Every one was eager to do something ; and , as the men stood at ease , the people mingled freely with them , offering gifts , hearty grips of the hand , and hopeful prophecies of victory in the end . Irresistibly attracted , my boy Tom and I drew near , and soon , becoming excited by the scene , ravaged the fruit-stands in our neighborhood for tokens of our regard , mingling candy and congratulations , peanuts and prayers , apples and applause , in one enthusiastic jumble . While Tom was off on his third raid , my attention was attracted by a man who stood a little apart , looking as if his thoughts were far away . All the men were fine , stalwart fellows , as Maine men usually are ; but this one over-topped his comrades , standing straight and tall as a Norway pine , with a face full of the mingled shrewdness , sobriety , and self-possession of the typical New Englander . I liked the look of him ; and , seeing that he seemed solitary , even in a crowd , I offered him my last apple with a word of interest . The keen blue eyes met mine gratefully , and the apple began to vanish in vigorous bites as we talked ; for no one thought of ceremony at such a time . `` Where are you from ? '' `` Woolidge , ma'am . '' `` Are you glad to go ? '' `` Wal , there 's two sides to that question . I calk ` late to do my duty , and do it hearty : but it is rough on a feller leavin ' his folks , for good , maybe . '' There was a sudden huskiness in the man 's voice that was not apple-skins , though he tried to make believe that it was . I knew a word about home would comfort him , so I went on with my questions . `` It is very hard . Do you leave a family ? '' `` My old mother , a sick brother , -- and Lucindy . '' The last word was uttered in a tone of intense regret , and his brown cheek reddened as he added hastily , to hide some embarrassment . -- `` 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 XXXXX 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 .
Jim Lucindy Maine Mother Norway Tom Wal fruit-stands shrewdness third