All for a Scrap of Paper: A Romance of the Present WarHocking, Joseph
General
All for a Scrap of Paper: A Romance of the Present War
Hocking, Joseph
World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction
When Bob Nancarrow returned home that night he was the happiest man in
Cornwall. More than he had ever hoped for had come to pass. Nancy had
promised to wait for him because she loved him. She had preferred him
to all others, and sacrificed brilliant prospects because of her love
for him. The sky of his life seemed cloudless. Nothing, as far as he
could see, stood in the way of his attaining his highest hopes. The
plan which had so suddenly been born in his mind and heart grew in
attractiveness. He had the most glorious objective in the world. He
saw an outlet for his energies, while the cause for which he would
stand appealed to all that was noblest within him.
War against war!
The thing had become a passion with him. Here was the great work
which, unknown to himself, he had all along wanted. Even when he had
dreamed of becoming an Oxford Don, and of spending his life in a kind
of cultured seclusion, there had always been something wanting. He had
fighting blood in his veins; the old fire for which the Trelawneys had
been famous had constantly made its appeal. And now Nancy had shown
him how his life could be a positive one. Now he could be true to the
principles which he had inherited from his father, and to which he held
with strong tenacity, and at the same time satisfy his desires to
participate in the struggles and battles of the great world.
"A noble cause demands your zeal!"
He found himself humming the words as he turned on the lights. And he
had a noble cause, the noblest, the most Christlike on earth. Warfare!
Yes, in spite of his peace principles he loved warfare. Man was a
fighting animal, and he was a man, every inch of him. And he was
called on to fight--to fight the War-god which had lifted its head so
arrogantly and brutally. But his warfare was to be for peace--the
peace of the world. It was to be for man's salvation, and not for his
destruction. Not for pillage, carnage, cruelty, mad hatred,
overwhelming ambition, lust for blood; but brotherhood, kindliness,
love, mercy. This was the battle of the Lord; this was the cause of
Christ.
In this way he could be true to his father's teaching, true to the
Christianity in which he believed; but more, he could by this means
make himself worthy of Nancy, and make a place in the world, in which
even her father would rejoice.
His heart beat with wild joy. Even now Nancy's kisses were warm on his
lips, her words of love rang in his ears.
Yes, his plan of life was plain, his work arose before him, alluring,
ennobling, inspiring. And Nancy loved him! What more could he desire?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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