Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-06-19

: General to effect the theft. Sue
: thoughts as these were in every min
they left not a shade of doubt
The miserable wretch was caught a
{ last; and there was rs little pity q
: respect felt for him. 60 ..a''w b.
: "Shut the door, shouted the Colo
mel of the regiment, "let no MAJ
leave the loom. The watch is anon,
US, and it concerns every man pres
J ent to fix the guilt where it belongs
: propose that a search be instantly
made, and let it begin with me-
'By no means," interposed tht
General. "It shall not be so. Nc
gentleman is capable of such an act
A hundred watches are not worth
I the impeachment Of any gentleman's
honor. Say no more about it. II
has no special value above its price,
and care nothing about that"
"But, General" said the Colonel,
"the 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 station
We cannothave a Pickpocket among
us, and we cannot consent to leave
it moment in doubt who the wretch
really is. There is no fear that the
shame will fall ON any unexpected
! place. We must finish the fellow
now, and be done with him."
The Ensign sat steady, motionless,
but pale as death. Every eye was
fixed upon him, and to every eye the
signs Of guilt Were perfectly clear.
The General had no doubt of it, and
he was the more anxious TO prevent
the search on this account, but he
was overcome, and submitted. A
few minutes sufficed for the exam
ination Of every one present, till il
come TO the Ensign, who was left
purposelY TO the last. t. al
SNOW, young man." said the Colo
mel, turning and advancing toward
him, snow, sir, it is your turns" his
face looking perfectly savage with
scorn and hate. "The watch, sir,
without word or moments de-
Iayl" tff8
But terrific change had passed
upon the long-sufering, patient boy.
He sprang from his seat with a scream
SO wild, so fierce, and so full Of agony,
that every heart stood still mo-
ment with surprise. In that moment
he had planted himself against the
wall, drawn his sword, and taken the
attitude Of defence.
"Come you to search me, sir, as
you would suspected thief? On
your life, warn you not TO offer
me that indignitv. My dead body
you may search, but not my living
onel Approach now if you dare.
defy the whole of you as one manr'
Instantly the Colonel crossed
swords with him in furious combat.
"Holdl peace! arrest theml" cried
the General, and sprang forward
himself to arrest the affray. At the
first step, the watch rolled on the
foorl He had missed his fob, and
now the watch fell from its place Of
concealment in the violence Of his
The company was
The conduct Of the En-
sign was inexplicablel Hehad braved
destruction, risked his reputation,
and periled his life, on a point OF
honor too nice for his superiors to
feel; and he had insulted and defed
them all in one breath, and there he
stood justified and victorious before
theml 'Es11lI i7 'rgous faeg 3
"Sir," replied the second, "you
have seen fit TO. include me among
the men who despise you, and you
are right in that opinion. Let me
tell you, that cowa dice and conceit,
covered with preaching and canting,
will not protect you. You have
grossly insulted every gentleman in
The garrison. to whom you were
odious enough before, and you must
either give them the satisfaction
which the code Of honor approves,
or you must leave the army. Be :
of that" ira Il .'a5fl
When he met the general that night, .
md informed him of the challenge. and
lis refusal, that officer looked at him
,adIy and earnestly. .-,--.s.--..
"My dear young friend" said he, al
I'm afraid it won't do. These men will
1ot be satisfied with an argument. and ,
t is plain that you are not the man TO
make an apology while convinced that I
7ou. are right, nor do I believe that they c
would accept any thing short of your =
resignation. You have somehow got !
he ill-wiIl of the whole corps, and to-
light you affronted them mortally. IL
I'M sure you cannot know how sharply u
'our conduct ant language touched
hem, and your triumph only aggraya- n
ed the offence. And, now, your refu- o
al to accept the Coionel's challenge is, q
lnder the most favorable construction, t'
N attack upon the code by which mili-l &
-" u i