The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-09-12
One day he received an invitation, as


ID a matter of course, to dine with tt
IN General in command, who had just a
It rived at his station. A meeting wit
s. his brother officers promised him Il
Is pleasure, and he was personally stral
A er to the General, who knew nothing {
# him but by the report of those who de
n spised him. He managed to arrive a
o at the latest allowable moment, and b
r contrived to get seat at the table mex
t to the General who, both as his hos
and superior officer, was bound to affort
r him protection from the insolence O
the company.
L need not say how the dinner hou
: passed with him. Totally silent ant
neglected, except for the notice of the
General. the time SO full of pleasure tc
the company wore heavy and painful to
him but he was contented to escape
rudeness, and made Indifference compar.
atively welcome.
After the cloth was removed the wine
circulated freely, the mirth grew loud,
and even the presence of our young friend
was nearly forgotten, until a circum-
stance of a startling character brought
him into notice
The General suddenly cried out, "Gen-
tlemen, 1 have lost my watch; had it in
my hands ten minutes ago, but it is
gone"
A painful suspense instantly followed;
every man exchanged glanccs with his
neighbor, until at last every eye settled
with suspicion upon the young Ensign.
Who but he of all the company could be
guilty of such crime? Besides, he was,
perhaps, the only man near enough to
the General to effect the theft. Such
thoughts as these were in every mans
mind-they left not shade of doul t.
The miserable wretch was caught at last,
and there was as little pity as respect
felt fy7 him.
"Shut the door," shouted the Cylonel
of the regiment, "let no man leave the
room. The watch is among US, and it
concerns every man present to fix the
guilt where it belongs. propose that
a search be instantly made, and let it
begin with me- -
"By no MEANS" interrupted the Gen
eral. at shall not be So No gentle
man is capable of such an act. A hun
dred watches are not worth the impeach-
ment of q gentleman's honor. Say no
more about it. 1t 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 sterDly at the
Eusign, "and the rascal must be driven
from the station. We cannot have
among US, and We cannot
consent to have it a moment in doubt
who the wretch really is. There is no
fear that the shame will fall in any un-
place. We mast finish the
fellow now and be done with him."
The Ensign sat steady, motionless
and pale as death. Every eye was fixed
upon him, and to every eye the signs of
guilt was perfectly clear. The General
had no doubt of it, and he was more
anxious to prevent the search on that
account, but he was overcome, and sub
nitted. A few minutes sufficcd for the
examination of every one present, till it
came to the Eusign, who was left pur-
Dosely to the last.
"Now, young man, ;.said the Colonel,
turning and advancing toward him,
now, sir, it is your turn" his face look
ng perfectly savage with scorn and hate.
The watch, sir, without word or
moments delay"
But a terrible change had passed up
N the long suffering, patient boy. He
prang from his seat so wild, so fierce and
o full of agony that every heart stood
till for a moment with surprise. In
hat moment he had planted him self
gainst the wall. drawn his sword, and
aiken the attitude of defence
"Come you to search me, sir, as you
Tould a suspected thief? On your life
warn you not to offer me that indig-
i:y. My dead body you may search, l
ut not my living one. Approach now {
your dare. l defy the whole of you as s
ne man." |
Instantly the Colonel crossed swords
18th him in furious combat.
"Holdl peace! arrest them!" cried the {
ieneral, and sprang forward himself to
revent the affray.-At the first step, I
he watch rolled out on the floor! He s
ad missed the fob, and now the watch {
I'll from its concealment in the violence
fhis movements-The company were G
Iectri6ed. The conduct of the Ensign
as inexplicable. He had braved dis t
,uction, risked his reputation, and per- I
ed his life on point of honor too nice ?
IT his superiors to feel;-and he had
lsulted and defied them all in one breath /
nd there he stood justified and victo-
ious before them.
It was too much to bear, for they were v
10 much excited to understand it. b
heir determination was taken, and the y
dispersed, with resolutions set, ii
nd purpose infexible. The General