Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-03-18

n entirely exhausted my PefunIaTy re
e isources, / have come 10 you, upol
the recommendation Of others, 4
1 assist me by your wisdom and coun
sci in establishing myself in busi
/: ness" -rlr
, To a military mind. mellowed ant
softened by the social relations, sucl
, an appealiwas not only highly graft
: lying, but wholly irresistible. ant
+ drew forth a response worthy tb,
| head and heart of the intrepid of
| ficer.
"Stranger," said he, drawing him
self up into an attitude of impor
tance, which none but that peculiar
class Of men can assume, "you have
shown your good sense in thus calling
upon me; for it comes within my
province, above all others, in this
vicinity, to succor the distressed
Perhaps, YOU are not yet fully aware
who | AMI am captain of the
militia, commanding all the men
within twenty miles of here, which
position gives me an influence over
them, that | can use to a good advan-
Etage for the benefit of my friends.
In the course of two or three months
from this time, shall bring out the
strength OF my company, and when,
| if you follow my advice, yon will
acknowledge, not only my disposi-
ton, but my ability to serve you.-
The office of second corporal is to
be filled at that time, and from my
influence among my men, have no
doubt but that | can procure your
election to that post. Now, sir,
though liberal in nv views and senti-
menis, and above all things, anxious
to succor the distressed, it gives me
peculiar pleasure 10 aid men Of liber-
al minds, (such an one, as have no
doubt you will prove yourself 10 be,)
'men, who in the catalogue, will
stand for men, :hose who have
disposition TO reriprocate important
favors. Now, sir, we can be mutual.
ly beneficial TO each other. You by
assisting me in grubbing and ditch
ing a little piece of ,0et land. which
1 o,on ia this Uicinrfy, and |, by en-
bracing the favorable opportunity
thus presented, OF introducing you
to the people, which will the better
enable me, to secure your promotion
in the militia
The stranger listened with the
most profound attention TO the de-
velopement of our hero's plan, then
turning a full front TO him, replied:
"Cdptain, do you really think that
am such Id fool as 10 come
all the way from the State Of Maine,
and grub three months in mud and
water, TO be elected second corporal
OF the militial Sir, your mud-hole,
your corporal-ship and yourself nay
all go TO the devil together, and |
will try some more humble and less
rugged path to fortune and 10 fame
than that suggested by your cap
tainship."
Thus ended one Of the most inter-
esting colloquys upon this most in
teresting subject, which it has ever
fallen the lot OF man to witness
The great poet has declared, that
"There is tide in the affairs of men, If taken /
at the food, lends on TO fortune;
That passed, the balance of our lives runs out
to waste.''
Sir, little did that benighted citizen
of Maine anticipate the elevated po.
siiion which militia musters and mill
tia officers were TO assume in the
scale of honor and of consequence.
Little did he expect when he turned
his back upon the profered office,
that during his day and generation
new era was to dawn upon our glori-
Gus institutions, and that militia mus
tiers were TO be baptized into new
and living constitution.
Little did he imagine that the
period was drawing nigh, when the
General of Brigade would appear
before his legions sin all the pomp
and circumstance of war;" riding a
charger whose "neck should be
clothed with thunder, and the glory
Of whose nostriIs would be terrible
which should paw in the valley,
and rejoice in his strength; which
should go forth to meet the armed
men, which should mock at fear and
not be affrighted, neither turn his !
back from the sword; which shall {
say among the trumpeis, bal hal
And shall smell the battle afar of, I
the thunder of the captains and the
Sir, as we love the
splendor of the battle field. untar- ;
nished by the solemn realities OF
danger and Of death-as we proper j
" appreciate the patriotism Of those
who are not only willing. but anx-
ious, TO devote small portion Of 8
their valuable time 10 an exhibition I
Of their prowess on the tented field |
Let US be found equal to the crisis
and the occasion. Let US sustain