Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/61

Rh learned the manual of arms. It was a busy time, and the green was always crowded with those who desired to see how the young soldiers were progressing.

At last came the day when the volunteers were to leave Poland, march to Youngstown, and there take the train first for Cleveland and then for Camp Chase at Columbus. It was a holiday in the town, but a sorrowful one, for many who marched away so bravely were never to return. Flags fluttered from many windows and housetops, and an old cannon roared out a parting salute. In the ranks marched William McKinley, a private, going to fight for the Union which he, in later years, helped so greatly to prosper. On the sidewalk were his folks, his mother weeping silently, and the others scarcely less affected.

"Good-by!" he shouted bravely, even though there must have been a strange lump in his throat. "Good-by all!"

"Good-by, and God bless you, my boy!" said the fond mother, and then the drum rattled, the fife piped up its merry tune, and the Poland volunteers were off for the war.