GENERAL SHERIDAN AND HIS SON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 9, 2 March 1899, Page 31

GENERAL SHERIDAN AND HIS SON.

Two grave, quiet-looking men stood on the steps of a big house in Washington some years ago. They were watching four bright children £et into a cart and drive down the street, throwing back kisses and ' good-byes ' to papa and papa's friend. The father was General Phil Sheridan — ' Fighting Phil,' as he was called in those days. His friend said :—: — ' Phil, how do you manage your little army of four ?' • Don't manage ; they are mischievous soldiers, but what good comrades ! All the good there is in me they bring out. Their little mother is a wonderful woman, and worth a regiment of officers, John. I of<"en think what pitfalls are in waiting for my small brave soldiers all through life. I wish I could always help them over.' ' Phil, if you could keep your little son from the temptation most to be feared, what would it be ?' Cleneral Sheridan leaned his head against the doorway and said soberly :—: — 'It would be the cur«e of strong driuk. Boys are not saint? . We are all self-wille i, maybe full of courage anl thrift and push and kindness an. l charity, but woe be to the man or boy who becomes a, "lave < f liq ior ' Oh, I Ind rather sec my little son die today (.h in to --op him c m i<-d in to his mother diunk ! ' ' One of my bra\o soldier boys on the field said to me before a battle, when he g.ne me his message to his mother. 'If 1 should be killed, tt 11 her 1 h:i\e kept my promise to her. Nut one ' drink ' have 1 ever ta-fod.' The boy was killed. I carried the message with my own lips to the mother. She said, '• General, that is more yloiy for my boy than if he had taken acity.""' — Catholu Mirror.