The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-16

There were but few wounded men. Such |
as there were, however, were properly cared
for. -, gA
That evening, when we sat down to sup
per, no one could have told, from the APP
pearance of Walter Legrand, that anything
unusual had happened. He met US with
that same calm smile of recognition, and his
face wore that same look of. unObtrusive,
modest reserve The meal was eaten most
ly in silence. could see that the other OF.
ficers gazed upon the youth with looks of
admiring wonder, and even Captain Savage
was humbled and awed.
Legrand saw the looks that were cast up
on him, and he knew we'll what they meant.
After he had finished his supper he wiped
his lips, and we knew from his movements,
that he was going to speak. A min might
have been heard to drop at that moment.
Gentlemen" he said, while slight tre-
mulousness was manifest in his neither lip.
" You all know what has passed since /
came on board this ship, and shall not re-
count the painful talk. I have heard the
word coward and have not resented it,
and had not this days events come to pass,
l should not have made the explanation
which l am now about to make, for it
might only have been received as the hol-
low excuse of one who dared not fight
You have some of you heard of my father.
He was brave man and good officer,
but in an evil hour he had q difficulty with
brother officer, and he accepted chal-
lenge to fight duel. He met his compan-
ion upon the field, and lie fell. He had
marched boldly up to the lannon's mouth
for his beloved country, and his life was
spared that his bosom friend might take it,
My mother heard the sad story. She knew
my hot blood-she knew / was my fathers
child, and she feared for me- She drew my
head upon her grief-laden bosom, and asked
me to promise her that would never give
nor receive challenge to mortal combat,
and that l would never lend my counte.
nance or assistance to the same in the ca
pacity of friend. l made the promise and
sealed it with VOW, and mothers prayer
went up that l might be true to it. Gen
tlemen, you know all now"
There was a tear in his eye, but he turn
ed quickly away and went on deck.
For some moments after he had gone,
there was death-like stiffness.
Gentlemen" uttered Savage, start
ing quickly from his seat, follow me on
deck"
He started for the ladder, and we all
went after him. Legrand stood by the lee
quarter railing, and Savage moved quickly
to him.
"Mr. Legrand," said the humbled officer
in trembling, but frank tone, Il have
wronged you most deeply, and here, before
all the living witnesses Of my error, ask
your pardon. Forgive me, sir, and I will
never do such wrong again"
Walter took the proffered hand, and
while tears trembled upon his dark lashes,
he replied:
Captain Savage, most joyfully do 1 &C.
cede to your request. Let the past be for
gotten sir, and may its darkness be more
than obliterated by the friendship of this
hour"
The temptation could not be resisted My
first-mate, noble-hearted sailor, threw up
his cap and called out for three cheers
they were given-three times three-for
the noble youth wi o had not only been the
direct agent of saving our ship and crew,
but who also had the moral courage to do
his whole duty, even though it brought out
the jeer and scoff of companions against
him.
The widowed mother had followed her
son on deck, and she had seen all that had
TRANSFERRED, and never shall 1 forget the
strange look that dwelt upon her counte-
nance as she clasped her hands and raised
her streaming eyes towards heaven. 1t
was look of such joyful pride, and ardent
gratitude, as words cannot tell.
At due time we arrived at Calcutta with
out further trouble, and from that evening
of reconciliation heard not a profane word
nor ribald jest fall from Captain Savage's
lips. He was better and happier man.
Walter Legrand was urged most strongly
to join the army, but love for his mother
restrained him. He settled his fathers bus
mess, and he and his mother returned to
England with me. Three years after that
he was sent to Parliament from his native
borough, and no man can enjoy more ex.
tensively the confidence and esteem of his
fellows than he does. But know that all
the honors which men can heap upon him
can never take that place in his heart and
love which is filled by the gratitude and
trusting confidence of his own dear moth.
err
va 1t will be borne in mind that the
st. Louis Varieties Troupe commence a Sc
rieS of theatrical representations in the com