The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-02-10

DH' NSpti' t4NiIb gave d olll uS dti
said nothing. What use wou!
further wrangling be! But tn
silence was an i'll move. 1t onl
fingered him further, and he thre,
at me an insult which was NOR
than human man could endure.
Do you think you will again fee
inclined to use those powers o
yours tomorrow Eugene7 Or had
better have you handcufed 10 som,
steady Old soldier?
A dozen of tue other officer:
sprang to their feet at this ghastly
taunt, tor when such thing as this
was said to one OF their number il
touched all. The old major was
their spokesman.
Colonel, we make all allowances,
but you are going too far with the
yourgster.
The colonel scowled round tight
Tipped for minute, and then said:
l am quite capable,,of commanding
this regiment OF lost sheep without
unasked- tSr advice from subordinates
major. Lieutenant Ramard, you
heard my question, l presume?
Please have the civility to answer.
During the minutes respite l had
been thinking and acting-that is,
writing. I got up and handed the
colonel a slip of paper. On it were
the words.
| acknowledge that I, E. Ramard,
lieutenant of the Twenty-second d -
am coward. EUGENE RAMARD.
He read it.
There, sir, said, kindly add the
date, as | have forgotten what it is,
and please leave that behind with
the baggage when we march tomor
row. II | do not do better work Tor
France than any man in the reei-
ment, it is my wish that this paper
be published. The colonel nodded
grimly and then frowned.
Have | your permission now, sir.
to withdraw from this room1
A refusal was framing ITSELF
could see it-but the lowering faces
around made him curb his passion,
and he nodded again, but reluctantly.
In the dark, wet air outside, and
not before, did l realize fully what
mad done. The screed on the slip OF
paper had been the spasm of the
Instant. 1t seemed to me now the
outcome OF a moments insanity.
had had no plan, no trace OF scheme
in my head while l was scribbling.
The words and the pledge were an
empty boast, made in the wild hope
that l could hold them good. But
how could such a thing be done?
The most furious, desperate courage
by itself would avail nothing. There
would be thousand men around
each to the full as brave as I-for no
one can march farther than death
and to better work TOR France than
any of them! All no the thing was
impossible! With them should fall
and among all of them l alone would
be branded infamous. The paper
would be brought to light, the curt
bald confession would be read, with
no explanation of how or why it was
written, and men would form their
own opinions-aIl hostile, all against
me.
To leave behind nothing but thu
name OF self avowed coward? Oh
agony, bitter agony
| wandered wherever my blind
feet led me, wrenched by torments
that God alone knew the strength
of, and from which there seemed no
human means of escape. The heavy
rain squalls moaned down the village
streets. The place, with its armed
tenantry, slept. Only the dripping
sentries were open eyed. These.
taking me for an officer on ordinary
rounds, saluted with silent respect.
No soul lnterfered with me. Not
even dog barked.
The thought came: You die only
to gain wreath of craven plumes.
Why not pass away from here
escape-desert-vanish-be known
no more and yet live? No one
withholds from you new life and new
country. France alone, OF all the
world. is utterly hopeless fer
you.
The thought gained. l saw it
freely now, for the dead, dull black
ness OF my prospect then showed
no spot OF relief In my walkings
to and fro l gradually verged nearer
to the outer Gordon. AS an officer
| knew the words for the night
sign and countersign both. l could
pass the pickets.
Farther and farther toward the
scattered outskirts Of the hamlet
did my doubling feet lead me. In
one more patrol up and down l think
my mind would have been made up
and after that whatever deluge the
fates desired. But a sound fell on
my ear. faint and not unmusical.
| was duly conscious of some new
scheme beginning to frame itself.
changed my path and walked
faster.
Presently the cause of the sound
disclosed itself. A field forge, an
anvil and couple of grimy tsrriers
and half a dozen troopers with
horses. The cavalrymen were rest
ing on the ground water bride in
hand awaiting their turns. The
smiths were shaving, sweating swear