Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-03-24

ana bringing out package wrapped in |
worn paper. AS he fumbled for a paper |
and pencil in his agitation the package fell |
to the floor, and STOPPING to restore it the |
wrapper fell away, and IN the Ohaplain's |
fingers lay long braid of soft brown hair. |
and slip of paper with queer, childish |
ly written pledge, and three names be
meath it. White as death grew the Chap. |
lain's face, and with a queer choking in his
throat he s'ammered out 'Where in heav-
ems name did you get ths?" Caressing
the clinging tress, the moisture dimminp
the grey eyes so like the ones that had
shone upon the prisoner on sunny Sep.
TENDER day in Ohio. "Who are you. man?n
That's my name. Chaplain; and this.n
touching With tender motion the braided
hair. belonged TO the wee maid whose
name Is written there. She gave it to NE
on my way to the front two years seo II
guess you may know the other name -
The proud hesd of the Chaplain bowed
low and iremor passed over the stern
face and his voice quivered "a be hslf
whispered, my little Mary. my precious
little daughter" and with uncertain fir
gers drew out from his inside pocket the
mate TO the prisoners treasured braid
Speaking rapidly after the story had been
told in q few words, the soldier said: Il
have always kept it, Chaplain. Many
time when it was bitter cold and the
canteen parsed round I could lust see that
earnest little face and the child hand
writing so carefully her name. never
forgot it, sir, If they shoot me to-day.
send it to mother, will you?"
The Chaplain was stirred, and visiting
the officers interested hearguei with them
telling them the story of ths pledge and
the twin b'aids, psiiliouing that the msn
might be kept well guarded until General
Geary could he communicated With. The
strange, pathetic story. elOQuan,ly told.
won the day. As soon as Gsary cOuld ne
reached the pri7nner's discharge was or
dered immediately, as he proved to he one
of the most valued men in the Secret Serv-
/ ice, and was then in possession of news Of
the greltest importance to our leaders.
Years drifted past, the war was over and
| General Geary was Governor of Peunsyl-
vania Invitations had been sent out
through the quaint old Dutch city, calling
those of the Governors immediate circle to
meet a valued friend before his departure
10 take position as American Consul in 2
foreign land. One of the guests slender
young thing, remarkable only for a pair of
wonderful grey eyes, had Just been intro
duced to the grave, fne-loOking gentleman
who stood near the Governors wife,
when sDpper was announced. Il wss
such ar informal evening that the guests
were grouped with regard to cO6geniality
and social affinity rather than strict adher-
ence 10 rank, 20 kindly fate placed tha
lass on one side of the honOred guest. No
ticing that the gentleman turned down his
wine glass the girl studied his face q mo-
ment then flashing a glance up at him
she questioned him softly in the p0usea
of conversation. did he not drink
wine?" He answered in the mega
tive, noticing also her empty glass
May ask you Why" A look OF
haughty surprise at the impoliteness passed
over his face, out without waiting for HE
reply this strange little lady followed her
/ former rudeness by the astonishing remark
/ that the last time she . seen him he was
preparing h. drink from bottle 10 he
| health. Wthouf making any further rev
elatons she called out in ag tate1 tones:
% Mr. --, don't you remember cutting
off ny hair and signing the pledgs for me;
don't you remember me?' Her eyes wer
al aglow, ard the mobile mouth quiysred
Turning, the American Minister grasped
both her hands in his and answered, visi-
bly, ehaken by his emotion, Little Mary,
the Chapains little maid; God blss5 you.
my child have tie braid OF hair ana ths
pledge yet"
The Governor and his wife fargave the
sensation when they heard the story. Do
any of Y remsmberl how, a few year
since, an American Minister withdrew the
protection If the stars and stripes from any
American who persisted in selling intOxi-
eating liquor after the King had forbidden
its sale By his suhjects? If you do, then
you know the name of The soldier Whose
pledge bore the pane o james A. Garfield
as witness, and whose life wa saved by
the braid of hair he had taken from the
head of the Chsp'ain's little Mary.-Cin-
oiDDGf Commercial