Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-07
A BROKEN PAROLE.

immense quantity of military stores We
dsmantled the bridges as we'll as we could,
and then we made oil, and quickly, too"
"WhY SOP"
because reinforcements had been tele-
graphed for to that further city on our ap-
proach, and were hurrying thither as fast as
steam could urge them. We had done too
we'll to risk Pyrrhic victory. Well, be-
fore we started, Captain Brown brought the
Brigadier General before me, fine appear
ing fellow, splendid with new regalia.
My friend, the General, paused and pulled
thoughtfully on his cigar
Il suppose you anticipate the sequel and
wonder why 1 didn't suspect, he observed.
Naturally"
"Well, am looking back, and the light
now is very clear. The lamp of the future
has its forward slide closed, you know, and
even what we see We do not comprehend.
Besides, Macrane had given his parole, and
its sanctity was q shield from shameful con-
lecture. thought he had whispered some
cheer of speedy exchange, which would
have been realized, too, had I but had q
chance for intercession. But to continue.
When we reached our camp the paroles were
reduced to writing by the Adiutant and
signed by the respective prisoners and after
this formality was concluded we considered
them our guests.
"I'm sorry for you, General I said.
otis the fortunes Of war
"'Rather malignant ones for me, he re-
piled with grim smile. Il had just won
my star. Still
"'We will make your comfort our pleas
ure, / protested. II you and your staff
will give me your parole, you shall know
no restraint. He laid his hand on his
sword. No, nor continued. Keep your
sidearms and your horses
I pledge you my word, on my honor as
an officer and gentleman, that 1 will not
attempt to escape, said the captive CHIEF
tain, and SO, likewise, repeated each one of
his staff.
"''Tis sufficient. gentlemen I replied
we must now ride briskly to camp.
cat this juncture Captain Brown ad-
vanced with another prisoner who had been
held BY his reserve guard.
"Good God! Macrane,' exclaimed the
Brigadier, did they take you? My poor
fellow, how unfortunate, how tefribleP
Yes, General The clergyman had Just
fnishe his prayer. I had lust kissed nv
wife for the first time,' said the young
officer, as he sat erect and soldierly as
have recalled him, but the personihcation
of despair.
"His commander looked at me wisttully,
as IL tempted 10 mdh6 lUL6TCcSSlOQs linen
his face grew stern. 'Tis the fortunes of
war. he repeated, bitterly. Give your
parole, Macrane.'
'"The young officer placed his hand on his
sword, but threateningly. He glanced
about him. There WAS no lane of escape
through the masses of blue.
H'I pledge my word on my honor as an
officer and gentleman, that will not at
tempt to escape, he said, and as he spoke
his face grew even more ashen.
'En ayant, Messieursl' and away we
rode.
"After q little beckoned Captain Brown
to me and talked with him apart.
"'Where did you get this Macrane, Cap
tain?' asked. He wasn't with the others
"'No indeed, General. It's quite story,
and l wish, Tor one, that it hadn't hap
pened. Last evening, just after sunset, as
we were winding our way through the
swamp, sometimes sinking waist deep, as
you may Judge from the appearance of nv
men, we came Unexpectedly upon solid
ground and q clearing. Before MS stretched
evident signs of civilization. We cautious
ly advanced through what had once been q
well-ordered plantation and neared an old
fashioned, widespread mansion, comfortable
with the outhouses about it like men with
her brood.
'rhe house was aglow with ig ht and
air waited from it fragrant with fowerG