The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-26
oPIE READ as a SOLDIER.
he Was Satisfied to Let the War Go
On for Five Dollars a Day.
the Chicago Inter &c

d.
The nearest friends of Opia Read, the
novel writer, would not suspect that he
had ever achieved military rank. He is
most unmilitaFy-looking man, who can
not be induced to wear so much of gaudy
trapping as printed badge on any occa-
sion, no matter how great Besides, with
the exception that he was born in Ten
nessee and lived several years in Ken
lucky and Arkansas, it is not generally
known that there is any reason why he
should have military title. But Read
was once major under commission in
military service.
What was known as the "Perryvilie
War; in Arkansas, in 1882, was riotous
! strike that had to be controlled by the
state militia A large body of the national
guard was sent to the scene under COM
mand of Gen. Bob Newton, and these
/ troops were encamped there several
weeks. Opie Read, who was then a re-
porter for Little Rock daily newspaper,
was sent to the front as that Journals
official corresodnpent in the field, and be-
ing a close friend of the commanding
ofticer that gentleman sent for Read, and
in order to give him the comforts and ad-
vantages of headquarters appointed him
to oe MAJOR and aide-de-camp, with all
the honors and emoluments pertaining to
| such position.
OF course Major Read paid no attention
to anything likepersonal military service,
and doubtless slept soundly long after
''reveille" and played poker and wrote his
newspaper letters without regard to ''tat-
too and TAPS"
One day during the war" Read had
been writing one of his letters for the
Daily Gazette in Gen. Newton marquee,
and was in The act of folding and envel-
oping ii to send away in the mail when
the general said to him.
Here, want to read that letter be-
fore it goes
"You read itw queried the newspaper
major.
anything contraband of war"
'But don't intend to let you read it"
Il demand it, sir, as your superior
officer"
Il don't care what you demand. You
can't see that letter until it is printed in
! the paper"
I'm have you court-martialed for in
subordination, Mai. Read"
During this dialogue Gen. Newton had
maintained very serious face, and he
fairly bristled with military dignity.
Read began to regard the matter seriously
also as Gen. Newton was usually very
jolly and unconventional. To the last re-
mark of the officer the correspondent re-
piled interrogatively:
court martial me- HOW can you nave
me court martialed ?"
To which Gen. Newton replied:
You are a major, sir; and aid de camp
! on my staff, under pay of IS per day from
/ the state, by virtue of this commission
! presenting parchment roll and yet you
refuse TO obey orders, and am command
ant here. shall prefer charges and have
! you court martialed, sir
That was the first iutimation Read had
received that he was on any other pay
roll than that of the newspaper he was
serving. But now he blurted out:
Say Bob, am l to get S. day as
major on yonr staff@n
That is your pay" said Gen. Bob.
Read broke out all over in big and audi,
BILE smiles, pushed the manuscript across
the table toward the officer, and said
Take the stuff. Read it and let the
| war go on"