Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

27. Lydia Puckett

KNOWLT HOHEIMER ran away to the war

The day before Curl Trenary

Swore out a warrant through Justice Arnett

For stealing hogs.

But that’s not the reason he turned a soldier.

He caught me running with Lucius Atherton.

We quarreled and I told him never again

To cross my path.

Then he stole the hogs and went to the war—

Back of every soldier is a woman.