Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-11-19


thought fit that you should re- pursue your stud
les, and acquire more thorough knowledge, Q
certain branches which are considered highly
essential to the education of an officer. -
:'Then, SIR" asked I, firing up, why did you
forestall the opinion Of the Secretary by assn
ring me that had passed? There has beer
some underhanded work here-some garblee
report of yours has, in all probability, influenced
the Department.
ting his brow, 'syou forget where you are anc
the position you occupy"
II forget nothing, replied 'sI have beer
deceived, and hold you responsible as the au
thor Of a disgrace which cannot allow to cling
to my name.
DO you threaten, sir?' interrupted the Col
onel looking toward the door.
There is duty [ owe mysef-that per-
formed / shall think about the duty owe my
country. You have deceived me and caused
me much modification; in fact, | consider thai
l have been insulted
You can go to your quarters, sir, said the
Superintendent.
II shall go, sir, when it suits my convenience.
| Colonel Thayer, demand satisfaction-I de-
mand some atonement for the injury you have
done me-.
young man p and while he spoke his lips
| quivered, your lmpetuous temper is fast plung-
| ing you into difficulty. If you mean to chal-
lenge me, the threat only excites my contempt
| the wide difference between us in rank would
forbid such meeting | can very consistently
decline the honor, The laid a particular stress
on the word honor.) AS it is, shall content
myself with ordering your arrest.
| wide difference in rank u L, sneerlngly, re
piled. II can soon equaze our positions l
here tender you my resignation as cadet in
the United States Academy. AS a citizen,
become your equal
'.Orderly!" exclaimed the Colonel. At the
call stout, square-built soldier opened the
door and, bringing the back of his right hand
up to the vizor of his cap, stood waiting his su-
perior's commands. Take this young man out
of my Office. y
| The soldier made step toward me, but with
flushed face and clenched fist, [ threw myself
| into an attitude of defence, at the same time
addressing the Colonel.
| IF that man places his hand upon me, it
shall be the last menial duty he will do in obe-
dience to the orders of tyrant! L shall leave
your presence, sir, with disgust-for | know
cannot find justice here.
With this [ passed by the orderly and left
the building with bosom convulsed by con-
| ficting passions, over which prevailed firm
resolution to resign. made my way toward
the barracks, my heart swelling and collapsing
with the ebb and flow of my hot blood. On
my way across the parade ground, [ met my
old friend and musical instructor Richard Will
lis who greeted me with a cordial press of my
hand Willis was an lrishman, and conse-
quently warm hearted and honest fellow.
''Glad to see you back my boy" exclaimed
he. ''Ye did the thing handsomely, l under
stand.
"Handsomey!' calculated l, my mind filled
IL fNo1o
nel Were you iistening?''
Listening, did ye say? Be the powers,
how could l be listening when was hetwain
ninety and hundred miles off? But, may be,
| | heard of it from Captain c., who did
hear the whole of it; and he towld me with his
own lips, that you stood your ground like a
man; and always said it took the likes o'ye
to do honor to the profession.
II am afraid, friend Willis, that have dis
graced the profession" replied l. looking Sc
rious or else the profession has disgraced me.
'Disgraced the profession, did you say? Ar
rah, be after stopping that. Has the doing OF
an act that would benefit fellow crather iver
dsgraced any profession? Answer me that,
my boy. It's with pride that ! say-I that
should mt say it, that Dick Willis has taught
you how to handle an instrument that is moth
ing without a proper embrasure, a steady
finger, quick eye and prompt execution Jist
come over to me house, and wei have crack
at a duo, and Iii be your second
| Il would not for worlds involve you, my
good friend, in this affair." replied, still i'm
agining that he alluded to the challenge [ had
given; lit does not interest you, and you could
not perform your part without bringing trouble
| to your family.
'Och, brother! don't talk about my family !;
| It'll pleasure to them, and my wife will get
the chllders out of the way lest their crying
might annoy us. If ye hav ut got yer instru-
ment with ye, it don't matter much, for I've
got couple at home that can spake to the
point, and / almost blow my brains out with
! them every day. They re beauties!'
In the name Of mystery Willis, what are
you talking about?" | asked, not comprehend
ing him.
Talking about? Why, couple of flutes
tobesure," !" said the band leader, staring at me
in return, "Ye did the nate thing in New
York, when ye performed that concerto of lou
Ions that [ taught you, for the binifit Of the
widder of that poor divil of music teacher who
died one day. Ye did yerself credit, and me
too, my boy
.Why, Willis, - replied 1 with sero-comic
smile, Il thought you were alluding to some
thing else that at present weighs heavily on my
mind. But, how did you come to hear Of the
flute solo?''
why, my boy, natural enough. Captain
C. was stopping bit of time in New
York, and went to the concert. He sent lot
of programmes as they call 'em, up here, and,
besides, we saw some fatthering notices in the
papers. The Captain said he was much pleased
with your performance of the Concerto, (which
you must never forgit [ taught you) but, he
wanted to know why the bills called you Lieu
tenant, and what business an officer in Uncle
Sam army had to do on a public stage, ma
king music for the multitude? The Captain
was rather bitter, my boy-but, / cut him short
by telling him that you had the advantage over
the whole army list-you could conquer the
crowd with your flute and the inimies of your
country with your sword Besides, was mt ii
an advantage ye had, when stray shot should
kill the ffer of the company, you were always
ready, jist as good as new, to take up the fife
and do the duties of the defunct intirely?"
7 Il now understand you, my friend, said
taking his profered arm and walking towarc
the barracks; Il fear that that unfortunate
flute solo has proved the cause of an entire
change in my career of life. am about to re
sign.
'sYou don't say SO, my boy, exclaimed Viii
lis, looking serious.
II do-and [ have thrown the gauntlet a
the feet of Colonel Thayer. If he will not hgh
me as an humble subordinate, he shall do it a
a citizen and his equal, or shall brand him. .
Willis looked mystifed- scratched his pate
and would have said something to dissuade nj
from the course had SO resolutely determine'
,non hut his elonuence was perfectly dumb