Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-05-22

any man, weakness that renders every other
virtue worthless.
Poor fellow ! he was alone, iriendess, and
without dollar in the world but his monthly
pay. With these beggarly circumstances he
was scholar and gentleman, with feelings
rendered over.sensitive by high culture and re.
cent misiorlunes. But his chief impeachment
was conscience--a religious sense of rigl,
which left him no liberty 10 relieve himself or
highest morality forbade. lie suffered much
every way, ai.d most Of it all he endured !or
"righteousness sake" Or course he had the
'rtrength and noblencss which such sonlimei,
bestoNs but 1t is easier to do great things than
to bear little ones. There are more heroes than
saints i'll the world. 81. Peter was not afraid
OF the soldiers III the garden, but he was u
shamed Of hls master in the Judgment Hall
10 bear disgrace, and shame, and scorn, to stand
quiet under suspicious that drive ono out Of
society, for the sake Of principle which nobody
believes or respec.s-ihiS is cross bearing.
Our young hero occupied the position oc Il
soldier and gentleman, with the character Of
coward and slave! 1t was il bitter cup, and
his enemies kept it constantly to his lips.
One day he received an Invitation, AS mat
ter of course, TO dine with the General in com
mand, who had just arrived at the station. a
meeting with his brother officers promiscd him
no pleasure, and lac was personally stranger TO
the General, who knew nothing of him bu! by
report Of thuso who despised him. llo managed
to arrive ut the latest allowable moment, and he
contrivcd to procure a seat at table next ~ the
General, who. both his host and superior
oil GER, was bound to afford him protection from
the itsolence If The company.
need not say how the dinner hour passsd
with him. fatally silput and al q
ior the necessary notice OF tho General, tho
time, SO full Of pleasure TO the company, wore
away heavy and painful to him; but he was
coliehted 10 escape rudonsss, and made indif-
ference comparatively welcome.
After the cloth was removed, the wine circu-
lated, the company drank freely, the mirth grew
loud, and the presence OF our young friend was
nearly forgotten, until a circumstance of start
ling character brought him into notice. The
General suddenly cried out Gentleman, have
lost my watch had il in my hand ten minutes
ago, hut it is gone" a painful suspense in
stantly followed every man exchanged glanees
with his neiehbor, until at Inst every eye settled
with suspicion upon tho young Ensign Who
but he Of all the company, could be guilty oi
such a crime? Besiues ho vas, perhaps, the
only man near enough to the General TO effect
the theft. Such thoughts as these were in eve.
ry mind-they left not shade Of doubt. Tho
miserable wretch was caught at last; and there
was as little pity respect felt for him.
r shut the door," shouted the Colonel Of the
regiment, "lel no man leave the room. The
watch is among us, und it concerns every man
present to fix the gilt where it belongs. I pro-
pose that search be instantly made, and Let it
begin with me-"
by no MEANS" interposcd the General. at
shall ppt La NJ, ,,nn,ln,p,p ia, Ia ,t
such al act. A hundred watches are not worth
the Impeachment, Of any gentleman's honor
Say no more about it. 1t has no special value
above its price, and care nothing about that"
"Bat, General" said the Colonel, the watch
is in the room. One Of us must have il, look
: ing sternely at the young Ensign, and the ras-
cal must be driven from the station. We cnn-
} not have "a pick?ocket among us, and we cannot
consent 10 leave it q 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, und be done with
him."
, The Ensign sat steady, motionless, but pale
s as death. Every eye was fixed upon him, and
/ 10 every eye the igns Of guilt were perfectly
clear. The General had 10 doubt Of it, and he
; was the more anxious 10 proven, the search Oh
} this account; bu, he was overcome, and sub
mitled. a iew minutes suiliced for the eXani-
nation Of every one present, till it came to Tho
, Ensign, who was left purposely to the last
, "Now, young man, said the Colonel, turning
and advancing toward him, "now, sir, it is your
! turn" )" his face looking perfectly savage with
scorn and hate. "The watch, sir, without q
, word or a moments delay
} But terrific change had passed upon the long
: suffering, patient boy. lie sprang from his
sea. with a scream SO wild, SO fierce, and SO
full of agony, that every heart stood still mo.
! ment with surprise. In that moment ho had
plantedhimsellagais tho wall, drawn his sword,
and taken the attitude of defence.
Come you to seorch me, sir, as you would a
suspected thief? On your life, warn you not
to offer me that indgn,y. My dead body you
may search, but not my living one. Approach
now if you dare. ! defy the whole Of you as
= one man!
I Instantly tho Colonel crossed swords with
him in furious combat.
"Hold peace arrest them cried the Gen.
! crai and sprang forward himself to prevent the
=. a!lray. At the first step ths watch rolled on
the floor? He had missed his fob, and now the
atch fell from its concealmenI in the violence
Of his movements. The company was electri-
lied. The conduct Of the Ensign was ineXpIi-
. cable! lie had braved destruction, risked his
reputation, and perlled his life, on a point o
honor too nice for his superlors to feel and he
had nsulted and deied them all in one breath
and there he stood justified and victorious be-
!, fore them
1t was too much to bear, for they were Toe
much excited to understand it. Their detormi
nation was taken, and the company dispersed
Al, .l,,,:. ,tna l,l