Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-05-16

HERES YOUR CHANCE. sam.
glass OF this delicious drink, little
thinking Of the consequences, as she
did not know Of the captains pledge,
and he took one. "What possessed me
| never could tell" Grant said, broken
ly, to n brother officer, as he told him
the story, "but the first thing knew |
had broken my pledge A few days
after this Capt. Grant was sent for by
Maj. buchanan. Poor Grant knew
what was coming, as he walked across
the parade ground to the Office OF tho
commanding officer, and when he en-
tered the Office several brother officers
LETT Mai. buchanan nodded to his
adjutant, who also left the Office, leay-
Ing the poor captain to face the
music alone Holding to papers in his
hand Muj Buchanan said, in his stern
est manner:
Capt, Grant, here are two papers
you signed two months ago, One ~
your pledge, the other your resigna-
ton 1t is true that you have broken
the former?'
Grant met his commanding officers
eye fearlcssly. "Yes, sir, 1t Is true"
he suid.
What do you deem my duty In the
matter OF your resignation?' was the
majors next question.
There was moments silence Then
Grant spoke: You are an old soldier,
Maj. Buchanan. You do not need in
struction from me. But, since you
have asked me the question, | will an
swer it. 1t Is your duty to send In the
resignation Of any officer who breaks
his pledge, and know Of no reason
why an exception to the rule should be
made In the case before you
THAT Is all, SIR" answered "Old
Buck" as he rose and bowed poor
Grant out. Two months later On off,
cial communication reached the post,
1t informed Capt U. 8. Grant that his
resignation had been accepted, to take
effect July 81, 1854. This was the end
Of 1t, and Capt Grant ceased to be an
army officer from that date. lie packed
up his goods, and early one morning
left for the east.
This Is how Grant left the army the
first time. How he got back Is told
below,
In the spring Of 1861 a captain Of the
regular army was ordered to repair to
Springfield, ILL.,, and begin the duties
Of mastering officer. He found on ar
rival at the capital that the adjutant
general Of the state was young man
who knew very little Of army matters
and papers, and who was really Of no
assistance to him IN making out the
intricate muster rolls. lie was told by
the adjutant general that he was
authorized TO hire clerk. That same
day, while he was working over pile
Of muster rolls, the door OF his Office
opened and man, plainly clad and
wearing heavy brown beard, entered.
Walking up to the desk he said
why, don't you know me, Tom9"
ats Sam Grant, Isn't it?' replied
the captain, as he rose and warmly
shook hands with his comrade OF West
Point and the Mexican war days. lie
ran iseyes over Grant, and 1t was clear
that he was not prosperous.
1--WE come here to get something to
do, but I've got no influence and I'm
getting discouraged. Can't you give
me something to do?" Grant asked.
" need a clerk to help me with
these rolls" said the captain, land II
you will take the place ct one hundred
dollars month I will be glad to have
YOU"
Grant accepted at once, and hanging
his not very new SLOUGH hat on peg,
he was soon hard at work. lie gradu-
ally told his old comrade his story, He
blamed no one but himself, and all he
wanted was chance to redeem the
past-just one chance.
III can get that chance for you
will, Sam" answered the captain. I'll
try and get you q commission"
A few days later the chance arrived.
News reached Springfield that Gen. Polk
was on his way to Cairo with twenty
thousand men. The war department
directed that every available man be
sent to the front at once There were
three thousand men in camp The cap
tain reported to the governor that he
was ready to muster in three regi'
ments. Uniforms and arms had been
issued that morning. Nothing but the
mastering in and the making out Of
the commissions for the field officers
remained 10 be done.
Governor, who are you going to sp-
point colonies and lieutenant colonies
Of these new regimentsa" inquired the
captain. II ask because II the news -.
true these regiments will b led into