The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-01-14
JEFF DAVIS WOULD NOT PRAY.

JEFF DAVIS WOULD NOT PRAY.
The Persistence Of an Intruder nj His
House in Richmond Rewarded
In the End.
A Baltimore correspondent writes:
While the two armies under Gen. Grant
and Gen. Lee were confronting each
other below Petersburg, President Jcf-
ferson Davis became so exhausted by
ovcrwork that he determined to rest for
. few days. His steward was worthy
German named Eggling, who before the
war conducted fourishing nursery
business near Richmond. The prcsi-
dent notified Eggling Of his purpose to
rest, and directed that all visitors be ex-
cluded until further orders. Mr.. Egg
ling and his assistants carried out their
instructions, and Mr.. Davis serenely en-
joyed his rest.
One night at about ten o'clock there
was strong pull At the front door bell
Mr.. Eggling answered the cali. and on
opening the door found standing out
side a venerable gentleman who gave
his name and said he wished to see the
president on business of great import
snce. 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., it will be
too late then. wish to try to save tho
lives of two German deserters from the
other side who are condemned to be
shot at sunrise as spies.
The mention of the nativity Of the
doomed men touched sympathetic
cord in Mr.. Eggling's heart, and he in
vited Mr.. A. to seat in the hall. AZ
ter hearing the main particulars Of the
arrest and sentence of the supposed
spies, Mr.. Eggling became interested in
their deliverance. He accordingly left
Mr.. A. in the hall, and went up stairs
to Mr.. Davis chamber. He opened the
door noiselessly, and moved on tiptoe
across the carpeted floor toward the
bed, fearing that Mr.. Davis would be
asleep. The gas burning dimly. hir.
Davis happened to be awake, and asked
his chamberlain what he wanted.
'.Mr. President" said Eggling, II
have been in your service long time,
and have never, as you know, solicited
any special favor from you"
Mr.. Davis admitted that.
81 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 business,
involving the lives of two innocent
soldiers.
The president consented, and in a
short time Mr.. A., accompanied by
Eggling, presented himself before the
president, who remained in bed. After
short preliminary conversation Mr.. A.
made known the object of his visit,
which was to secure repricve for the
two men until the charge against them
could be further investigated.
President Davis asked various ques-
tons, and, when informed that the sem
tencc of the drum-head court-martial
had been improved by Gen. Lee, de-
clared that he could not and would not
interfere. Mr.. A. became importunatc,
and Mr.. Davis SO far relented as to
agree to think over the matter for an
hour, at the end of which Mr.. A. would
receive his final decision. Mr.. A. then
withdrew, and at the appointed time
returned to the chamber with Eggling.
The president courteous1y informed his
guest that he had considered the mat
ter fully, and could not change his dcci-
sion.
.The men must die If Gen. Lee has
approved the sentence said the presi-
dent.
'.Is that your irrevocably conclu-
sion?" Mr.. A. TREMENDOUSLY asked
1T is; l can not reverse it, Mr.. Davis
replied.
Then" said Mr.. A., evil you rise
from your bed and unite with me in
prayer to Almighty God for the souls Of
the poor unfortunates who are to be
shot to death in the morning.
President Davis agreed to do this,
and in q minute the, three persons in
the room were kneeling: and Mr. A.
was fervently praying for the salvasSen
of the doomed Germans. When
.samen'' was said Mr.. Davis was about
to rise, but he was prevented by Mr.. A.,
who said:
Now, Mr.. President, l want you to
pray"
Mr.. Davis, however, insisted on rising.
and after doing so said: mr.. Eggling.
bring me some paper and pen and ink. =
They were speedily produced, and in .
few moments the desired reprieve was
handed to Mr.. A., who, after profuscly
thanking the president, fastened back
to the confederate camp, arriving just
In time to avert the execution.