"I'm ready and willing to have my boys fight for their country, but I don't want them to sneak off as though they had been robbing a hen-roost, and without even saying good by to me." "If Tom were here, do you mean to say you would let him go ?" demanded John, earnestly.
"Certainly I do; I mean so.

But I don't think there is any need of boys like him going, when there are men enough to do the fighting." "You told Tom he shouldn't go." "Well, I didn't think he really meant it.

If he had--What's that, John ?" asked she, suddenly, as a noise at the window attracted her attention.
"Only the cat, mother." "If Thomas or you had asked me in earnest, and there was need of your going, I wouldn't have kept either of you at home.

I would go to the poorhouse first.

My father and my brother both fought for their country, and my sons shall when their country wants them." "Then you are willing Tom should go ?" "I am, but not to have him sneak off like a sheep-stealer." "Three cheers for you, mother!" shouted Thomas, as he threw up the window at which he had been standing for some ten minutes listening to this interesting conversation.
"Where have you been, Thomas ?" exclaimed the delighted mother.
"Open the door, Jack, and let me in, and I will tell you all about it," replied the absentee.
"Come in; the door isn't locked," said John.
He came in; and what he had to tell will interest the reader as well as his mother and his brother..