Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-08-14
WAR AND OPIUM.
A story TOId BIZ an Ex.ReboI


"Lieutenant, said the Adjutant, "re-
port to the Colonel at his quarters in
stsntly."
Stop, Adjutantl What's up2" asked
the Lieutenant.
Don't know, on honor" was the re.
ply. General Gordon was here yester.
day; and has just called again. The
Colonel gave me the wink to step out.
It's big job, though, 1 N thinking, and
you are in it"
The young officer hastily uniformed
and reported The gray headed Colonel
met him at his tent-door, closed it care.
fully, and, handing stUol, said in low
tone:
This is dark evening, my boy, and
/ have dark work for you. General Cor
don asked me yesterday, in our conf
Dental interview, if l had. an officer
whose seif-control and control over his
men could implicitly rely on in great
danger. | said yes-named you. He
has just left here, and you will report at
his headquarters at sunset for q most
difficult role, the command of an outly-
ing picket The enemy will certainly
flank us tonight, and if he gets the po-
siticn which our lack of reinforcements
has hitherto prevented US assuming, we
will be subjected to disastrous retreat and
certain loss. You take your life in your
hand, my boy, but in post of great
honor. Ihave no fears. Get ready at
once.
The young officer thanked his supe-
rior, returned to his tent, and, having
carefully equipped himself, scribbled a
few lines to his loved ones, explaining
matters and praying them not to grieve
il he fell--he would fall bravely, if at all
and besides, they knew life to him was
a burden (how heavy, alas, only the
opium eater knows); and then, having
sealed the letter-indorse ITO be deliv-
cred if fall "-he knelt down and com
mitted himself and his all unto Him who
neither slumbereth nor slespeth, and
with whom there are no accidents
The brave old Colonel showed only
too plainly in throwing his own canteen
of brandy over the boys " shoulders,
and nervously pushing him from his en-
brace, that he feared it would be their
last embrace on earth.
Jumping in an ambulance, the Lieu.
tenant soon saluted General Gordon,
received his orders and at the appointed
hour 10 pm, was safe in command of
the picket force. Two hours after, while
on the round, he felt the time had now
come to strengthen himself with a
customary does of morphine-nay, a
double Dose He unbottoned his coat
and felt for it. oh, horror Of horrorsl
in his haste he had come off and left the
morphine in his valise BE saw that he
was ruined, undone, and his disgrace
inevitable, What should he do2 Heavenl
the torture of that hourl A moments
rehection--he knows it will take one
hour for the opium to produce effect;
that in one hour, without it, his voice,
now clear, encouraging, commanding,
would be as shrill and creaky as that Of
al old woman ripe for the grave, and as
wholly untitled for command. But one
course is left, thought he-throw up the
sponge and make full expose. ITO
NhO iOoit SliOu nc w a COIpOIdib W Tue
rear quickly, and tell Major P. to meet
me at the center in fifteen minutesP'
Major P. and the trembling Lieutenant
meet.
Major" be whispers, you must re.
lieve me, and at once. / am sick-very
il"
Relieve you, Lieutenant" responded
the brave Major sternly. relieve you,
sir2 Never. Sick2-the devil2 Grin
and bear it; be man. Retire now and
you are eternally disgraced-the stigma
coward ever yours, and you know it.
You astound me beyond measure, and
unless you cover yourself with glory to-
night, as we all believe, | shall have you
arrested and tried; you know of what.
Majorl" shrieked the whisper back,
"stop-listenl am a confirmed opium
eater; | have left MY morphine in my
tent; forgot it, and am now suffering for
the internal drug"
Major p sprung from his horse in an
instant. "Will crude opium do your"
he asked
"Yes, l can make it answer"
He pulled out half pound of the