The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-06-14

On tly other hand, the officers Of the sta
ton were generally we'll supplied with mon-
ey, and had nothing to do bat 70 spend H.
tAsy-lissd- fast aad--high, and Here by all
their habits and tastes, unpleasant companions
for such as be Besides his retiring manhers
there was something else IN him which dsin,
cliped him 70 their society, aud exposed him
10 their dislike this was a certain air Of self
re-p-e.r showing rs..sa.sat sad culture, and
a strict propriety OF language and manners,
which quietly, bat all the more severely, re-
buked their general loosehssa and rldeneas
Of conduct They hated him for the manner
he entered the army, and still worse for his
personal character aud demeanor among them
All this had is effect upon him also, and 80
the breach between them widened everyday,
A certain amount and kind Of courtesy he
~as eRt,tIod T., by the Fulez of the service I
this they gave him, but 10 sharply measured
out, that every salute was an anront, and ey-
cry look an insult and he might have had
cause Of quarrel at any moment he pleased
II was, In fact, the settled purpose Of several
Of these men to drive him out Of the army by
their inciyilitics, or 10 drive him into duel,
and so dispose Of him finally.
This grew worse continually Tho con
tempt Of the older officers for the young en-
sign, and his rcpugnance TO them, increased
with every meeting, until thoy paid no kind
Of respect to his feelings, aud he avoided
them with a caution that looked ike an on
tipAthy, The worst OF II all was the evident
convection in the minds ofthe whole garri'on
that he was coward--a character most
shameful in n soldier, amt m any man,
weak moss that renders every other virtue
worthless.
Poor fellow he was alone, iticndlcss, aud
without dollar in the world hut his monthly
pay. With these bcggarly circumstances he
was n scholar and gentleman, with feelings
rendered over sensitive by high culture and
recent misfortuncs But his chief impcdmcnt
was a conseionco-a religious sense Of right
which len him no liberty TO relieve himself
by any means which the highest morality for
badc. lie suffered much every way, and
most Of il endured for righteousness sake
? OF ruursc hu had the strength and noblcncss
which such a sentiment bestows but Il Is cN-
sicr to do great things than TO bear little ones.
There arc more heroes than saints in the
world. 81 Peter was not afraid of the sol
dcrs in the garden hut he was sa'hamcd ofthc
master in the judgment Hall To bear dis
/ grace. and shame and scorn, TO stand quiet
under suspicious that drive one out ofsocicty
for the sake Of principle which no ono be-
| licvcs or rcspecis-this is truly cross-bcaring.
Our young ier0 t-ruTFirri tirr fTrr-i.i--'s -f =.
soldier and a gentleman, with the character
Of coward and slave IL was n bitter cup,
and his enemies kept il constantly at his lips.
I One day he received nm invitation M n
matter Of course, 90 dine with tho General in
command who had Jus, arrived At the station.
a meeting with his brother officers promised
him no pleasure and he was personally a
stranger to the Genera, who knew nothing of
him hut hv report or those who dcspised him.
! To managed TO arrive at the latest allowable
moment, and he contrivcd TO procure u seat
At the table next 10 the General who, both
ms his host and superior officer was bonnd TO
afford him protection from the insolcnco of
the company.
need not say how the dinner hour passed
with him. Totally silent and neglected, ex-
ccpt for the necessary notice Of the General,
the time, 10 full Of pleasure 10 The company;
wore away heavy and painful to him but he
was contentcd to escape rudcness, and made
Indifference comparatively welcome.
Afier the cloth was removed the wine cir-
culated, the company drank freely, tho mir,h
fgrew loud md the presence ef f-et,r- Young
friend was nearly forgotten, until.a circum-
stance Of a startling character brought him
into notice. The General suddenly cried out
I-"Gentlemen, have lost my watch--I had
it in my hand ten minutes ago, but it is gone''
A painful suspense instantly followed ev-
cry man exchanged glanccs with his neigh
Dor, until at last every eye settled with suspi-
cion, upon the young ensign. Who but he, of
all the company could be guilty of such a
crime ? Besides, he was the only man near
enough TO the General to effect the theft
Such thoughts rs these were in every mind
| they left not shade Of doubt. The fnisura-
bic wretch was caught at last; and there was
as little pity as respect felt for him.
"Shut the door," shouted the Colonel Of
the regiment, '1et no man leave the room
The watch is among us, and it concerns eve
ry man present to fix the guilt where it be-
longs. 1propose that search be instantly
made, and let II begin with me.
'By no means" interposed the General
at shall not be so, No gentleman is capable
of such an actg A hundred watches are not
worth the impeachment of any gentleman's
honor, Say no more about it. IT has no spe-
cial salue above its price, and 1 care nothing
about that"
"But, General" said the Colonel "thc
watch is in the room. One Of us must have
it, !" looking sternly at the young ensign, "and
the rascal must be driven from the stasion.---
We cannot have a pfekp6cket among u.s. and
we cannot consent to leave it moment In
doubt who the wretch really ia There IL M