Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-21


his word to be rs good as his bond 10 be
just before you are generous; TO tell the
truth and shame the devil; and never 10
shrink from pain or death in righteous
cause. From the mother he learned 10
practise the golden rule "to DO unto
others rs you would have them do unto
You. "and probably there were few officers
in the regiment who commanded more
respect, or werc more beloved by their
men Than Lieutenant Belmore. The reg
imcnt was encamped on tho present
Rolling Mill's ground for some time
Portland was especially gay, for the
presence Of large force of officers at
Font Preble, and oil the volunteer q;
Camp Abraham Lincoln, added largely
10 the society OF the town, and balls,
sociab,cs. and parties succeeded each
other in rapid succession. To these enter
tainments young Bclmorc had the enirec
and was m especial lavorito with those
who preferred modest unassuming man.
ners and excellent conversational power
Spiced with natural wit. to the roistcring
habits and arrogant pre,ensions of many
OF the military fops whose brains were
located in their heels.
Al last orders came for the regiment TO
leave for the seat of war aud that gallant
body, over thousand strong, with waving
OF flags, and the sound of martial music |
bade adicu to their pleasant camping
ground and departed for ashington.-
Soon after arriving at the national capital
Lieut.. Bemore was detached from his /
corps and placed on special service in the |
city. One cold. stormy night. when the
heavens were black rs ink. the rain falling
IN torrents, and the lew gas. lights |
twinkled like glow.worms amidst the |
general darkness, our hero was passing !
by low drinking saloon in one OF the |
most disreputable sections OF the city. on |
has return from special duty, when the
door was suddenly flung open and
powerful stream of light Illuminated the
pavement rs Il human form was Kicked
into the street amidst curses aud impreca.
Iioas. Tho young lieutenant stopped
over the inanimaie figure and dragged
1t TO the nearest gas.light which revealed
The features of young man who was
evidently superior 10 the class that fre
quented places oil that stamp. albeit they
were intlamed, and gave tokens OF the
rayages OF dissipation. His clothes, OF
good material, were torn and soiled, and
altogether his appearance was other
than attractive. With difficulty the
officer succeeded in restoring the young
linally got hilu on his legs and took him
TO his own quarters. Exposure aud
disSipations had done their work. how
ever. and tor several weeks The stranger
lay at deaths door, carefully nursed by
Bclmore and attended by good physi.
clans. As soon as he became con.
yalescent he told bis story. lie belonged
in \ western city aud WAS the only son oil
wealthy parents. DESTROYS of visiting
the cast he was supplied with abundant
funds and started on his journey. Arrived
in Washington, at that time the grand
centre OF vice is its most attractive form,
he had fallen into bad company and wine,
women. and the gaming table had Speedi
y drained his purse. On the even ing,
when Belmore lad discovered him, he
had been partially drugged and cheated
out ol lis last cent, and then stupelied
with the poisonous liquor, elected like
squeezed orange, from tho gambling den.
lie might have been picked up by The
patrol, carried 10 hospital. died Of the
lovcr. and been buried in the potler's
field, an unknown stranger among The
hundreds OF thousands that at that time
lhronged the great city. il it had no, been
for Bcmole.
Without any appearance OF croaking
or preaching. but in good sensible terms
Belmo:c placed before his eyes picture
OF what might have, and what might be {
in the future unless lie abandoned his evil (
courses, then and there. The young ;
Strangers own experience was good
temperance lecture in itself, but the
officers manly reasoning clinched aud
it. Ills arguments had their l
proper effect and the prodigal son pro. I
vided with funds, that Belmore could i'll
spale from his modest salary. left Wash
ington for his western home.
The war of the rebellion was fought
and through The long years Belmore re
NAMED in the service. Immediately after
The incident just related he was ordered :
70 join his regiment at the front. and. in s
he many conflicts with stubborn foe, I
.he Weslerner was soon forgotten. Pro. |
motion and staff changes took him TO i
Sherman when he made that memorable 1
march to the sea" and, before the close '
1l the war. he received an appointment {
n the regular army. II was during the l
march through Georgia that Bclmore met ;
MS ate in lovely southern girl whose
ather's plantation the cruel hand Of war $
aid waste. Unlike 50 many of her sisters
she did not spit upon the accursed yankee,
or tho lovab!e qualities OF the boy in
Jue Won her heart during The time that