The National tribune., 1890-11-06

~ . camp. BY this plan
able bodied men could
be sent 10 the front.
where they were most needed, and the Reserve
Corps be detailed upon other work. Notwith-
standing the fact that these men were collected
from all parts of the country, were from every
branch Of the service, aud mostly invaiids, their
MANNERS and department upon dress parade
were so assimlated by careful drilling that they
were pronounced by all who saw them at the
Barracks 10 be in appearance as fine body OF
men rs could be found ID the Regular Army.
Many Of these men had interesting and ro-
mantle histories. During the is months that
] served rs Surgeon Ia charge Of the Barracks,
/ happened upOn much personal history, around
some of which, il might be said, " fell the twi-
light which surrounds the borderland OF ro-
nance" One OF these men, whose fortunes
are the subject Of this sketch, particularly ex-
cited my interest
first saw him in January, 1868, shortly after
his transfer 10 the Reserve Corps, when he was
sent TO me By Col. Stevens, who saw has unit
ness even for ordinary duty. j entered into
conversation with him, and what passed pro-
duced favorable impression upon me. lie was
evidently well educated, and used to good so
ciety, bat the expression on his handsome face
convinced me that some great sorrow weighed
upon him. His name, he said, was Charlie
s. ] gave him some light duty at the hos
pital where be soon became favo-itc with
the men. To Father Eddy, the post Chaplain,
and myself he became an interesting study;
This pale face would so often rise before Us that
We felt an overpowering curiosity TO learn
something Of his past life, wishing that we
might Tighten the burden under which we were
sure be was suffering.
From a comTade found he had been badly
wounded at FittsbuTg Landing, where he
rushed forward and grasped the colors from the
hands Of the falling color bearer, but was shot
in turn. The wound incapacitatcd him for fur
ther active service, bus he refused to go home
Bgain. lie said he had none. We tried in
various ways 10 find out something about has
past, bur as all quest .onjng seemed 10 painfully
affect him. we fOrbOre. But at length we learnt
that DE received a good many letters from
certain town IN Massachusetts, and later dis
covered that these came from his sister.
Through mutual friends IN the same city we
managed 10 open correspondence with Jennie,
she WAS named, and she acquainted us with
Charities history. il seems that the young
mans father had been q seafaripg man, who lost
his life while on a whaling expedition, and his
loving wife, surviving him but few months,
On her death eXacted promise from her
son. then lad Of about IL. that he would not
adopt the life Of 4 sailor. Charlie and Jennie
were given good educations; but their guardian
had proved ENTHUSIASTICALLY, and had lost most
Of their money IN rash specpiations. Now, be-
fore be reached his majority, Charlie fell des-
perHtely IN love with Kate the daughter Of his
fathers former partner aud dear friend, gu old
sea Captain named Rogers.
The TWO young people loved each other with
al the warmth Of their deep, sympathetic ma
tures. and the Old man, having his own plans
about Charles future, did not oppose posi-
be marriage between the two. When Charlie
reached his majority the Captain one day
pressed 10 BIN the wish that he put himself
under his direction and follow the sea for his
livelihood. What was bis surprise when Char
lie, after considerable evasion, at length en-
phateally refused. aud when pressed for his
reasons, told Capt Rogers Of his mothers dying
request. he purpOsed, however. entering the
Union army TO Ggbt for his country.
The Captain WIS 3 blunt, harsh man, who
seldom respected the feelings Of Others, and
cared nothing about Charles sacred promise.
Besides this, he was a bitter opp0ser of the
abolition Of slavery, being in strong sympathy
with the slave traders, aud regarding slavery
Es divine Institution. When he realized that
Charlie was firm ID bis decision he became en-
Tsced At bat be called ingFafiiude. He vowed
Charlie should not 80 10 the war, only 10 come
home crippled and with his prospects ruined,
and 70 marry his daughter and depend on him
% support both. Hot words followed, aud the
upsbot OF the matter wRs that the Captain, see
Ing the Breckiug Of his long-cherished plans,
drove the young man from his house forever,
and refused 70 let him have further 10 do with
Kit
The lovers, with the aid Of a faithful servant,
kept Up a correspondence, however, and one
night Kit left the house, met Charlie and they
drove away 10 a ciergymans and were married.
just - the ceremony was finished, steps were
heard outside, and the next instant in rushed
the Captain and four burly sailors. Taken by
surprise. their escape cut Of, Charlie could do
nothing bot Eight, and while one Of the men
bore KIT from the room, the others attempted
% seize aud bind him. he resisted furi0nsly
and the Captain, losing control Of himself
pulled pistol and fired at him, but fortu.
nRtly missed his mark. Charlie EpranR at the
old man, but was fclled by brutal blow from
the hard fist Of one Of the sailors, and lay sense
less, while the party left quickly as they had
come.
The affair caused much excitement and
Charlie was nearly wild with grief aud rage
but Kits place Of confinement could not be dis
covered. One night Capt Rogers. meeting
Charlie, fired upon him again, and the younJ
man, thoroughly aroused, shot back. The Ole
man fell, and Charlie, thinking he had killed
him. fed. At length he found himself in Nil
Waukee, where be enlisted uuder another name
and after serving with marked bravery, wa
disabled al Piltsburg Landing and sent 10 tn,
hospital whence he Joined the Reserve Corps
Bus hia mIsfOrtuBes hung heavily upon him
News Of his death az PittebuTg Landing ap
peared 10 the papers, and TO no one except hi
sister dlc Charlie correct this error, aud Ehi
kept the secret Of HE whereabouts. Here h,
was IN these barracks d cripple for life, and b.
that fact shut of from his wife aud reconcila
ton with the Captain. lie could not retrieV
himself
In this story which we had learned was tn
foil explanation Of Charles melancholy. How
should we aid himT was now the question, 70
our sympathy was aroused, and we determines
70 eneeayor 70 bring about q reconciliation
with tie father Of his wife
But where should we find Kit ROgersf On
FIRST step was % take the young mans siste
into our confidence aud oger 70 assist in bring
Ing about the desired renewal Of fTiendshi
with the old man. Jennie entered hearti
into our plan. Our correspondence was carrie
on with the greatest secrecy, aud We learne
from her that Kate was still living, now wit
her father After be had been assured 4
Charles death, the Captain had gone To Franc,
whittier he had sent her 10 her mothers peopl,
and brought her back.
But Kate was a changed woman so changed
Indeed, that her old acquaintance scarcel
Knew her. The beautiful color in her cheek
was no longer there. Her once laughing blu
eyes were sunkcn and lusterless. Her feature
bore wan look, and she had grown retirin
and silent stunning company Of which sh
bad once been the life. And the old Captain
lie had failed 10 crush her love for CLaFli,
aud ia attempting il he had ruined the healt
aud beauty and ambition Of the one being b
really loved. lie had 8Honged bright youu
man, the only one who could have made lac
happy, the son Of one who bad ever been