Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-09-21

you do?
90. / shall form the men,
8" Impossible. Why, that's just what
I've been trying, but
" Silence, SIR
Gas reached the mob noticed ono
face alone which expressed respect o,
sympathy. All others bore a look Of
malevolence. A young soldier, well sci
up and scrupulously neat, seemed to be
attempting to dissuade his comrades
from somo mad project. He was a fine
looking fellow with long, light mus
tache and bright, blue eyes from which,
as say, caught flash Of admiration.
Il drew my sword and stood upright
and mOtionless before the men,
Attention, menl Fall inr l COM
manded.
''There WAS q hesitation, momen-
tary huddling together, and then they
arrayed themselves.
present arms! Carry arms! Order
arms! Parade restr ordered and they
obeyed.
'Behind me stood knot of wonder
ing officers.
. "'How do you dare?' began. Then
arose a growl from the ranks. I'VE
want our rights. Well get them too.
We demand our pay. We won't stand
such treatment. Our wives, our chill
dren are starving
"'Silencer warned them. Not an
other word. If you have grievances,
if you have complaints, send them
through the proper channel, and
they shall be heard and allayed, 1
promise you. Men, I'm ashamed of
you. While your comrades are in the
field facing priyation and danger and
death for tho glory of that old flag
which you have only just sworn to de-
fend, you, for trihing delay which tho
throes of our government should ex-
cuse, dare to nlurmur and revolt. Out
upon such soldiers! Do you know what
you risk? Do you appreciate that 1
have but to step to that telegraph and
the regulars will surround you and
rake your camp with an enflading fire?
Do you long to serve your country at
the Dry Tortugas? Have care, or there
you shall be sent, weighted with the
contempt of all loyal men. Officers, to
your posts! There will be review pres
entity
"'Three cheers for the generalr shout
ed the clear voice of the blue eyed re-
cruit as turned away, and they were
given with will.
$50 went through that camp, speak
ing as l never had spoken, inwardly
overwrought with excitement, but out
wardly the cold, distant personifcation
Of discipline Within two hours I had
that brigade formed in hollow square,
and from its center I renewed my threats
and my promises. They were effective.
Reason returned to the men and with it
came shame. What had looked like a
dangerous outbreak was quelled by
moral force.
'sAs 1 left the parade met Captain
johnson.
"'By tho way, captain,' asked, who
Is that bright looking young soldier of
yours who seemed to be resisting the
madness Of the menY Tho captain
scowled quito unnecessarily.
"'That's Thomas Browne he an
swered moodily. He doesn't amount to
much
''l'm certain you don't, I reflected as
returned to tho city.
"a month passed by. Discipline had
dono It's perfect work. Themob had be-
come well drilled brigade. Tho men
had received their arrears, and wero
eager to wipe out disgrace and to achieve
renown in action. The order for their
advance was expected daily. l sat in
my quarters in the city, alone and idle,
for my duty had been fulfillel and l was
about to report at Washington. The
door opened and a tall, slender young
woman, neatly dressed, stood before me-
Her face was pallid; her large black eyes
shono intensely.
"'Oh, sir she exclaimed, save my
soldier! He said that you might and
she sank In chair by my side weeping
and moaning and wringing her fragile
hands in q manner most pitiable to be-
hold.
"'But. my dear madam expostu-
lated sternly, this won't do at all. If
you wish my aid you must be calm and
sensible. Tell me who you are, who
your soldier is, and what you want
my severity succeeded, as intended
it should. She was stout hearted little
thing, and she gulped down her sobs,
and in a moment sat upright and tran
gull.
% L beg your pardon, she said gently,
and l felt like brute. My name is
Mary Graeme, and-and I'm engaged
to Thomas Browne. He's my soldier,
you know, and he's in the camp over in
New Jersey
:" Thomas Drowner Oh! l remem-
bored. Yes, my DEAR replied. "A
fine looking young fellow, with bright
blue eyes, think?
"'Oh, such bonny eyes, so tender, so
true! And they speak his nature, be-
lieve me. know him so well; we were
little children together. He has been
placed uad's. arrest, sir, and is to be
tried before the court martial now in
session.
"'For what ofenseY
"'He was a sentry, sir, and was found
asleep on his post
"Phew! Hero was a pretty mess in
deed for the young recruit.
"'My dear child, responded gravely,
this is most serious matter. Asleep
on his post of duty in the face of the
enemy! Why, 1t may cost him his life!
And at the very time, too, when there
has been revolt in the camp and the
court feels the necessity of a stern ex-
ample
81 shook my head obviously"
"Here my friend the general paused to
light a cigar, and I sprang at once into
the breach.
''Hold onr' l exclaimed. do you
mean to seriously claim that sentry
might be executed for sleeping on his
post In suburb of New York, 400 miles
away from any enemy2"
Ny friend the general nodded.
81 explained all that to you in the first
place" he replied. "Given those facts,
the court would find him guilty and the
articles of war prescribe death as the
penalty. Courts martial must render an
absolute, unqualified verdict of either
guilty or not guilty. Mitigating cir
cumstances can only be considered in