Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/187

GREATER THAN PATRIOTISM backward in some mud and had to stop and clean his uniform—of which he was mighty proud.

To me it was foolish. I got mad. But to Jon it was a great lesson. He obeyed every order.

Says he:

"There is a crazy man. And what is it survives in him? Not love, not the recollection of his wife, his children; only the vast patriotism of that day is left. We have laughed because he enlists always. But he might laugh, if he knew, because we never enlist."

"Off in the clouds, Jonthy," says I. "I'm on the earth. Come back. Be merciful to me, a sinner."

"Ah, daddy," laughs Jon, "I am learning something! This enlisting brings it out."

"What? Quick—before it gets away!"

"That there is something greater even than love."

"Well, well! Who'd have thought it? And from sentimental Jon! But I'm glad to hear 171