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Page 6
"Whatever do you mean, mother?"
"What I say, and it is even so; for have I not the promise of the
Governor himself? But your father will tell you better, for he knows
what has been done."
So Ridge went to his father, who confirmed what he had just heard,
saying:
"Yes, son; your mother has exerted her influence in your behalf, and
procured for you the promise of a second-lieutenant's commission,
provided I am willing to pay for the honor."
"How, father?"
"By using my influence to send Herman Dodley to the Legislature as soon
as he comes back from the war."
"Is Dodley going into the army?"
"Yes. He is to be a major."
"And would you help to send such a man to the Legislature?"
"If you wanted to be a lieutenant badly enough to have me do so, I
would."
"Father, you know I wouldn't have you do such a thing even to make me
President of the United States!"
"Yes, son, I know it."
And the two, gazing into each other's eyes, understood each other
perfectly.
"I would rather go as a private, father."
"I would rather have you, son; though it would be a great
disappointment to your mother."
"She need not know, for I will go to some distant camp before
enlisting. I wouldn't serve in the same regiment with Herman Dodley,
anyhow."
"Of course not, son."
"I suppose his appointment is political--as well as the one intended
for me?"
"Yes; and so it is with every other officer in the regiment."
"That settles it. I would sooner join the Cubans than fight under the
leadership of mere politicians. So, when I do enlist, it will be in
some regiment where the word politics is unknown, even if I have to go
into the regular army."
"Son, I am prouder of you than I ever was before. What will you want
in the way of an outfit?"
"One hundred dollars, if you can spare so much."
"You shall have it, with my blessing."
So it happened that, a few days later, Ridge Norris started for the
war, though without an idea of where he should find it or in what
capacity he should serve his country.
CHAPTER III
ROLLO THE TERROR
On the evening when Ridge decided to take his departure for the seat of
war he was driven into the city by his father, who set him down near the
armory of the regiment in which he had been offered a lieutenant's
commission--for a consideration.
"I don't want you to tell me where you are going, son," said Mr. Norris,
"for I would rather be able to say, with a clear conscience, that I left
you at headquarters, and beyond that know nothing of your movements."
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