The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-26
MEN ABOUT TOWN.
Short Stories Gathered From the
Hotel Corridors.
Forgot to Say His Prayers-NOt Shot Was
Firsd-Kiiled at Long Range-Fright-
ened Out Of His Boots.

The present visit of General Ager to this
city recalls an incident of his last trip here
which is peculiarly touching in its nature.
At that time Allan Alger, who died last
February, was bright-eyed, curly haired
little fellow of s, thorough boy and the
pet OF the family.
ITO that time" related the General, she
had never retired at night without first say
ing his prayers, but one day we had been
out to the Cliff House and through the park,
so that the little fellow was well-nigh worn
out when we returned to our rooms at the
Palace. The result was that he lay down
to rest and in a few moments was fast
asleep Not having the heart TO disturb
him. his mother and l undressed him and
carefully put him to bed. Late in the even
ing an earthquake occurred, and the great
building rocked violently to and fro. / will
confess that we were all alarmed, and our
two daughters rushed headl0ng into the
room, thoroughly frightened by the unusual
experience In the midst Of this confusion
little Allan sprang out of bed, and realizing
what had occurred fell upon his knees.
"When he arose he said: That was be-
cause | forgot 10 say my prayers, and God
is angry
He never missed saying them again"
NOT a chOI w as
Last night a group Of veterans Of the late
war, including General Alger, Judge Fitz-
gerald and Captain Seamans OF Los An
geles, sat in the corridor Of the Palace and
exchanged experiences.
''Ihe question of personal bravery is al
ways one of peculiar interest,"" said General
Alger, "but many a man who bore the
reputation of having a charmed life owed
In IN tha Cd rYzi- 1ff Of an r.
a rule soldier will never fire at a man who
displays unusual courage. l know this
from experience.
ut vas in the fall of '63 that was trans
ferred from the Army of the West to the
command of a regiment in the Army of the
Potomac. About that time the rebels
moved across the Rapidan and | was sent
to drive them back. it turned out that it
was reconnaissance, but at the time we be-
lieved they were seeking to make a lodge
ment on the mouth of the liver. We drove
them back to the bank of the stream, but
there they made savage stand, and re-eu-
forcements were thrown over to aid them.
Their position. owing to the formation of
the ground, was a very strong one and ours
greatly exposed. While preparing for the
struggle my attention was, attracted by
Iurler approaching. He was on foot
and availed himself of the numerous
guileyS worn by the rains to protect
himself from the enemies fire. VOlley after
vOiey was fired at him, but he reached me
uninJured He bore orders for me to report
at once to General Fitzpatrick. In order to
reach the latter | would be compelled to
pass over an almost open plain for fully
| three-quarters of a mile, and exposed to the
fire OF the rebels. 1t flushed upon me that
the attempt would result in certain death,
and | was on the point of refusing to obey,
| when it occurred to me that dared not dis
| play any indication or cOwardice in the pres
| ence of my command. Leaving my horse
| and command, which were stationed behind
a small rise in the ground, | started on foot.
| The moment | appeared | was greeted with
a Voliey, aud the dirt flew around me, bat l
was unhugt. At this the rebels cheered,
and in a moment the shot flew thick about
me for a second time, but not one touched
me. There was another cheer from the
rebels, but | kept going l was so badly
! frightened that | dared not eyen look to the
ght or the left. Every moment l looked
or another volley, and felt that l could not
escape again. Not another shot was fired,
and during the fifteen minutes that elapsed
while / was in range Of their guns round
after round OF cheers greeted NE, but not
bullet was sent after me. 1 reached General
Fitzpatrick IN safety, and from that day TO
this have sought unSuccessfully to ascertain
the name Of the rebel officer whose men
spared my life"