Page:Patriotic pieces from the Great War, Jones, 1918.djvu/56

52 that it is just as much our fight as theirs, and we ought to have been in it three years ago; they are getting tired over there. I'd hate to be drafted. I'd feel mean to think I had to be dragged in; besides I want to do my part. Every fellow ought to get into it."

"What part of the service did you elect?"

"The Infantry, sir. I'm going to Spartansburg to the training-camp." Silence for some moments; then, showing that his bridges were burned, "I've sold my clothes; sold 'em for four dollars and I'm to send 'em right back soon's I get my uniform. I hope I don't have to wait for the soldier clothes. I think I got a good bargain and so did the fellow I sold 'em to. I thought I wouldn't need 'em while I was in the army, and when I got back they'd be all out of style; and then—I may never come back." A ripple of seriousness passed over his boyish face. "But it was a good chance and I took it. Have you a son, sir?"

"Yes, I have a son just eighteen, at Cornell. He expects to go next year if they need him in the aviation."

"I'm just nineteen. I thought I'd better enlist. It's just possible they might draft 'em later, and I just couldn't stand it to be drafted. Do you think I'll be able to go home for Thanksgiving?" he asked eagerly.