"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."