Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-30

wbuld do in case the sentence Of the
cq|urt wero approved and carried into
effect. He formed many plans, which
wbro all abandoned. At last no settled
d1wn to the resolve that he would go to
tile army In the east, enlist under an
assumed name and await the coming Of
sttme missile to end his career, as he
h }d intended at Chickamauga-
lone morning an orderly rode up to
him and handed him an order to report
III person at General Thomas head.
qtarters. Calling for his horse and fol-
hts own orderly, Jakey. to follow. he
mounted, and in feverish mood darted
nEay to obey the order.
What did the summons mean? Some.
thing definite in his affairs had come
about; that he felt reasonably sure OF.
Pbrhaps the papers Of tho court in his
c,,se had been found. Perhaps they had
b1en made out in duplicate. The latter
s,jpposition was tho most likely. His
ofense could not be ignored. Indeed he
cduld not afford to have 1t ignored. The
s,htence must be either set aside or car.
ried into effect. Dismissal would be Tar
n| ore desirable than living in suspense.
IAN these matters rushed through his
mind while he rode to respond to the
simmons. The nearer he drew to head
charters the less hopeful he became.
Mter all, was il not absurd to expect
Anything except that new papers had
bien made, the sentence forwarded "ap'
pioved, and he was now to be inform
ed that he was no longer In the army!
General Thomas could do much for him,
bht there was not general In the army
who had q higher sense Of soldiers
obligations than he. How was it posi-
b!e that so great leader, 50 rigid dis
ctplinarian, ono with such high concep-
tibns, could do aught in his case but
APPROVE tho sentence? And now he was
sliding for him to inform him Of his
degradation.
Following this reasoning. by the time
hb arrived at headquarters his expecta'
tjons were at the lowest ebb. He dis
mounted. and so preoccupied was he that
hb left his horse standing without fas'
timing her, but Jakey rode forward and
sjized the rein. Maynard gave his name
ID an orderly and in few minutes
s1ood before the man whose very pres
ehce was quite sufficient to strike terror
i:,to the heart Of a delinquent.
But the first face OIL which Maynard's
eyes rested was not that Of the general.
Another was there TO greet him, one
Who he knew, whether he were honor,
eh or disgraced, would never love him
the less. It was his wife. The thought
fnshed through his brain, "She Is here
tb comfort me when the blow falls. y
He wanted to fly TO her embrace. The
Impulse was checked. He saw that she
Turned to fly to him, but she, too, re-
strained herself, for there, between
them, lowered the figure Of the general.
Maynard gave him quick glance. but
cbuld discover nothing in his count
rhnce 20 indicate what his fate would
te. These glances, these surmises, last
Ill but for moment, for the genei d
spoke:
II have sent for you to inform you 1
Hour status in the army"
Maynard bowed his head and waited.
"The otfense for which you were
ttied," the general spoke slowly and
ihpressively, was too grievous to be
overlooked. 1t would have pleased me
ih the case Of SO brave man to set II
skide, but such course would have con-
dbned that which, II it should go unpur
ijhed, would strike at the very founds'
tjon Of military discipline. In liberatinG
Sspy intrusted to your care you violat'
al ssered trust and assumed an au
thority such az Is not accorded to any
che save the president Of the United
sitates.
Maynard did not raise his eyes from
the ground He knew what was coming.
Ind q shiver passed over him.
"A new set Of papers were prepared
dnd sent to me. forwarded them
| Maynard's eyes were almost starting
from their sockets.
with my approval"
"Oh, general" gasped the stricken
Ihan, catching at the tent pole for sup
hort Laura could with difficulty keeI
ller seat, so eager was she to fly to him.
"They have also been approved by the
flresident, and you have been dismissed
from the service Of the United States,
With forfeiture Of all pay and emolu
.pents. "
Maynard tried to speak. He wishee
10 say that he could not complain OF the
sentence-that, considt Sing the offense,
\ was merciful-but his tongue would
9ot obey him.
$50 much for your punishment, thu
,keneral went ON after a slight pause.
tThere are other matters, however. &
lle considered. These are your youth.
The circumstances under which you were
placed, the voluntary sacrifice OF your
lelf made to save another and in obedi
Jnce to your own Interpretation OF youl
auty in repaying q sacred obligation
While these considerations do not de
jtroy the act or its pernicious effect a
in example. they show conclusively tha
II did not spring from base motives, bu
father in obedience to strong sense o.
honor, which soldier should hold II
highest esteem.
When the general began to speak u
these palliating circumstances, Maynard
hid not hear him. As he proceeded
however, his attention was arrested.
Furthermore, there are your bril-
liant services, both as a scout and ye
more recently in the battle through
which we have just passed. Ihave takeI
pains to learn Of your services IN TIT
ranks on the 10th Of September and wa
myself q witness to your gallantry OF
The ridge ON the goth. cannot find 1
in my heart to fail in my acknowledg
ments to my man, however he may hav'
hrred, who engaged in that desperate
Struggle, which was turning point II
bur fortune and may be said to hav'
eayed US all from rout or capture.
Besides for more than year ] hav'
watched your career with interest.
am sure that you are possessed OF un
doubted military talents, perhaps OF
nigh order. / believe it to be true wis
dom on the part Of the government T.
retain those talents for the country
Therefore, in the interest Of the Unite'
jStates and Tor gallant and meritoriou
conduct at the battle Of Chickamauga
II have suggested your name to the presi
ideut for the appointment Of brigadie
joymeral of volunteers. A batch of sucl