Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-12-20
CHAPTER VIII.

When Brown was released rom con-
fnement he went at once to his quar-
ters, and was accorded a warm welcome
by his comrades He took bath and
changed his clothing, for the guard
houses of frontier military posts are
not noted for cleanliness, and then
went to report for duty to his troop
commander. Capt. and Mrs. Colby
were sitting on the porch of their
quarters when he came up, and re-
spectfully saluting the captain and re-
moving his cap he said:
81 am instructed, sir, to report to you
for duty"
al am glad Of it, Brown" the captain
replied. 81 am gratified that the re-
suit of your rash act has not proved so
serious as had feared. l know that
you will kindly receive some advice
from me, for assure you feel a more
than ordinary interest in your well
fare"
"Shall retire, captain?" asked Mrs.
Colby.
"No, my dear, / wish you to remain.
I am not going to reprove Private
Brown very severely, nor in the least
humiliate him. just wish to say this,
Brown. You are not an ordinary sol
dier. Your demeanor, your language,
your every act indicates that through
some chain of circumstances, which I
shall not inquire into, you are placed
In a position far beneath the station in
life in which you are fitted by educa-
ton and training to hold an honored
place. You no doubt at times deeply
feel the chains of servitude which
bind you, and unpleasant experiences
which an ordinary soldier would ac-
cept as a matter of course, awake in
your sensitive nature spirit of resent
ment. think understand and be-
neve can fully appreciate your feel
ings in the recent trouble you had
with superior officer. Your sense of
manhood revolted at the unwarranted
abuse heaped upon you, and in your
rage you lost sight of your army rank
and assaulted him. That was very un-
wise. The men at the stables were
witnesses to your alteration with
Lieut. Vandever, and would have testi-
fed to that officers action toward you
In an official inquiry, and had you qui-
Guy SuDlultltu W HIS lTGdLlncHL anu
reported the matter to myself as your
troop commander, thorough investi-
cation would have followed, and full
justice would have been done you. l
have but this advice to offer you,
Brown. While you remain in the ranks
you must never lose sight of your po-
sition, and must submit to annoyances
which you would resent In civil life.
Always keep in mind the fact that the
humblest private in the ranks has
rights which his officers are bound to
respect, and that redress for his wrongs
In provided for by the rules and regu-
lations governing military discipline.
This cloud upon the face of your most
excellent record as a soldier is not in
efaceable, and you can soon be in as
good standing as you were before the
unfortunate occurrence"
Brown listened attentively to the
Ii->I -,e-ia - 1lr--~r s-i--,e----7 .-'-s'v
replied:
"I thank you, sir, for the words you
have spoken, and I deeply appreciate
the spirit in which the advice is given.
/ assured you when you so kindly Wis
tied me in the guard house that deep
ly regretted my assault upon Lieut.
Vandever, and now repeat it, sir, that
am sincerely sorry did not bride my
temper and seek for redress through
the proper channels"
The captain regarded the young sol
dier attentively for a moment, and said
"If asked to do so. Brown, would You
60 to Lieut.. Vandcver and offer him an
apology for striking him?"
Browns face flushed and look Of
manly independence shot from his eyes;
but, before he could reply, Mrs. Colby,
with marked emphasis, exclaimed:
Indeed, he would not, Capt. Colby.
This man is "a"
"Thcre, there, my dear. was just
testing the young mans mettle, and his
eyes have answered me-" the officer in
terrupted with a knowing smile. II
had no thought of asking him to humil-
late himself TO man who certainly
wronged him. The testimony given
Rt the court-martial showed conclusive
iy that Lieut.. Vandever's action toward
him was unwarranted, every officer in
the garrison knows 1t was unwar-
ranted, and the action OF the command
ing officer when reviewing the findings
and sentence was rebuke to the lieu
tenant which sincerely hope he may
profit by. You will report for duty to
your first sergeant, Brown, and trust
that no similar trouble may ever again
come into your army life"
The young soldier saluted and was
about to retire when Mrs. Colby said:
81 have been informed that you are
an artist, Brown"
Eyes, madam, but very ordinary
one. A much poorer one than ! hope
to be some day when again given facil-
tiles to follow an art which ! de1rly
love"
81 have a painting in my parlor
which would like to show you. II
was gift from my mother on my we'd
ding day, and prize it very highly.