Explore "The Soldier Boy" by Oliver Optic on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
While Tom was in the hospital, he received a letter from his sister, / informing him that his brother John had actually entered the navy, and / with his mother's consent. The news from home was so favorable, that the / soldier boy was pleased to hear that Jack had realized his darling wish, / and that he was now in his element.
Intelligence from home, accompanied with letters, papers, books, comforts, / and luxuries of various kinds, reached him every two or three weeks; and / when the news went back that Tom had been made a sergeant for gallant / conduct, there was a great sensation in Pinchbrook. The letters which / reached him after the receipt of this gratifying announcement contained / all the gossip of the place in regard to the important event. Of course, / Tom was delighted by these letters, and was more than ever determined to / be diligent and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and never to / disgrace the name he bore. He was confident his friends would never have / occasion to blush for his conduct -- including the original of the / photograph, the author of the letter and of the socks.