The Irish standard., 1889-08-17
A HEROIC ACT.
How Pat Mcbride Lost His Eyes and Saved
His Oaptain,s Life.

How Pat Mcbride Lost His Eyes and Saved
His Captain s Life.
I was present not long ago." said the
Colonel. lat banquet where an old
army officer of English antecedents was
ON the programme to speak to the senti
ment, The Irish in the Union Army
courageous and loyal Americans, they
were as true as the truest, as brave as
the bravest.' This puzzled me greatly.
Why should an American of Engllsh
descent be called upon to compliment
the Irish-Americans. I did not under
stand thu situation until NV friend, one
of the hard fighters Of the war, arose to
speak. Els speech was simply little
story, and yet it stirred me as few
speeches ever did.
"My friend OF English antecedents
sat near the center CT a long table. Al
most opposite him sat a stoutlY'bull'
man who would have been handsome
but for the fact his eyes were slghtless'
This blind man received little attention
except from the men who sat on either
side Of him, both of whom were Irish
men and strangers to the majority OF
the guests. When the toast was read
speaking in such enthusiastic terms OF
this Irish soldiers OF the war, their faces
finished. and they sat erect, looking
straight across at the man who was to
respond.
ems first surprise WAS in the manner
Of the speaker. knew him to De one
If the coolest and most excltable OF
MON hut as he rose to bis feet saw
that ne was controlled by strong edo
lion. He stood for minute looking
down tbs lire at tie table. as IT study
ing the thoughts of every man present.
Then he began in quiet tone saying
that when this toast was assigned TO
him he was puzzled to know why ne
should be selected above all others 10
sneak of irish courage in the Union
Army.
"IIe had said as much to his wife, but
as he said 1t, there came to his mind an
sncident of his army life that made the
whole matter clear to him. Then he
proceeded to relate the story OF his ex"
nerience at the turning point of one OF
the fiercest battles Of the Wal. In the
midst Of a. hand to-hand contest, where
everything depended ON every man 90
ing his best he received blow tnat
sent him headlong to the ground.
When he regalned CONSCIOUSNESS ne
realized that a terrific struggle was oe-
ing fought to the death above him.
1.-The objects to catch the eye were
two sturdy legs in blue-the legs OF some
one standing astride of him. Inc
owner Of the legs seemed to ne bending
this way and that TO shield the prosJrate
officer from blows that were falling On
his own devoted head. The fight was
over the flag, which was torn into trag
ments as the men struck and cut each
other in the fury Of their Wild excite
ment. but, happen what might, the one
man standing astride the captain never
r,oved his feet, The captain did not
know who this stout defender was until
IN answer to a demand to surrender,
there came III Irish brogue, "To bill
wild you'll
He realized then that Pat Mcbride
was fighting against odds for the flag
and his captain. He realized, too, as
blood came dropping down in his face'
that Pat was soyely wounded. He
2ynew this when in few minutes he
was dragged out from the heap OF
wounded aud saw Pat fall down from
loss Of blood. They found wadded into
Pats blouse that part of the flag Con-
tanning the stars, and Pats only remark,
IS thew strove to revive, him was, BE
gorra, I save ed the stars, alas, that ne
could never see again.
This was in brief the story, but it
was told pY man who felt every word,
was told so dramatically that at Its close
nearly every man at the table was stand
ing on his feet. AS the speaker went
on to pay MS EeStiGCtS W ohO AA"'A INV
had saved his life, and pictured him as
the ideal Of soldierly courage aud 10y
aItv. the blind nam opposite stood like
one entranced, and as the speaker
closed, he plunged across the table, and
reckless of glass and china, and with
howl of exultation threw his arms about
his Old captain.
cThe scene that followed was simply
indescribable. Tue story called out all
the noisy demonstrativenesso Of the Irish
nature. The speaker was overwhelmed
with gratulations and thanks.
Listening to what was said, to other
stories that this one called out under
stood why an officer of English antece-
dents had been selected to speak OF the
courage and spirit Of the men OF Irish
descent IL the Union Army. '-Cncago
Inter Ocean.
A Humorous Postmaster.
The following resignation, rendered