Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/205

WHAT JONATHAN FOUND waiting, yearning, to fight for the dear old flag! Lieutenant Vonner, with an overflowing heart, apologizing for my neighbors' doubts, I salute you!"

"Not lieutenant," I says. "I ain't fit. If I can't fight in the ranks I won't go—"

But no one heard me. By that time they were crowding in to sign, and the band struck up The Star Spangled Banner and played till the shingles came off the houses, they say.

Jon sneaked up to me and says:

"Daddy, I'm surprised at you. Who'll take care of Evelyn and Dave? You shouldn't have done it. Please withdraw. There is time. One of us is enough under our circumstances."

"Jonthy," says I, "I don't know what withdraw means—" just in fun; I did know, of course—"and it was your fault. I wouldn't have done it for his speech. But yours—"

"I have a special purpose in going, daddy."

"No?" says I. "Patriotism?"

Well, anyhow, about that time, the editor came up and put his arms about us both. 189