came rolling down the ranks , and the talk was over . Fearing Tom would miss our man in the confusion , I kept my eye on him till the boy came rushing up with a packet of tobacco in one hand and a good supply of cigars in the other . Not a romantic offering , certainly , but a very acceptable one , as Joe 's face proved , as we scrambled these treasures into his pockets , all laughing at the flurry , while less fortunate comrades helped us , with an eye to a share of these fragrant luxuries by and by . There was just time for this , a hearty shake of the big hand , and a grateful `` Good-by , ma'am ; '' then the word was given , and they were off . Bent on seeing the last of them , Tom and I took a short cut , and came out on the wide street down which so many troops marched that year ; and , mounting some high steps , we watched for our man , as we already called him . As the inspiring music , the grand tramp , drew near , the old thrill went through the crowd , the old cheer broke out . But it was a different scene now than in the first enthusiastic , hopeful days . Young men and ardent boys filled the ranks then , brave by instinct , burning with loyal zeal , and blissfully unconscious of all that lay before them . Now the blue coats were worn by mature men , some gray , all grave and resolute : husbands and fathers , with the memory of wives and children tugging at their heart-strings ; homes left desolate behind them , and before them the grim certainty of danger , hardship , and perhaps the lifelong helplessness worse than death .
Little of the glamour of romance about the XXXXX now : they saw it as it was , a long , hard task ; and here were the men to do it well .
Lucindy Mother first heart-strings left month tobacco war wrench year