THE WEST SHORE.
for his age, and I fear that will not prevent his going
now."
" We must try and prevail upon him not to go,"
eaid Mrs. Harrington, anxiously.
A few days later the colonel announced to his
wife that he had decided to accept the command ten
dered him by the governor. She tried to dissuade
him, but without success. He had firmly made up
his mind in the matter, and said, in reply to her en
treaties: " I feel it a duty I owe to my country, and
as I have no son to represent me among the nation's
defenders, I shall go myself." His martial pride was
roused and he was determined to take part in the
great struggle.
When Amy was informed of her father's deter
mination she was very much grieved, and begged him
most piteously not to go. " You can not stand the
fatigues of army life," she said.
" Tut, my child, I feel good for a dozen years in
the army, and I dare say I shall stand the service
splendidly."
" Why not recommend Mr. Von Brean to the gov
ernor in your stead? He says he would gladly ac
cept a command from the governor, why not let him
take your place?"
" Mr. Von Brean's father would not give his con
sent to have him enter the service."
" Is Mr. Von Brean's son any dearer to him than
my father is to me? What immunity has ho from
serving his country that should not bo granted to
you?"
" None, my child, none whatever. We' all owe a
sacred duty to our country, which, as Americans, wo
can not evade, and especially at this time, when our
flag is insulted by an internal foe, who is waging war
not to redress a wrong, but to divide the country and
destroy the national union. No, daughter, this is no
time for true Americans to shirk their duty; no one
who is able to shoulder a musket or draw a sword
should be found in the rear."
When it became known that Colonel Harrington
had accepted the command of a regiment, many of
his neighbors, who had not yet enlisted, signified
their intention of doing so, and importuned tho colo
nel to take them with him; but as tho regiment ho
was to command was already mado up and only wait
ed for its commander to march to the field, he could
not do so. He could easily have enlisted an entire
company, which would gladly havo gone into battle
with him as their commander. There is seldom seen
in any community a man so universally efcteeraed as
was Colonel Harrington. True, ho was aristocratic
in his notions, but ho was just and honorable, and no
man could impeach his good name. Ho had taken a
run down to Columbus to see tho gorercor, who was
an old friend, about his commission and tho regiment
he was to command On his return ho informed his
wifo and daughter that it would bo thrco or four
weeks beforo tho regiment would bo ready to move.
" But," said he, " I must bo in camp next week to as
sign the companies to their places as they arrive,"
" Ob, papa, let mamma and me go to camp with
you, and stay until you get your marching orders,
won't you?"
" I will seo your mamma about it," ho replied.
It did not requiro much persuasion to indnco Mrs.
Harrington to g , and so it was arranged that on tho
following Monday she and Amy should accompany
tho colonel to Camp Chase, Amy could scarcely re
strain her childish glco at tho prosed of Mug in
camp with tho soldiers. Sho had often cxpnsiied a
wish to visit them in their city of tents, and now that
wish was to bo gratified. Meeting their visitor soxm
after, sho said
" Mr. Von Brean, wo aro all going into tho army
with papa, won't wo havo a jolly timo eating hardtack,
drinking black coffco and living just as tho soldiers
do?"
" You seem to enjoy tho prospects of camp life
exceedingly, Miss Harrington."
" Oh, you aro going, too."
" Indeed ! To what position, pray, am I to lo as
signed?" " You aro to stand guard over mamma and my
self." " That will bo a very pleasant duty, I ansuro you,
and ono which I will try to fill with honor. When
do wo strike tents?"
" If you mean when aro wo going, I will Ml you
to 1)0 ready to inovo at 10;.'K) o'clock mxt Monday
morning. I intend to jeriuado papa to take mo with
him when ho leaves Camp ChaW
" Ami should ho get kiJM or wound! you will
become a second Mollio Pitcher, and tab his placo at
the head of tho regiment"
" Should that unfortunate event occur, sir, you
would Cud that tho daughter of a Weatnu mun would
not shrink from her duty, even if that duty !M her
to tho cannon's mouth." As Amy said this iho left
him abruptly.
" By Joto!" said Frank, as ho sauntered toward
tho stable, "what a high ipiriU-d girl iho ii-aud I
like her all tho better for it"
Ho had becorao very attentiro to Amy of Ut,
never losing an opportunity of Uing by If
Amy saw this, and her dialike for him kept pe with
his increased attentions, but as h was a gu-t of Lr
father, iho did not show her dudike, saro by avoiding
him as much as sho could with propriety.