Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-25
The Provost HInrshal,s story.

As you say, sir, there was an immense amount
of theft, bribery, and corruption during the late
war. Where this resulted from cool, calcu-
latng design, have no more sympathy with
the perpetrators than you have. But this was
not always the case. Vast trusts were often
necessarily Contided to the young or ineXperi-
enced. | can imagine those assaulted at times bv
temptations more terrible to face than any storm
of lead that ever swept over the battle-felds of
history With those who went under, vainly
fighting, can sympathiZe, while for those who
grandy beat down the devil under their feet,
have heartfelt praise and admiration. Don't
sneer, sir, when say that, of these last, | be-
lieve there were not a few. No, | can't mention
names, mores the pity. The victors of these
conflicts neither hand in their names nor post up
their records. And yet, fortunately for my the
DRY, have in mind the rather thrilling story of
one of these mortal heroes, and l might tell it,
if would. All nonsense, do you say2 Not at
all, sir. | can vouch for its verify. Tell it
then? Well | will, on condition that it goes no
farther, for, confded in friendship, it was not
anticipated that would sow it broadcast But
you must let me go back to the beginning.
Of course, you never knew my old schoolmate,
Hal Dudley. A prime fellow was Hal, frank,
hearty, whole-Souled, and great favorite.
plumed myself not little on his condescenson
in playing Damon to my Pythias. When the
war broke out he was a lad-beg pardon, a
young gentleman-at college, and | wasn't
However We both found our way into the army
While he was earning his single and double
bars on the Red and the Mississippi, was all
quiet with the army If the Potomac at Fair
Oaks, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Will
derness. Near the close of the war, learned
that he had been detailed as provost marshal
OF one of the most important seaport cities of
the south, then in our possession. Thinks to
myself that's placing great responsibility in
the hands of three and twenty, batthen, that
boy is equal to anything" The war ended, but
new interests kept us still wide apart.
A few weeks ago, on taking boat up the river
who should find on board but my old friend
Swift flew the hours to the memories of the past.
As good fortune would have it a full moon
greeted us on the morning of that day, and, as
we sat on the guards, watching her coquetries
with old Father Mississippi, we fell to rehears-
ing our war experiences. After many an incl
dent of march, and field, and rebel prison, Hal
suddenly broke out with, 81 must say, Glare,
that l think the most ticklsh affair ever
got into happened after was assigned to duty
as provost of Blank City Not that my life was
endangered, but my honor was most desperately
in peril. For the sake of "Auld Lang Syne," 81
think may tell you all about it,"
Certainly" said [ Certainly, I'll be a silent
partner with you, if that's the idea asidel I'M
less it proves too good to keep"
And this was his story, word for word, as
recall it:
First, then," said he, "have you any idea
~,
wealthy seaport city, the metropolis of state
and headquarters of department, such as
Blank city then was? Don't say you have for
it's impossible, without the experience Try to
imagine, however, the conflict of interest and
the state Of society that must have been, where
a lavish government was pouring our its re-
sources for thousand purposes, where vast
amounts of rebel property were to be, or were
not to be, confiscated, where great boards of al
most priceless cotton were to be run out illegti-
mately if possible, and honestly only when
necessary, and, against all this, contrast the
almost unlimited powers of my position and
office. tell you, amounts passed through my
hands, or within my reach that fairly staggered
meme, the son Of poor parents who, at college.
had ever been pinched for the needful, and in
the field had only fingered my pay. The very
air seemed full of bribery and corruption, and,
if had been dishonesty incliued-well | should
be better off than am-as well-to-do, perhaps,
as some wot of. But no matter; feel that if
| ever did get anything together wanted to en-
joy it, and knew couldn't if-you understand
But was to tell you how it once tested me to
the utmost TO let fortune slip through my
fingers, because / couldn't honestly close my
hand upon it. 1t was after this fashion:
One afternoon a stranger entered my office,
He was rather large, somewhat portly, and at
once dignifed and courtly IN his bearing. His
face, and his cress also, spoke of responsibility
With a gracious smile and bow he handed me
X,
In response to- my inquiring look, he said
Hope don't intrude, captain, but the fact is
just before | left the city | CHANGED to meet my
old friend General Sanford Merton. Learning
my intentions, he informed me that while cam.
paigning it, up the Red, he had taken quite q
desperate fancy to you, and desired me to be
sure and call and remember1im to you. men.
toned letter, but he said that his name would
be all sufficient with you. And | might add
captain, if you will permit me, that he spoke Sc
highly Of you, that personally, was not little
curious TO see one who could completely cap.
ture the good opinions of such sterling old
war horse as our friend the general. Again
| trust | have not been too presumptuous." |
assured him that he was welcome, and that
was very glad to hear from my old commander
General Merton, whose good opinion was GER
tainly very grateful to me, though 1 feared I'M
deserved. We passed some moments in pleas
ant chat, during which he informed me that he
was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and that
| having oyerworked, he had planned little trit
to get sniff of sea air, see something of the
present condition of the south, and look in or
the soldier boys, in whom he had always felt the
| deepest interest, etc., etc. In Withdrawing,
| invited him TO call again at his convenience.
The next morning | found on my desk, ac
| companied by the compliments of my new mad,
| friend, box of cigars of the most approved
and costly brand. A couple of days afterward
| he again called, and as he was really well m
4OIluSu anu ulle COnYerSatlOnallSt, MADE MIN
self most agreeable for an hour or so. While
making his adieus he seemed to suddenly recol
lect himself with "oh, by the way, captain,
have found several old friends here, and we art
going to have quiet little supper at my room.
at the Ogalala house tonight, and / should b,
most happy TO have you join US" For a mo
ment the thought came, "Can it be that aftel
all, you have an axe to grindp but as ii seemed
almost discourteous to doubt him, hastened tc
accepthis invitation
The petit soupcr" was voted success. Two