The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-26
A TRUE STORY.
What tho Writer and Others
Think tt Shows.

lThe fcilcTing story is better than most So
fics are, because il is exactly true excepting
the names given 30 the parties and places. The
gentleman wnom 1 have called General GLOW
err has permitted me 10 pat il in writing that
II may give the same courage to other persons
which il has given TO him and to me. But ct
his request, have changed every name in the
story from those which Le gave re; and l as
sure the most curious reader or critic that he
viii find il impossible 10 ascertain By any con-
lecture who are the parties described. No in
cident, however, in the story is drawn in the
slightest degree from imagination. l tell the
tale as 1t was told to and print it after it has
had the revision OF General GloYer."-E E.
HALE"J
Twas riding across the country 10 Duluth
when my Old frieUd General Glover came
into the palace car. We two were born at
very nearly the same time; we like each
other and respect each other. We have
knocked about the world a good deal, and
do not meet each other as often as we wish
We did, but when we meet we begin where
we left of and enjoy the meeting. At
least am sure l do, aud i think he does.
As soon as the first inquiries were passed
] said to him: Il want you 20 tell me again
your story Of the letter you wrote to a
stranger. at the time you told me l re-
peated 1t 10 my wife, and afterward to one
or two other persons; but now | am afraid
10 tell 1t, 1t is so strange, and am always
thinking that my Imagination has added
something TO it.''
General Glover looked at me with q sur
prise Lot wholly of amusement. l:
was quite clear to me that the story
was serious matter TO him, as it was to
VIC; and he told it to mo for the second
tune l think it is ioUr years ago since |
heard 1T first, and it speaks as we'll for nv
memory, as for his, that l should recognize
each slightest detail. as q thing which had
impressed itself upon his careful mind, so
that this narrative was identicallY the
same as the first was. 1t was as if You had
struck second impression from a stereo-
type plate which you had not used for four
years.
81 was sitting at my desk at Xeres," he
Gaid, land working through my daily mail.
My custom was TO attend to the business of
the firm first, and to leave the personal
letters to be answered in the afternoon.
1t was now afternoon, and turned 10 the SIX
Sr eight letters which mad for answer.
"Among these was one from man for
whom had secured a place in the navy in !
The outset OF the civil war. If you remem-
Der. was then at the head Of the Bunting
Board, and had great deal to do with the
enlargement of the navy. Also, l was my
self connected with tho service. l had
been IN service on the seaboard all nv life. |
and knew, naturally enough. great many
sailors in the merchant marine Hundreds
OF such men came TO me, and it was with
my recommendation of them that they re- |
ceived their places in that volunteer sery-
ice which was Of such infinite advantage to
the country in the war. Among these |
hundreds was good fellow who had been.
/ should say, in the coasting trade; but | |
do not remember what he had been. He |
wanted to serve the country, and, at nv |
he was appointed, as |
other men were appointed, masters
mate. As masters mate he did his
duty rose to be a master, afterward OBJ
tanned heutenants commission, and SO
went well-nigh through the war, until, by
an accident-not ] think, u wound-he
was SO far disabled that he could no longer
so TO sea. did not know this AT the time.
there was no reasoA why should know it;
had nothing TO d. with him and he had moth
ing TO do with me. He was to me no more
than one post in this rail fence which we
are passing now is as distinct from another.
had signed tho papers, suppose, during
tue service, of thousands Of men who had
more or less to do with our Bunting Board.
and this man, his name or his affairs. made
no more impression upon me than the rest
oc them did.
"But, among the letters of this particu-
lar afternoon, as / said, was a letter from
this man. 1t was a gentiemanly letter.
short and to the point, in which he told me
that he received his appointment on nv
that after some years of
service, he had been obliged to cease going
10 sea, on account of the accident Of which
speak. He now asked me If were willing
to write TO the head of the Pension Bureau
10 ask that his claim might be examined
and acted upon Immediately. He said that
neither he nor his counsel had succeeded
IN obtaining any letters from the Pension
Office, telling them when action would be
taken on his claim. He remembered that
was the person who originally Introduced
him into the navy, and he thought 6. letter
from me might obtain an answer where he
1ad failed.
81 recalled, as well as could, the cir
in which he first came to me,
and / said, In a short letter, what I could
10 to his advantage, in order that he might
use my recommendation, so far as it went,
n his application, and then went on with
NJ other letters.
sI had finished the whole correspond
snce, when something which I do NOT
and you do not understand,
made me take this letter TO him out from