Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-14
Gales ana Skettbcs.
ENSIGN RANSOM.
Continued from yesterday. }
AN ENGLISH STORY.


the officer in command of the fort. In
this room it was a few minutes ago, and
in this room il must be still. No gentle
man. TO his knowledge, has il in his pos
session. Let the servants at the door
come in, though. to the best of my belief.
not one of them has approached the table
since the box was brought out. Let the
door be made fast, and let our search he
thorough
1.-The candles were brandished to and
fo, under the tables, under the chairs.
around the table drapery, But from no
point flashed out the brilliant beauty OF the
little box.
..Still it must be here" insisted the
Commandant, and surely no gentleman
will think his honor infringed if each
in turn is asked TO empty the contents OF
his pockets upon the table. myself will
be the first to do so. And the servants
shall be the last
''Nobody could be expected to demur at
so simple and sensible II proposal, backed
"a it was by the honest old officer instant
" rafting out some crown pieces and
tobacco pouch, half-pence, and an oldpipe,,
One after the other, the gentlemen on
either side of the table followed his exam
Bile. while sharp but not unfriendly eyes
took eager note of strange pieces oi per-
sonal property. and of dainty three-cor-
nered notes, which might serve in the fI-
tnre rs material for bsdinage and quiz
zing.
'.But one drew back when the Com
mandant made his proposal. That young
nun who had walked in from the eastern
end of the town dropped suddenly into
his seat, whence he had risen in the first
eagerncss of the search. He passed his
hand once or twice, neryously. through his
hair. leaving it wild and struggling. And
then he watched bankly. rs the irutlr>S
search drew nearer to himself. Within
five minutes later one or two of the Off
cars were whispering Ia each other that
any simpleton might have seen that he did
not expect it could be found.
Ills turn was the very last. Ensign
Ransom said the Commandment steadily.
Ensign Ransom was certainly the first who
had required TO be called upon by name
1.-The youth arose And though the rest
OF his face was of a deadly wilderness.
there was a spot of burning red on each
cheek.
- don't think any gentleman should
he asked to do this, he said. Il will give
my word of honor that the box is not up
on my person. did not even keep il in
nv hands for a moment. | merely took it
and passed it on
"'Too high-minded even to look ut
such gewgaws, sneered spiteful old
Major. under his breath.
What men high in the service and old
enough TO be his father have already done,
Ensign Ransom may safely do also, said
the Commandment, with a severity which
was not unkindly, for young Ransom looked
such a boy among the crowd of men,
mostly stout and middle aged and the
very suspicion suddenly lowering over him
made the old officer think of his own lads,
growing up, and not quite sure to do well
for themselves after all.
81 would never have asked it for the
sake of my box, observed the General,
leaning back in his chair. and inwardly
wondering what Lady Elizabeth would say
Of his carelessness
But We ask it for the sake of our honor.
General, said the Commandment testify.
a. And we do not seem to have asked il
needlessly, whispered the spiteful Major
50 Il will not do this thing! cried the
young Ensign passionately, and he looked
wildly round the group as if he sought for
one face that would comprehend and COM
passionate his misery. The face which
looked the kindest was that of the old Gen
eral himself, partly because it was not his
hospitality which was outraged partly be-
cause his genial nature was terribly
shocked at finding anything of his the
cause of such a wretched act of dishonor
IF the General will come with me to
the ante-room,' said the young man, i
viii convince him that have not touched
his box. But this public exposure I will
not submit to; our consent was not asked.
and
''Certainly not Out upon YOU
General, you must not think Of indulcing
his insolent request, were the only SEN
fences audible in the general hubbub that
arose on every side.
but the General rose. Gentlemen
he said quietly. Il have never vet refused
TO listen to an enemy's petition. If YOU
can satisfy me, Sir, perhaps your comrades
will take my word for YOU
''There was murmur of very reluctant
acquiescence, as the Ensign bowed and
waited respectfully to follow the General
to the ante-chamber. They had not dis
appeared behind the heavy curtains before
all sorts Of surmises We're whispered round
the table, guesses and hints so wild and so
sinister as to do credit neither to the heads
nor the hearts which originated them. The
General and the Ensign staid longer time
in the ante-room than would have sufiiced
TO search the Ensign's pockets twice and
thrice over. Not a sound could be heard
ii any conversation was going forward, il
must have been in very low voice. The
two gentlemen were away for nearly half
an hour. All the military servants had
been subjected to the Commandments rioid
scrutiny, and then dismissed. 1t might he
as well that none but the gentlemen of
the regiment should know exactly what
the end was. The delay grew first awk-
ward and then awful. Even the whispers
and rumors tagged into an intent and ex-
cited watching.
AT last the General and the Ensign
came out The Ensigns face was still
very pale; what flush remained upon it
had now mounted to the eyes The old
General was blowing his nose
"'Ensign Ransom has thoroughly salts
fled me. he said in his most genial voice
Never mind my boy IF has yanisbaI l,.