The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-04-23


day VourA kEPVSLIeAS
Mr.. Gardiner finished his breakfast
with light heart and made his way
down to Mr.. Jackson's house. He never
doubted for a second the squire had pre-
pared q positive denial Of the story, and
he found himself wondering with .
vague curiosity who the deserter could
be. Entering Mr.. Jackson's house he
found that gentleman in his library.
After greeting each other Mr.. jackson
picked up a half sheet Of note paper and
handed it to his friend. On 1t Mr.. Gar
diner read:
To the Editor Of The Republican:
sIH-ln answer to the query contained in your
tS"t am tSs WSIIism r1,,sSdSIs IL TscSson wSo IA a.
serted, not The night before but two nights before
the battle Of Gettysburg from the Second MassAr
SSossstS infantry and uSo ~ ~, was S1oseaasnsy
Nv reasons sor IN tbat ~ 2eTs and are nersonai 70
myself. Ihave only 70 add that although was
then much younger than am now and with
mcn lSss eSeTIence p ,s 1SAn ,So nov nsSe , woa%
dsSert Sefore night had fallen, / remain, sir
your obedient servant wILLIAH 7. JACKSON
Mr.. Gardiner looked IN, his mouth
shaping itself for the hymn tune, and as
be looked q faint wave Of color for
moment rose to the 'sauire's cheek.
you are not going to send this, I
hope" said Mr.. Gardiner.
Most certainly l am. II nv fellow
citizens choose to honor me with thei.
suffrages, they shall do so with no false
pretenses on my part"
But, my dear 'sauire"-
THE thing is true; why should deny
itY'
There is no use Of a denial. Let it
alone, say nothing, and there is not
man in the county who will believe it."
Mr.. johnson smiled somewhat sadly,
NV friend" he said, "a suppressio yeri
will not help me in this matter. It is
better to tell the truth; better, because
it is right, and better policy as well. 1t
Is easy to identify me with the deserter
in fact, have no doubt this has been
done already. But even were it not,
were that paragraph the last Of it, now
the question has been raised | could not
consent to he silent"
"But the ticketT' broke In the unhap.
py chairman.
~ think IL would be better that I re.
siRn,"
mot for a moment. That would be
absolutely fatal. But squire, IL you
must acknowledge it, why not tell your
reasons for leaving the service? I'm
sure they were good ones. Then it
would be all right. But that note is so
curt; it daunts your desertion in the face
Of men as though you were proud Of it;
It fairly defies all public opinion."
~ am proud Of it, sir, and thank nv
God that he permitted me to desert
broke in the lawyer in his deepest tone,
through which there rang an accent Of
strong emotion. ''But neither to you
nor any other man living will tell why
deserted, Il must suffice YOU that /
did, and have never regretted il, Un.
derstand me, Mr.. Gardiner" and as he
smoke the faint color once more showed
itself, ~ know as well as YOU the dis
grace which attaches to the name Of a
man who deserts on the eve Of A great
battle. | know he is called q coward
and poltroon. am of no sterner stuff
than other men, and 1t has required all
the trust have in One who is wiser than
! to make It clear to me that the burden
was laid on me for some good purpose.
II have thought that perhaps some
other way might have been found and
have been spared, but it was not to be.
| do not regret the act, but mourn over
the necessity for II. NY name as q man
Is as dear to me as yours to you. make
no vain boast, Mr.. Gardiner, when say
to you that II my life would benefit nv
country I would give 1t gladly. Yet !
stand before men as one who fed at a
supreme moment Of that country's peril.
This Is not easy for me, for am a proud
man, sir, and / am not q coward; but
console myself as best may by the con-
sciousness that there Is One who knows
better than men, and that he in his wis
dom has afflicted me. But, sir, while
this Is hard enough, 1t would be far
worse were to descend to falsehood, for
then should be ashamed in mine own
eyes"
Mr.. Gardiner's eyes were moist a he
Rrasped the LAWYERS hand and sta,n.
mered ont an apolocy for his mistaken
though we'll meant advice He offered
10 carry tbe note to the ofice of The Re.
nublican himself and tbe 'snnire visihIv
RratifIed by This. acouiesced gladly.
10 saw that Mr.. jackson's answer tn
The Renublican created a storm Of tail
Ia to put tbiugs in the mildest way. The
orators opposed TO the Democratic ticket
made the most of the weapon which Ind
been given into their hands Able edI.