Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-12-07
JEFF. DAVIS WOULD NOT PRAY.
The Persistence Of an Intruder ct his
House in Richmond Rewarded in the
End.

Grant ana Gen. Lee were cOnfrOnt-
ing each other below Petersburg,
President jefferson Davis became so
exhausted by overwork that he de-
termined to rest for few days. His
steward was worthy German named
Eggling, who before the war con-
Quoted fonrishing nursery BUSINESS
near Richmond. The President noti-
fed Eggling of bis purpose to take q
rest, aud directed that all visitors be
excluded until further orders Mr..
Eggling and his assistants carried out
their instructions, and Mr.. Davis
serenely enjoyed bis rest.
One night at about 10 o'clock there
was q strong pull at the front door
bell. Mr.. Eggling answered the call,
and on opening the door found stand
ing outside q venerable gentleman
who gave bis name and said be wish
ed to see the President on business
of great Importance. Mr.. Eggling
informed him that the President had
retired, and could not possibly be seen
until next morning.
But, my dear SIR" said the caller,
who gave his name as Mr.. A cit will
be too late then. | wish to try to
save the lives of two German de-
serts from the other side who are con-
demned to be shot at sunrise as
spies."
The mention of the nativity of
the doomed men touched sympa-
thetic chord 10 Mr.. Eggling's heart,
and he invited Mr.. A. to seat in the
hall After hearing the main par
ticulars of the arrest and sentence of
the supposed spies. Mr. Eggling be-
came interested in their deIiverance.
He accordingly left Mr. A. in the ball,
and went up stairs to Mr.. Davis's
chamber. He opened the door noise
lessly, and moved on tiptoe across
the carpeted floor toward the bed,
fearing that Mr.. Davis would be
asleep. The gas was burning dimly.
Mr.. Davis happened 80 be aa AXE, and
asked his chamberlain what be want
ed.
"Mr. President" said EggliDg, "I
have been in your service q long
time, and have never, as you know,
solicited any special favor from you.n
Mr.. Davis admitted that.
II have one to ask now,' resumed
Eggling, land hope you will not re-
fuse it," He then requested that Mr..
A., who was waiting in the hall down
stairs, be allowed to come up to the
chamber to see him on urgent busi-
ness, involving the lives of two in
nocent soldiers.
The President consented, and in q
short time Mr. A., accompanied by
Dir. Eggling, presented himself be-
fore the President, who remained in
bed. After short preliminary con-
versation Mr.. A. made known the OBJ
ject of his visit, which was to secure
9 reprieve for the two men until the
charge against them could be further
investigated.
President Davis asked various
questions, and, when informed that
the sentence of the drum-head court
martial had been approved by Gen
Lee, declared that be could not and
would not interfere. Mr.. A. became
importunate, and Mr.. Davis so far re-
Tented as TO agree to think over the
matter for an hour, at the end OF
which Mr.. A would receive bis final
decision, Mr.. A then with drew, and
at the appointed time returned to the
chamber with Eggling The Presi-
dent courteously informed bis guest
that he had considered the matter
fully, and could not change his de-
cision.
The men must die, if Gen. Lee
has approved the sentence" said the
President.
Is that your irrevocable conclu-
sion ~ Mr.. a. tremulousIy asked.
1T is; / cannot reverse IT," Mr..
Davis replied. '.Then," said Mr.. A.,
'will you rise from. your bed and
unite with me In prayer to Almighty
God for the souls of the poor unfor-
tunates who are to be shot to death
In the morning -
Mr. Davis agreed to do this, and in
. minute the three persons 10 the
room were kneeling aud Mr.. a. was
fervently praying for the salvation Of
the doomed Germans. When Amen"
was said Mr.. Davis was about to rise.
but be was prevented By Mr.. A., who
said:
Vow, Mr.. President. / want you
to pray"
Mr. Davis. however. insisted on
rising, and after doing %, said Mr..
Eggli0g, bring me some paper and