Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-10

White as death grew the chaplain's face,
and with q queer choking in his throat he
stammered out: "Where IN heavens name
did you get this?" caresSing the clinging
tress, the moisture dimming the gray eyes so
like the ones that had shone upon the pris-
oner on q sunny September day in Ohio.
"Who are you, mans"
''That's my name, chaplain; and this"
touching with tender motion the braided
hair, belonged to the wee maid whose name
is written there. She gave it to me on my
way to the front two years ago. guess you
may know the other name"
The proud head of the chaplain bowed low
and tremor passed over the stern face and
his voice quivered as he half whispered: MY
little Mary, my precious little daughter" and
with uncertain fingers drew out from his in
side pocket the mate to the prisoners treas
ured braid. Speaking rapidly, after the story
had been told in few words, the soldier
said: II have always kept it, chaplain. Many
a time when it was bitter cold and the can
teen passed round l could just see that earn
est little face and the child hand writing so
carefully her name. never forgot it, sir.
If they shoot me today, send it to my mother,
will you?a~
The chaplain was stirred, and visiting the
officers interested, he argued with them, tell
ing them the story of the pledge and the
twin braids, petitioning that the man might
be kept well guarded until Gen. Geary could
be communicated with. The strange, pa
thetic story, eloquently told won the day.
AS soon as Geary could be reached the pris-
oner's discharge was ordered Immediately, as
he proved to be one of the most valued men
in the secret service, and was then in posses
ciO ,,f, of 41nr otocf To
our leaders.
Years drifted past the war was over and
Gen. Geary was governor of Pennsylvania.
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 to take position
as American consul in foreign land. One
of the guests, slender young thing, remark
able only for a pair of wonderful gray eyes,
had just been introduced to the grave, fine
looking gentleman who stood near the gov
ernors wife, when supper was announced. 1t
was such an informal evening that the guests
were grouped with regard to congeniality
and social affinity rather than strict adher
ence to rank, so kindly fate placed the lass
on one side of the honored guest. Noticing
that the gentleman turned down his wine
glass the girl studied his face a moment, then
flashing glance up at him she questioned
him softly in the pauses Of conversation:
Ibid he not drink wine?" He answered in
the negative, noticing also her empty glass.
''May ask you why?" A look of naughty
surprise at the impoliteness passed over his
face, but without waiting for his reply this
strange little lady followed her former rude
ness by the astonishing remark that the last
time she had seen him he was preparing to
drink from bottle to her health.
Without making any further revelations
she called out in agitated tones: 30, Mr.. -,
don't you remember cutting off my hair and
signing the pledge for me; don't you remem-
Der me?' Her eyes were all aglow and the
mobile mouth quivered Turning, the Amer
lean minister grasped both her hands in his
and answered, visibly shaken by his emotion,
"Little Mary, the chaplain's little maid; God
bless you, my child; have the braid of hair
and the pledge yet"
The governor and his wife forgave the SEN
sation when they heard the story. Do any
of you remember how, few years since, an
American minister withdrew the protection
of the Stars and Stripes from any American
who persisted in selling intoxicating liquor
after the king had forbidden its sale by his
subjects? If you do, then you know the
name Of the soldier whose pledge bore the
name Of James A. Garfield as witness, and
whose life was saved by the braid of hair he
had taken from the head of the chaplain's
little. Mary.-Cincinnah Commercial.