The best short stories of 1918, and the yearbook of the American short story
General
The best short stories of 1918, and the yearbook of the American short story
American fiction -- 20th century; Short stories -- 20th century -- Bibliography; Short stories -- 20th century -- Indexes; Short stories, American
Dashing Captain Jack Fuller, true to his blood and his birthright, went
away on the following day at the head of his sturdy volunteers. They
entrained at ten o’clock for Fort Ethan Allen.
Truly the boy did not remember the words of that toast which he gave
that memorable evening. But one thing he does remember. He remembers the
words of the girl he had married as he took her in his arms in those
last few sweet moments following the final breakfast in the little home:
“It was the Nieson in me that didn’t want you to go, Jack,” she choked
brokenly. “Up to last night I didn’t want you to go. But when you
wouldn’t drink the wine—when you had the courage to do what you did in
front of all those people—I was ashamed of my selfishness. Jackie
dear—I’m the proudest, happiest, miserablest woman in all this town!”
He pressed her to him. He kissed her—an embrace that left her weak and
limp.
“And you can count on me, Jack,” she said, “I’ll—do—my—duty—too! Even—if
you should never come back; remember I said—I was sorry for the way I’ve
acted; I’ll—do—my—duty—too!”
“Good-by, Betty!” he choked.
“Good-by—my soldier!” she lisped—bravely—piteously.
But she sent him away—with a smile!
She’s working now at her old place in Amos Wheeler’s box-shop. She
closed down the little home on Pleasant Street partly because she could
not keep up the expense, partly because she could not endure—the
memories. She’s living out in her father’s old place at the far end of
Cedar Street.
Poor little, dear little, brave little woman!
We know from his letters to our local paper, that Jack Fuller has
reached France. The girl is alone, earning five dollars a week in the
box-factory to support herself. The lad is “Over There” in the Whirlpool
and the Nightmare—and where the fighting is thickest, there we believe
Jack Fuller will be found.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account